Vikings – Page 250 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Worth Noting

Posted on July 9, 2012July 9, 2012 by David Shama

Lou Nanne told Sports Headliners the Wild’s acquisition of free agents Zach Parise and Ryan Suter last week will likely make the team “12 to 15 points better” next season.

The Wild had 81 points last season and missed the playoffs. An additional dozen or more points would have pushed the club ahead of teams who qualified.

“Each player is in the top 10 in the league,” said Nanne, the former Minnesota North Stars player and executive. “Suter played more minutes than any player in the league last year. Parise is the hardest worker in the league.”

The Wild will introduce Parise and Suter, both 27, at a news conference today. Parise, a forward, accounted for 69 points last season playing for New Jersey. He scored 30 or more goals in five of the last six seasons and brings badly needed offense to the Wild. Suter, a defenseman, had career highs in points, 46, and power play points, 25, last season with Nashville. He was third among defensemen in power play points and 10^th in scoring.

Nanne said no NHL team has ever executed a one-two signing at the same time with so much star power as the Wild accomplished last week. The signings set off euphoria among hard core fans and excited casual followers of a franchise that has seen season ticket sales decline.

But not now with fans buying over 1,500 new full season tickets and Nanne predicting the Wild could approach sellouts for every game next season gate receipts, corporate revenues and TV ratings will be headed upward. “This is a move (signing Parise and Suter) they needed to make,” Nanne said.

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor is 71 but team president Chris Wright told Sports Headliners he doesn’t believe the Mankato billionaire is aggressively shopping the team. However, Wright believes Taylor is “willing to entertain people who might want to have this franchise long term.”

The priority consideration, Wright said, is keeping the team in Minneapolis. “The Minnesota Lynx and Minnesota Timberwolves are Glen Taylor’s legacy in this market,” Wright said. “Over a longer period of time he wants to make sure that it’s in place. …”

The Wolves, 26-40 last season, haven’t finished over .500 since 2005 when the club was 44-38. Wright said there’s a “real drive in the organization” to win next season. “The goal is absolutely to make the playoffs next year,” he said.

Taylor has owned the team since 1995 and wants to win an NBA championship after seeing his 2011 Lynx become WNBA champs. Admired coach Rick Adelman is 66 and has never coached an NBA champion. Adelman impressed in his first season here during 2011-2012 and so, too, did young stars Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio.

“The great thing is that they (Rubio and Love) really like each other,” Wright said. “They work hard with each other. They’re the backbone of our franchise right now.”

Love is an ESPY candidate for “Best NBA Player.” Fans can vote online until 10:59 p.m. tonight Minneapolis time. www.espn.com/espys

Joe Mauer’s grandfather Jake and about 20 other relatives and friends were scheduled to board a bus this morning at Mauer Chevrolet in Inver Grove Heights and ride to Kansas City for tomorrow night’s All-Star game. The Twins catcher will be a reserve for the American League all-stars.

Jake told Sports Headliners his grandson will pay for the bus and take care of the group’s lodging in Kansas City. The group buses home on Wednesday.

The Vikings have a database of 18,000 email contacts used for advocating support to build the new downtown football stadium approved this spring. The Vikings will use their contact list in the fall prior to November elections for House and Senate seats in the state legislature, reminding stadium supporters who did and didn’t vote for the new facility expected to open in 2016.

Steve LaCroix, the Vikings vice president of sales and marketing, has an unusual challenge in the years ahead. Because the Vikings aren’t expected to occupy their new stadium for four more years, the club will play all or part of future seasons at not only Mall of America Field but also TCF Bank Stadium. That’s a lot of variables involving individuals and corporate partners LaCroix and staff will sort through.

Vikings cornerback Marcus Sherels, 5-10, has struggled to gain weight during his football career including with the Gophers. He was up to 177 pounds late last month, according to his brother Mike who will help coach the Gophers linebackers next season.

Jim Marshall, the retired Gophers athletic trainer, turned 82 last Tuesday. For many years Marshall assisted legendary Gophers trainer Lloyd “Snapper” Stein who retired in 1975. On this date 37 years ago Minnesota governor Wendell Anderson declared Lloyd “Snapper” Stein Day in the state. (Source: June 1975 University of Minnesota Alumni News).

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After 10 Years Stadium Advocate Exhales

Posted on June 29, 2012June 29, 2012 by David Shama

Lester Bagley remembers a conversation with his nine-year-old son Michael at 2 a.m. only hours after the Minnesota legislature approved the Vikings stadium bill last spring. Bagley, the Vikings executive who for years led the fight to win public approval for a new stadium, was exhausted on that night and was lying in bed when Michael said:

“Dad, you passed the bill. Let’s hope the governor doesn’t veto it.”

