Twins – Page 60 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Zimmer Won’t Be Fired Any Time Soon

Posted on October 18, 2021October 18, 2021 by David Shama

Mike Zimmer has survived his critics so far. With the Vikings headed into a bye week and not playing again until October 31, the embattled head coach won’t be dismissed mid-year.

Fans, many of whom have been frustrated with Zimmer for years, are howling for his termination. Despite a two-game winning streak that has pulled the season record to 3-3, the criticism is intense mostly because Minnesota has missed the playoffs two of the last three years and continues to play conservative offense.

Only a deep run into the postseason, perhaps necessitating a trip to the Super Bowl, will pacify the large number of Zimmer critics. While the Vikings have the potential to be a playoff team, the inconsistency shown so far won’t even be enough to make the playoffs.

Ahead on the schedule are two games against the 5-1 Packers. Other 5-1 teams to contend with are the Cowboys, Ravens and Rams. Minnesota must also play the 4-2 Chargers.

A deeply disgruntled fan-base can hit the Vikings ownership hard, both financially and emotionally. Angry patrons stop buying tickets and boycott other revenue sources of the franchise. When boos fill U.S. Bank Stadium, it sends a message to ownership that customers are very unhappy.

It’s likely that inside the organization expectations were high for this season. Zimmer, now in his eighth season as Minnesota head coach, is expected to deliver a winning season and make the playoffs. It seems probable only that result will save his job.

Owners Zygi and Mark Wilf are fans, too, but they are disciplined in their actions. They have been loyal to employees, including those who have been with the organization even longer than Zimmer. The Wilfs approved the hiring of Zimmer in 2014, know him well and are probably emotionally invested in the 65-year-old head coach. Their position regarding Zimmer’s job status is likely to give him the full season to see what the Vikings can accomplish.

Those who want a coaching change during the season are unlikely to see it.

Worth Noting

After Saturday’s win over Nebraska, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck is 17-8 in his last 25 games. That’s the best stretch for a Gopher coach since Glen Mason was 17-8 in 2002 and 2003.

The Bowling Green football team is 2-5 this season and has lost three straight games since its stunning upset of the Gophers who were 30 point favorites. Fleck said Saturday the game was probably his worst coaching performance since taking over at Minnesota in 2017.

As bad as the Gophers played, they almost certainly win that game if All-American running back Mo Ibrahim and best wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell are available. Best guess is the season-ending loss of Ibrahim costs Minnesota at least two wins this season.

Fleck met with his boss, athletic director Mark Coyle, after the Bowling Green debacle. The coach said he appreciated Coyle’s advice, “Time to row.”

Nebraska native Scott Frost, the embattled Cornhuskers coach now in his fourth season in Lincoln, was supposed to be the program’s savior. Awhile back his arrival generated plenty of praise including this quote from college football announcer Tim Brando: “…I believe he will be the most successful Division I coach in college football since Nick Saban was hired in Tuscaloosa.”

The Big Ten West Division winner could go to the Rose Bowl, with the East Division champ advancing to the College Football Playoff. Minnesota, at 2-0 in division games, is among the teams in the early running for the West championship.

Two seats were assigned to Rose Bowl representatives at Huntington Bank Stadium for the Nebraska-Minnesota game. Other seat assignments were for scouts of the Vikings, Seahawks and 49ers.

Nashville calling? The Gophers have been to the Music City Bowl three times and are a decent bet to end up there December 30. Last trip to that bowl was 2005.

Condolences to family and friends of Gary Reierson, who recently passed away. He was a standout in baseball and football for the Gophers in the mid-1960s. Gary had a successful career in sales and was president of the Old Timers’ Hot Stove League.

Doesn’t seem likely the Twins will want to re-sign Nelson Cruz despite management’s appreciation of his hitting production and leadership before dealing him last summer to the Rays. As a free agent this offseason he might command a $10 million deal and the budget conscious Twins have sustained serious financial losses the last two seasons.

Money is better spent on starting pitching. On paper right now that unit looks like the stuff of an expansion team.

Maybe new Timberwolves owner Alex Rodriguez, whose voice is heard on Fox’s national baseball games, can use his influence to help the Twins land in a future Field of Dreams game. A Twins-Brewers game seems like a natural, with Minneapolis and Milwaukee less than 240 miles from Dyersville, Iowa.

