Recent content from Patrick Reusse
Reusse: When Darwitz, Wendell-Pohl played together, Minnesota hockey went next level
In a fitting tribute, the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto announced it will be inducting Darwitz and Wendell-Pohl together.
Reusse: Summertime deluge no match for determined Dundas Dukes
Conditions looked fabulous for town-team baseball playing games as scheduled this summer — until the rain started.
Reusse: Despite COVID and LIV tests, 3M Open's Cavner undaunted
The 3M Open's first five seasons on the PGA Tour faced unforeseeable challenges, but executive director Hollis Cavner is proud of the tournament's resiliency and its providing a showcase to the game's up-and-coming college stars.
![Simeon Woods Richardson did not begin the 2024 season in the major leagues but has developed into a reliable starter since the Twins brought him up to](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/5ZC4AU3KPFDZVARR3L4YDW2QJA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Up-and-down Twins season has produced plenty of surprises
While several players have disappointed through the first three months of 2024, others have stepped up in impressive fashion.
![The sun is setting on the Oakland Coliseum as a home for Major League Baseball.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/SZUPA2AE5JFR7OZJ5GAJE7REHA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
More memories of the Oakland Coliseum since 1968
The Athletics became a powerhouse and a Twins rival playing in the East Bay.
Reusse: Twins ruined the ending of 'Moneyball' in 2002 playoffs
A victory over the A's feature a dramatic ending in Game 5 at the Coliseum.
![Tommy Ahneman, a center from Fargo who is North Dakota's top recruit and a target of the Gophers, is transferring to Cretin-Derham Hall.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/4QQACGZXO5H7RNECGGY6Q2ALTI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: There's legend behind tall transfer to Cretin-Derham Hall
Tommy Ahneman's mother was a Hastings athlete, and his grandpa was a Hall of Famer at St. Cloud State. Tommy's being recruited by the Gophers, but first he'll spend his last high school year surrounded by other talented transfers.
![The Cupitos from left: mom Carly, Minnehaha Academy grad Callie, Ava, Jack, Carter and dad Bryan.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/QI45PS64BZGQTF3JDAYDZ6DVTE.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Years later, former Gophers QB still enjoying Minneapolis life as a dad
Long after his days in maroon and gold, Bryan Cupito is a busy father of four and a volunteer leader for the Phelps Falcons in southeast Minneapolis.
![Jerry West took the Los Angeles Clippers' video crew to Dan Tana's, the famed Hollywood restaurant. Dan Fitzpatrick, from Edina, center, has his arm a](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/A7RQMUN2FNGDJMEIKFYPURQXUI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Jerry West's legion of admirers included Minnesotan Dan Fitzpatrick
Jerry West, the Lakers star who died this week, made a strong impression on the Clippers video coordinator.
![There is outrage in the air that Caitlin Clark was not chosen for the U.S. Olympic team after just 13 games with the Fever in the WNBA.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/2VVEKW44WBFAFIOLQVXXIL25SM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Clark hasn't earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. Yet.
Caitlin Clark was a wondrous college player who has brought huge numbers of ticket buyers to arenas and viewers to TV dens. None of that matters when choosing an Olympic team.
![You need two Ants and a half-dozen other pieces to get a chance to play for an NBA title. The Timberwolves face an improbability of about 85% to win i](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/VUDVOINYMNEUPMSHNSA77IBM7Y.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Slim chances for a big-four championship here this decade
The Twin Cities have been waiting since 1991 for our next massive celebration for a major league men's franchise, and it's hard to picture that drought ending any time soon.
Reusse: Talent up, fun down with Saints since Twins takeover
The players rank among some of the best in the Twins farm system, but the wackiness of the independent era seems to be lacking at CHS Field these days.
Reusse: Minnesota connections galore in emerging 3x3 hoops space
Lynx star Napheesa Collier will become a changemaker. Kareem Maddox, Timberwolves employee, will be a hoop-maker in Paris.
![Gophers baseball coach Ty McDevitt shakes hands during a game against Northeastern on Feb. 24 in Fort Myers, Fla.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/GPWY4H4GAJCGZAMN3DOET2JXTA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: U picked right replacement for legendary baseball coach Anderson
A health scare kept new head coach Ty McDevitt from doing his job in 2023, but he is back, and the Gophers are in good hands.
