Recent content from Jim Souhan
Souhan: Greatest of all time? Biles could be best of the best
Most debates about the greatest athlete of all time skew toward our most popular sports and most celebrated performers. But Simone Biles could be the greatest athlete ever.
Souhan: To coach Caruso and the Tommies: Consider vengeance
The MIAC will be an easier place to win games and a lesser place to be an athlete once St. Thomas is gone. The Tommies shouldn't go out quietly
Souhan: Twins fans worry themselves into the ground
You have questions about the Twins after the trade deadline? Jim Souhan has answers.
Souhan: 'Midwest's Mariano.' Nathan getting last word by joining Twins' Hall of Fame
Joe Nathan mastered that as the best closer in Twins history, and he said he will try to employ that skill Saturday when the team inducts him into its Hall of Fame.
Souhan: Owner Leipold's decision making now Wild's biggest problem
You can blame fired Wild GM Paul Fenton for a rare blend of incompetence and arrogance, but only after you blame the guy who knew him -- and hired him anyway.
Souhan: Vikings' optimism reigns as camp begins. But so what?
What will matter for the 2019 Vikings is not what they say this summer, but what they show after a potential rough start or key injury this fall.
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Souhan: Twins' bullpen has its moments, but criticism is misplaced
Can the Twins win big this year without making a trade to bolster their bullpen? The tested nerves of a Minnesota sports fan say no. History says yes.
Souhan: Love baseball? You have to love what Adrianza's done for Twins
Claimed off waivers in February 2017, Ehire Adrianza joined the Twins as a stereotypical light-hitting utility infielder. But his game has grown substantially.
Souhan: As Twins know, the best trades are those a team never regrets
The Twins don't need to make a statement. They need to avoid regret.
Souhan: After 31 years, Munneke keeps doing his best to sell underwhelming Wolves
As the vice president of fan experience, Jeff Munneke might have the toughest job in local sports, and he is one of the longest-tenured of Minnesota sports executives.
Souhan: There's a place in Twins lineup for Arraez
In eight pitches in Tuesday's game, Louis Arraez demonstrated how he has risen so quickly with the Twins and, perhaps, so permanently.
Souhan: What rebuilding? Sims leads overhauled Lynx into contention
If you haven't noticed, the Lynx are 10-7 without four star players who were with them last season: Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen, Rebekkah Brunson and Seimone Augustus.
Souhan: Is James title-fight material? He says yes
Jamal James, a welterweight from Minneapolis, on Saturday headlined another nationally televised card at the Armory. He defeated Antonio DeMarco in a unanimous decision.
Souhan: Cruz's contributions to Twins go well beyond his statistics
The Twins should return to the playoffs this season. If they do, Nelson Cruz and the people who signed him should receive a large percentage of the credit.
Souhan: Minneapolis boxer hopes he's on verge of career-defining fight
Jamal James, 30, is closing in on a title fight that could change his life. But because this is boxing, there are no guarantees this will actually happen.
Souhan: Top two finishers give 3M Open instant credibility
Little more than an hour before Matthew Wolff rolled in his winning eagle, there were six players tied for the 3M Open lead and 14 players within two shots of it.
Souhan: 3M Open co-leaders got to top with different swings
To paraphrase golfers everywhere and Duke Ellington once upon a time: It's not how, it's how many; and you ain't got a thing if you ain't got your own swing.
![Tom Lehman hugged his caddie after shoot a 4-under 67 in the first round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine. ] AARON LAVINSKY• aaron.lavins](http://stmedia.stimg.co/LEHMAN8.JPG?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Souhan: Lehman goes low on TPC Twin Cities course he redesigned
Thursday, in the first round, he shot a 67, leaving him tied for 18th. If he keeps playing like this, he'll face insider trading charges.
