David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Experts Doubt U Will Win West Division

Posted on July 19, 2015July 20, 2015 by David Shama

Four of the leading college football magazines predict the Gophers won’t duplicate last year’s second place finish in the Big Ten’s West Division. Athlon Sports College Football, Phil Steele’s College 2015 Football Preview and Sporting News College Football all forecast a third place finish for Minnesota while Lindy’s College Football has the Gophers finishing fourth in the seven-team division.

All four publications predict Wisconsin will win the West, just like last year when the Badgers finished first and the Gophers tied Nebraska for second place. Writers don’t disrespect Minnesota (5-3 in the division and 8-5 overall last season) but there is concern about the team’s offense because of inconsistent quarterbacking in the past and the departure of two major playmakers in 2014, running back David Cobb and tight end Maxx Williams.

Lindy’s write-up on the Gophers includes this: “Touchdowns matter. Minny won’t score many.”

But coach Jerry Kill, his staff and players have a way of producing better than expected results including surprising and consecutive eight win seasons. Last year the Gophers played Wisconsin in the final regular season game with an opportunity to tie for the West Division title. “I would not be surprised to see that Nov. 28th game against border rival Wisconsin being a big one once again,” Phil Steele wrote.

Steele ranks the Minnesota special teams fourth in the nation and the Big Ten’s best. A major contributor is returning senior punter Peter Mortell who is a fourth team All-American in Steele’s publication. All four magazines list Mortell, who has averaged over 43 yards per punt the last two seasons, as their first-team All-Big Ten punter.

Among college juniors and seniors this fall, Steele ranks Gophers Eric Murray and Briean Boddy-Calhoun as the No. 11 and 12 cornerbacks in the country. Sporting News includes Calhoun on its All-Big Ten first-team.

Those two, along with other standouts, lead a defense that will be challenged much of the season including games against offensive machines from Ohio State and TCU. Among the four publications, only Athlon doesn’t have the Buckeyes and Horned Frogs ranked No. 1 and 2 in the country, and all the magazines have OSU No. 1. The Gophers play TCU in Minneapolis on September 3 and then face the Buckeyes November 7 in Columbus.

The Gophers also play the Badgers, Nebraska and resurgent Michigan with new wonder coach Jim Harbaugh. All three games are at home. In Steele’s ranking of the most difficult schedules in the nation, the Gophers are 25th and listed before any other Big Ten school.

Any final thoughts about the Gophers after spending $36.96 (including Steele’s price of $12.99) on these publications? Well, nobody is raving about the collective talent on the roster and everybody frets at least a bit about the offense, and there’s no denying the schedule is for big boys only, but there is a hint of guarded optimism. Why? Because Kill and his assistants can coach, the Gophers minimize mistakes, play sound defense and excel on special teams.

“If the offense finds a way, this won’t be a fun team to play,” Athlon concluded on its Gopher page.

Worth Noting

College football in the state could command attention beyond the borders this fall. The Gophers are a possibility to be nationally ranked, while in Division II Minnesota State or UMD might be headed for a national championship. Lindy’s has the Mavericks ranked No. 1 while UMD is No. 3. Sporting News lists UMD No. 1 in the country with Minnesota State No. 6. The two teams play in Mankato on September 3.

If Lindy’s and Sporting News are correct, Saint John’s is back as a national power in Division III. The Johnnies are ranked No. 4 in the country by Lindy’s while Sporting News has them at No. 7. Both publications have Johnnies running back Sam Sura as a first-team All-American.

Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph worked with the ProCamps organization Monday hosting a camp at Edina High School for kids in grades 1-8. Scholarships were provided to disadvantaged youngsters. Vikings teammates Chad Greenway and Harrison Smith stopped by the Northwestern Mutual Kyle Rudolph Football ProCamp to see Rudolph. Rudolph is interested in working with ProCamps on a camp in his home town of Cincinnati.

