David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

All Bets on Regarding Twins Finish

Posted on March 4, 2016March 4, 2016 by David Shama

Twins president Dave St. Peter believes the American League Central will be so competitive that even the 2015 World Series champion Royals could finish last in the division this season. “I don’t think there is any doubt that every team is probably capable of winning it (the division title), and every team is probably capable of finishing in last as well,” St. Peter told Sports Headliners by telephone from Florida.

The Twins jumped from a 70-92 record in 2014 to 83-79 last year. That record gave Minnesota a second place finish in the division behind the Royals (95-67). The hope St. Peter has now is the club will continue its improvement in 2016 and reach the playoffs.

Miguel Sano (photo courtesy of Minnesota Twins).

Unlike last year, the Twins will have starting pitcher Ervin Santana and young slugger Miguel Sano on the roster for the entire season. The overall personnel, including the addition of South Korean DH Byung Ho Park, could be the best in years. “We believe we can compete for a division championship, “St. Peter said.

A lot of baseball authorities, though, think the Royals will repeat as division champs, and there are minimal predictions the Twins will finish first. The Twins were listed No. 22 among 30 MLB teams in a ranking of MLB teams by the February 15 issue of Sports Illustrated. Minnesota’s Central Division rivals all had higher rankings, with the White Sox No. 17, Tigers 16 and Royals 10.

Don’t expect the team’s won-lost record in spring training to be a precursor of regular season success or failure. At the top of the team’s goals is to have its best players available when the season opens in Baltimore April 4. “We want to make sure we maintain the health of our team,” St. Peter said. “So far so good.”

Look for Sano, Park and center fielder Byron Buxton to log a lot of playing time in spring training. Sano is adjusting to a new position, right field. Park, playing in America for the first time, is acclimating to the highest level of baseball. The team’s center field job is vacant and the speedy Buxton has been anointed as the regular for awhile but must prove he can hit big league pitching.

Among the Twins’ best prospects is outfielder Max Kepler, the 23-year-old native of Germany who probably isn’t ready yet for the big league. St. Peter, though, said he will be surprised if at some point this season Kepler doesn’t play for the Twins. “We have high hopes for him,” St. Peter said.

Twins legend Rod Carew, who could find out this summer if he can have a heart transplant, is in spring training with the team and assisting daily with hitting instruction. Carew will be with the club in Fort Myers through March 15. “He is working hard,” St. Peter said. “He feels great.”

With American and Cuban relations becoming friendlier, the Twins may be fortunate to have a special connection on that baseball crazy island. Cuban native and Twins legend Tony Oliva has a brother in Cuba who is prominently involved with baseball. Decades ago the Twins were aggressive in signing Cuban players including Oliva and Zoilo Versalles who was the AL MVP in 1965. Oliva regularly visits Cuba to see family members.

St. Peter said tickets remain for the team’s home opener on April 11 against the White Sox. He expects a sellout to be announced later this month.

Worth Noting

The Minneapolis City Council votes March 18 to approve details for renovation of city-owned Target Center. A $130 million renovation funded mostly by the city and Timberwolves is expected to move ahead with work starting in May, including enhancements to most of the Target Center suites, and installation of a new scoreboard. Next spring and summer the building will be closed for events, including Lynx games, so that more thorough renovation can be done.

Look for an announcement later this year on where the Lynx will play in 2017 while Target Center is being renovated.

Vikings Head coach Mike Zimmer and family are starting the Mike Zimmer Foundation to honor his deceased wife Vikki who died in 2009. The foundation’s mission is to better the lives of children including through learning about healthy, active lifestyles.

The Gophers’ football offense had its struggles last season and finished 13th in the Big Ten in scoring offense at 22.5 points per game. Minnesota coach Tracy Claeys was asked Monday what the strengths of the offense will be. “Wide receiver; we should be awfully good and…tailback pretty good. I would argue tight end wise we can be as good as anybody. I think everything is a strength on offense. If we get our offensive line straightened out, then I think we’ll score a lot more points than we did this last year.”

The Gophers hold their Pro Day on Monday for players who have used up their eligibilities. Pro football evaluators are expected to look at these players from last year’s Gophers team: Brian Bobek, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, De’Vondre Campbell, Theiren Cockran, Antonio Johnson, KJ Maye, Peter Mortell, Eric Murray, Miles Thomas and Rodrick Williams. Pro Day will be held at the Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex and is closed to the public.

