Recent content from Patrick Reusse
Reusse: Johnnies stopped on ground, erratic on special teams in playoff loss
Playing without its head coach, St. John's could not sustain an effective run game Saturday vs. Linfield and gifted the Wildcats opportunities to score.
Reusse: Slab of Bacon mystery unsolved, but Gophers-Badgers still served annually
Before they battled for Paul Bunyan's Axe, the Gophers and Badgers spent more than a decade playing for the 'Slab of Bacon' trophy that's still in Wisconsin — when it shouldn't be.
Patrick Reusse's 2021 Turkey of the Year winner is ...
Last year, we demanded the Turkey make a comeback. This year, The Chairman agrees: The Turkey of the Year is here to stay.
Reusse: Willians Astudillo might be gone, but he absolutely won't be forgotten
Whether it was running around the bases with his hair flying or making no-look pickoff throws, La Tortuga made an impression on fans and teammates in four seasons wearing a Twins uniform.
Reusse: Athletes then, ALS warriors now. Honoring 3 Minnesotans fighting a good fight
Chris Engler, Mike Bruss and David Tomassoni will be honored during the Gophers women's hockey game on Saturday afternoon.
Reusse: 'Don't sell yourself short' a blueprint for decades of coaching success
Southwest Minnesota State volleyball coach Terry Culhane is retiring soon with a collection of championships.
Reusse: St. John's winning TD with 1 second left another for the books at Bethel
This was Bethel's second loss of the season, both narrowly to St. John's, and is likely to cost it a berth in the 32-team NCAA Division III bracket that will be announced Sunday.
Reusse: St. Thomas' D-I men's basketball journey begins with a history lesson
The Tommies will quickly tour some of the sport's fabled courts at St. Francis Brooklyn, Fordham and Seattle U.
Reusse: Trailblazing star called 'Truck' rekindles memories of Minneapolis prep sports
Emerson Carr, who died last week at age 75, was a star for Minneapolis Central High School in the 1960s and went on to play football for Navy and be an aviator in the Marines.
Reusse: Win one, lose one. Scenes from a long day at the Barn
Fans hardly filled Williams Arena for either game, but they had more to cheer about at night when the men gave coach Ben Johnson his first victory.
Reusse: This baseball traditionalist has had enough; bring on the robot strike zone
The amount of time between pitches is dragging the grand old game to a halt.
Reusse: All-time Gophers villain Bielema returns to Minnesota unchanged
Former Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema now leads the Illini, big underdogs Saturday vs. P.J. Fleck's West-leading Gophers.
Reusse: In divided Minneapolis, sports and life and sporting lives endure on Election Day
Patrick Reusse toured the city on Election Day to listen to what's being said at the intersection of life and sports.
Reusse: Miracle on Ice's Doc Nagobads — 'greatest suture man of all time' — turning 100
The Latvian-born physician caught on with the Gophers hockey team in 1958 and traveled the world with Olympic teams as well. 'Doc' Nagobads turns 100 next month.
Reusse: Small-town soccer power seeks to answer the doubters at state
Worthington is undefeated and has outscored opponents 123-5. Now, the Trojans — featuring a roster with family roots throughout the world — want to show they're better than their No. 5 seed in Class 2A.
Reusse: Cheaply acquired Rosario goes from Twins to Cleveland to playoff MVP
Two years after hitting 32 homers and driving in 109 runs for the Twins, Eddie Rosario was traded from Cleveland to Atlanta for a player who was released a few hours later.
Reusse: U volleyball, fans take a while to get heated up this season
A victory over No. 6 Ohio State gave visitors to the Pavilion a reason to get rowdy again.
Reusse: Northside Boxing Club has some big names in its corner
Prominent business people are promoting an event next month in Minneapolis to support a gym looking to keep youth off the streets.
Reusse: State's most loyal sports audience gets a brilliant return to hockey
Wild fans have to prove their loyalty a minimum of 41 times, with the largest share of those on cold, dark nights of winter here in our Frozen Wasteland. Yes, they're even better than Vikings fans.
Reusse: Resilience — for Wild, and St. Paul — marks home opener
Despite a nearby tragedy 10 days earlier, St. Paul and Xcel Energy Center were buzzing, and the home team won.
Reusse: Lightly regarded Giants started hitting home runs, and changed baseball
Pitchers have held the advantage, but San Francisco's changed approach could offer promise to Twins hitters.
Reusse: Cornhuskers better, but still struggling to return to glory
Nebraska, under coach Scott Frost, is 15-24 including 3-4 this season. He has a ways to go to turn the program into a national power again.
Reusse: St. Thomas football stays competitive, but the MIAC doesn't
The Tommies seem to be adjusting to Division I just fine, while the D-III MIAC is ironing out things after taking in new members.
Reusse: MSU Mankato, little hockey power on the prairie, is making big impression
The Mavericks emerged with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over St. Cloud State on Friday night, drawing the kind of crowd others look to emulate.
