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La Velle E. Neal III on Joe Mauer; Rob Manfred wants to have it both ways with MLB and TV Jul 17, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand was not impressed with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's comments Tuesday about where things stand with the league's TV situation. By telling teams it is up to them to decide whether to either sign up to be distributed and produced by MLB or continue with the regional sports network model, MLB is admitting it doesn't yet have a viable product or solution. If the landscape really won't be sorted out until a new national contract is negotiated in 2028, that's a long time to wait.

9:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand ahead of Joe Mauer's induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame this weekend in Cooperstown, N.Y. Neal shares some Mauer stories and insights, while he and Rand also get into this year's Twins and Vikings receiver Jordan Addison.

36:00: It is a great day to be a Star Tribune subscriber.

Marcus Fuller on the future of Gophers sports; Does NBA's new TV deal mean the end for regional networks? Jul 16, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with Knicks owner James Dolan's scathing letter to the league's board of governors complaining about several aspects of a reported new 11-year, $76 billion media/TV deal. Dolan, representing the large-market Knicks, worries that the NBA is moving toward a national broadcast model that will render regional sports networks "unviable." What might that mean for Minnesota sports and the Wolves?

9:00: Star Tribune Gophers sports writer Marcus Fuller joins Rand to talk about two main subjects. First, Fuller sheds more light on Gophers AD Mark Coyle's comments to the Board of Regents last week about the future economic model within the athletic department. Fuller also gives an update on the Gophers men's basketball team's offseason, among other things.

38:00: Two listeners have keen observations.

Patrick Reusse on Caitlin Clark, Jordan Addison and the Twins at the All-Star break Jul 15, 2024

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which frankly didn't have a lot of great news for Minnesota sports fans.

The Lynx lost to Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Sunday, showing they will struggle as long as Napheesa Collier is out. The game was a huge success from a business standpoint, with a sellout crowd and gate revenues topping $1 million helped greatly by a pro-Clark contingent.

Vikings WR Jordan Addison was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in California, the second straight offseason he's had a significant incident with a vehicle.

And the Twins lost their final game going into the All-Star break and are dealing with a handful of minor injuries to major players.

Willi Castro appreciation, U.S. Soccer speculation and Minnesota United evaluation Jul 12, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand begins with an appreciation segment on Willi Castro, the super utility man for the Twins who was named to the All-Star team Thursday as an injury replacement. He's played quite capably at five different positions and in all 93 games this year for the Twins, who quite honestly would not be where they are (53-40) without him.

6:00: Soccer writer Jon Marthaler joins Rand for a look at Minnesota United, which has struggled with depth in losing six games in a row. With the MLS transfer window coming up next week and players returning from international competition, where do the Loons stand? Plus they speculate about candidates for the top U.S. men's soccer job and name some guys.

35:00: Wolves back?

Caitlin Clark at Target Center, Gophers athletics changes and ... Twins vs. Yankees in the playoffs? Jul 11, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the suddenly and remarkably consistent Twins, who have won two out of three games in six consecutive series, needing to win the third game of the series each time to achieve the feat, and have also homered in 28 straight games. That sort of run would be good news in the postseason, but this isn't: a listener points out that if the season ended today, it would be Twins at Yankees for three games in October. Plus Rand gets into comments from Gophers AD Mark Coyle about the future of college athletics.

12:00: Star Tribune Lynx writer Kent Youngblood has some good perspective on Napheesa Collier's injury and the Lynx's success (so far) without her. He also previews Sunday's big game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever at Target Center.

28:00: The NBA is playing with Monopoly money, and the U.S. men's soccer team officially needs a new manager.

Chip Scoggins on the ongoing Twins TV frustration and a very optimistic view of one Minnesota team Jul 10, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Lynx, who earned an impressive 82-67 win at Los Angeles on Tuesday thanks in large part to a perfect 4-for-4 shooting night from three-point range by Bridget Carleton. It was Minnesota's second straight win without injured star Napheesa Collier, and their win total (16) has already reached preseason expectations for the whole year.

7:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand to vent frustration about the ongoing absence of Bally Sports North on Comcast. It's been more than two months since subscribers to the largest cable carrier in the state could see Twins broadcasts, and there is no immediate relief in sight. Plus Scoggins and Rand get into a recent list of 36 teams in the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB that have never won a championship.

36:00: Football isn't far away. The Yankees are struggling.

Brooks Lee lets Twins dream big; Chris Hine on a huge offseason for back half of Timberwolves roster Jul 09, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand has an early appreciation for Twins rookie Brooks Lee, who has the more RBI (eight) through six games of his career than any player in franchise history and who has the second-most hits (11) in that span, trailing only Kirby Puckett. Small sample sizes are dangerous, but Lee absolutely looks the part. Once (if) Royce Lewis gets healthy, can you imagine what these two players might do for the next several years?

9:00: Star Tribune Timberwolves writer Chris Hine joins Rand from Las Vegas to break down USA Basketball's camp and the upcoming Summer League. Anthony Edwards isn't shying away from his potential role in the Olympics and as a budding face of the NBA. Meanwhile, it's a huge offseason for several young Wolves players.

32:00: On Paul George and the feeling of being disrespected.

Patrick Reusse on Twins' mastery, a Timberwolves mystery and a Vikings tragedy Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included another series win for the Twins -- this time over Houston, one of the other hottest teams in baseball. The Twins keep stacking up good performances, even if they only had one All-Star named to the AL team. Jose Miranda continued his torrid summer with 12 hits in 12 straight at bats, tying a decades-old MLB record.

Reusse and Rand also talked about the horrific and tragic death of Vikings corner Khyree Jackson in a car accident over the weekend.

And they finished with some talk of the Timberwolves, including Reusse not quite being sure what Anthony Edwards was talking about this weekend regarding Team USA. Plus a Reusse soccer rant.

Napheesa Collier injured; Wolves flex in West; Minneapolis Paralympic athlete Chuck Aoki Jul 05, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a nightmare scenario for the Lynx, who lost to Connecticut on Thursday and saw star Napheesa Collier leave in the third quarter with a left foot injury. We don't know the extent of the injury yet, but depending on the length it could impact Collier's chances of playing in the Olympics as well as the hopes for the Lynx this year. Plus Rand sizes up the NBA's Western Conference and likes where the Wolves are positioned after some key moments in free agency.

12:00: Minneapolis Paralympic athlete Chuck Aoki joins the show to talk about the upcoming games starting in late August in Paris. Aoki, 33, is hoping to help the U.S. wheelchair rugby team earn gold. He also is a huge Minnesota sports fan and has some early scouting on Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy.

28:00: The Twins are rolling, and Jose Miranda is playing a big part.

The highs and lows of Royce Lewis; La Velle E. Neal III on five big topics; Farewell, Kyle Anderson Jul 03, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the latest bad piece of injury news for budding Twins star Royce Lewis, who had to leave Tuesday's 5-3 victory over Detroit with left groin tightness. Even the usually optimistic Lewis sounded downtrodden after the game, with another injury threatening to derail yet another promising season. Plus Rand notes the departure of Kyle Anderson from the Wolves to Golden State and what it might mean for their playing style.

10:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins the show to talk with Rand about five big subjects: the future of U.S. Soccer, the Wild's free agency moves, the Loons' recent swoon, the Wolves' offseason and what the Twins should do with Max Kepler.

34:00: An NFL mock draft rant.

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