The Capital Club featuring local sports figures as speakers hosts Vikings general manager Rick Spielman Tuesday at Town & Country Club in St. Paul. For more information about membership, contact Patrick Klinger, patrickklinger@klingercompany.com.

Saints owner Mike Veeck spoke to the club earlier this year when the gathering was at St. Paul’s new CHS Field. When asked for a tour of the new ballpark, the personable Veeck said to heck with formalities, and told guests to go where they pleased including perusing the dugouts and running the bases.

The WNBA, now in its 19th season, holds its All-Star Game on Saturday in Uncasville, Connecticut. While the league reportedly has some franchises that don’t lose money, the WNBA still has plenty of potential upside with the public and media. Like it or not, there are advocates for changes including lowering the rim from 10 feet.

A June 2 New York Times article reported Val Ackerman regretted not experimenting with a lower rim when she was WNBA president. She said in the story lowering the rim even by half a foot would result in fewer missed layups and a “more fluid game.”

Depending on how far the rim is lowered, dunking could become routine in WNBA games. Men in college and the NBA are about seven inches taller than women pros, according to Asher Price’s Times article.

Those who are advocates of keeping things the same for both men and women in sports certainly won’t be receptive to lower rims. But it could be argued the change would further help the WNBA brand to be distinctive, and also result in a more exciting product.

Another topic is the suggestion WNBA players should wear sexier uniforms. But that doesn’t’ seem realistic in today’s sports world and national culture. About as likely to happen as the Confederate flag flying again over the State House in South Carolina.

The WNBA is an ongoing success story, and part of the validation is that next Saturday’s game will be nationally televised live by ABC starting at 2:30 p.m. Minneapolis time. Fans voted Lynx players Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus to the Western Conference All-Star team. Augustus won’t play because of surgery on her right knee yesterday that will sideline her indefintely. Reserves will be announced on Tuesday.

According to ESPN.com’s listing of NBA salaries, there are only 23 NBA players earning less than $1 million. The entire payroll for each WNBA team is capped at less than $1 million.

Timberwolves rookie and former Apple Valley High School star Tyus Jones will earn $1,282,000 in salary, according to ESPN’s listing. Wolves rookie and overall NBA No. 1 draft choice Karl-Anthony Towns will receive a salary of $5,703,600.

Comments Welcome

Twins Rookie Sano Talks Besting Cabrera

Posted on July 9, 2015July 9, 2015 by David Shama

The Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera, 32, is probably the greatest hitter of his generation with a .321 lifetime average and 405 home runs but Twins rookie Miguel Sano said yesterday he expects a lot of success, too. “I can be better than Cabrera, I think,” Sano said.

Sano spoke unemotionally when he said those words. He wasn’t trying to be cocky as he talked about the Tigers star who is 10 years older. “He’s one of my favorite players, and I follow Cabrera a lot,” Sano said. “He’s the best hitter I’ve seen in my life.”

Sano has only 22 at bats since the Twins called him up from Double-A Chattanooga but he’s been impressive with a .455 batting average, one home run and five RBI. He has shown not only raw power but plate discipline that helps explain why he hasn’t been troubled with breaking ball pitchers like many young players who struggle. He has hits in all seven games with the Twins.

Used mostly as a designated hitter so far, Sano made his big league debut at third base yesterday and didn’t have an error. Cabrera has also been a third baseman, although as of late he’s been assigned to first base, a position the Twins have also had Sano practice.

The comparisons between the two Hispanic players don’t stop there, of course. Both are right-handed hitters and large men, with Sano listed at 6-4, 260 and Cabrera at 6-4, 240.

Wolves Owner Expects Garnett to Start

Kevin Garnett, the Timberwolves 39-year-old power forward, has played reduced minutes in recent seasons but team owner Glen Taylor still expects him to be a starter next fall. “Our thoughts today are that he will start every game, and then limit his minutes during the game, depending on how he feels,” Taylor told Sports Headliners. “I think we want to see him as a starter to set the tone on defense for the player that comes in behind him.”

