Local Minnesota Athletes At The Next Level

Lots of talent in the state of Minnesota....here are some notable athletes that have taken their skills to the next level, here are four notables

Athlete Name - High School Attended - College Attended

Tre Jones - Apple Valley - Duke

The basketball standout at Apple Valley and two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in the State.  Led Apple Valley to two 4A State Titles.  Attended Duke University for two seasons, and was named the ACC's Player of the Year in 2019-20 season.  He declared eligible for the NBA Draft next month.  He is expected to be a First Round selection.

Maddy Dean - Jordan - Drake

A two-time MRC Conference Player of the Year in basketball for Jordan High School.  Third leading scorer in Jordan history.  Finished 2nd on the all-time list at Drake for career three-pointers and scored 1,559 career points and was a three-time All-Conference selection.  Currently plays Professional Basketball in Europe for the Cyprus Women's team.  She was named to the First All-Import Team in 2019-20 season.

Logan Shore - Coon Rapids - Florida

Was named Minnesota's pitcher of the year following his Senior year in baseball at Coon Rapids High School.  Was drafted to go pro, but elected to attend college.  He was a starter for three years for the Florida Gators and a two-time All Conference selection.  Declined his senior year to go pro.  Was drafted in the 2nd Round by the Oakland A's.  Spent two years in the minors with them, and then got traded to the Detroit Tigers organization.  Will be expected to start 2021 season with their AAA team.

Paige Bueckers - Hopkins - UConn

The reigning Gatorade Female Athlete of Year in the entire United States for high school athletes.  Graduated from Hopkins High School as one of the best Basketball players in our State's history.  She was a five-star recruit and will be playing for the University of Connecticut Huskies this coming winter.  UConn had the 2nd best recruiting class in the Nation.   Beuckers was the #1 recruit in the Country.  She wore jersey #1 in high school, but will be wearing #5 for the Huskies.   She was on the cover of Sports Illustrated last month.

In future blogs we will cover the following:  

• Tyus Jones
• Caleb Thielbar
• Maxx Williams
• Adam Thielen
• Larry Fitzgerald Jr.

baseball

 

MLB 2020 season has been better then I thought. I had no idea what to expect, but have been happy with the games. 

I was afraid we would have seen more quarantine then we have. I also feared they would let fans in too soon and that could have caused issues. (Spread of the virus and more quarantine) 

Yes we have some issues early in the season with the Marlins. With these game looking like they will not be made up, we will see if it is going to matter. It is something all teams were aware of. 

TV ratings are up about about 16% for the under 55 group. Those over 55 have dropped. I am happy with this. The younger ages are starting to watch again. 

I am exciting for the new playoffs, also. Maybe shorten the season and keep the expanded playoffs. We will have to see how it goes. 

Bubble Sports

 

After watching some pro sports go into a bubble to finish there seasons and playoffs, it reminds me a bit of the Olympics we are missing this year. 

Games in the afternoon. 3 games in a day at a arena by all different teams. 

The difference. No crowd. 

If they were to start a low budget minor league Basketball, Hockey or even Baseball under this format (only with a crowd) I think it could work. 

8 team league. Based in one city. Companies can sponsor the teams. League takes about a month. About 6 weeks before training camp for these leagues. That way no drafted players. Players wanting another chance. Players rehabbing an injury, Even back up or third string players wanting more playing time to improve their spot on the teams depth chart.

Sounds like it may, or may not, work. But it would be fun to watch. players trying to make it to the big leagues. Not big league players trying to make SportsCenter. 

Take note NFL

In Minnesota, High School football and some fall sports have been postponed until spring. 

In the NCAA the Mountain West, Pac 12 and Big 10 have postponed football and other fall sports, hoping for a spring return. 

Is the NFL noting this. Are they seeing how, in the MLB, the Cardinals and Marlins have done with Pro Athletes staying safe and following policy during this pandemic. 

Not saying the NFL should cancel or postpone the season, but. 