![Jaden McDaniels makes a pass in the first quarter of Game 5.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/JKYHIG27TFE2BCSLMQYWN3N74U.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Jaden McDaniels and the Wolves' summer project
Edwards dribbling around won't beat Dallas next season. In McDaniels, the Wolves already have the guy who can boost their offense.
![Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez, right, celebrates his three-run home run off Minnesota Twins pitcher Lance Lynn with Alex Gordon in the first inni](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/Z5LF7NH3BNF6CGZLL2AKM44P6Q.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Royals veteran Salvador Perez embraces the catcher's grind
Royals catcher Salvador Perez, still a mainstay in the lineup, looks to be on track for the Hall of Fame.
![Twins closer Jhoan Duran celebrates with catcher Ryan Jeffers after pitching a 1-2-3 ninth to earn a save in Saturday's 5-3 victory over the Rangers a](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/YV5KH7K43NBFNOHVHVC4VIGUIE.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: A tale of two teams as Twins get Duran back while Wolves stumble
After giving up home runs in three straight showings, closer Jhoan Duran protected the Twins' 3-2 lead Friday and 5-3 lead Saturday, giving fans who showed up to get his bobblehead something special.
![Mavericks guard Luka Doncic talks with Wolves guard Mike Conley in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the Western Conference finals at Target Center.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/PEEFM2WLXVHBHJNJZ7JMAF7XRI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Mavs have two best players in the series. Should Wolves panic?
The mood from Wolves fans after Game 1 was to stay calm, but with Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic performing their magic tricks, it's easy to see trouble brewing.
![Sean Sweeney, middle, works for a rebound with Cretin-Derham Hall teammate Joe Mauer against Highland Park's Maurice Hargrow on Feb. 13, 2001, helping](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/3I533IKATND7DIIEAONVZRGKOI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Top Mavericks assistant has big fans in Wolves country
Joe Mauer was Sean Sweeney's teammate at Cretin-Derham Hall and saw what he believes are the makings of a future head coach.
![1962: Bob Bruggers, the pride of Danube, Minn.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/VGTOAQ5BRNBZRBJQTETB2FGU4I.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: What a life it was for Bob Bruggers
The Danube legend somehow jammed basketball, football, pro wrestling, even a plane crash, into 80 remarkable years.
![Willi Castro taps his helmet during Thursday's loss to the Yankees, the finale of a series dragged down by Twins fielding errors.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/QW6Q2M2WQBGHZFAMQLB7S2BIL4.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: 378 pitches of agony for Twins at Target Field
How weak was the Twins offense? Even the Loons and PWHL Minnesota outscored the Twins this week. The defense also fell short as the Yankees made their series sweep look easy.
![Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, right, celebrates his third-inning solo homer with teammate Anthony Rizzo against the Twins on Tuesday ni](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/PSUURLZ7JZCVNFNMYUCVPPFFZI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Yankees' World Series drought should end soon
The Yankee haven't been in a World Series since 2009. But their current roster gives them a good chance of getting there and winning the title.
Reusse: Gophers honor coach with retired number, then big number
The Gophers baseball team beat Michigan State 21-3 after a ceremony to honor retiring coach John Anderson.
![The improvement of Simeon Woods Richardson, the most recent addition to the Twins' rotation, was one of the most encouraging signs of the team's 5-2 h](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/QQ5SM4DXT5DP7PGV6SWBQXG3ZI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Twins' revamped rotation succeeds, with more help on the way
The Twins pieced together an unproven starting rotation coming out of spring training, but the addition of Simeon Woods Richardson has made the group particularly effective of late.
![St. Olaf senior Sam Lavin is 6-2 as a pitcher and carries a .390 batting average as well. (Michael Turner, St. Olaf Athletics)](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/D4ETZR7FLFHNXNNUNP7VXROUUE.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: With influx of out-of-state recruits, St. Olaf baseball rises to MIAC's top
Two-way standout Sam Lavin, from Algonquin, Ill., is among the players who've discovered St. Olaf as a potential stepping stone.