The Capital Club, featuring local sports figures as speakers, hosts Claeys April 13 at Town & Country Club in St. Paul. For more information about membership, contact Patrick Klinger, Patrick@thebrandenhancementgroup.com.

Over 100 people at the club listened to former North Stars player and executive Lou Nanne earlier this week. He had the audience laughing with his many stories. Nanne, who started doing TV analysis 52 years ago at the boys high school hockey tournaments, is working the Class AA games this year. He told Sports Headliners the most challenging experience over the years has been monitoring emotions when his son Marty, and grandsons Tyler and Louie, played in the tournament.

MIAC men’s basketball regular season champ St. Thomas hosts a four team opening weekend NCAA Division III tournament this Friday and Saturday. The 24-3 nationally- ranked Tommies are the only program in the country with 11 consecutive conference titles, 11 straight NCAA appearances, and 11 consecutive 20-plus win seasons.

The Tommies will play Iowa Conference playoff champion Central College of Pella, Iowa (19-9) starting at 8 p.m. Friday in Schoenecker Arena. The 5:30 p.m. game matches UW-Oshkosh (18-9) against Elmhurst (Ill.) (21-6). The winners meet Saturday at 7 p.m. for advancement to the Division III Sweet 16.

Waseca’s four overtime 103-100 boys basketball win over Marshall last night is drawing lots of media attention today including online from the Washington Post. The game will long be remembered as a Minnesota prep classic.

Author Patrick Mader said about 1,000 copies have been sold of his book “Minnesota Gold: Conversations with Northland Athletes Competing on the World Stage.” Mader, whose book came out last October, profiles 57 Minnesotans, including past Olympians, and details their lives and accomplishments. More at Patrickmader.com.

The Minnesota Wild, looking better in recent days for its playoff drive, are in Buffalo tomorrow afternoon. The Wild is 6-2-2 in its last 10 games against the Sabres. A year ago January, Minnesota goalie Devan Dubnyk shutout the Sabres 7-0—the largest margin of victory in Wild franchise history.

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JC Coach Praises Ex-Gopher Jeff Jones

Posted on March 2, 2016March 2, 2016 by David Shama

The Gophers started spring football practice yesterday without the running back who 12 months ago might have prompted more than a few wagers he would be their starter in 2016 and beyond. These days Jeff Jones lives about 370 miles from Dinkytown and he may never play again in his hometown of Minneapolis.

The centerpiece of Minnesota’s 2014 recruiting class is trying (yet again) to show he can do academic work on the college level. And even if Jones does well enough with his school work to qualify for a return to the University of Minnesota, he might choose to go elsewhere.

Scott Strohmeier, Jones’ coach at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, told Sports Headliners Jones received a scholarship offer from the Iowa State Cyclones last month. A Headliners’ source added Jones will receive a lot more offers. Jones was interested in the Cyclones before signing with Minnesota in February of 2014.

In the months after signing his National Letter of Intent, Jones tried to achieve a high enough ACT score for admission to Minnesota. Ultimately he was admitted to the U but had to sit out the 2014 season to become academically eligible for 2015. Then last fall he fumbled again academically and enrolled in January of 2016 at Iowa Western.

Jones had considered Iowa Western in the spring of 2014 when there was a question whether he could be admitted to Minnesota. His past relationship with Strohmeier is probably easing the transition to junior college where there is a potential path back to Dinkytown.

Under NCAA rules Jones can return to the Gophers without earning a degree at Iowa Western. Being admitted to another Division I program will require a degree from Western, according to Strohmeier. The coach said a combination of credits and acceptable GPA could make Jones eligible to enroll again at Minnesota.

Mid-terms will take place later this month at Iowa Western. Strohmeier is satisfied Jones is moving in the right direction academically. “He is doing what he needs to do right now,” the coach said.

Jones was the state of Minnesota’s prep Mr. Football in 2014. A Rivals.com four-star recruit and one of the most hyped players in decades to choose the Gophers, he was an MVP in the prestigious 2014 Under Armour All-America Game in Florida. However, he was slow to make an impact with the Gophers last fall and his game action was minimal, never carrying the ball or catching a pass.

