Category: Minnesota Sports

by Dave Mindeman

I am going to set aside at least one post on Fridays to talk about my main passion, Minnesota sports. Not really anything specific, but just general thoughts. So, let's begin.

My main passion is the Twins (stadiums not withstanding...) and it is no secret that they have been a major disappointment the last two seasons. Can Terry Ryan work his magic again? Well, I'd have to say that it probably won't be an immediate change unless his revamped pitching staff greatly surprises.

I would guess that this will be the year we say goodbye to Justin Morneau. That freak concussion he had a couple years ago has derailed a very promising career. Justin is still productive but he is no longer the fearsome threat of the past. Besides, the Twins are going to need to free up money for more changes, especially since they traded their entire outfield for pitching.

One of the disappointing things about the Twins right now is that their defense has been severely downgraded. Mauer and Morneau are superior glove men, but the rest of the infield is suspect and with Span and Revere gone and no Cuddyer like arm in sight, the outfield will get more porous. Team speed has been neutralized as well.

It is almost like Ryan is going to push his reconstruction project into segments. This year it's pitching. Next year, the infield?

We have accepted that the Vikings are still a project as well. They made the playoffs, but they aren't striking fear into any other franchise yet. Within the division, the Packers are still the team to beat. The Bears will be a team to watch with the new head coach emphasizing the Cutler project. The Lions still have better individual players than the Vikings at key positions, but they are also searching for an identity.

The T-Wolves? Let's not talk about them right now. This year is unsalvagable, but still could have a future if everyone ever gets healthy.

How about the Wild? Well, how about them. The high profile, big buck players are not exactly setting the league on fire....and it is too short a season to wait it out. Still, if everyone gets used to working together, they could make a run at the end.

The men's Gopher team looked like they were going places for awhile this year. Now they are just running in place. What happened? Tubby needs to do some major motivational work here.

But the real positive in Minnesota sports are the women's teams. Can they buy a front page headline? The Gophers women's basketball team is doing as well as the men's team....and how about the Lady Gophers Hockey team. Wow! Could be the greatest college hockey team of all time - but do you think the local press could give it a few extra column inches?

And how about some follow up on the Lynx?

Press chauvinism....pure and simple.

See you next Friday.

Category: Minnesota Sports

by Dave Mindeman

Lately, Minnesota sports has seemed to match up quite well with our Minnesota winter -- very dreary. The Timberwolves look like puppies. The Wild seems pretty mild. The Twins are hapless and the Vikings, well they are the Vikings - just a money hungry business franchise.

But along comes Maya Moore. The Lynx finally catch a break with those lottery bounces (ah, if only the T-Wolves could manage such a treasure trove of luck). And lo and behold, Maya Moore comes to Minnesota.

She could do more for women's sports in Minnesota than Lyndsey Whalen did for the Gophers (now with the Lynx as well) or Patty Berg did for women's golf.

I sense that Maya Moore may become a media magnet. Even the name Maya Moore sounds like success.

The advantage the Lynx have is that they already have other pieces of the puzzle ready to go. The talent is there, it just takes a catalyst.....and Maya Moore looks to be quite the chemical reaction.

Minnesota sports teams needed a shot in the arm. I think we can look forward to some great women's basketball for a change.

Go Lynx.