In an interview with Sports Headliners last week Bagley talked about the 10-year campaign for the stadium while discussing how the issue impacted him and his family. Bagley worked on the issue for previous owner Red McCombs and for the last seven years for the Wilf ownership group. The process was a physically and emotionally demanding experience for those most involved including Bagley, the Vikings executive vice president for public affairs and stadium development.

Bagley told Sports Headliners: “Over these many years there were many times where we thought we were close but weren’t and there were many times when we thought this is never going to get done. This may not be possible in this market to do this deal.”

Bagley said the strategy was to go back every year and try again. This year, during the five days leading up to passage of the bill, the Vikings thought optimistically about their chances. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s message that state leaders needed to make a decision after years of indecision was impactful. All Goodell asked, Bagley said, was give the bill a chance to be voted on.

In the end the Vikings owners compromised on the stadium site and agreed to a roof while pledging $477 million — the third largest private contribution total by an NFL team in league history — toward the $975 million facility that will be located downtown on the Metrodome site, and is also financed by the state and city of Minneapolis.

The stadium architect will be selected later this year and the facility is scheduled to open in 2016. The stadium ensures the future of the franchise because the Vikings will now be in a facility that allows them to compete financially with other NFL teams but Bagley doesn’t want “credit” for his lead role.

“People come up to me and not only recognize me from the deal but are so appreciative of what we did in their view…that we saved the Vikings because of what was at stake in securing this franchise,” Bagley said. “The overwhelming response throughout the state of Minnesota wherever I’ve gone (is) people coming up to me saying, ‘Thank you.’

“ ‘Thanks for doing what you did. Thanks for putting up with all the stuff you guys put up with and thanks for hanging in there and getting it done because I am not sure what I would have done if we had lost the Vikings.’ ”

The appreciation expressed by so many toward the Wilfs, Bagley and the entire Vikings organization isn’t too surprising since nearly 70 percent of state residents follow the team’s games on Sunday. The Vikings are a cultural phenomenon like no other sports or entertainment attraction in the state.

That’s not to say some citizens weren’t opposed to what Bagley described as the largest public project ever undertaken by the state (a $348 million commitment). Bagley was the target of verbal abuse. The team’s director of security was asked to come to the state capitol and critics called his Minneapolis home.

“It was just nasty,” Bagley said. “People calling you at home. People going off on me and swearing at me. Out of control angry.”

But Bagley persevered and he said persistence is one of the traits that define him. Growing up in small town Barron, Wisconsin— about two hours fromMinneapolis —he swept the floors as a 12 year old at his dad’s farm implement store. When he finished sweeping he asked his dad what chore he should do next. “Sweep it again,” his father replied.

Bagley left the Midwest to attend college at UCLA and later worked on the East Coast. He has about 25 years experience in public affairs and public relations. With the Vikings he manages those areas which include the club’s extensive community relations work with nonprofits.

Besides his persistence, how does he think others regard him professionally? “Dedicated, hard working, loyal,” Bagley said. “Good guy, nice guy, funny guy. Try not to take myself too seriously. Good boss. At least they say they like working for me (laughs).”

As for family, Bagley devotes time to coaching baseball with Michael and his six-year-old brother Charlie. He grew up a baseball fan and admits his passion for sports impacts weekly date nights with wife Wendy (deputy secretary of the Minnesota Senate). “My wife is a little bit tired of going out on dates that are sporting events,” he said.

When Bagley has some personal time he enjoys golf (he played on his high school team) or just finding a few moments to laugh and relax. “Always appreciated humor and the lighter side of life,” he said. “When I was going to UCLA I would go down to the Comedy Store a lot. …

“Somebody I think is extremely funny is Dan Cole, the (KFAN Radio) Common Man. He’s one of my favorite comedians and he’s not a comedian. He’s just a naturally funny person.”

Next week Bagley and family leave for a short vacation that will include the Black Hills. Son Michael now knows governor Mark Dayton signed the stadium bill. He probably also realizes dad deserves a break.

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Twins Won’t Panic on Trades

Posted on June 27, 2012June 28, 2012 by David Shama

Opinions and notes on the Twins, Gophers, Timberwolves and Vikings:

Don’t look for the Twins to panic their way into trades before the major league trading deadline on July 31. At 8.5 games out of first place in the Central Division it’s too early to give up on the season and perhaps dump unwelcome payroll.

But it requires a lot of optimism to believe the Twins beleaguered starting pitching can put the club back into the division race. How different the starting rotation would look if the Twins hadn’t given up on successful starters R.A. Dickey, Kyle Lohse and Matt Garza.

Dickey leads the National League in wins with 11. The Mets right-hander saw his 44.2 innings streak of not giving up an earned run end on Sunday against the Yankees. His knuckleball is among the most difficult in baseball to hit.