Do they go to a bubble in a few cities? Limit games this season to prevent travel, like MLB? Change some rules, ie not kickoffs or punting? No extra points? Look at the XFL and it worked. 

Let's just hope the NFL takes the chip off their shoulder and be smart this season. 

-Andy 

College Football

As we are learning more day by day, college football 2020 season is going to be different. 

Conference scheduling is different. Playing only conference games this year and limiting travel. Some teams even have players opting out for a his year. No problem with that, it is just a sign of the times. 

Some schools are thinking of opting out for this year. Again, no issue with that. 

No idea what the NCAA playoffs or Bowl Games, if any, will be like this year. 

Let's see how all this plays out. NCAA Basketball will be watching and taking notes, as will all other college sports. 

So don't hate on the NCAA, the schools or the players. This is a odd time we are living in and we all have to adjust and live with it. So sit back and enjoy whatever football we get. 

-Andy 

Call the season over already

This is for the NBA, NHL, MLB and the NFL. Also college sports. 

It is not worth it to finish or try to have any season this year. Not only a health issue, but look at the dollars. Teams and schools are going to lose money hand over fist. Between travel, lodging and paying other staff (trainers, video, referees, security) to name a few.  

All I have heard is complaining out of the NBA Bubble. Players, or primadonnas, not happy with the accommodations or the food. This is a surprise. The NBA likes to let LeBron, I mean the players call all the shots. 

Lots of players are out to start with because they have tested positive for The Coronavirus. Not a shock. Lots of players returning to the US from other countries. Not saying they were not being safe or that they are bad countries, but there is a reason why a lot of countries are banning travel form other countries. This was all put together way to fast just to make a buck. My plan would have been to have all the sports leagues get together and have the foreign players arrive in a hub city, say Myrtal Beach. They could have quarantined for 21 days. Yes 14 is recommended but this is high price talent we are dealing with. Once that time is over, they are free to travel with the league they belong to and start preparing for the season. 

Again, not my dollar so easy for me to say. But look at the expense in that alone. Now have games with no fans. That equals no ticket sales. No parking revenue. No food or drink sales. No merchandise sales. I can go on but you get the point. 

Leagues will still get some TV money. But not sure how advertising will go. 

Me personally, would love to see sports back. But I am not selfish, either. I want no DH, but I still watch AL games. It's called adjusting. And is just what we have to do. Adjust. Sports can some back when they can do so safely and efficiently. Pro and college. Until then, enjoy what sports we had and the sports we will have again. Think of the money you have saved this year not going to games. Or betting on them with people and losing. I saved a ton with no NCAA March Madness. So take the savings and spend it on family time. Sports will return. 

-Andy 

60 Game Season

So MLB wants a 60 game schedule.

In 2019 the Nationals were 27-33. They went on to win the Series.

Other team records after 60 games last year..

Tampa Bay Rays 37-23

San Diego Padres 31-29

Milw Brewers 34-26

Colorado Rockies 31-29

Minnesota Twins 40-20

NY Mets 28-32

NY Yankees 38-22

I would be ok with these teams in and the match ups. ESPN and FOX no so much. Why? I am a baseball fan not a casual fan. Casual fan only follows big market team and highlight superstars.

This hurts the fan base and TV ratings in may ways. If ESPN and FOX keep showing only Yankees v Red Sox or just these 2 teams against anyone, it hurts the growth of the game. People will be fans of you they see the most. You become familiar with them. Like in the 80s when most people had WGN and watched a lot of Cub games. You, in a way, became a fan. If on the game of the week or playoffs you would watch, because you knew the players. Brewers v Detroit - not so much.

Yes I know TV games have to do with market size and viewership witch equals ratings/ad revenue.

This is why the MLB TV package is a good deal. You have to pay, but you can watch your team all season. They also have a FREE game daily. NOT always the Yankees or Red Sox. Not very often at all as the like to show every team as much as they can. Exposure is key. If you see all the teams, you have a little interest in all the teams.

Point is, true fans want games. I wish it was done sooner for more games, but I will take what I can get. So here is a chance to see more teams and enjoy

-Andy