![Georgia head coach Wes Johnson meets with umpire crew and UNC Asheville head coach Scott Friedholm during an NCAA baseball game in February.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/F53ADZDIEVE2HK36DNOX7P4CRM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Ex-Twins pitching coach Johnson brings velocity to Georgia
Wes Johnson was asked about the strength of the Southeastern Conference in baseball. "There is our league and there is everybody else," he replied.
![Twins relief pitcher Cole Sands delivers against Red Sox during the ninth inning Saturday at Target Field as the Twins stretched their winning streak](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/SD7KVEVZRRDQFDPNW6S43E2MLU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Just as in 1980, surprising contributors fueling Twins' 12-game winning streak
Only this time, the winning streak has come to save the season, rather than at the tail end of a lost one.
![There's no one quite like Byron Buxton at his best in center field, and both Buxton and the Twins would prefer to keep him there.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/NADY5UTFFVFBNNSTPI7ILK5TYQ.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: When or if Buxton plays, his place is in center field
Last year's DH experiment fizzled out, proving that despite a dodgy knee the Twins need Buxton on the grass.
Reusse: Hey, NBA refs! Time to stop putting up with the abuse!
How has the NBA gotten to a point that over half of the possessions end with a player or coach barking, often with animation, toward a referee?
![Wolves guard Mike Conley drives past Suns guard Bradley Beal in the first half Friday night, one of dozens of possessions that helped decide the outco](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/MDXUPWVM3JE4BAKEBLVDGWG2RI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Constant action is what keeps eyes glued to NBA playoffs
The modern NBA draws its fair share of criticism, but the excitement and tension of it all cannot be topped, especially when the Timberwolves are in the playoffs.
Reusse: Shaver was 'Voice of the North Stars' and an all-time great guy
Al Shaver, who had a premier standing among Minnesota sports radio voices, died Monday at 96. He made many friends and called it like he saw it.
![Chris Finch has made many right moves regarding the handling of his players, including star Anthony Edwards.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/R66LFBMGGRHPRNGRKTNGIJEHLA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: There's no doubt Finch is the right coach for the Wolves
Chris Finch is a finalist for NBA Coach of the Year, but he brings more to the table than just victories, including lessons learned in faraway places.
![Twins starter Chris Paddack shut out the White Sox for seven innings and struck out 10 at Target Field on Monday night.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/VBX2A4JVEFAMBKSFUESM4TBC7Q.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: How bad are the White Sox? They made Twins look good.
The offense is still mired in a terrible start, but Twins' hitters and pitcher Chris Paddack looked rejuvenated on Monday. The White Sox looked like, well, the White Sox.
![Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins speaks during a news conference March 13.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/4KZUUOXLRVDW7AQZK4VSGRVQSA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse's Tortured Columnist Department update: Yes, Vikings won the offseason
The Vikings have made nearly two full albums-worth of smart moves, including letting Cousins go and bringing in Aaron Jones. Will this unusual trend continue in the draft?
![Suns guard Devin Booker gets pinched by Kyle Anderson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, right, last Sunday.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/MAL2FUUSUNCMJOMVTAPLHOYDV4.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Wolves need stopper for Booker? NAW, it's not a problem.
The best way to stop Phoenix scoring threat Devin Booker may be on the Timberwolves bench, which means there could be extra minutes for Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
![Ethan Casson has been chief executive officer of the Timberwolves, the Lynx, the Iowa Wolves and T-Wolves Gaming since August 2016.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/7YUVFTO4IJFIDL6QGV6UXO2VAI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Success on court helped Timberwolves do strong business
CEO Ethan Casson was prepared for the Wolves finally roaring through an impressive regular season.
![Wolves majority owner Glen Taylor claps during player introductions before the team played Toronto earlier this month.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/YPSPY3VFUZD4DEQXPKS5IPUEZQ.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Taylor's story. 'I just bought the Minnesota Timberwolves.'
Thirty years ago, Glen Taylor went from frustrated mediator to NBA owner with a phone call, some writing on the back of an envelope and a handshake in a conference room full of lawyers and accountants.
![On Friday night, Karl-Anthony Towns returned after missing 18 games with a torn meniscus in his left knee.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/6HHOQ664SBBPVOTTPRLICSZTSY.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Back from injury, Towns doesn't have to carry load
It is now nine years since Flip Saunders selected Karl-Anthony Towns, and the Wolves are finally enjoying a season comparable to the excellence of 2003-04.