Reusse: After shocking 6-31 season, U baseball coach John Anderson picks up the pieces
Anderson's 40th season as Gophers baseball coach was like none other he'd been through — and it forced him to do something he'd never done before in hopes of restoring the team to success.
Reusse: Albert Lea's Chuck Jean leaves behind tall tales of wrestling lore
Jean, who died on Sept. 29 at 72, was a four-time college champion whose bout with a big buck still has people chuckling in awe.
Reusse: 'Touchdown Jesus' is from Minnesota? You betcha
Notre Dame's famous, 132-foot Jesus is actually from Minnesota and many other locations. But the hardworking "detail guy" who made it happen was from Cold Spring.
Reusse: Louie Varland makes himself next Twins pitching prospect to watch out for
The North St. Paul product was a 15th-round draft pick who put on weight and piled up strikeouts.
Reusse: Warming up to Vikings' Zimmer and his rare coaching candor
Here's hoping Mike Zimmer has success this season and sticks around since coaches offering candor are endangered species around here.
Reusse: A smattering of late-summer thoughts for the start of October
From the Twins' forgettable season to a touching gesture from the late Mick Tingelhoff and more items in between, our columnist empties his summer notebook as fall approaches.
Reusse: Thrilling baseball season is out there, if you look beyond Twins
In San Francisco, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Tampa and so many other cities across the country, major league baseball teams have been a joy to follow this summer.
Reusse: MIAC turns a page, with familiar script in St. John's and Bethel
The Johnnies edged the Royals 31-25 at Collegeville in an entertaining game that concluded with a shootout.
Reusse: Blue Jays' Berrios might still be the Twins' pitcher of the year
Jose Berrios started Friday against his former team at Target Field, with numbers better than anyone on the remaining Twins staff.
Reusse: 'There is no end to this loss.' Motzko shares pain, support after son's death
The death of 20-year-old Mack Motzko, who died in a car crash in July involving an allegedly impaired driver, brought an outpouring of love that the U hockey coach has cherished.
Reusse: Old Vikings mourn their pals, and badly want one more victory
There's one more injustice out there, Paul Krause says. While they deal with aging and the deaths of friends, they gather with good memories, good food, good times ... and one very specific Hall of Fame hope.
Reusse: Seeing today's new rules, extras for ex-Gophers don't look bad
University alumnus and Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson is now part of a team reshaping the College Football Playoff. He's seen a lot over the years.
Reusse: Predictably, NFL opened season with too much attention on officiating
From referee Shawn Hochuli as a center of attention to controversy over taunting, there were too many unnecessary distractions.
Reusse: Remembering New York City years before and days after 9/11
Tom Thibodeau said it best of this beautiful city and what happened there 20 years ago: "Here in New York, on the East Coast, it was devastating emotionally."
Reusse: Dick Bremer's hometown doesn't have a field, but still supports its townball stars
The Dumont Saints had their state townball tournament run ended by another tiny town's team as Bremer and dozens of others gathered in Waconia.
Reusse: Fleck was TV's focal point vs. Buckeyes until things went south
Fox's college football announcing crew was quick to declare P.J. Fleck had Ohio State's sideline "confused" on Thursday but in the end the Buckeyes had the upper hand.
Reusse: Ex-Wayzata star Laurinaitis still big deal to Buckeyes, Big Ten
James Laurinaitis was a part of an amazing run of linebackers at Wayzata High School and committed to the Gophers before Ohio State called. It changed his life.
Reusse: Beating Buckeyes is possible, but have perspective if it happens
If the Gophers win their football opener Thursday, it would break a string of 10 straight losses to Ohio State. Bud Grant has some wisdom about what beating the Buckeyes would — and wouldn't — mean.
Reusse: True 'old school' pro wrestling topped anything the new AEW has to offer
It was suggested that All Elite Wrestling could bring back the idea of villains and heroes. But we're not having it.
Reusse: The 'great character' of Gustavus hoops, D.L. Smith, was one of a kind
We might never know if that half-court hook shot went in.
Reusse: In Twins season of blunders, one player's absence stands out
Yes, the Twins pitching has collapsed because of an assortment of bad decisions. But another big mistake was made that could have been avoided — the departure of LaMonte Wade Jr.
Reusse: Twin's twin Tyler Rogers helping to fuel Giants' remarkable success
The righthanded submariner, who is Taylor Rogers' identical twin, and his teammates are leading the powerful Dodgers in the NL West.
Reusse: Minnesota-Wisconsin border rivalry heavily tilted in one direction
Pick almost any Minnesota team with an equivalent across the border, and that one is almost definitely superior to the version in the Twin Cities.
Reusse: 'Grandpa' Force and daughter Brittany still big names as NHRA heads for Brainerd
John Force, the leader of drag racing's first family, has won 11 Funny Car titles in northern Minnesota.
Reusse: St. Thomas football at the bottom, and that's just fine with Caruso
Glenn Caruso, the Tommies' high-energy coach, reminds of another such football leader in town, with at least one difference in how to view a first season.
