Vikings – Page 22 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Twins’ Willi Castro Worthy Candidate for 9-Positions Game

Posted on July 20, 2024July 20, 2024 by David Shama

In September of 1968 the Twins were headed to a 79-83 seventh place finish in the American League standings. With the club out of pennant contention, owner Calvin Griffith okayed a gimmick to boost local fan interest in his team.

Versatile Cesar Tovar, then 28, agreed to play all nine positions in the field. Tovar, who played at least 175 games or more at third, short, second and the three outfield spots in his 12-year MLB career, got the tough work out of the way early in the September 22 game against the Athletics at Met Stadium by pitching a scoreless first inning and then catching in the second.

Tovar is one of only five players in MLB history to have manned all nine positions in a single game and the Venezuelan native, who died in 1994, is the only Twin to have pulled off the feat. Tovar, who played his most games in the outfield for the Twins, ranks with the best multi-position players in franchise history but probably none can compare in versatility and fielding prowess to current super utility man Willi Castro.

Asked about Castro one day joining the list of nine position performers on the single game list, club president Dave St. Peter replied that would be in the “purview” of manager Rocco Baldelli. With the Twins among the American League favorites to be in contention for a spot in the playoffs until the closing days of the season, don’t expect Castro and Baldelli to have a you-know-what discussion this year.

The Twins, 54-42 and five games behind the Guardians in the AL Central Division, resume their post-All-Star Game break schedule tonight at home against the Brewers. Castro is the only Twin to have played in all 96 games this season. He has appeared in 30 games at second base, 24 at short, 23 in left field, 21 at third base and 20 in center while committing only 10 errors.

Castro, who has hit .265 with 10 stolen bases in 2024, has already become the only player in MLB history to have played at least 20 games at second, short, third, left field and center field in a single season. His versatility, skills and durability have stood out in a season where the club has seen stars Carlos Correa, Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton sidelined. No wonder St. Peter told Sports Headliners Castro is “arguably” the team’s MVP so far.

Castro, whose best position in the field is probably shortstop, has even pitched for the Twins this season. To save bullpen arms, Castro has pitched in two games and given up no hits or runs. He took the mound in a 2023 game for the Twins, too, reportedly throwing pitches under 50 MPH.

The 27-year-old Puerto Rico native, who made the 2024 All-Star team as a late addition to the roster, played for the division rival Tigers, the organization that decided in the fall of 2022 he wasn’t worth retaining after four seasons with the club. The Twins, though, including baseball boss Derek Falvey, saw things differently.

St. Peter said Falvey, who was with the Indians organization when Castro started his pro baseball career, deserves “lots of credit” for seeing the potential and value of their super utility player. In today’s baseball that puts a premium on multi-positional talent, the Twins hit it out of the park with Castro.

Castro, whose Mr. Versatile profile includes being a switch hitter, signed with the Indians in 2013 as an international free agent. He was traded by Cleveland in 2018 to the Tigers who ultimately decided they didn’t want to enter arbitration on his contract and let him go.

Worth Noting

Mauer photo courtesy of Minnesota Twins.

Joe Mauer, the former Twin who goes into the Baseball Hall of Fame tomorrow, would make the top 10 of all-time catchers from many authorities. Best ever? No consensus choice, but Johnny Bench from the Reds is a clear top five if not No. 1.

Roy Campanella, who played for the minor league St. Paul Saints in 1948, had his MLB career with the Dodgers cut short by a tragic car accident that left him paralyzed. His talent teased at being named the best ever.

Jordan Addison, the Vikings 22-year-old wide receiver who in about 12 months has two serious incidents with law enforcement, is probably in a zero tolerance spot with the organization going forward.

Vikings rookies, quarterbacks and select players report to training camp Sunday at Twin Cities Orthopedics Center in Eagan. The remaining players report Tuesday for the Vikings who have their first of three preseason games (lone appearance in Minneapolis) on August 10 against the Raiders.

All three games will be telecast in the Minneapolis-St. Paul market on Fox 9.

3M Open boss Hollis Cavner speaks to the Twin Cities Dunkers on Tuesday, with Gophers head football coach P.J. Fleck talking to the group August 1 at Interlachen Country Club. Fleck will be joined by Floyd of Rosedale.

