David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Jim Kaat Not Picking a Favorite in American League Central

Posted on June 25, 2023June 25, 2023 by David Shama

Jim Kaat is one of the more intelligent baseball minds on the planet. The Hall of Fame pitcher was in the big leagues from 1959-1983 and a broadcaster for 25 years after that while delighting audiences with his knowledge, insights, and honesty.

Kaat, 84, pitched for the Senators-Twins from 1959-1973 and still follows his old team that is struggling in the mediocre American League Central Division. “Teams are lucky to be in the Central Division in both leagues,” Kaat said while also referring to the National League Central where the Reds have the best record at five games over .500.

The Twins are 39-39 and one game ahead of the Guardians. Kaat, who spoke to Sports Headliners a few days ago from his summer home in Vermont, isn’t forecasting the AL Central Division winner at season’s end.

“I don’t know if I would put money on anybody right now. …I still think the Twins have the personnel to win the division. They have good starting pitching. But they’re not (the whole team) performing up to what their potential is so far.”

Here was Kaat’s evaluation of the Twins last week: “Well, they have great starting pitching but they’re not maximizing their starters. They take them out so early to go to the bullpen—and they’ve had a couple guys done well—but for the most part the bullpen has not been consistent in terms of nailing down the wins. They’ve got five very capable starters.

“They developed into a team that if they continue (at) this current pace they’ll strike out more times than the (MLB record setting) 2021 Cubs. But the information they get from on high tells them go ahead and keep swinging for the fences because it’s easier to hit a home run than it is to hit three singles. But if you look at what (former Twin) Luis Arraez is doing right now over in Miami, you think, boy, you’d love to have him in that leadoff spot setting the table. So they’re kind of a one dimensional (team).

“They (also) make a lot of mistakes on the bases. As you can see from just looking at the scores every day…they don’t do those little things—advancing runners, and making productive outs to put up an extra run or two on the scoreboard—and they’re losing those close games.

“It’s not an interesting team to watch their players. I (do) love to watch (rookie third baseman) Royce Lewis. I think he’s going to be a star. I like to watch (eight game winner) Joe Ryan pitch. But as far as the team, it’s just like home run derby for the most part.”

The Twins’ struggles to score runs are lamented in living rooms and taverns across the state. Veteran right fielder Max Kepler, now in his ninth season with Minnesota, is hitting .207, while slugger Joey Gallo, an offseason acquisition, is at .186. Shortstop Carlos Correa and DH Byron Buxton, the team’s highest paid stars, are hitting .220 and .207 respectively. The team batting average of .231 is better than only five other MLB teams and Minnesota’s 799 strikeouts is No. 1 among the 30 teams.

The home run craze is in vogue across the major league landscape so the Twins aren’t alone, but Kaat wishes the team had “table setters,” guys who frequently can get on base. Any wish list starts with Arraez, who the Twins traded away in the offseason for pitcher Pablo Lopez.

Kaat winced when Minnesota gave up the 2022 American League batting champion. “Yeah, I really did. I was really shocked at that, and I like Pablo Lopez. …I understand they didn’t think he had a set position to play. But boy, he was very much like Rod Carew.”

Carew, of course, was a Hall of Fame hitter and former teammate of Kaat with the Twins. Carew was an okay second baseman but a better fielder later in his career when he played first base. Arraez has settled in at second base for the Marlins.

Arraez, 26, is hitting a gaudy .401 for the Marlins after batting .316 last season. Carew had a lifetime average of .328. Neither one is or was a swing for the fences or strike out hitter. Just the opposite.

Kaat understands the frustrations of Twins fans when they often see their favorites struggle to score even a couple runs in games. “…You can’t get excited about just watching a team and hoping they hit enough home runs to beat the other team. There’s just not enough action there.”

Baseball has become a power game where hitters not only swing for the fences but also pitchers throw as hard as they can. Analytics and radar guns have convinced baseball authorities this is the best way to win. The power style appeals to some fans, probably younger followers in particular.

Analytics dictate decisions before, during and after games. Kaat sees some value in the new age way of doing things. “I think all the information can be very helpful in sort of evaluating players. …I think it’s valuable in developing players and in training players. But once the game starts, I think they have to throw those numbers out the window because everybody feels differently every day.