Reusse: Miranda hitting his way into Twins' crowded competition at third
After his famously hot start, Jose Miranda is now a dependable hitter for the St. Paul Saints.
Reusse: The sweet science of boxing still has plenty of sour moments
Racist tweets and questionable scorecards from the Armory are part of the latest boxing controversy.
Reusse: His victories won, his loss forever painful, Tom Kelly is Minnesota's baseball man
The funeral service for Tom Kelly Jr. was Friday morning in the Twin Cities. His beloved dad will be honored again this weekend by the Twins.
Reusse: No excuses required for the return of La Russa
Tony La Russa, hired to manage the White Sox nine years after retirement, shows he's still an "all-time great leader"
Reusse: The Resorters lives on, as a golf tournament and in legend
The event at Alexandria Golf Club sits right in the middle of the summer Resort circuit, between the Birchmont and the Pine-to-Palm.
Reusse: No delays back then. Wilma Rudolph's 1960 performance stands out
Track and field was the jewel sport at past Summer Games, and was the event folks waited for eagerly. Everything else was filler.
Reusse: Saints honoring 2019 title team and their longtime ex-manager Thursday
The St. Paul Saints might now be affiliated with the Twins, but its independent American Association days will be remembered with fondness for several reasons.
Reusse: Candor makes Rodgers a Packers quarterback to admire
Aaron Rodgers, fresh from an MVP season in 2020 that ended with high frustration, wanted out. His view didn't seem hard to understand.
Reusse: Berrios was an ace, and losing one is nothing to celebrate
Jose Berrios never quite reached the level of Johan Santana, but he hit all the other marks for a top-line starter for the Twins.
Reusse: In classic Hartman tradition, hope springs eternal at Vikings camp
With the team's offseason maneuvering, it's not hard to view the opening of training camp and the new season with a spoonful of sugar — just as our former senior scribe would have wanted it.
Reusse: Changes made TPC Twin Cities tough enough for the PGA Tour
The course in Blaine gave up low scores when the seniors played there, but the new challenge has been seen in the 3M Open.
Reusse: Big names needed to pull the weight at 3M Open
The life that even a handful of big names can put into a tournament was demonstrated early on Friday afternoon in Blaine.
Reusse: Northwoods League carries on with sluggers, substitutes and a beauty of a ballpark
Mankato's ISG Field showcases players like Matt Higgins, like Pete Alonso before him a Home Run Derby champion.
Ernie Francis Jr. comes from behind to win at Brainerd International Raceway
The driver secured his 24th victory in Trans Am's top level on a weekend of tribute to Jed Copham.
Reusse: Enjoy the phenomenon that is Shohei Ohtani
The Angels' every-tool player visits Thursday through Sunday, and it's time to ignore the detractors and just watch.
Reusse: Baseball scoreboards, they don't make 'em like they used to
$33 million for a new scoreboard at Target Field? How about just bringing back the one that showed pitching changes, out-of-town games and the straightforward messages offered on the old Twins-O-Gram.
Reusse: Brainerd race track hopes for return to glory starting this weekend
There was a time when you could see actor Paul Newman race in northern Minnesota along with some of the world's best-known auto racers. Brainerd International Raceway wants to bring back that excitement.
Gophers made big statement vs. Michigan ahead of Fab Five's NCAA tourney run
The Fab Five was on their way to becoming rock stars, but Voshon Lenard, a Detroit native, stole the spotlight in the Barn.
Winning coach of Metrodome's Super Bowl, Joe Gibbs, was an all-timer
He won three big ones with three different quarterbacks.
Minnesota fans are overdue to be dazzled again
The 30-year drought of titles for men's pro teams will come to an end eventually. Right?
A bolt from the sky became an unforgettable tragic memory from 1991 U.S. Open
Deadly strike during first day takes one life, but brings families together.
Norm Green was going to save the North Stars ... until he didn't
He went from a hero and savior to perhaps the most despised figure in Minnesota sports in a hurry.
Reusse: Thirty years ago, all eyes from the sports world were on us
For an 11-month span in 1991-92, Minnesota was the focal point of the nation's sporting world. Thirty years after the Twins and the Vikings made us big-league in our beloved erector set, Met Stadium, we found ourselves bigger than all the rest.
Reusse: Water tower is lasting tribute to Arlington townball tradition
Arlington brought home townball championships in 1967, 1969, 1979, 1984 and 1985. The pride over this was such that Arlington's water tower maintains the design of a baseball.
Reusse: How a sportswriter can waste a July day 'doing research'
Dog days and rabbit holes: You start by looking up a baseball manager and, before you know it, you're recalling scenes from "The Natural" and "True Detective 2."
Reusse: July 4th Millers-Saints doubleheaders generated fireworks in more ways than one
One game in St. Paul, one in Minneapolis formed a summer rivalry that went beyond baseball.