With the Big Ten expanding to 18 schools, the conference’s football media preview in Indianapolis has been expanded from two to three days. Fleck is up on Thursday, speaking at 10:45 a.m. Minneapolis time. The Big Ten Network will televise the appearances of all 18 coaches Tuesday-Thursday.

Shari Ballard, who became the first female CEO in Major League Soccer in 2021 when she was hired by the United, is the latest guest on “Behind the Game.” Ballard shares her story, including her path from small town Michigan to top executive at Best Buy, with co-hosts Patrick Klinger and April Seifert.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH0E3l5x6-Q&t=112s

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Twins Trio Rate Comeback Player of Year Candidacy

Posted on July 9, 2024July 9, 2024 by David Shama

More than halfway through the 2024 season, the Twins feature three players who are worthy of American League Comeback Player of the Year candidacy. Post-season MLB annually announces recipients in both the American and National Leagues after a vote by media who cover the 30 teams. Initially, each MLB club puts up one candidate for voting.

Criteria for selection is broad with the MLB.com website referring to the winners as being “one player in each league who has re-emerged on the field during the season.” Hello, Jose Miranda, Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton who have “written scripts” making them comeback candidates.

Third baseman and DH Miranda had a miserable 2023 spending much of the season on the Injured List because of shoulder impingement. He had only 142 at bats and hit .211. That was after a rookie season in 2022 when his numbers included 444 plate appearances, 15 home runs and a 268 average.

In spring training there was no certainty Miranda would even make the roster, but his plate production has been eye-popping including his .332 average and .907 OPS. Last week he tied a MLB record with hits in 12 consecutive at bats. In the field the versatile Miranda has started several games at first base.

It was commonplace last season to reference the term plantar fasciitis with Correa. The injury to his left foot didn’t cause him to miss too much time in the lineup but it damaged his mechanics and hitting production. He had an eight-year career low in batting average (.230) and a disappointing OPS (.711). As usual, though, his fielding at shortstop was outstanding.

With better health, Correa’s 2024 performance has earned him an invitation to next week’s 2024 All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas. The Twins highest paid player after signing a reported $200 million contract before the 2023 season, Correa has silenced his critics with his play in the field, his hitting and leadership. He’s batting .303 with an impressive .886 OPS.

Buxton has long been the Twins poster man for injuries and extensive missed time in the lineup. Since 2017 when Buxton had a career high 140 games, the gifted 30-year-old has played in as few games as 28 and no more than 92. In 2023 injuries were problematic again and his role was designated hitter.

Although Buxton missed 15 games earlier this season with right knee inflammation, he has made more than 55 starts in center field and had a few DH appearances. His total games of 69 are only 16 fewer than his 85 all last season (39, 61 and 92 games respectively in 2020-2022). Buxton is hitting .324 in his last 30 games and his .272 season batting average is second best to a career high of .306 in 2021.

Outfielder Tyler O’Neill from the Red Sox, first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino of the Royals, and pitcher Carlos Rodon from the Yankees are national names frequently mentioned for AL Comeback Player of the Year, with authorities recognizing there is a lot of baseball to be played until late September.

Worth Noting

It was almost a year ago (June 29) the Twins signed a free agent player to a minor league contract whose size prompts comparisons with Yankees superstar Aaron Judge, 6-7, 282 pounds. Outfielder Carson McCusker, 6-8 and 250-pounds, was signed by Minnesota out of independent league baseball, and he is now playing for the organization’s Double-A Wichita team. In 236 at bats, he is hitting .284, with seven home runs and 39 RBI.

When the Vikings open their season September 8, it will be the first time Minnesota has played at the Giants in week one since 1969. Fran Tarkenton threw three touchdown passes for the Giants in that game and New York overcame a 23-10 second half deficit to win 24-23, per Pro-football-reference.com. Tarkenton, drafted by Minnesota in 1961, had been traded from the Vikings to the Giants before the 1967 season.

Despite the prowess of the 49ers over the years, San Francisco has lost eight consecutive games in Minneapolis. The Vikings host the 49ers September 15 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The Big Ten Conference has expanded to 18 schools but that didn’t do much for representation in Jeff Borzello’s “way too early” top 25 college men’s basketball rankings last week. Purdue, at No. 16, received the highest ranking among Big Ten teams in the listing. Indiana checked in at No. 18 and other Big Ten schools recognized were league newcomer UCLA at No. 24 and Rutgers at No. 25.

The conference has been overrated for decades and no Big Ten school has won the NCAA title since 2001 when Michigan State did it.

Look for media predictions having coach Ben Johnson’s 2024-2025 Gophers finishing among the bottom six teams in the league standings.

The Lynx will collect a ticket revenue bonanza Sunday, with prices on the team’s website yesterday ranging from $29 to four-figures to watch rookie sensation Caitlin Clark and the Fever at Target Center.

Bryce Benhart, the senior from Lakeville who turns 24 on July 14, is expected to set a Cornhusker record for career starts by an offensive lineman this season. He is tied for the lead with 41.

That’s former Golden Gophers cheerleader (Kennedy Cummins then) making a name for herself (Carlee Bright now) in professional wrestling with the WWE.

Familiar names Fred Bryan from the NFL, Ken Mauer Jr. of the NBA and Tim Tschida from MLB are no longer professional officials, but they will share career experiences and talk about how officiating is evolving to keep up with technology when they appear at the July 17 Capital Club breakfast at Mendakota Country Club. More information about the Capital Club is available from Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketingco.com

Heroes lost: Willie Mays, Orlando Cepeda and Greg Larson. The recent deaths of Mays and Cepeda struck a chord with Minnesotans old enough to remember both played for the Minneapolis Millers. Mays joined the New York Giants in 1951 and Cepeda was a star rookie for the team in 1958, the franchise’s first in San Francisco. Snooty San Franciscans booed the transplanted Mays while adopting Cepeda as their own. The Giants, who came close to relocating to Minneapolis instead of San Francisco, would have been an entertainment phenomenon here—with the adoration starting with former Millers Mays and Cepeda.

Larson, who passed away in June like Mays and Cepeda did, was a home-grown hero. The Minneapolis born Larson captained the 1960 Golden Gophers national football championship team. A three-year letter winner, Larson was an All-Big Ten center in 1960 for his team that tied Iowa for the conference title.

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Could Twins-White Sox Series Provide Trade Preview?

Posted on July 7, 2024July 7, 2024 by David Shama

The Twins’ three-game series starting tomorrow night in Chicago against the White Sox might be an opportunity to set in motion a trade to improve Minnesota’s chances of advancing to the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

The Twins, who finish a three-game home series against the Astros today, are six games behind the Guardians in the race to win the AL Central Division. Perhaps more likely than overtaking Cleveland to earn a playoff spot, is entry as a wild card team. FanGraphs.com gives the Twins a 32.9 percent chance of winning the division, but 50.2 percent likelihood of being one of three wild card clubs in the AL playoffs.

Minnesota could boost its playoff prospects with a trade or two prior to the July 30 MLB trade deadline. Priorities include starting pitching and bullpen help. This week’s trip to the Windy City is perhaps timely with the lowly White Sox, 26-65, considered among the most likely of MLB teams to be sellers prior to the deadline.

As has been true all season, the Twins need a couple more solid starters in their rotation. White Sox emerging star Garrett Crochet is rumored to be available because Chicago needs prospects as it rebuilds the franchise.

Crochet was the AL Pitcher of the Month in June, leading MLB in strikeouts. The 26-year-old would add a left-hander to the starting rotation. He comes with a club-friendly contract at a reported $800,000, unless an extension is negotiated this month.

The Twins’ bullpen hasn’t been elite in 2024 like it was at the close of 2023. Help is needed for performance, consistency and depth. White Sox closer Michael Kopech could be available. Although Kopech has struggled of late, he and Crochet fit the Minnesota front office’s liking for strikeout pitchers.

Chicago outfielder Tommy Pham, rumored in past years as perhaps bound for the Twins, could be a right-handed bat that would help Minnesota in the second half of the season, particularly if injuries hit the roster. The 36-year-old veteran is having a mediocre season but has hit in the clutch and wouldn’t command a lot in trade return.