Part of the problems last fall were an ankle injury and migraine headaches. He also practiced at multiple positions—running back, receiver and defensive back. Then, too, the Gophers got an unexpected boost from true freshman running back Shannon Brooks who became a big playmaker for the team.

But Jones, whose power and speed was likened to Adrian Peterson while playing at Washburn High School, is still an intriguing talent who Gophers coach Tracy Claeys is reportedly open to having return to Dinkytown. “There’s no question why he was a major recruit,” Strohmeier said.

Jones, though, won’t be given anything at Iowa Western because of his physical skills and reputation. “Like I tell all our guys, I don’t care who recruited you out of high school,” Strohmeier said. “I don’t care how many (recruiting) stars you had. I don’t care what school you came from. You’re now at Iowa Western.

“We can only (by conference roster rules) play 20 out-of-staters so if you don’t do things right, you’re not guaranteed nothing. You gotta come in and earn it just like you would anyplace else. You gotta take care of your academics. You gotta do things right off the field and you gotta prove it on the field.”

Iowa Western is one of the nation’s top junior college football programs. Strohmeier’s team starts spring practice April 2 and after 20 sessions he’s likely to see a team with high potential for next fall. The Reivers, including Jones, have already been participating in winter conditioning including pre-dawn workouts.

Showing up at 4:50 a.m. is part of the price Jones must pay for a possible return to the glamour and resources of big time college football. Strohmeier has made clear to Jones the stakes are high regarding his future.

“…As I told him the other day, like this is your shot (to get back). If you really want to give football another shot and play at a high level, or play in the NFL, then you have to take care of business.

“I think he is. I do think it’s good that he’s away (from home). Really, all he’s got is a couple of buddies here that he’s met. It’s not like he can hop in the car and head home to some guys 20 minutes away.”

What did Jones say in response to that talk he had with the coach? “He understands,” Strohmeier said. “He’s a smart kid. He’s intelligent and he knows what he needs to do now.

“Like I told him, you’re going to be here all summer long. …You’re going to be in Council Bluffs (and) it’s boring as heck in the month of June but that’s just what you gotta do. He’s fine with that.”

Gophers fans who want to see Jones can consider a trip to Council Bluffs for the Reivers’ May 7 spring game which is open to the public.

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U Contractor Role Next for Jerry Kill

Posted on February 29, 2016February 29, 2016 by David Shama

The public may not understand that Jerry Kill will have a role with the University of Minnesota in the coming weeks. News reports last week made it clear the former Gophers football coach and the University couldn’t agree on a full-time position for Kill, but he has accepted an invitation to be an independent contractor for his ex-employer.

Kill was upbeat speaking to Sports Headliners on Friday from Las Vegas where he was vacationing with family. His conversations with Gophers’ interim athletic director Beth Goetz led to an understanding that Kill, depending on his schedule, will be available to appear at University events. “I said whatever works out, if you need me, give me a call,” Kill said.

Goetz tweeted the following last week: “Looking forward to continuing our relationship with Jerry, already planning some great engagement this spring.” (An unsuccessful request for an interview with Goetz was made by Sports Headliners.)

Kill said dates and specifics regarding events for the University are so far undetermined. Since moving from Minneapolis to his lake home in Illinois, Kill has become self-employed with a busy schedule that includes public speaking.

“I don’t know how many times (for University activities)—or even if I am going to be available—because I’ve got a pretty good (busy) schedule,” Kill said. “I think they’re trying to tie some things in there because I am speaking in Minnesota twice in March. I am probably speaking six or seven days in Minnesota in the month of April, so I think I can tie some things in when I am there.”

Kill is revered by University boosters. At the time he resigned as head coach last fall because of his health, he had become the face of the athletic department and the most popular University figure. His influence with school supporters, including financial donors, is needed by the University including for the still in progress fundraising for the Athletes Village project.

Will Kill, as an independent contractor, be asked to raise funds? “If they ask me (to be) in a donor situation, I have no problems with it,” he said. “It’s whatever they need me to do. I have no problems at all.”