Souhan: Nice-guy Day seeking nicer results on PGA Tour
Jason Day hasn't won the PGA Tour in more than a year, and he missed the cut twice in majors in 2018. But, "my game is kind of starting to take a turn," he said on Wednesday."
Souhan: Reed's Ryder Cup pluck endeared him to Minnesota fans
At Hazeltine in 2016, Patrick Reed became Captain America, a player who elevated his game when playing for country and with countrymen.
Cavner's team for 3M Open following Palmer's example
3M Open boss Hollis Cavner follows Arnold Palmer's model of kindness, with a penchant for relentless networking and old-fashioned hospitality.
Souhan: Longtime Minnesota pro sees state PGA stop become reality
Decades before the 3M Championship became the 3M Open, a local golfer stopped by 3M headquarters to pitch a local tournament. That golfer, Joel Goldstrand, deserves to be remembered, as well.
Souhan: Loons beat up on a club that's far from MLS-ready
The Loons put eight shots on goal against a clearly overmatched Cincinnati side on Saturday. Seven went in.
Souhan: Fix Sano's swing, and he's back to being fearsome
Miguel Sano, 0-for-7 on Thursday, is desperately in need of a reset. But this is no time to give up on him. His primary problem is mechanical, and mechanics can be fixed.
Souhan: A few losses doesn't mean Twins are anywhere near a slump
Their performance over the past two weeks doesn't qualify as a toe stub, much less a headlong tumble down the stairs.
Souhan: For Mauer, contract became an unjust burden
His inability to produce at a $184 million level in his later seasons drew much criticism from fans.
Souhan: Love for 'special guy' Big Papi transcends borders
Former Twins player David Ortiz went on to enormous success with the Red Sox. Sunday night in Santo Domingo he was shot in the back and remembering happier times is not difficult for current players.
Souhan: Why did a Hall of Fame prep basketball coach walk away from her sport?
That Faith Johnson Patterson isn't coaching is an indictment of high school sports and society. "I think things have changed drastically in terms of parent involvement," she said.
Souhan: Want to support Whalen? Buy a ticket to women's sports
In the Twin Cities sports market, the average male fan spends more time complaining about his favorite team than recognizing Minnesota as a bastion of women's sports success.
Souhan: Twins' early success proves you can't please every fan
The Twins' success this season is not pleasing everyone in the fan base - nor will it.
Souhan: Warren a good choice to take on hypocrisy of college sports
Kevin Warren accomplished all that he could with the Vikings as their chief operating officer. Now he's off the lead the Big Ten, which should not be his destination job.
Souhan: Heath criticizes defense when offense was problem in loss
The crowd was loud, the sun was shining and the play was intense, and all that wound up mattering was that Minnesota United didn't take advantage of scoring chances.
Souhan: It's like 2006 all over again with these Twins
For the last 104 games of the season, the 2006 Twins played better than any Twins team since the 1991 World Series champion, and the 2019 Twins are playing just as well.
Souhan: Twins to look at need for even more protection from foul balls
Twins officials said that Target Field uses more netting than is required by Major League Baseball, and that they will reevaluate the need for more fan protection.
Souhan: Cancer survivor Smeltzer calm but says 'it's hard to keep it together'
Rookie pitcher Devin Smeltzer looked composed right up until he met his wife, Brianne, outside the Twins clubhouse after the game. That's when the tears started.
Souhan: Hitting coach Rowson is man behind Twins' offensive surge
James Rowson and assistant hitting coach Rudy Hernandez are at the heart, or at least the calluses, of the Twins' transformation into a feared slugging lineup.
Souhan: Lynx draft picks stand out in debut for team in transition
First-round draft pick Napheesa Collier logged big minutes Saturday in the Lynx season opener, and connected well with fellow rookie Jessica Shepard.
Souhan: Mauer is Twins' 2019 MVP - Most Valuable Pensioner
Joe Mauer's retirement - and money off the books - is not the only key development in the Twins' emergence as one of baseball's best teams, but it might be the most important.