“…(A hitter) might be 0-10 against this pitcher but if you’re watching that pitcher maybe he’s not the same today. And this hitter that’s 0-10 today, he’s on a hot streak, he’s been really hitting well. So, I am going to leave him (the hitter) in there but they go so much by the statistical sheet that they see 0-10, (and decide) well we’re going to take him out. They don’t use the eye test to really make their judgements.”

A lot of Twins fans are perplexed at decisions dictated by analytics. They’re not on board with pinch hitting for Lewis, or the team’s other promising young hitter, Alex Kirilloff. Starting pitchers are told to call it a day after five innings or so, and fans not only push back but so too has veteran Twin Sonny Gray. He’s made his opinion known about pitching deeper into games.

The Twins defeated the Red Sox last Thursday in a game that typified who they are but also had an outlier performance. Correa got one hit, a home run. Buxton hit two moon shots over the fence, his only hits in the game. Those home runs accounted for three of the team’s runs in the 6-0 win. It was Ryan, though, who delivered the unexpected, pitching Minnesota’s first complete game in five years. He threw 112 pitches and held the Red Sox to three hits.

In Kaat’s era starting pitchers frequently completed nine innings and didn’t blink at throwing over 100 pitches in a game. In Kaat’s three 20 win seasons he pitched 46 complete games. During Kaat’s long career his sturdy arm allowed him to pitch in 898 games and log 4,530.1 innings.

Regardless of whether he was starting a game, Kaat threw every day. Over the years he built up his arm strength while not jeopardizing his health by trying to throw too hard. He could throw fast balls, but he mixed up his pitches and threw with control.

Kaat and other authorities know a lot of teenage pitchers are being “ruined” by the strain placed on their young arms trying to throw the ball so hard. Elbow surgery is epidemic. “They’re not teaching them to pitch,” Kaat said. “They’re just teaching them to throw.”

Kaat is critical also of how during the season MLB teams bring up pitchers to the bigs and then send them back to the minors over and over. “…They never really get a chance to develop into as good a pitcher as they possibly could be. Today it’s so wrong headed the way they’re training and using pitchers, it just makes me sick.”

Teams not only turn over their pitching rosters frequently because of injuries and poor performance but also use a marathon of pitchers in a typical game. Analytics warn against leaving a starter in the game to face the other team’s batting order a third time. Then a parade of relievers begins.

“No, I think they’ve dumbed down pitching,” Kaat said. “It’s just shameful. …We weren’t superhuman and pitched 300 or 250 innings, a lot of complete games. We were trained to do that, and the pitchers today are so much bigger, faster, stronger. I think more athletic ability and yet they (the decision makers) think they’re preserving their arms by limiting their innings and pitches, and actually what they’re doing is…(not getting) the maximum out of the talent that they have. It’s just sad as a former pitcher to see that. …”

Kaat pitched as both a starter and reliever over his long career. As a starter he pitched on as little as three days rest and went deep into games but that’s not the mantra in MLB now. “Throw as hard as you can and when you can’t throw any more, we’ll bring somebody else in,” Kaat said.

Kaat stopped broadcasting games after last season but doesn’t refer to the decision as a retirement—saying he just walked away from the game he has loved for so long. He “just couldn’t deal with the way the game has turned into a science project.”

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Gophers Could Land Historic Football Recruiting Class

Posted on June 20, 2023June 20, 2023 by David Shama

The 2024 University of Minnesota football recruiting class already includes verbal commitments from seven of the top nine players in the state, per 247Sports. That’s Minnesota’s best total since the 2012 class that ultimately signed up seven to letters of intent, according to the 247 archives.

The Gophers have a commitment from the 247 No. 2 player in Minnesota, safety Koi Perich from Esko. Coach P.J. Fleck and staff are awaiting decisions from No.1 Wyatt Gilmore and No. 3 Emerson Mandell.

