StribSports Daily Delivery

Latest Episodes:

Spencer Hall on college football playoffs, paying players and P.J. Fleck as a superhero Aug 19, 2021

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand gives a near-daily appreciation of Jorge Polanco, who produced a walk-off run batted in for the third time in four games as the Twins won another series. It will be interesting to see if Polanco stays at second base in 2022, when the Twins don't have any other clear options at shortstop, or if he returns to that position.

4:00: College football podcaster and writer Spencer Hall joins the show for a whirlwind tour of several subjects. Rand and Hall dive into the new rule governing name, image and likeness -- agreeing that it's a good thing but not nearly enough as players look to gain their fair share of the revenue they generate. They also discuss the impact that an expanded 12-team college football playoff could have on a team like the Gophers and assign a superpower to P.J. Fleck.

29:00: Can Kirk Cousins learn to improvise? Is that the new "is this the year Adrian Peterson catches more passes?"

Patrick Beverley trade breakdown + Phil Miller on Twins prospects + Everson Griffen drama? Aug 18, 2021

Show notes

Intro: Host Michael Rand breaks down the Timberwolves' trade for Patrick Beverley with three main points. First, the trade makes sense for the Wolves and Beverley's shooting plus defensive acumen will bolster their roster. Second, giving up Juancho Hernangomez and Jarrett Culver isn't a huge haul to send back, but it is an admission that the Wolves missed when they drafted Culver No. 6 overall just two years ago. Third, the Wolves still don't have a starting caliber power forward.

6:00: Star Tribune Twins beat writer Phil Miller joins the show to talk about the team's recent improved play and what it means in the context of this year and next year. Plus, what do we make of the Twins' young players -- those already here like Bailey Ober and the next wave that could include Joe Ryan and Jose Miranda.

27:00: Everson Griffen reportedly will work out for the Vikings on Wednesday, which is interesting on multiple fronts -- the primary one being that Griffen ripped QB Kirk Cousins on Twitter just eight months ago.

Gophers coordinator Joe Rossi + Wolves over-unders + Bill Guerin on Fiala, Kaprizov Aug 17, 2021

Show notes

Intro: Host Michael Rand goes down a rabbit hole of numbers to determine that the Timberwolves have only reached their preseason Las Vegas victory total three times in 17 seasons since their trip to the Western Conference finals in 2003-04. Do with that information what you will, but it does speak to the disappointment, even relative to expectations, that the team has encountered. Will this season be any different?

7:00: Wild general manager Bill Guerin spoke with members of the media Monday to give his perspective on Kevin Fiala's one-year deal and ongoing negotiations with Kirill Kaprizov. You don't want to get into a poker game with Guerin.

11:00: Gophers football defensive coordinator Joe Rossi joins the show to talk about the upcoming season, key newcomers and his path from Division III football to the Big Ten.

25:00: The Twins had another walk-off win on Monday, this time over Cleveland, and reached a key milestone in the process: Since that dreadful 14-28 start, they have gone 39-38. That's not going to spark any parades, but it should lead to perspective on this season.

28:00: The Lynx have been on a serious roll since their 0-4 start, while the NFL's Raiders are mandating vaccines for fans to attend home games this season.

Patrick Reusse on the genius of Tom Kelly and anger of Mike Zimmer Aug 16, 2021

Show notes

Columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look at two of the more interesting figures who have led Minnesota teams: Tom Kelly and Mike Zimmer.

Reusse wrote a great longer piece on Kelly and the tragic loss of his son, humanizing the former Twins manager ahead of this past weekend's celebration of the 1991 Twins World Series team. On the podcast, Reusse went deeper on Kelly -- trying to drive at what made him a successful manager, who he is as a person and what made him walk away from the job at the relatively young age of 51.

Rand and Reusse also talked about Mike Zimmer, who was very unhappy about the way his team played in a 33-6 loss to Denver in Saturday's preseason opener. Zimmer seemed upbeat at the start of training camp, but that has given way to a more consistently sour mood as the team has dealt with issues on and off the field. The pressure of a win-now season and the still-looming threat of a COVID disruption have to be factors.

Twins President Dave St. Peter + Vikings concerns + Top 5 sports movie ranking Aug 13, 2021

Show notes

Intro: Let's try a new segment called "Dings of Concern," where host Michael Rand runs down some things about this year's Vikings that have him concerned about their overall big picture. It even has sound effects. From two separate major COVID stories to injuries -- the latest being a second surgery for first-round offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw -- Rand is concerned, to say the least.

8:00: Twins President Dave St. Peter joins the show to talk about a number of subjects. Rand notes that Twins TV ratings have plummeted by almost 50% this season over last year and wonders how much of that is because of a losing record and how much is because of the ongoing impasse between Bally Sports North and several streaming services. St. Peter also addresses concerns about the uptick in COVID cases and notes some pleasant surprises in a tough season.

27:00: The Field of Dreams game in Iowa was a smashing success, and it provides a reason for a list that everyone can get upset about: Rand's top 5 sports movies of all-time.