Twins president Derek Falvey, GM Thad Levine and other club leaders could be looking for some help in Chicago with Minnesota having night games Monday and Tuesday, before the series finale Wednesday afternoon.

The Twins, BTW, are TBA on Monday night’s starting pitcher, with Bailey Ober and struggling Pablo Lopez, 5.18 ERA, set for games two and three.

Worth Noting

Wow! Twins third baseman and DH Jose Miranda, who yesterday tied an MLB record with hits in 12 consecutive at bats, is hitting .376 with 13 doubles, one triple, five home runs, 31 RBI, a .419 on-base percentage, a .602 slugging percentage and a 1.020 OPS in his last 38 games dating back to May 24.

Among Gopher football players topping the curiosity list in 2024 is defensive end Jaxon Howard, the former four-star recruit from Robbinsdale Cooper who played briefly last season at SEC power LSU but transferred to Minnesota in June. Ryan Burns, the recruiting authority from GopherIllustrated, told Sports Headliners earlier this year he will consider it a “win” if Howard, hyped for his pass rushing potential, becomes the No. 2 defensive end behind senior Danny Striggow, the veteran standout.

“…Now, I know the fan base and maybe members of the media want to see a bigger impact from a kid like that, but I think people have to remember he’s only going to be a redshirt freshman this fall,” Burns said about the state’s No. 1 recruit in the class of 2023. “It’s very rare to see a redshirt freshman come in and just have a monster impact in year one unless they’re just incredibly talented.

“I am not saying Jaxon is not, but I am saying for a kid who didn’t play very many snaps at LSU last fall as a true freshman (that’s challenging). If he can come in and go from very little snaps to over 200, maybe 300 snaps at Minnesota for his first experience in the Big Ten, I think that would be a very impactful role for him. But he’s going to have to come in and win that number two job behind Danny Striggow this fall and then once Danny graduates in January and moves on it will be up for grabs for him to potentially grab a much larger role in 2025.”

Lindy’s Sports Big Ten football magazine ranks Howard No. 71 on a list of top 75 transfer portal players in the nation. Koi Perich, the safety from Esko, Minnesota who headlines the Gophers’ 2024 freshmen class, is ranked the No. 70 on the incoming freshmen list.

The Gopher receiving the most praise by the magazine (recently hit newsstands) is senior left tackle Aireontae Ersery, named to the offensive first team preseason All-American unit. Lindy’s made Ersery an All-Big Ten first team selection, too, and said Pro Football Focus rates the 6-6, 325 pound star the best returning run blocker in the country.

Gopher senior Dragan Kesich, the 2023 Big Ten Kicker of the Year, is the No. 3 kicker in the nation, per Lindy’s. Kesich is a Lindy’s All-Big Ten first team selection and the magazine said along with senior punter Mark Crawford, named to the third team, Minnesota has the two best specialists at those positions in the 18-member Big Ten.

Lindy’s predicts the Gophers will excel running the football but questions the improvement of the passing game and defense from last season—projecting a No. 15 finish in the standings and possibly no bowl game.

Forward Joe Ingles, a summer free agent addition by the Timberwolves, looks like a savvy move by front office leader Tim Connelly. Ingles, 36, brings outside shooting, playmaking and leadership off the bench, plus years of experience with Wolves starters Mike Conley Jr. and Rudy Gobert when all three were with the Jazz. He is a “glue man” replacement for versatile veteran sub Kyle Anderson who signed a free agent deal recently with the Warriors.

The Clippers, who drafted former Gopher Cam Christie last month in the second round, play the Nuggets in a Las Vegas Summer League game Friday night starting at 9 p.m. Minneapolis time and telecast on NBA TV.

Hazeltine National Golf Course’s 16^th hole checks in at No. 47 on Golf Digest’s list of America’s top 100 golf holes.

Former Vikings wide receiver Leo Lewis leads The Lewis Sports Foundation celebrating its 25^th year with the organization’s annual Awards Dinner August 4, and the 22^nd annual Leo Lewis Celebrity Golf Classic the next day, with both events at Minnesota Valley Country Club in Bloomington. The dinner recognizes metro area community leaders for their efforts impacting the lives of youth. More at http://Lewissportsfoundation.com

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