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MLB takes over Padres broadcasts; will the Twins be next? May 31, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand digs into Tuesday's news that Bally Sports intentionally missed a payment to the San Diego Padres, allowing broadcast rights to revert to Major League Baseball. Starting Wednesday, MLB will produce and show the games, offering them through a number of cable/satellite providers as well as in-market streaming for $19.99 a month. With the Twins potentially facing the same scenario as a bankruptcy judge prepares to hear arguments about their TV deal on Wednesday, we now have a real example to track and follow.

10:00: The Star Tribune's Rachel Blount joins Rand to talk about horse safety, what Canterbury Park is doing well and her upcoming story about the 50th anniversary of Secretariat's Triple Crown.

25:00: The Lynx and Twins were plagued by familiar problems on Tuesday, while a familiar name could soon be making big decisions for the Knicks.

Patrick Reusse on Royce Lewis' dramatic return and navigating the TV sports landscape May 30, 2023

Show notes

Host Michael Rand is joined by Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse for a look back at the weekend in sports and a look ahead to the future of sports on TV.

Royce Lewis helped rescue the sagging Twins offense Monday in his return to the team, belting a three-run homer and a ninth-inning, game-tying single in a 7-5 win over the Astros. What's the one thing that sets Lewis apart from his peers? Reusse has the answer.

Plus Rand and Reusse weigh in on the Heat's big win in Game 7 and Vegas' win in Game 6, dashing hopes of a full comeback from a 3-0 series deficit in both leagues.

And how does Reusse navigate the challenging sports viewing landscape that Rand wrote about recently?

Inside Minnesota's huge -- and still growing -- club volleyball scene May 26, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand had an inkling the Celtics could still make it a series against the Heat even after falling behind 3-0. Now the series is 3-2 after another Boston win, and Game 6 will tell us a lot about whether the Celtics can make history and become the first NBA team to rally all the way back in series.

7:00: Jeff Day joins Rand to talk about his deeply reported story on the huge money and participation involved with club volleyball in Minnesota. It's a booming industry, with tournaments often playing out at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

29:00: Another rough game dropped the Lynx to 0-3.

The task ahead for Vikings D coordinator Brian Flores + Celebrating the Joe Ryan trade May 25, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand recognizes that we can all be critical of trades that don't work out, so he decided to start Thursday's show by acknowledging a big deal that did work: the 2021 Twins trade for Joe Ryan, who is now 7-1 after Wednesday's win over the Giants.

7:00: Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand for an examination of the team's defense and just how much is being put on the plate of new coordinator Brian Flores. His resume suggests he's up to the task.

27:00: Another successful debut for Minnesota Aurora.

Chip Scoggins on Chris Finch's important year, Rocco Baldelli second-guessing and more May 24, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at the struggles of the Twins, Lynx and Loons on what was a rough Tuesday in Twin Cities sports. The Twins in particular have lost six of eight and are now just 25-24 -- still good for a lead in the American League Central but just the ninth-best record overall in the American League.

7:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand for a deeper look at where Timberwolves coach Chris Finch has succeeded and where he needs to improve. This is an important year coming up for the Wolves coach, which was brought into focus not only by the Wolves' season but the high-profile coaching changes in the league. Plus Scoggins and Rand note a lot of recent second-guessing of Rocco Baldelli and the NFL's decision to allow Thursday night games to be changed.

33:00: Three high-profile Vikings players are not at voluntary workouts.

Marney Gellner on overcoming breast cancer, 'SNL' dreams and one bold prediction May 23, 2023

Show notes

Michael Rand is joined by Bally Sports North host and play-by-play voice Marney Gellner for a wide-ranging interview touching on a number of subjects.

Gellner, who revealed earlier this year that she had breast cancer but is now cancer-free, talked about the struggle of dealing with that diagnosis and the good that she tried to create from it in her own life and for others. She also talked about her childhood dream of being a star on "Saturday Night Live," her North Dakota roots and her best memories of 20 years in the Twin Cities.

31:00: Rand finished the show with a look at a curious bit of strategy in the Twins' 4-1 loss to the Giants and three Timberwolves connections to the Nuggets' four-game sweep of the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

Patrick Reusse on Bud Grant's memorial, Byron Buxton's injury and more May 22, 2023

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. Among the main things they cover:

*The Twins are struggling at the plate again and are now dealing with a potential injury to Byron Buxton. Can they maintain their lead in a weak AL Central?

*Bud Grant's public memorial service on Sunday was the right kind of celebration.

*The NBA playoffs continue to surprise us.

Inside a fascinating new book on Pro Football Focus + The return of Napheesa Collier to the Lynx May 19, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts by acknowledging that sometimes we try to make sports more complicated than they really are. What was wrong with the Lynx last season that caused them to miss the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade? Well, they were missing arguably their best player, Napheesa Collier, for almost the entire season. Now that she's back, will the narrative change in 2023?

7:00: Rand is joined by Vikings writer and podcaster Matthew Coller of Purple Insider. Coller recently completed a book about the football stats and data site Pro Football Focus called "Football is a Numbers Game," which tells the origin of PFF and how it has grown into being such an indispensable tool for teams and fans.

39:00: The Twins are suddenly stealing bases.

Second-guessing Twins; in-depth on Gophers softball; Timberwolves lottery history May 18, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand dissects a listener comment about the Twins' bullpen use during a 7-3 loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday during which Emilio Pagan gave up a grand slam. Was it a question of strategy or a question of outcome? Plus the Twins came out of the game pretty banged up, while Minnesota United finally got well with a home victory.

9:00: Rand turns the spotlight on Gophers softball, which enters NCAA play on Friday. Minnesota has been in every NCAA tournament since 2013, and head coach Piper Ritter is a big reason why. She joins Rand for a discussion of her program, her path and her philosophy.

22:00: Jimmy Butler appreciation leads to an NBA Draft lottery rabbit hole. And now we know how much cap savings the Vikings are getting from the Za'Darius Smith trade.

Do Twins have the best rotation in baseball? + Quintessential Minnesota outdoor stories May 17, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand has seen evidence for one-fourth of this season that the Twins have one of MLB's best starting rotations, and Tuesday's strong six innings from Bailey Ober in a 5-1 win over the Dodgers proved a good time to pause and recognize all that good work. The Twins lead the majors in innings pitched and strikeouts from starting pitchers -- a stark contrast to a year ago.

9:00: Star Tribune outdoors writer and editor Bob Timmons joins Rand for a look at his recent story on the state park registration system that has resulted in some unhappy Minnesota campers. And Timmons shares other details on enhanced mountain biking in the state and a touching tale he is in the process of reporting.

27:00: Former Wolves players aren't exactly thriving for the Lakers; the Spurs won the most anticipated draft lottery in 20 years.

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