Garnett is accepting a new contract with the Timberwolves after joining the team last winter via a trade with the Nets. Taylor and the Wolves had traded Garnett to the Celtics in 2007 where he later helped Boston win the NBA title. But with the Nets and then the Wolves last season it’s not been uncommon for Garnett to play less than half of a game.

Next season his role will include mentoring a roster dominated by young players. Garnett has enjoyed a storied pro career since the Wolves drafted him out of high school in 1995. He has strong opinions about how to play and doesn’t hesitate to voice them.

Players who will be on the receiving end of advice will include 2015 No. 1 draft choice Karl-Anthony Towns who might sub for Garnett off the bench. Does Taylor worry that the opinionated Garnett can be too hard on young players including rookies?

“I don’t worry about it, but I think that’s just one of the things that Flip will be close enough, and around enough, that he can communicate with K.G. if he felt that way,” Taylor said. “K.G. is a good person and he would understand that too. But I think you gotta give him a little flexibility, and K.G. really believes in what he believes. It’s going to be a little bit hard to hold him back some of the times.”

Are Taylor and basketball president/coach Flip Saunders trying to trade often-injured center Nikola Pekovic and the reported $60 million contract he signed in 2013? “Nope, we need to get Pek to get injury free and see how well he does,” Taylor answered.

Pekovic is among the league’s best low-post scorers and the skill is unique on the Wolves roster. Taylor values that attribute and said Pekovic is feeling healthy. He added that Pekovic is “ahead of schedule” following Achilles tendon surgery earlier this year.

Taylor’s franchise has had its ups and downs over the years, including losing millions of dollars and not making the playoffs since 2004. But now there is a buzz about the Wolves with both attendance and wins almost certain to jump in 2015-2016 because of a promising and athletic roster that includes Towns and last season’s NBA Rookie of the year Andrew Wiggins.

Taylor is pleased. “I am happy. I am enjoying it,” he said.

Worth Noting

The Vikings and the Minnesota Football Coaches Association will sponsor the annual Minnesota High School All-Star Football Game next year in U.S. Bank Stadium on a date in December yet to be determined, according to game manager Dave Fritze. For years the game has been in late June but Fritze said by moving the date it’s expected players going on to major college football careers will participate. The June date conflicts with early enrollment in college for many potential All-Star Game players who are recently graduated high school seniors. Not a single major college-bound player played in the 2015 All-Star Game, Fritze said.

The 2016 game, like past contests, will be played with a North versus South format. Fritze, who has been the game director for 16 years, said the first-year stadium will be an attraction to fans, and the MFCA is appreciative of the Vikings and U.S. Bank for allowing the facility to be the All-Star Game site. The 2016 game will be one week after the Prep Bowl and no agreement is yet in place to stage the game at U.S. Bank Stadium beyond next year.

This year’s 42nd annual game was played at Husky Stadium on the St. Cloud State campus. Players and coaches representing 77 schools and 27 conferences participated. It has long been speculated the game might some day have Minnesota all-stars playing against a neighboring state.

Fritze is the defensive coordinator at East Ridge High School where his players include JoJo Garcia, the 6-4, 285-pound senior tackle who has verbally committed to the Gophers for 2016. Fritze praised Garcia’s upper body strength, agility and toughness. “He has a real great nose of how to play defensive tackle,” Fritze said.

As of July 1, the Gophers had sold 27,523 football season tickets—down a couple hundred from that same date in 2014 and 2013 when totals were 27,786 and 27,741. Those totals don’t include student ticket sales. During the offseason season ticket holders had to either increase—or for the first time—pay scholarship donations for their seats. Because of that factor the Athletic Department is likely pleased with the number of season tickets sold to date.

Single game tickets were still available last week for the Gophers’ much anticipated September 3 game at TCF Bank Stadium against national power TCU. The Horned Frogs will likely be a consensus top-five team in preseason polls.