![Byron Buxton struck out twice against Tyler Glasnow on Tuesday. Glasnow struck out 14 batters in the Dodgers' 6-3 victory.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/2766CD7WUZFB5I33HU4XFKSO4I.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Payroll-cutting Twins no match for big-spending Dodgers
Unstoppable forces met Tuesday at Target Field, those being Tyler Glasnow's pitching prowess and the Twins' spectacular ability to strike out.
Reusse: 'The Tonk' crisscrossed globe before returning to Twins
Quirky reliever Michael "The Tonk" Tonkin has played in Japan, Mexico, even Lew Ford's Long Island Ducks before being reacquired on Tuesday.
Reusse: Correa follows Twins lineage as team's next great, and greatest, shortstop
Shortstop Carlos Correa "is the complete package," said former Twins shortstop Roy Smalley. Starting Season 3 in Minnesota, he will be the Twins' best-ever shortstop.
![Willi Castro scored on a wild pitch in the seventh inning on Opening Day, one of only two runs in the Twins' 4-2 loss to Cleveland.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/GLPCL7WNWRHA7OUJ7W3XD4DPVQ.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse's impressions from the home opener. (He's not a happy columnist.)
The Twins opened their 15th season in Target Field on Thursday, and 24 hours later, witnesses can state the most positive element of the experience was the weather: 48 degrees and sunny
![FILE - In this April 4, 1983, file photo, North Carolina State coach Jim Valvano, center with fist raised, celebrates after his basketball team defeat](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/674BJJ4I5IOHKRPTNUHHSX6HNQ.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Another N.C. State team a big part of college ball's golden age
Men's college basketball was in a golden age in the 1980s, and Jim Valvano's Wolfpack helped make it so with a run of upsets that led them to the NCAA title. Is there another such run coming?
![Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (32) skates to the bench after coach John Hynes pulled him during overtime.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/OZYQMKPCNRDTBEROFQBD53TAMQ.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Hynes, Wild go out gambling by pulling goalie in OT
In the spirit of Minnesota's sporting past, coach John Hynes took a courageous gamble and lost, costing the Wild against Vegas.
![Gophers goalie Robb Stauber and teammates including Randy Skarda (10) celebrate a 7-4 victory against Maine before playing Harvard in the 1989 NCAA ch](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/FHE4IINNZJCFXFIPEF4VANTESA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: '89 Gophers came close to a title. Now some of their sons have their chance.
Dave Snuggerud, Lance Pitlick and their 1989 Gophers teammates are waiting to see if Jimmy Snuggerud, Rhett Pitlick and others can finish on top.
Reusse: Taylor on sale for Wolves, Lynx falling through: 'It's business'
"Everyone has the right to bring in the lawyers," Glen Taylor said after Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez didn't hit deadlines to complete the purchase of the Timberwolves and Lynx.
Got time for a tale? Reusse muses on Mankato, Winona, West Texas and St. Thomas
An NCAA Division II semifinal game in men's basketball has a lot of ties to Minnesota powerhouse teams.
![Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Jhoan Duran celebrated the final out of the game. The Minnesota Twins defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 in Game 1 of t](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/5FYZMA2UVYQNKNYLZXPWXTZG6A.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Dark cloud looming over the Twins as season begins
Closer Jhoan Duran's injury is just the poster for a horrible spring training for a Twins pitching staff that already suffered from a lack of depth.
![Cherry's Isaac Asuma, second from left, defended by Fertile-Beltrami's Bryer Strem (1), makes a shot during the Class 1A boys basketball championship](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/7KVMDX3XWZDUNPEMVV53JGE5NI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Boys basketball continues surge under four-class tournament
The old two-class system brings about nostalgia, but the eye-popping talent in Saturday's championship games should be appreciated.
![Two versions exist of a saga involving betting, bookies, lies and theft, with Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, and his interpreter Ippei](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/NWI4U5GF2RHM7NQGDCWSYQVNSE.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Who's lying in this Ohtani debacle?
Betting, bookies, lies, theft — the barely begun baseball season has taken one on the chin.