Souhan: PGA champ Koepka will likely bring best-in-world label to Blaine
Brooks Koepka chafes at some criticisms and invents others — "In my own head," he said — to inspire himself. He'll be bringing a power game, fist pumps and more to the 3M Open in July.
St. Peter has seen so much change, looks forward to more
In an industry defined by change and with a team that has become willing to fire even its most beloved figures, St. Peter is the rare sports executive who survives franchise slumps.
Souhan: Koepka holds on to win PGA after winds and fans turn unfriendly
Brooks Koepka survived a stretch of four bogeys on the back nine Sunday to win the PGA Championship by two shots over Dustin Johnson and six shots over the rest of the field.
Two former Gophers end memorable week with top-10 PGA finish
Erik van Rooyen tied for eighth place in the PGA Championship with former Gophers teammate Alex Gaugert caddying for him.
Souhan: Jazz Janewattananond forges unlikely gallery at PGA
Everyone else is playing for second with the way Brooks Koepka is playing at the PGA Championship. But that would be quite an accomplishment for someone like Jazz Janewattananond.
Pairing of van Rooyen and Varner makes run at PGA Championship
Varner shot a 67 to move into a tie for second, seven shots behind Brooks Koepka. Van Rooyen, the former Gopher golfer, shot an even-par 70 and is tied for 12th.
Souhan: Focused Koepka burying PGA field in record-setting fashion
After two of the most nonchalantly exceptional rounds in major history (an opening 63 and a second-round 65), Brooks Koepka will take a seven-shot lead into the weekend.
Former Gopher van Rooyen moves up leaderboard at PGA Championship
Erik van Rooyen trails the leader, Brooks Koepka, by 10 shots. Affable and confident, he's not conceding. "The goal is to win," he said. "... We're not just here to sign up and have a great experience."
Souhan: Confident Koepka shoots course record 63 to open PGA
Earlier this week, Brooks Koepka dismissed the chances of all but about 40 of his competitors. Thursday, he might have cut his serious competition to a handful.
It's Minn-East-sota here in New York at Bethpage Black
Several with state ties are at Bethpage Black, including golfers Alex Beach and Troy Merritt.
Souhan: Minnesota native hopes to make his mark at PGA
Alex Beach -- born in Eden Prairie, former student at Stillwater High, now as assistant club pro on the East Coast -- wants to prove he can be a touring pro with his play in the PGA Championship this week.
Souhan: Three big-name golfers looked at as heroes are really not
Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and John Daly are as talented a golf threesome as you'll find. They also could combine to fill out the Seven Deadly Sins punch-card.
Souhan: Wild GM Fenton's first year on job doesn't inspire confidence
In Paul Fenton's first season as GM, the Wild missed the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons and made a series of trades that ranged from awful to questionable.
Souhan: Twins' exhaustive research delivers ideal mix of coaches, players
While previous regimes deserve credit for amassing young talent, the current Twins front office had an offseason for the ages, one belying the difficulty of roster management.
Souhan: Salvaging Wiggins, or upping his value, challenge for Rosas
Gersson Rosas indicated Monday that he would prefer to improve Andrew Wiggins rather than trade him.
Souhan: The Lynx are forever Seimone
As the Lynx begin training camp Sunday, Seimone Augustus is entering her 14th season, all in Minnesota, having won four titles and established herself as one of the greatest players in league history.
Souhan: Logical hiring of Rosas is potential home run for Wolves
Gersson Rosas is too experienced not to recognize the Wolves' systemic problems. He may also be perceptive enough to recognize the franchise's advantages
Souhan: Wolves handling search for new boss wisely - for once
Unlike past searches that have turned out less than ideal for the Timberwolves, they have interviewed intriguing and even qualified candidates to be president of basketball operations.
Souhan: Ibarra reminds Loons fans of what he can bring to team
The Minnesota United star from the team's pre-MLS days provided a spark when he entered in the second half.