Friends of Kill wish he and the University had reached agreement on a full-time position. It appears a stumbling block to such an agreement was defining a role that included the lifetime coach having direct interaction with student-athletes.

Kill, 54, will be in Fort Worth this week helping Gary Patterson, the TCU coach, evaluate the Horned Frogs football team. Kill is still shaping his post-football life but is already involved with speaking assignments, looking after his Chasing Dreams Fund through the Epilepsy Foundation, and writing a book.

Last week he was having fun in Las Vegas with wife Rebecca, and Kill’s brother and his wife. “We don’t ever get to do these kinds of things because we’ve been involved in football so much,” Kill said. “So this is a real treat.”

Did he win any money in Vegas? “No, I haven’t won any money. The first night I dropped $90 and quit.”

Worth Noting

Rivals.com Gophers basketball writer Ryan James praises Rochester John Marshall senior guard Michael Hurt. James said Hurt, who will be on scholarship with the Gophers next season, excels at catching and shooting the ball. He described Hurt as a “hard worker,” effective team defender and a player with a high on-court I.Q. “You can trust Michael,” James told Sports Headliners.

The Gophers’ only scheduled men’s basketball game this season with Wisconsin is Wednesday night at Williams Arena. The Badgers, among the nation’s winningest programs since 2000, have built part of their success on recruiting Minnesota high school players. Wisconsin’s roster this season includes Minnesota natives and reserves Alex Illikainen and Jordan Smith. Illikainen, a 6-9 freshman from Grand Rapids, is averaging 10.9 minutes per game and 2.6 points. Smith, a 6-3 redshirt senior guard from Orono, averages 1 minute and 0.6 points per game.

Gophers football coach Tracy Claeys said that despite going into spring practice tomorrow with a new offensive coordinator “probably about 75 percent of the offense is the same.” As for position switches of players, defensive lineman Mose Hall is moving to offensive tackle for a trial period. Claeys said after five or six practices evaluation will be made about other players possibly switching positions.

Ex-quarterback Chris Streveler will continue as a wide receiver and special teams player. Claeys said he didn’t see a scenario right now where Streveler, who for much of last year was a QB, would return to that position. “The kid works hard,” Claeys said. “He’s a good athlete (and) he loves the game of football.”

Former Gophers administrator Phil Esten, who helped lead planning for TCF Bank Stadium, is involved with a review of Penn State’s facilities for its 800 athletes. Esten is deputy director of athletics and chief operating officer for the Nittany Lions athletic department.

The Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association will sponsor two all-star games for seniors this year. The June 25 game for 2016 seniors will be at Husky Stadium in St. Cloud. The December 10 game for 2017 seniors will be at the new downtown U.S. Bank Stadium. In 2017 and after, there will be only one all-star game per year and it will be played in December at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Former Eden Prairie High School running back Anthony Anderson is now at Iowa Western Community College and has a scholarship offer from Marshall University, but is still deciding on his college football future, according to Western coach Scott Strohmeier.

The first of 11 Twins spring training games on Fox Sports North will be this Thursday when Minnesota plays the Red Sox in Fort Myers starting at 6:05 p.m.

Rick Prescott from Minneapolis has written a book called “The Dome Is Down: Saying Goodbye to the Metrodome.” The dedication page says, “This book is dedicated to anyone who just before entering the Metrodome for an indoor baseball game on a sunny day, looked up at a beautiful blue sky and thought, ‘Today would be a great day for outdoor baseball.’ ”

WCHA commissioner Bill Robertson is expecting near sellout or sellout crowds for the women’s WCHA Final Face-Off on Saturday and Sunday at Ridder Arena. “We’ve got three of the top 10 ranked teams in the country competing in this tournament, which is outstanding,” he told Sports Headliners.

In the latest USCHO.com national poll Minnesota is ranked No. 2, followed by Wisconsin at No. 3, and North Dakota No. 8. Minnesota Duluth is the fourth team in the tournament involving WCHA teams who advanced from the first round of playoff games.

Wisconsin and Minnesota Duluth face off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, then starting at 5 p.m. the Gophers play North Dakota in the second semifinal. Winners advance to Sunday’s championship game at 2 p.m.

General admission and reserved seating are available for the tournament. More information about tickets is on the Gophers and WCHA websites.

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