The Cardinals’ Lohse, like Dickey, has an ERA under 3.00, and wouldn’t the Twins love to have a starter who has walked only 17 batters in 102 innings. Garza has won only three games with the lowly Cubs but he’s an innings eater and still is under 30 years old. The last four seasons Garza has exceeded or been near 200 innings pitched.

The Twins have used 10 different starting pitchers this season. The inability of starters to often pitch more than a few innings has made the bullpen among the busiest in baseball. Relief pitchers including newcomers like Jared Burton have been effective but the Twins don’t have a dominant closer. Don’t look now but former Twins closer Joe Nathan, 37, has a 1.99 ERA in his first season with The Rangers.

Except for a series against the Rangers July 6-8, the Twins face only division rivals between now and the July 9-12 All-Star break. After the White Sox series that ends today, the Twins play the Royals and Tigers. A good result during the next two weeks in the five-team division race would be moving ahead of the fourth place Royals who are 3.5 games in front of the Twins. The Twins are 9-11 so far this season against division rivals.

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe was hitting .138 with one home run and two RBIs on May 16. Now he is batting .242 and has a c0-team leading 15 home runs along with 27 RBI.

Plouffe is hitting a home run once in every 12.1 at bats. That’s pretty impressive by historical baseball standards. Mark McGwire, baseball’s all-time leader, homered every 10.6 at bats and Babe Ruth hit a home run every 11.8.

Plouffe’s resurgence seems to mystify just about everyone including him. He could be experiencing a once in a lifetime streak, or perhaps proving he can take his place among the better home run hitters in the American League.

The 26-year-old right handed batting Plouffe, who has power to all fields, never hit more than 15 home runs during a single season in the minor leagues. This is the third year he’s been with the Twins but he’s never had more than 286 at bats in a single season.

Twins outfielder Josh Willingham also has 15 home runs but has 251 plate appearances compared with Plouffe’s 182.

Twins fan Jim Dotseth said pitcher Francisco Liriano has been chewing gum during his last six starts and in that period Liriano has compiled a 2.41 ERA. Liriano’s record is 2-2 in those games including a win over the White Sox on Monday night. Maybe the gum relaxes Liriano, or improves concentration.

Twins rookie Tyler Robertson made his debut last night becoming only the eighth relief pitcher in major league history to strike out the side in order in the first inning pitched, according to Baseball-Reference.

Gophers basketball director of operations Joe Esposito told Sports Headliners yesterday that star senior forward Trevor Mbakwe, who is recovering from a torn right ACL, might be ready for contact and scrimmaging within 30 days. “He looks good,” Esposito said.

Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn doesn’t lack for confidence or willingness to make changes. It was not surprising yesterday to see the Wolves trade their first round pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft for Rockets small forward Chase Budinger. Now starting his fourth season with the Wolves, this is Kahn’s first assignment in the NBA as a basketball boss and he still faces scrutiny about his effectiveness.

Wolves owner Glen Taylor is 71 and has owned the team since 1995. The next 12 months could be a smart time to shop the franchise. The Wolves have two potential super stars in Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio, a proven winner in coach Rick Adelman, and Target Center financing is in place for major renovation. Then, too, the NBA’s labor agreement with its players was solidified last year.

How potentially popular is Rubio? With Rubio’s flashy playing style and off-court charisma his popularity ceiling will be limited only by how well he plays and how many games the Wolves win in the next half dozen years. He has the potential to approach the popularity of the late Kirby Puckett, the Twins World Series hero.

Newspaper and radio journalist Larry Fitzgerald Sr. emailed that he was the “only Twin Cities reporter to cover the NBA Finals.”

What would have happened to the Vikings franchise if agreement hadn’t been reached on a new stadium? I believe club owners wouldn’t have moved the team but sources have told Sports Headliners ownership might have sold the franchise to an investor who would have relocated the Vikings.

Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier was asked recently if his relationship with unhappy wide receiver Percy Harvin is as good as a month ago: “We still have a good relationship. There will always be things you have to work through. I think that will always be the case with players and coaches. There is a line there always but I think we have a good relationship.”

Frazier said Christian Ponder is the team’s No. 1 quarterback and Joe Webb is the backup as training camp and preseason games approach. “We’re going into it with Christian being our starting quarterback,” Frazier said. “If something were to happen to Christian because of injury, we feel like we have a capable backup in Joe but there is no competition as to what Joe has to do to beat out Christian. Christian, it’s his job. …”

Ponder said last week as the team closed its minicamp that he is planning vacation time in Hilton Head, South Carolina and Disney World in Orlando.

Among those being inducted into the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Hall of Fame on July 11 in St. Cloud will be Dave Meisner from Winona State. Known as “Mouse” during his playing days, the 5-8 Meisner left Winona Sate as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,658 points. He was all-conference as a junior and senior. He scored 47 points in one game, still the second best individual game total in school history.

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