Former Gophers football player Jim Brunzell has self-published a book with colorful stories about his career in pro wrestling. “Jumpin’ Jim Brunzell” wrestled from 1972-1999 and was a favorite of American Wrestling Association fans. His book MatLands is loaded with photos of wrestling characters ranging from Andre the Giant to Chief Peter Maivia. www.blurb.com/b/6298514-matlands.

Condolences to the family of former Gophers tight end Charlie Sanders who died several days ago. Sanders, 68, became a pro football hall of famer after his career with the Lions. He was a celebrity but also known for his friendly personality.

Although there is a lengthy list of ex-Twins playing in the majors, none of them has been selected so far for next week’s All-Star Game in Cincinnati. Relief pitcher Glen Perkins is the Twins’ only representative to date but the club is pushing fan voting for second baseman Brian Dozier. This will be Perkins’ third consecutive All-Star Game. He has a club record 28 consecutive saves this season.

It will be interesting to watch the continued career development of Minnesota State men’s hockey coach Mike Hastings who the Mavericks recently awarded a new eight-year contract. In three years of coaching in Mankato his record is 79-36-7. No hockey school in the nation can match the Mavericks’ win total in that time period.

Forty-six players are scheduled to attend the Wild’s Development Camp that starts July 9 and continues through July 14 at Xcel Energy Center. Players expected include Brady Brassart, Brody Hoffman, Mario Lucia, Zack Mitchell, Zach Palmquist, Avery Peterson, Mike Reilly and Alex Tuch, plus six selected in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Free scrimmages open to the public will be on July 11 starting at 2:30 p.m. and July 14 at 6:30 p.m. Gates open on those dates at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Canterbury Park hosts Extreme Race Day presented by the Minnesota State Lottery on July 18. The afternoon’s lineup of entertainment will include exhibition racing with camels and zebras, plus The Battle of the Surfaces—a pari-mutuel race with thoroughbreds competing against each other simultaneously at one mile and 70 yards on the turf, and one mile on the dirt. A lineup of traditional horse races will also be part of the entertainment at the Shakopee race track.

Comments Welcome

Twins & Other Fourth of July Memories

Posted on July 1, 2015July 1, 2015 by David Shama

I suppose if you’re British—and loyal to the Queen, and also a sour grapes type— Independence Day in the United States isn’t your cup of tea.

But the Fourth of July holiday is special for many of us who experience family gatherings, parades, music and fireworks while remembering this country’s struggles for freedom, and the men and women who sacrificed so we could enjoy our lives.

Independence Day means multiple things to me including baseball. I can’t think of the July 4 date and the Twins, without memories of pitcher Eddie Bane. Some readers might say, “Who?,” but Bane earned a place in Twins history on July 4, 1973 when he made his major league debut right out of college after receiving a reported $55,000 signing bonus from our local franchise.

Twins owner Calvin Griffith didn’t like to spend money. Someone summarized his thrifty ways like this: “Calvin throws nickels around like manhole covers.” So because of Bane’s big check, Griffith might have been feeling sorry for himself when he left home for the ballpark on July 4 that year, but when he saw the huge crowd at Met Stadium he must have been grinning like a kid camped out near the Christmas tree.

The Twins had a dwindling fan base in the 1970s as the club faltered on the field. The franchise drew only 11,941 fans per game at home during the 1973 season, but the public was curious and hyped to see the debut of Bane, the 21-year-old left-handed pitcher from Arizona State. As I recall, a capacity crowd of more than 45,000 at Met Stadium hoped to celebrate the Fourth of July with the rookie.

Bane lost his debut game, although he only gave up a couple of hits and one run in seven innings against the Royals. Almost unbeatable in college, he didn’t win a game all season with the Twins. His major league career ended a few years later and he never established himself as a big time pitcher.

