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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Reusse: Success on court helped Timberwolves do strong business
CEO Ethan Casson was prepared for the Wolves finally roaring through an impressive regular season.
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.
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.
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.
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
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Reusse: Who's lying in this Ohtani debacle?
Betting, bookies, lies, theft — the barely begun baseball season has taken one on the chin.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.