![Elijah Hazekamp (12) and Kyreese Willingham (1) celebrate after Hazekamp's buzzer-beater on Tuesday, which sent the Mavericks to the Elite Eight.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/2DGAXTGZYRCSZLNJGA7WG3GSN4.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Ugly game, beautiful ending gets 2 Mankato teams to Elite Eight
Minnesota State Mankato's women blew out its opponent to move into the NCAA Division II quarterfinals this weekend. Then, the men took a very different path.
![Purdue center Zach Edey falls to the floor as he's defended by Wisconsin's Steven Crowl on Saturday.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/Q3AWEPW27BALTJMXB3CXHKLFOQ.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Minnesota-bred big men help Wisconsin fell Purdue and its giant, Edey
Ex-Twin Cities high school standouts Steven Crowl, Tyler Wahl and Nolan Winter all fouled out, but Wisconsin still outlasted Purdue in overtime, 76-75.
![Tyler Kim holds up the "Swens-Milboy Belt," awarded to the winner of the Augsburg-Wartburg men's wrestling dual meet, after his win at 285 pounds clin](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/FJTQA7QUNRBGZNR7GJS6BLPWUI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Why Augsburg, heavyweight star deserve their spotlight
Tyler Kim and the Auggies will be battling for another Division III wrestling title this weekend in Wisconsin.
![Daniel Freitag played a key role in Breck's 91-74 victory over Minneapolis North in the Class 2A, Section 5 championship game on Friday.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/IQREIAL525FODJAAAEBZY44XXI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Transformational drink of water led Breck boys hoops over Minneapolis North
The Class 2A, Section 5 championship pitted two dangerous teams with star names in tow, but only one could break its fast.
![St. Cloud Cathedral's Nick Hansen celebrates a 3-1 victory against Hermantown in the Class 1A title game at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on Saturday](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/EZEHZSQSJVEYBHK5C2SP6LQ5OA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: St. Cloud Cathedral's title was a tribute to Mack Motzko
Mack Motzko, who died in July 2021, played for Cathedral but was at Minnetonka during the Crusaders' 2019 Class 1A championship.
Reusse: Caitlin Clark hype has been percolating for years - and I saw it coming
Back when Caitlin Clark was just coming onto the national radar Patrick Reusse knew this would happen: She's going to be a star. Sure enough, Target Center was sold out Friday.
![Lou Nanne, our main hockey man since the 1960s.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/3Q64HXCGINCJPFXKYHKA4EDH4M.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Last call for Lou Nanne at this year's state hockey tournament
Nanne is providing TV commentary for the last time at the 2A boys hockey tournament. But that doesn't mean he's slowing down at age 83.
![Loons forward Tani Oluwaseyi beats Columbus goalie Patrick Schulte from in tight to snatch a tie in the home opener.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/6ZP675YTIZFQRF45XXVO2VPDDQ.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: With new pressing tactics, Loons fans could be in for a fun season
Minnesota United's home opener featured a Liverpool-style, high-intensity press that left even Patrick Reusse begrudgingly entertained.
Reusse: With playoffs looming, Gophers hockey honors the men who won it first
Motzko's boys are gearing up for another playoff push. They could learn a thing or two from Herbie's boys, winners of the program's first NCAA title in 1974.
Reusse: Master at throwing batting practice replaced by machines
Phil Roof has been invited to spring training with the Twins for 63 years and he could lob a home run ball with the best of them. In that department, his services are no longer needed.
![“I’m not going to dive in spring training," says Byron Buxton from Fort Myers, Fla. That is consistent with the way he plans for training and the](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/4IRQW5TGG5HOTB3HZDZVQY4RNI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Buxton is back in center field. If he stays there, watch out
Byron Buxton is 30 years old and hoping to convince everyone — including himself — that the good parts of his baseball story have not yet been written in full.
![Calvin Moehrle, an 8-year-old from Minneapolis, showed off his autographed Twins cap and Royce Lewis-signed ball outside Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/2CWV45ZX4JC7JNNXFOJBOCNSWQ.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Payroll, Pohlad debates swirl around Twins pitching lineup
Sonny Gray is now with the Cardinals and the Twins are taking their chances with cost-effective arms. But are the Rays really the team to emulate?
