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The dumbest rule in sports; mighty Aurora; Lynx definitely are not tanking Jul 06, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes aim at the dumbest rule in sports -- the clause in NBA contracts that allows players to earn tens of millions of dollars more just for being named to an All-NBA team. It made a huge difference in Karl-Anthony Towns' contract extension, and whether Anthony Edwards makes an All-NBA team this season will be the difference in about $43 million on his deal over the next five seasons. Plus Rand responds to a listener query about Twins injuries and notes the recent cooling off from Luis Arraez.

11:00: Star Tribune sports intern Noah Furtado joins Rand to talk about three teams he's been covering lately: Minnesota Aurora, United and Lynx. All three are trending in the right direction, with Aurora set for a big playoff game Thursday and the other two finding their footing.

29:00: Speaking of the Lynx, Cheryl Reeve made it known that the team definitely isn't "tanking" for better draft position in 2024. Eight wins in their last 11 games offer ample evidence.

Vikings RB Alexander Mattison on his elevated role, responsibility + The reality of Ant's new deal Jul 05, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand came back from the brief holiday with a fresh set of eyes on the Timberwolves' future. Anthony Edwards' new contract brings even greater clarity to the need to trade Karl-Anthony Towns this offseason. It's just that simple for Tim Connelly.

5:00: The Twins are beating up on the Royals, which is good news. But they are increasingly beat up by injuries, a continuing source of frustration.

8:00: Vikings running back Alexander Mattison joins Rand for a discussion of the work Mattison is doing with his offseason camps, the role of mentors in his life and his elevated status on the Vikings' roster after the release of Dalvin Cook.

26:00: A point of clarification about the Twins staying (for now) on Bally Sports North.

Patrick Reusse on the Twins' regression, Bally Sports North and more Jul 03, 2023

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included one burst of offense from the Twins before a regression right back into futility. They did still manage to win two of three from Baltimore -- including a 1-0 win -- to claw back into first place, but how long will it last?

14:00: Listeners are upset that Twins games will be shown on Bally Sports North for at least a few more months, news we learned over the weekend when Diamond Sports made its scheduled payment to the Twins.

20:00: Rand thinks the Wolves are making a mistake if they try to run it back this year without trading Karl-Anthony Towns.

33:00: The Wild replaced their grit, while the Lynx and Loons are hot.

Towns, Reid and the future of the Timberwolves; Wild load up on centers in draft Jun 30, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand appreciates the approach and honesty of the Wild, who addressed an organizational weakness by drafting centers with each of their top three picks in the draft on Wednesday and Thursday. They even skipped a player who was ranked higher on their draft board to make one of the picks, a rare admission for a team to make.

6:00: Star Tribune Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine joins Rand for a breakdown of the Naz Reid signing, what it means for the salary cap, what it does/doesn't mean for Karl-Anthony Towns and how all the pieces fit together with free agency starting Friday.

29:00: After a slow start, the Lynx are winning enough that they are in playoff position.

Rock bottom for Twins? + Star Tribune publisher Steve Grove + Bally Sports TV development Jun 29, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: It's rare to hear Twins manager Rocco Baldelli forcefully criticize his players, but he did just that after another feeble offensive effort in Wednesday's 3-0 loss to Atlanta that dropped the Twins out of first place. Now we wait and see: Are any meaningful and visible changes coming, either to the lineup or the staff?

6:00: Diamond Sports and the Arizona Diamondbacks released a joint statement postponing a hearing scheduled for Thursday. The two sides say they are making progress on a compromise to keep the Diamondbacks on Bally Sports, something that could foreshadow a similar resolution for the Twins for the rest of 2023.

10:00: Steve Grove, the new publisher and CEO of the Star Tribune, joins Rand to talk about the role sports play at our media company and in Minnesota overall. Grove, with Minnesota roots and a history as a prep and college athlete, knows the value of a well-told story.

31:00: The Wild's first-round pick is a local product, while the Wolves moved on from a key bench player.

A.J. Pierzynski on getting booed and his massive 2002 Twins regret Jun 28, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes note of Minnesota United's latest attempt to solve a five-year problem, the signing of Finland's Teemu Pukki to a designated player slot. Maybe, just maybe, Pukki will succeed where so many others have come up short. And the Lynx were energized by the return of Diamond Miller on Tuesday's win over the Seattle Storm.

7:00: Former Twins catcher A.J. Pierzynski joins Rand for a free-flowing conversation. They cover a lot of ground, including a huge "what-if" Pierzynski still has about the 2002 season, how much A.J. hated striking out, why he was such a villain and what he thinks of the current Twins.

28:00: The Twins stumbled to the midpoint of the season. Still technically in first place even though they are a game below .500, something has to change in the team's hitting approach and results.

Breaking down an important Wild draft; meet the new Wolves; punchless Twins Jun 27, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand noted the introduction of Wolves second-round picks Leonard Miller and Jaylen Clark on Monday and how they were given what amounted to first-round pick treatment. Part of that is the absence of first-rounders, but part is also an increasing emphasis in the NBA on the value of second-round picks. Plus Rand was not at all surprised that a Twins lineup without Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton faltered against Atlanta.

10:00: Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan joined Rand to preview the NHL Draft and to set up an offseason that could mostly be about internal improvement.

29:00: Pairing high-priced stars with young, cheap talent is the name of the game in pretty much every league these days.

Patrick Reusse on Naz Reid, Twins strikeouts and Gophers hockey recruiting Jun 26, 2023

Show notes

Host Michael Rand is joined by Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse for a look back at the weekend in sports.

It was a newsy Sunday as we learned that Timberwolves big man Naz Reid is returning on a three-year, $42 million deal. Does that make it more likely that the Wolves run it back this season? Or is it foreshadowing for a Karl-Anthony Towns trade?

The Twins won on Sunday, but their story remains the same: Too many strikeouts. At least one hitter, the young Royce Lewis, seems to be going against the grain with his approach lately.

And Reusse weighs on on Gophers hockey recruiting ahead of this week's NHL Draft.

Sonny Gray's exit, Kirk Cousins' future and Lindsay Whalen's decision Jun 16, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at Thursday's short start from Sonny Gray (four innings, 79 pitches) and plays audio from the frustrated pitcher. It was the type of game where removing Gray looked especially bad in hindsight after the bullpen gave up six runs in an 8-4 loss.

5:00: Two big story lines with the Vikings involve the status of Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter. Might they be related?

8:00: Marcus Fuller joins Rand to set up the summer and season ahead for the Gophers men's and women's basketball teams.

30:00: Rand notes with interest the decision by Lindsay Whalen to make a clean break with the Gophers instead of taking on a special assistant role, as was revealed this week.

Chad Hartman on golf, Sid and the Twins; Karl-Anthony Towns on trade rumors Jun 15, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Karl-Anthony Towns went on former teammate Patrick Beverley's podcast this week and had some interesting things to say about his legacy and trade rumors involving the Timberwolves. It was the second long podcast KAT has done this offseason, one that feels like a time of transition for him.

7:00: WCCO radio's Chad Hartman joins Rand and regales listeners with some great stories of the Los Angeles golf scene -- setting the stage for the U.S. Open that begins Thursday. Hartman, son of legendary Star Tribune columnist Sid Hartman, also talked Wolves and Twins with Rand.

36:00: The Twins won again, and Carlos Correa stayed hot.

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