Ticket interest in the Minnesota Wild doesn’t heat up until later in the football season but the St. Paul-based team gets a break with its home game next Sunday because the Vikings have a schedule bye. Look for the Wild to announce a sellout for tomorrow night’s home opener against the Jets.

If the Wild, 2-0 on the season, continue with a hot start there will be credit given to GM Bill Guerin for creating a better culture on the roster by dumping veterans Zach Parise and Ryan Suter during the offseason. Parise, 37 and now with the Islanders, has no goals or assists in two games. Suter, 36, has an assist in two games for the Stars and is expected to have a bigger impact on his team than Parise.

In the “State of Hockey” there are no Minnesota franchises in the United States Hockey League but new commissioner Bill Robertson and other leaders of the top junior league are considering expansion beyond the current 16 teams. Suter owns the Madison Capitols.

Tickets for the general public go on sale Thursday to watch the 2022 Women’s Final Four in Minneapolis. Prices start at $100 for the April 1 and 3 games at Target Center. ncaa.com/wbbtickets.

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Darrell Thompson Believes in U Rushers

Posted on October 12, 2021October 12, 2021 by David Shama

Golden Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck doesn’t expect starting tailback Trey Potts to play again this season, and for Saturday’s home game against Nebraska he plans to use multiple replacements.

Potts had been averaging over 20 carries per game until he had to leave the October 2 game at Purdue with an undisclosed medical problem that led to several days of hospitalization. Asked whether there will be a primary replacement for Potts in the upcoming game, Fleck said the situation is “going to be a little more by committee.”

“Bucky” Irving has been receiving the most carries behind Potts. The true freshman has played in four games for the 3-2 Gophers, rushing 25 times for 117 yards while showing elusiveness.

“I believe in him (Irving) 100 percent,” Fleck said. “You’re going to see a heavy dose of him.”

Fleck, though, wasn’t ruling out significant potential minutes for redshirt freshman Ky Thomas, redshirt sophomore Cam Wiley and redshirt junior Bryce Williams.

Thomas has played in one game, rushing seven times for 65 yards. Wiley has appeared in two games with six attempts and six yards. Williams has also played minimally this year but is by far the most experienced of the running backs, with the 2018 season his most active when he rushed 117 times for 502 yards.

Darrell Thompson is Minnesota’s all-time career rushing leader in yards and touchdowns. He said the Gophers still have “really good running backs” but he isn’t minimizing the blow of not having Potts for the last seven games of the regular season. “It’s a big loss,” Thompson told Sports Headliners. “He’s a tremendous running back.”

Thompson has watched enough of newcomer Irving to see things he likes. “I think No. 1 (is) his balance. He doesn’t go down easy which is the No. 1 thing that I look for in a running back,” Thompson said. “He gets yards after contact. I like to watch him run, I think he has good vision as well.”

What about Thomas? “I think Ky is talented,” Thompson said. “He’s got really good vision. I just haven’t seen enough (to say more).”

Wiley has looked unsure at running back and returning kickoffs during his Minnesota career. “I just think he’s gotta get more confidence, and some opportunity, and maybe just more time,” Thompson said. “He just needs to be decisive. He needs to do it (not over think his runs).”

At 6-2, 210, Wiley’s athleticism and potential has been compared to former Gopher All-American Laurence Maroney, perhaps the best breakaway runner in Minnesota history. “He might have Maroney acceleration,” Thompson said. “Other than that, I don’t know.”

Williams is remembered for scoring two touchdowns in Minnesota’s 2018 win over Wisconsin, the program’s first victory in Madison since 1994. “He’s decisive,” Thompson said. “He’s going to get what the play is blocked for. He’s a very good running back.”

It’s been an unlucky season at the running back position for Minnesota. All-American Mo Ibrahim won’t play again in 2021 after a lower leg injury following the opening game. “He’s a hell of a running back,” Thompson said.

Minnesota defeated Purdue 20-13 with Potts playing most of the game. The conservative Minnesota offense is built around the running game. Can the Gophers have continued success with the running back roster that remains? “I think there’s enough there,” Thompson said.

Fleck has a running back group that he has seen a lot more of in practices than games. “That’s what we’re all going to find out. …I want to see how they perform in the game situation as well.”

Worth Noting

Developing national news: Michael Hsu, the former University of Minnesota regent, is a volunteer and board member of the new College Basketball Players Association. He said paper work for the nonprofit is being filed in California this week. The organization will be similar to the College Football Players Association that launched last summer as a national advocacy entity. Hsu is also a board member of the CFBPA.

Fleck said star wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell, who has played minimally this season because of an ankle injury, will be available for Saturday’s game. So, too, will promising redshirt sophomore wide receiver Dylan Wright who missed the Purdue game because of a friend’s death.

Thompson, 53, enjoyed the first tailgate experience of his life last Saturday in Mankato where he watched the home town MSU Mavericks (son True is a wide receiver) play Wayne State in a Division II game. “Very nice,” Thompson texted about the tailgating experience that included his home-made chili. The tailgate opportunity came up because the Gophers had a bye, creating an opportunity for Thompson not to be in the radio booth for Minnesota football broadcasts.

Official box scores have reported attendance of over 66,000 for Vikings games at U.S. Bank Stadium this season but the actual scanned tickets total is thousands under that figure. An indication of fan interest in the team is the secondary ticket market has been soft for Vikings home games.

The struggling Vikings, 2-3 and coming off a last minute win over the lowly Detroit Lions, have attractive opponents remaining on the home schedule. Mike Nowakowski from Ticket King said the Green Bay Packers game is at about $200 minimum to get in the stadium, with the Pittsburgh Steelers ($120), Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams in demand, too.

Wishful thinking? The Vikings started 2-3 in 2008 before going on to a 10-6 final regular season record and NFC North Division championship.

The Vikings have scored a combined total of 26 points in their last two games and kicker Greg Joseph has produced 14 of the points on two extra points and four field goals.

The Minnesota Wild had a team retreat in Duluth early this week and today practices in the city’s hockey facility, Amsoil Arena. The club’s regular season opener is Friday night in Anaheim (Minnesota was 7-1-0 last season against the Ducks).

With a lot of new players, the retreat is a successful bonding experience for the Wild. Activities included sitting around a campfire and talking. The NHL team has used Duluth and Colorado Springs for past preseason retreats.

The Capital Club hears from 1991 Minnesota Twins World Series heroes Tom Kelly and Kent Hrbek Wednesday morning. Gopher women’s basketball coach Lindsay Whalen, and assistant Kelly Roysland, speak to the group October 21. Both meetings are at Mendakota Country Club, with more information available from Patrick@aglilemarketingco.com.

Congratulations to Minikahda Club pro Jeff Sorenson for winning the Minnesota PGA Player of the Year Award. He now has an invite to the 2022 3M Open.

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Twins Not Parting Ways with Rocco

Posted on October 3, 2021 by David Shama

The Minnesota Twins end their regular season today with a series finale in Kansas City against the Royals. This could be the most disappointing year in franchise history dating back to 1961. Before the season started internal and external expectations were that the club would contend for an American League championship, not finish 17 or 18 games under .500.

Media speculation has manager Rocco Baldelli on the “hot seat.” His name is on the list of managers that could be fired soon but team president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners it’s not going to happen.

“We believe in Rocco,” St. Peter said. “We think he’s part of the solution. He’s certainly not the problem in our mind.”

Baldelli had no managerial experience when he took over the Twins for the 2019 season. His first club won the AL Central with a 101-61 record, the second most in franchise history. During a pandemic shortened 2020, the Twins were 36-24 and again led the division standings. This year’s team has underwhelmed with inconsistent pitching and injuries to key positional players.

St. Peter believes Baldelli, 40, is a better manager today because of what he has experienced the last three seasons. “Think about what he’s faced as a manager. He’s had 100 win teams. He’s had to deal with a world-wide pandemic. He’s had to deal with social justice issues. He’s had to deal with the loss of a bench coach (the late Mike Bell). He’s dealt with probably every injury you could ever imagine from all of his star players.

“And now he’s dealt with a really challenging season. A season where we’ve failed to meet expectations. Those things and 100 other things are going to help shape you as a leader, and Rocco Baldelli is still on the opening chapters of his managerial career. So there is no doubt in my mind his best managing is ahead of him.”

St. Peter doesn’t expect any major changes in the baseball front office. That includes the return of top executives Derek Falvey and Thad Levine. “Yeah, 100 percent (both return). I expect both of them to be part of our franchise for a long, long time.”