“If you’re able to land just one of those guys, Fleck would be doing something that historically has been very tough to do no matter who the Gopher coach has been,” Ryan Burns told Sports Headliners while referencing Minnesota’s recruiting in the Internet era. (Note: the Gophers apparently aren’t recruiting the state’s No. 10 ranked player, Coon Rapids High School athlete Khijohnn Cummings-Coleman).

Burns is the experienced recruiting authority from GopherIllustrated and 247Sports. In the next “three, four weeks” he expects decisions from Gilmore and Mandell regarding their college choices.

Gilmore, listed by 247 at 6-4, 240-pounds, is a four-star edge rusher from Rogers. Mandell, 6-5, 295-pounds, is a three-star offensive line prospect from St. Paul and Irondale High School. Who is more likely to become a Gopher?

“I think I am more optimistic about Mandell coming to Minnesota,” Burns said last Friday. “I think it will be either them or Iowa State right now. We’ll see how the Iowa State visit goes…(last) weekend.”

Mandell has made many visits to the Minnesota campus, a solid indication of his interest. Burns believes that because Minnesota and Iowa State appear to be his favorites, that shows a preference to stay close to home.

Burns believes the Gophers “still have a shot” at Gilmore who visited Oklahoma last weekend. Best guess by Burns is Gilmore will commit to a “helmet school” like Miami, Oklahoma, or Oregon.

Rogers head coach Marc Franz told Sports Headliners Gilmore has enjoyed the recruiting process but it’s demanding. “It is weighing on him. It’s a lot of time and energy going into the decision,” said Franz about his star player who plans to enroll in college in January.

Mandell and Gilmore have received encouragement to stay home from in-state players who are committed to the Gophers, including Perich. “It’s part of the reason Koi committed is he wanted to be someone who can help get players,” Burns said.

“He knows he’s a four-star. He knows he’s really good. He knows he’s turned down Michigan, Iowa and Wisconsin among others. And I can confirm he’s got Wyatt Gilmore’s number; he’s got Emerson Mandell’s number. He’s been texting them for a long time. He’s spent time with both of them. …”

Recruiting is a competitive business in college football, partially because there are schools using the enticement of Name, Image and Likeness money as an inducement. That’s an illegal practice and something Minnesota wants no part of.

“Minnesota will not extend NIL to recruits…so if that’s what it comes down to is guaranteed promises in recruiting, Minnesota is never going to win that battle,” Burns said. He added “God speed” in getting the NCAA, the Division I enforcement agency, to police NIL infractions.

Burns wants to see the Gophers successful in recruiting and on the field but he’s not going to fault either Gilmore or Mandell if they decide on schools other than Minnesota. “They’re both good kids. I think they both have got good support systems around them, and they’ll make the best decisions they feel for them.”

Still, it’s tantalizing to think about signing both Gilmore and Mandell, or at least one. Burns believes the talent in the state’s 2024 recruiting class is above average and having nine of the top 10 rated players committed to the Gophers would be unprecedented this millennium. “…If Fleck really wants to put a stamp on it, he’s got to land at least one of these guys,” Burns said about Gilmore and Mandell.

The Gophers have been impressive, too, in building their 2024 recruiting class with out-of-state players. The class totals 23 verbal commits, per 247Sports, with the highest ranked player offensive lineman Nathan Roy from Mukwonago, Wisconsin. He’s the No. 1 ranked player in his state and the first time in memory the Gophers have a commitment from the best recruit in Badger land.

The 2024 247Sports team recruiting rankings have Minnesota No. 10 in the country. As of today, the Gophers have more total pledges than any Division I school, but eventually others will catch up and Minnesota’s lofty ranking won’t last. But commitments from Gilmore and Mandell will help ensure an impressive spot in the final national rankings for 2024 recruiting.

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Contract Leverage Favors Danielle Hunter, Not Vikings

Posted on June 18, 2023June 18, 2023 by David Shama

If the Vikings intend to be competitive in the coming season, they need to make a new contract deal with star pass rusher Danielle Hunter. Worthy of inclusion among the NFL’s best at pressuring the quarterback, Hunter is in the last year of his contract and is too valuable to an already suspect defense to be without.

“You look at the depth chart right now, you definitely need Danielle’s presence on defense… so we’ll see if they can figure out a way to make it work,” said Daniel House who spends countless hours analyzing the Vikings and NFL, and publishes the Mnvikngscorner.com website.