![A couple of Minnesota icons, Gophers baseball coach John Anderson and Twins mascot TC Bear, hung out Friday morning in Naples, Fla.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/R35UJQ57HNEKFBH4IHCBJVTV7A.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Anderson still maintaining Gophers-Twins bond established by Siebert
Ahead of Friday's exhibition game vs. the Twins, and his final season as Gophers coach, John Anderson looked back fondly on a decadeslong relationship between the Minnesota baseball teams.
![Caleb Thielbar worked a bullpen session during Twins spring training on Thursday in Fort Myers, Fla.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/6HGQ5PFJU5AKNMGN5QL6M2WR5I.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Thielbar turns second chance with Twins into a career
Lefthander Caleb Thielbar, now 37, was nearly out of pro baseball several times. Since 2020, he's stayed in the majors and become a reliable option out of the Twins' bullpen.
Reusse: Prank phone calls, fights and, yes, some baseball in 50 years of spring training memories
The little moments created special memories. It was all fun until Sid showed up.
![Tucker Frawley, minor league infield and catching coordinator for the Twins, gave pointers to catcher Brian O'Keefe on Thursday in Fort Myers, Fla.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/BKLPDFIMGZAZHL34MOEUSINAQQ.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Four unsung heroes pulling their weight in Fort Myers
The mules of the Twins' spring training offer far more value than their lack of name recognition would indicate.
![Louie Varland has thrown 94 innings over his first two big league seasons with the Twins — mostly as a starter. But he was dominant last season over](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/BJTU6W6JFZE45IMBYEYAKKUBOI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Not much Varland can't do — but can he start for Twins?
The North St. Paul native has a phenomenal work ethic instilled by his family. He can wrestle, drywall and throw a fastball in the upper 90s, but he enters spring training without a clearly defined role.
![Minnesota Twins infielder Austin Martin signed autographs before the game.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/ZGVCW4T7HELQ2U7IV44KUXSRXI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Austin Martin is an intriguing name for Twins spring training
After working his way through the minors, is he ready to make an impact in the major leagues?
Reusse: The long, hopeful road of Twins prospect Matt Canterino
Canterino was a second round draft pick in 2019, but his early career was marred by the pandemic and arm injuries. Now he's ready, again, for spring training.
![The Zmolek kids: Ella, Riese, Will and Bennett.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/U4W7S5ZRXNFUTDLLRT6V67KZ24.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: 'Zmolek' still a big name in hockey, from Rochester to Florida
There are three Zmoleks playing pro hockey, sons of a former North Stars defenseman who was a high school standout in southern Minnesota.
![Taylor Swift, with her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, has "completely reversed the football fun meter," said one of the singer's fans.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/WXF7N5CCKVDJFLJFTTSJ3BHCIU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: The Old Sportswriter tries fitting in with the growing influence of influencers
Super Bowl week has the Star Tribune's senior sports columnist pondering the power of Taylor Swift, social media and a new profession.
Reusse: '90-91 North Stars prove no Wild dreams are too outlandish
Never say never. If those chaotic North Stars can make it to the Stanley Cup Final, who's to say what this year's Wild might do?
![St. Thomas women’s basketball coach Ruth Sinn has seen her team take a leap this season.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/T72EDHGJWZDQNNXUFGNMKF7H74.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Growing from failure pushes St. Thomas women toward success
The Tommies spent their first two seasons being regularly overmatched in their move to Division I. But players grew from the things that went wrong.
![Twins great Kirby Puckett shares a laugh with coach Rick Stelmaszek during the first day of full squard spring training in Fort Myers.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/FPZU76W44GVI5GQR5CE4BCKGYQ.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Newest Twins Hall member earned it with coaching impact
From young prospects to big-league mainstays, decades of players in the Twins organization spent time with the late Rick Stelmaszek.
![While Joe Mauer was being introduced in Cooperstown this week, you-know-who had to step in as a last-minute fill-in.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/TOTWEPZSG5AOBFPX5RWLNNTHHU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Reusse: Here's proof that pinch hitting for Mauer is no easy job
Stepping in for Mauer was no picnic this week. The crowd probably wished the Cooperstown schedule had played out differently.