The legend of Eddie Bane is such that probably four times as many people claim to have seen him pitch his first game than were actually at Met Stadium. What is fact about Bane is he was the scouting boss for the Angels several years ago when they drafted Mike Trout—perhaps now baseball’s best player.

In early July fifty years ago the Twins moved into first place in the American League. About a week after Independence Day Harmon Killebrew hit a late inning home run at Met Stadium to defeat the defending American League champion Yankees. It was a milestone moment in a year that saw the Twins win the pennant and play in Minnesota’s first World Series.

As a kid, everything kind of stopped at our house when the Twins were playing—especially for my dad and me. The games were that important, whether we were at Met Stadium or watching on television. That focus could even be a major part of our July 4ths but that didn’t mean we forgot about patriotism, including my mom who joked that she was a nurse in the Revolutionary War (as a five-year-old I was pretty sure this wasn’t true).

My mother had documented her ancestors all the way back to the 1700s and I think had at least one relative who fought in the Revolutionary War. Mom belonged to the Daughters of the American Revolution, a service organization of women directly descended from folks who helped secure this country’s independence from England. Mom couldn’t have been prouder of her American heritage—even if she had George and Martha Washington for next door neighbors.

I grew up with feelings of reverence for America and its symbols. In grade school we saluted the flag each day and said the Pledge of Allegiance. Chills went up and down my spine when we sang America the Beautiful at school. Same thing when I sat in the stands prior to Gopher football games and the loudspeaker blared out John Philip Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever while the players warmed up.

Fireworks? The ones I recall best were at a public park in Crosby, Minnesota. The mosquitoes on those summer nights were big as grasshoppers. Sitting in the car, waiting for dusk, seemed to take a lifetime. It was like waiting for darkness at the drive-in movies—maybe worse since fireworks came just once a year.

As a kid, we were often in the Brainerd Lakes area during the summer. A family we knew had a lake home just a few miles back from the highway. The dirt road leading to the house sometimes could be a driving challenge because of muddy roads and “creatures “lurking in the woods.

Those “creatures” included skunks, and one night a little rascal—using its contemptible spray—targeted a Ford station wagon en route to the house. The odor from the station wagon was so bad the vehicle had to be parked in the woods, at a suitable distance from the house. And guess what? That vehicle was sold and replaced by another station wagon within a week.

As a pre-teen that lake place is where I learned to drive the family car. With no indoor toilets, everyone had to use the outhouse located a short distance from the house. Although the walking distance was minimal, I convinced the adults to let me drive them to the outhouse. The routine was this: pick up people at the house, drive them to the outhouse, turn the car around, wait for “customers” to finish up, and return them to the house.

Best job I ever had. (Well, not really).

A few years ago my Uncle John passed away at age 92. John had many admirable qualities such as volunteering for various organizations. He was also a patriot. Every morning at his south Minneapolis home he put up the American flag near the front steps. Later in the day he followed protocol by taking the flag down before dark.

John loved the USA and expressed his conviction mostly with actions, not words. Honoring America by displaying the flag was one way. He also made numerous charitable donations to veterans groups, and visited grave sites at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. For many years, while travelling to the North Shore, he stopped in Duluth to visit the widow of his friend Jim who died in World War II. The deceased soldier was survived by a wife and infant daughter.

Like many veterans, John never said much about his experiences in World War II. Soldiers from that era often don’t. But later generations appreciate those who have sacrificed in America’s wars throughout this country’s history of conflicts and defending freedom. A few years prior to John’s death he and another elderly friend were at a restaurant. As I recall the story, a stranger was somehow aware my uncle had served in the war. The stranger paid for my uncle’s meal and for his friend.

I am certain that story has been repeated countless times across the nation but it seems appropriate to share it as we approach the holiday weekend. Enjoy baseball, parades, family and other pleasures, but remember our nation’s founders and all those both living and deceased who helped make our lives what they are today.

Happy Independence Day!

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