No doubt the Vikings have tested Hunter’s trade appeal with other teams but unless they could acquire an impressive defensive return, they are better off with Hunter who had a bounce back season in 2022 with 10.5 sacks (14.5 in both 2018 and 2019). The 28-year-old is a valuable piece in a new start under first-year defensive coordinator Brian Flores who is expected to put an emphasis on speed and aggressive play to accomplish his task of improving a weak defense from last season.

House predicts the defense will play with creativity and sometimes implement pass rushing mismatches favoring Hunter. “It’ll just be a way more aggressive defense, which I think helps everybody involved.”

To satisfy Hunter it likely will require a contract in the $16 million to $20 million range annually for three or four years. A sticky point is how much money will be guaranteed. Hunter has a history of injuries, and the Vikings will want to protect themselves, while Hunter’s representatives are expected to pursue guaranteed money.

Hunter’s camp has signaled its displeasure with a 2023 salary believed to be about $5 million, and the lack of progress on a new contract. The message came through with the absence of the veteran from both voluntary and mandatory workouts this spring. Unless the Vikings have reason for serious concern about Hunter’s health or have cooked up an acquisition of equal talent, they need to settle on a contract in the coming weeks.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed admiration for Hunter last week both as a player and person. He added that “we hope to have continued dialogue and have a really positive outcome.”

Worth Noting

Preseason recognition of multiple University of Minnesota football players continues to grow. Last week Phil Steele Publications honored seven Gophers including safety Tyler Nubin who was named a third-team All-American. Nubin and tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford also were honored as first-team All-Big Ten.

Wide receiver Daniel Jackson, tackle Aireontae Ersery and punt returner Quentin Redding were named second team All-Big Ten on offense. Redding was also honored on a All-Big Ten fourth team as a kick returner along with long snapper Brady Weeks. Quinn Carroll, Minnesota offensive tackle, was also a fourth team honoree.

Last month Athlon Sports honored nine Gophers including wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell who was named second team All-Big Ten. Because of additional eligibility granted to him, Autman-Bell is approaching his seventh season at Minnesota. The Vikings have only 10 players on their roster who this fall will have played seven or more seasons in the NFL.

Beleaguered former Timberwolves GM David Kahn, now a force in French basketball, is the subject of a feature in the new issue of Sports Illustrated and insists he left the Wolves “in a much, much better place than when I arrived.”

With a 35-year-old starting point guard in Mike Conley, logic suggests the Timberwolves could use their only selection in Thursday’s NBA Draft to take Nadir Hifi at No. 53 in the second round. He plays in France and the 6-3, 20-year-old might be a sleeper in this week’s draft.

Jonathan Mekonnen, the Eastview class of 2024 basketball wing, picked up an offer from Loyola Chicago last week. Power Five offers could be coming soon.

USC, who sources believe was interested in Gophers AD Mark Coyle in 2019, has a vacancy again.

Paul Molitor, who some Twins fans think should still be the club’s manager, was terrific in his analyst role recently on radio broadcasts. His knowledge had listeners aware of what just happened, why it happened and what likely was developing next in the game. He would be a superb addition to the roster of radio and TV analysts.

Jim Kaat, the former Twin who for years set the gold standard for baseball commentary during games here and nationally, isn’t working Twins games this year. Kaat, 84 and inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame last year, pitched for the Twins and tight wad owner Calvin Griffith from 1961-1973. “Calvin threw nickels around like manhole covers,” Kaat said years ago.

Kaat spoke Friday to the popular Twin Cities Dunkers organization that just closed off nominations for review in July, with 40 applicants and five spots open.

Darren Wolfson reported on Skor North that Wild GM Bill Guerin is interested in filling the assistant coaching vacancy with someone having head coach experience. That could set up an interesting dynamic with head coach Dean Evason whose teams haven’t advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs.

Happy Father’s Day! Anyone remember this quote from the late Erma Bombeck? “When I was a little kid, a father was like the light in the refrigerator. Every house had one, but no one really knew what either of them did once the door was shut.”

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