Souhan: Kimbrel could offer the Twins the kind of relief they need
Though the Twins bullpen was fine Saturday, the group needs a boost, whether from free-agent Craig Kimbrel or someone like the promising Fernando Romero.
Souhan: Spielman on right path; he should keep toeing the line
The Vikings' offensive line still isn't perfect, but first-round draft pick Garrett Bradbury is a step in the right direction
Souhan: Drafting for need? Remember lesson of picking Ponder
The lessons stemming from the Vikings' selection of Christian Ponder with the 12th pick in the 2011 draft should always echo in the halls of the front office.
Souhan: Recharged Tiger would kick-start inaugural 3M Open
The chance to see Tiger Woods, at 43 and coming off his 15th major championship, would make the 3M Open in Blaine a can't-miss ticket for even casual golf fans.
Souhan: After Masters win, Woods no longer just 'The YouTube Golfer'
Tiger Woods' children called him "The YouTube Golfer," because only on the internet could they find evidence of his greatness. "Prior to this comeback, they only knew that golf caused me pain," Woods said.
New generation of golfers (and fans) see a master at work
Young golfers played the sport because of Tiger Woods, and they adopted his habits: lifting weights, eating healthy, swinging hard and intimidating opponents. On Sunday, Woods finally beat the generation he helped create.
Souhan: Finau finds himself in the Masters mix with Tiger
Tony Finau on Sunday will play in the last group at the Masters with Tiger Woods and reigning British Open champion Francesco Molinari. Woods is Finau's idol, the man who made him want to play golf.
Souhan: Woods in the hunt after day of anomalies at the Masters
By the end of the second round of the Masters on Friday, five major winners from four countries who have captured the past three majors were tied for the lead at 7 under. And Tiger Woods was one shot behind.
Souhan: Masters leaders could bring a (green) jacket to Minnesota
Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka shot 6-under-par 66s to share the first-round lead; Phil Mickelson shot a 67. All have committed to play in the inaugural 3M Open
Tiger hunting: 3M Open organizer pursuing Woods at Masters
Speaking under the famous oak tree in front of the Augusta National clubhouse, 3M Open tournament organizer Hollis Cavner said he's pursuing Woods for the Jule tournament in Blaine.
Souhan: A retooled McIlroy has sights set on rare feat at Masters
Rory McIlroy is trying to join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tiger Woods as winners of the modern, career grand slam. He hasn't won a major since 2014.
Souhan: Guy's journey. Death threats and haters to reveling in a title
Virginia's Kyle Guy wore his heart on his sleeve throughout the Final Four, and gave us a peek behind a conquering athlete who was "in a dark place" after his team was shocked in 2018.
Souhan: This Final Four match-up as sexy as a bruised elbow
The programs have little in common other than defensive systems rooted in the game's patriarchy and coaches who would rather give up a toe than a layup.
Souhan: Distractions? Mooney had none in a big game at big arena
Matt Mooney, a veteran of the multiuse DakotaDome while with South Dakota, wasn't intimidated by the cavernous U.S. Bank Stadium
It's a funky Final Four but these teams are easy to like
The teams in this year's Final Four are perfect for Minneapolis; they bring joy, surprise and the best of sports to our big stadium.
Souhan: Ugly Dome site of 2 beautiful Final Fours, 1 packed regional
In one of the one of the world's least likely venues for premium hoops events, each brought a procession of Who's Who and Who-Would-Become basketball names.
Souhan: Texas Tech coach, South Dakota transfer fit well in this Final Four
Both head coach Chris Beard and guard Matt Mooney picked the road less traveled, and for them it led to Texas Tech and, improbably, the Final Four in Minneapolis.
Why Texas Tech can win the national championship
This is a tournament about veteran toughness and decision-making, and Texas Tech’s defense makes it difficult for opposing offenses to make good decisions. In the…
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