Teddy Bridgewater what-ifs, Chip Scoggins on Kirill Kaprizov, listener questions answered Aug 12, 2021

Show notes

Intro: It's hard to believe that it's been nearly five years since that fateful day in practice when Teddy Bridgewater suffered a catastrophic injury that changed the course of his career and the Vikings' trajectory. With Bridgewater back in Minnesota and participating in joint practices as he battles for the starting QB job with the Broncos, memories of that day are still fresh. Hear from Bridgewater about his perspective on that journey, while host Michael Rand tries to sort out the still-lasting impact on the Vikings.

8:00: Columnist Chip Scoggins joins the show to talk about his latest piece on the Wild and negotiations with budding star Kirill Kaprizov. Scoggins tries to talk Wild fans down from whatever level of concern they have, laying out all the practical reasons why a compromise deal should get done relatively soon. But he and Rand also delve into the uncomfortable question: What if it doesn't work out?

24:00: Rand blazes through a bunch of good reader questions, with topics that take his mind everywhere from the Twins pitching future to baseball in the Grand Canyon.

NBA Math: Wolves player rankings + Griffin Jax emerges for Twins Aug 11, 2021

Show notes

Intro: Host Michael Rand wasn't a big believer in Griffin Jax, but he's starting to come around to the idea that the Twins pitcher at least deserves a longer look in the rotation after another strong start Tuesday against the White Sox. That's four in a row for Jax, the 26-year-old rookie who doesn't have overpowering stuff but has found a way to be effective when given the chance recently.

5:30: Adam Fromal, founder of the website NBA Math, joins the show to talk about the site's exhaustive recently released NBA player rankings. A panel of 15 NBA experts ranked every player who played at least one minute in the league last season -- an exercise that yields a pretty good aggregate indicator of where each player stands. It yielded some interesting results for the Wolves and could reframe how we think about their chances going forward.

27:00: The Vikings had just 69 punt return yards last season. Something needs to change this season, and the team is trying to address it.

Patrick Reusse on MLB's desperation + Kirill Kaprizov tension escalates Aug 10, 2021

Show notes

Intro: Host Michael Rand takes a look at the latest reporting on Wild star Kirill Kaprizov and the possibility that he could play next season in Russia. A report says he has a one-year deal for more than $10 million on the table to play there next year, but it's likely just a negotiating ploy to get more favorable terms with the Wild on a long-term deal

5:00: Columnist Patrick Reusse joins the show to talk about MLB's desperation, as evidenced by a New York Post report that the league is considering a streaming partnership with Barstool Sports. Want to attract a younger audience? That's one way, though it would be at the detriment of a large share of existing fans who note Barstool's misogynistic principles. Reusse also weighs in on the Kaprizov situation.

25:00: Wolves Summer League highlights included more quips from an apparently healthy Anthony Edwards and some strong play from big man Nathan Knight.

29:00: Is the "all-important" NFL preseason game changing?

Vikings kicking concern, Twins who could help, Olympic glory Aug 09, 2021

Show notes

Intro: Host Michael Rand takes a big-picture look back at the Tokyo Olympics, which will be remembered in Minnesota for a long time as quite possibly the most successful summer games in state history. Even just listing off all the medalists from this state takes a long time.

5:00: The Vikings kicking competition has flown under the radar with other big stories taking a lot of the spotlight. But the battle between two relative unknowns is fascinating. Rand explores that with the help of Mark Craig's recent story.

12:00: The Twins have pivoted to a season of prospects instead of contention. Which of the young pitchers could we see this year -- and who has the best chance to help?

18:00: Some pretty disappointing Twins TV rating numbers came out recently. Rand wants to dive into them in more detail, but he tries to provide some early context about what he is seeing.

21:00: Some good news? Minnesota United is on a roll.

Gable Steveson's gold, Suni Lee and Grace McCallum come home, Kayla McBride of the Lynx joins the show Aug 06, 2021

Show notes

Intro: Guest host Christina Long talks Olympics, as Minnesota’s own gold medalist Suni Lee and gymnastics teammate Grace McCallum returned home Thursday to a welcoming committee of adoring fans. Lee became the newest American gymnast to be a household name, especially after her square-tip acrylic nails, which were designed locally, went viral after her big win. Plenty of other Minnesotans have continued to compete in Tokyo, including Gopher wrestling star Gable Steveson. The Apple Valley native won gold in heavyweight wrestling early Friday morning as he knocked off the three-time champion from Georgia. USA women’s basketball, which features Lynx stars Napheesa Collier and Sylvia Fowles, will play for the gold Saturday night.

9:00 Lynx guard Kayla McBride joins the show to talk everything from baking to basketball. McBride and the Lynx are in the midst of the WNBA’s month-long Olympic break but will return to play Aug. 15. Minnesota entered the break on a seven-game win streak and will look to continue its upward trend in the second half of the season.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

StribSports Daily Delivery

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected