Recent content from Jim Souhan
Souhan: With shrewd trade, Cleveland leaves Twins in the dust
By trading for All-Star closer and Minnesota native Brad Hand, along with rookie reliever Adam Cimber, Cleveland sacrificed an excellent catching prospect and provided a reminder that timing can be as important as talent.
Souhan: Try for playoffs or move on to 2019? Twins can do both
As they showed last year, they are capable of contending even by subtracting from the team they have.
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Souhan: Twins must stay patient with Sano, Buxton
There is a sense of urgency around the Twins, the kind of urgency that could persuade a more jittery front office to rush Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano back to Target Field. But patience is required.
Souhan: Serena Williams adds to greatness with Wimbledon run
Ten months after giving birth and recovering from a pulmonary embolism that required six weeks of bed rest, Serena Williams is in the Wimbledon final.
Souhan: At age 53, Palmeiro's redemption tour rolls through town
After 569 major league home runs and 3,020 career hits, Rafael Palmeiro is playing for the Cleburne Railroaders, who are in town facing the St. Paul Saints this week. But why?
Souhan: Collusion? Free agents at Target Field make shambles of that argument
Baseball braintrusts spent most of the winter making suspicious people like me think they were engaging in collusion. Now they can claim to have been displaying intelligence.
Souhan: Pubs are the place to show deep World Cup allegiances
All along Nicollet Mall on Saturday morning, international soccer fans wore their national colors, sang and peaceably assembled to watch the World Cup, the tournament's drama transcending time zones.
Souhan: Brunson grabs spotlight for herself on boards
Brunson already held a career record for team play, last year becoming the only WNBA player ever to have won five league titles. Thursday, she earned her greatest individual achievement in her 15th season.
Souhan: It's almost time to write off Twins, but there is a sliver of hope
The team left spring training with justified optimism and has performed as if trying to revisit contraction.
Souhan: Wolves need to contend and keep paying customers entertained
The Wolves could learn something from other local franchises that have failed to win championships: There is value in relevance.
Souhan: Vikings face decision on Barr and Diggs, so here's some advice
The Vikings' decision depends on what you value.
Souhan: When NBA free agents go shopping, Wolves don't make many lists
While other teams await big names, for the Wolves, even with all of the talent on their roster, free agency remains something to fear.
Souhan: 'Fix your face.' Moore hid her distress during Lynx losses
She has done nothing but win as a basketball player, so when the Lynx started the season 3-6, Maya Moore admitted being distraught. But did you see it?
Souhan: Affordable contract would keep Mauer in with Twins, fans
Joe Mauer could retire this fall, could walk away at a logical juncture of his career, but that doesn't seem to be where the story is currently heading.
Souhan: Post Wild, Wolves drafts, remember prospects are just that
The Wolves and Wild, both desperate for young talent, held picks later in the first round of their respective drafts, meaning they had no chance to acquire a sure-thing superstar. Maybe they got lucky.
Souhan: Used to cringes, Wolves induce yawns on draft night
Was it more fun when the Wolves were picking Jonny Flynn instead of Steph Curry, or Wes Johnson instead of DeMarcus Cousins? Well, no.
Souhan: Twins need a starting catcher, not a stopgap
Everywhere you looked Tuesday other than the final score, there was evidence that the Twins need help. Behind the plate would be a good place to start.
Souhan: Let's hope Minnesota PGA stop is classier than the U.S. Open
In recent years, golf is attracting fans who don't seem to care about the game as much as the opportunity to wander in a beautiful space, screaming inanities while getting drunk.
Souhan: Class A is an ideal spot for Sano to bounce back
Miguel Sano's demotion to Class A Fort Myers may be a pivotal event in his career.
Souhan: Walking with Tiger at 2008 Open was one for memory books
Columnist Jim Souhan writes: "In more than 30 years of sportswriting, walking alongside Woods that week might be my career highlight." Here's why.
Souhan: 'Wonderwall' more than a sign of a Loons victory for Heath
When Minnesota United wins a game at TCF Bank Stadium, "Wonderwall" plays. It brings a smile to Adrian Heath's face for more reason than victory.
Souhan: Vikings' Warren would be a team owner a racially challenged NFL desperately needs
The Vikings' chief operating officer would be an ideal point person for a new ownership group. He is exceptional at what he does. He is the highest-ranking black person on the business side of an NFL franchise.
Souhan: Cowardly NFL goes backward with anthem decision
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and his known associates are hiding their greed and cowardice behind faux patriotism.
Souhan: Fenton seeks elusive formula of roster moves, puck luck
New Wild GM Paul Fenton is going to have to be creative and probably ruthless in remaking the roster of a team that has advanced to the conference finals just once.
Souhan: Coach Whalen reminds us she remains an outstanding player
She protected the ball, led a Lynx comeback and showed her feisty side when she drew a technical foul during a shoving match.
Souhan: Mauer's latest DL stint could be troubling
This could be a 10-day injury that fades from memory, or it could be the beginning of a poorly written ending for the grown-up kid from St. Paul.
Souhan: Unselfish Lynx stars make it easy for team to attract talent
The Lynx are the most successful WNBA franchise this decade, but in basketball, winning teams aren't always the most attractive to incoming players.
Souhan: Despite flaws, these Twins have a rare ace in the hole
The Twins face a rare dilemma in a few weeks when Ervin Santana is back healthy: Go with a six-man rotation or eject a quality arm from the rotation.
Souhan: Analytics crunch numbers but give personalities short shrift
You want to win a championship? You'd better have the right kinds and combinations of people on your team.
Souhan: Choices by Wolves, Gophers could make or break teams
Sharing some thoughts on Tom Thibodeau, Lindsay Whalen and the prospect that has shined the most among the Twins' position players.
Souhan: Twins have best starting rotation since Santana, Liriano days
The rise of Jose Berrios and Fernando Romero, combined with the acquisitions of Jake Odorizzi and Lance Lynn and a resurgence of Kyle Gibson, gives the Twins their best starting staff since 2006
Souhan: Loons showcase what can be for sport, franchise as both grow
Bill McGuire, the owner of Minnesota United, didn't become a soccer fan until about four years ago. Now he's all-in.
Souhan: Plenty of questions surrounding Twins but don't panic - yet
Some answers to the burning questions surrounding the slumping 2018 Twins.
Souhan: When Sano and Buxton sit, Twins' outlook sags
To watch the Twins play without them is to be transported back to 2011, when the franchise had to adapt to life without a healthy and helpful Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.
Souhan: Wilf, Spielman stick to their guns for another NFL draft
Rick Spielman has been running the Vikings' draft since 2007, when owners put him in charge of the big event. It's been their show ever since.
Souhan: Trading Andrew Wiggins is the best bet for Timberwolves' future
The Wolves can't afford to lose Jimmy Butler to free agency unless Wiggins is going to replace him as an ace defender, Alpha personality and go-to-scorer. What are the chances of that happening?
Souhan: Wolves have big advantage over Rockets that's not being used
The Timberwolves have two post players who can score, rebound, and theoretically take advantage of the Rockets' lack of interior height.
![James Harden (13) was fouled in the third quarter. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ ï cgonzalez@startribune.com ñ April 23, 2018, Minneapolis, MN, Target Center, N](http://stmedia.stimg.co/ows_152454575381970.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Souhan: Wolves learn the hard way, you do not poke 'The Beard'
In Game 4, Harden became a human torch, erasing a Timberwolves lead and any shadow of a doubt as to who will win this playoff series.
Souhan: Wolves making Rockets look like less than NBA's best team
The series is far more even than expected because the Wolves have hinted at what they could become and the Rockets haven't yet won a championship.
Souhan: Teague proves he can handle big moments
Jeff Teague on Saturday turned in his most emotional and important performance with the Wolves, thumping his chest and screaming at the crowd in the fourth quarter of a blowout win.
Souhan: Finally, Wolves fans get playoff basketball again
For long-suffering, die-hard Timberwolves fans Saturday night's Game 3 is a long time coming - as in 14 years.
Souhan: The Wolves can make it a series with Houston if ...
Ten ways the Timberwolves can create a stir and upset the No. 1 seed Rockets in the opening round of the NBA playoffs.
Souhan: Return of boxing a showcase for Armory and James
On the first night of boxing at the refurbished Armory, Jamal James won a majority decision with a national audience watching on FS1 and an announced crowd of 3,521 packed around the squared circle.
Souhan: Time for Wiggins to finally step up, earn his contract status
Andrew Wiggins is at the heart of the Wolves' failings. He isn't always engaged on defense — or on offense when he doesn't have the ball.
Souhan: The time has come for a new era in U.S. golf
The 2009 PGA Championships at Hazeltine and this year's Masters gave us a glimpse into golf's future -- a future without Tiger Woods as a dominating figure.
Spieth kept himself in the dark during final-round Masters charge
By avoiding looking at leaderboards all day — or so he said — Spieth avoided feeling stress and injected it into those he was chasing.
Souhan: Reed rehabs reputation with Masters win
Fiery Patrick Reed on Sunday conquered his past, shooting 1-under 71 to finish at 15 under and win the Masters, fending off a furious charge from Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler.
Souhan: Hazeltine's Ryder Cup rivalry hits Sunday at the Masters
Patrick Reed became famous for beating Rory McIlroy in Ryder Cup matches featuring both fist-pumping and fist-bumping. Their rivalry now spans from Lake Hazeltine to Rae's Creek.
Souhan: Reed tops the pack, proving his bravado at Masters
Patrick Reed became a golfing hero at Hazeltine National in 2016, leading the U.S. to victory. Friday at Augusta, he shot a 66 to follow his opening-round 69 and take a two-shot lead into the weekend at the Masters.
Woods, Mickelson find the going tough but make Masters cut
No player has overcome more than an eight-shot 36-hole deficit to win at the Masters. Tiger Woods is 13 shots behind after Friday, and Phil Mickelson a shot worse than that.
Souhan: Spieth leads, and that's rough for rest of Masters field
As deep and impressive as the Masters leaderboard is, none of the players who shot 69 or better has won a green jacket - other than Round 1 leader Jordan Spieth.
Souhan: Amid Masters buzz, don't overlook Player of the Year Thomas
Tiger and Phil who? At 24, Justin Thomas is the reigning PGA Tour player of the year. He won the last major and last year's FedEx Cup, while winning five times on tour in 2017.
In time for Masters, Spieth regains poise with his putter
Jordan Spieth, for perhaps the first time in his life, found himself in a putting slump before rallying to finish third at the Houston Open last weekend.
Souhan: Woods, Mickelson rivalry mellows as golf superstars age
Ex-antagonists Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson shared laughs in a Tuesday practice round at Augusta National ahead of the Masters.
Souhan: Timing is right for Tiger vs. Phil finale at Masters
Despite their relative levels of greatness, Mickelson and Woods never held a 1-on-1 duel on Sunday afternoon at the Masters, and their advanced age, along with Woods' personal and physical problems, hinted that they never would. But ...
The 82nd Masters at a glance
tournament at a glanceThe essentialsWhen: Thursday-next Sunday Where: Augusta, Ga.The course: Augusta National Golf Club (7,435 yards, par 72)Purse: To be determined ($11 million in…
Souhan: In following his gut, Molitor also sticks to his guns
During the Twins' 3-2, 11-inning loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Opening Day at Camden Yards, manager Paul Molitor had no choice but to make a series of difficult and intriguing calculations.
Souhan: Talent is undeniable, but Twins' kids have much to prove
As the Twins open the season in Baltimore, few of the team's young position players have produced a full, excellent, big-league season.
Souhan: Sano seeks route to success that others followed
As he begins his fourth season with the Twins, Miguel Sano has yet to fulfill his promise. Here's what he still needs to do.
Souhan: Lucia's graceful departure benefits all parties at U
Don Lucia wrote his own ending at the University of Minnesota, to depart with grace, to create a smooth transition to his successor. "I've always tried to do it the right way,'' he said.
Souhan: Wolves' execution of win-now plan remains in doubt
Tom Thibodeau's reputation as a defensive mastermind has to be questioned, after watching this team fail far too often on that end of the floor.
Souhan: No longer the underdog, Cousins has sky-high expectations.
With one signature, Kirk Cousins transformed from plucky overachiever unappreciated by his first employer into a franchise quarterback for a franchise that expects him to win a Super Bowl.
Souhan: Have an opinion about Cousins? You're right no matter what
Many opinions surround the Vikings' decision to hand Kirk Cousins $84 million to take over as quarterback. But this is a franchise that desperately needed to take a chance.
Souhan: Tales from Twins spring trainings of yore
Once quaint and antiquated, spring training has become highly professionalized, befitting a billion-dollar industry populated by millionaire employees.
Souhan: For Wolves, Towns is the guy who's always open
There are a few players who -- by virtue of height, arm length, release point and athletic ability -- are always open. Karl-Anthony Towns is one of that elite group.
Souhan: Twins' Lynn signing is latest in series of smart, calculated moves
Derek Falvey and Thad Levine have aggressively built a deep, strong team without giving up a top prospect or a long-term contract. They have positioned the 2018 Twins to win without hamstringing any future teams.
Souhan: Berrios pushes and pushes to get better
The question is not whether Twins pitcher Jose Berrios will do all he can to succeed but whether, in baseball, maximum effort yields maximum results.
Souhan: Twins hitters find success focusing on one thing at the plate
Embracing the power of one thought, Twins outfielder Byron Buxton hit .314 with a .912 OPS (on-base-plus-slugging percentage) from July 4 through the end of the regular season - and his hot numbers had company.
Souhan: Objective + subjective is Derek Falvey's baseball equation
Twins Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey seems more curious than certain. He compared running a franchise to "drinking from a fire hose," yet he still sounds thirsty.
Souhan: Dozier sounds willing to walk away from Twins after season
The second baseman said the prospect of free agency is "intriguing" to him.
Souhan: Up-and-comer boxer from Minneapolis has old-school spirit
Jamal James, 29, would feel comfortable in another era, but he's trying to usher in a new one for Minnesota boxing. He's ranked 13th in the world and eighth in the United States.
Souhan: Some half-fast ways to pick up baseball's pace of play
Some highly serious (wink, wink) suggestions on ways baseball could pick up the pace at the ballpark this season.
Souhan: Cousins, Vikings pairing is perfect move for both sides
In the NFL, gambling on roster moves gets you fired. But so do bland moves, or any combination of aggressiveness and passiveness that doesn't lead to the playoffs.
Souhan: Twins front office goes back to strapped Rays for seconds
Even if the Twins head North with their current roster, they will have strengthened a good, young team by raiding a franchise they once resembled.
Souhan: Butler's injury does not have to be a death knell for Wolves
Jimmy Butler's absence in the Wolves lineup is damaging, but it could have been much worse.
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