Dave St. Peter (photo courtesy of Minnesota Twins)

The team president believes 2022 will be a “retool,” not a rebuild for the club. Much of the focus, of course, will be improving the pitching staff. He’s encouraged by the work of the bullpen over the last two months, labeling it as one of the best in MLB during that period. The starting staff will receive particular offseason scrutiny with the club looking for pitching help within the organization and outside of it through potential trades and free agent signings.

St. Peter predicted predicts young starters from within the organization are likely to join the Twins as the 2022 season develops. “That really excites me because that’s really the ticket to sustained success,” he said.

Worth Noting

The Golden Gophers earned some redemption yesterday with a 20-13 win over Purdue and moved their season record to 3-2. Minnesota players and coaches had spent last week trying to explain their stunning 14-10 loss to lowly Bowling Green at home September 25. Gopher defensive end Boye Mafe said this before going to Purdue: “…If we want to do what we want to do with the season, we have to really show up and really actually execute.”

The offense, led by quarterback Tanner Morgan, was much better yesterday than the week before. Morgan was the target of much criticism passing for 59 yards on five of 13 completions against BG. “Being the quarterback of the Minnesota Golden Gophers is something that I truly cherish, but at the end of the day that’s not my identity. My identity is who I am, as a child of God, and when you remember that I think it makes things a lot easier personally. But people have a right to be angry. That’s part of college football. …”

True freshman Joe Alt, from Totino-Grace and North Oaks, was on the field at left tackle for Notre Dame yesterday during the home loss to Cincinnati.

Short list: Twins slugger Miguel Sano has 30 home runs this season and he hit 34 in 2019. He is one of only seven Twins ever to hit 30 or more in multiple seasons, joining Harmon Killebrew, Bob Allison, Tom Brunansky, Brian Dozier, Gary Gaetti and Justin Morneau.

Byron Buxton has stolen 71 bases in 81 career attempts, a percentage of .876. That’s second best in MLB history (minimum 80 attempts). Alexi Casilla, with the Twins and Baltimore Orioles, is the leader with a percentage of .879.

It was 40 years ago last Thursday (September 30, 1981) the Twins played their final game at Met Stadium, moving into the Metrodome in 1982.

Minnesota native and baseball hall of famer Dave Winfield is 70 today.

A Minnesota Timberwolves source said former coach Ryan Saunders hasn’t decided on his next career opportunity. He and wife Hayley have two children under three and continue to live in the Minneapolis area.

“The Huddle” with Mike Max and Pete Najarian debuts next Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon on WCCO Radio. The show fills the time slot of “The Sports Huddle” show that hasn’t aired for about 18 months.

As of late last week, the Minnesota Wild had sold more than 1,200 Winter Classic jerseys since announcing them about a month ago. The jerseys honor the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and the 2022 Winter Classic that will be at Target Field.

Bally Sports North will televise the Timberwolves preseason game against the New Orleans Pelicans Monday night from Target Center, with Bally Sports using its app to stream the Wild’s preseason game against the Colorado Avalanche from Xcel Energy Center on the same evening.

Kevin Harlan, the former radio voice of the Timberwolves, does the play-by-play for CBS on its TV coverage of today’s Minnesota Vikings-Cleveland Browns game.

Zero. In Minnesota’s win last Sunday the Viking defense held the Seattle Seahawks scoreless in the second half for the first time since the Tampa Bay Bucs did so in November of 2016.

Rookie left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who has yet to play for the 1-2 Vikings, perhaps could make his debut today if the game is one-sided. He was a full participant in practice last week after being sidelined with a groin issue.

The United States Hockey League had a record 375 NHL scouts and D-1 coaches at its recent Fall Classic Showcase held near Pittsburgh. Representatives of the Minnesota Wild, Golden Gophers, St. Thomas, and other Minnesota schools were in attendance. The USHL’s new president and commissioner is St. Paul native Billy Robertson.

Chris Meidt, president and CEO of Minnesota-based North Risk Partners, is the former quarterbacks coach of the Washington Redskins and ex-head coach at St. Olaf. As a Minneota High School quarterback in the 1980s he threw over 100 career touchdown passes for a then national prep record and was featured in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd.”

A pair of senior MIAC quarterbacks, Bethel’s Jaran Roste, and Chris Backes from Saint John’s, are semifinalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy. The award recognizes an individual as the best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership.

The program time to honor Minnesota prep football coaching legend Ron Stolski next Saturday has been changed from 4 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. The event will be at the Northern Pacific Center in Brainerd.

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