Recent content from Sid Hartman
Hartman: Twins' 1987 success exceeded expectations of then-GM MacPhail
Andy McPhail thought the Twins might be a .500 team in 1987. That was before they won the World Series.
Hartman: Sano put himself in position to succeed with Twins
Twins third baseman and slugger Miguel Sano reached his goal of making the All-Star Game by working hard.
Hartman: Mauer having renaissance season at the plate, in the field
Halfway through his 14th major league season, Twins first baseman Joe Mauer's .286 batting average is his best since 2013, when he hit .324 and posted a .404 on-base percentage.
Sid's Sunday Jottings
JOTTINGS • Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck was asked about the condition of the 22 players who missed spring practice because of injuries. “They’re getting…
Hartman: Wolves' offseason has been a fruitful one
After bringing in Jimmy Butler, Jeff Teague and Taj Gibson, one website ranked the Timberwolves' transactions close to the best in the NBA this summer.
Hartman: Twins' turnaround from 103-loss season rooted in defense
The Twins still have pitching and hitting questions, but the players have had success preventing runs.
Hartman: Molitor tells Twins All-Stars to enjoy the experience
Twins manager Paul Molitor was a seven-time All-Star, spread out over 15 seasons. "[T]he first time you walk into an All-Star locker room it's just something you'll never forget."
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck was asked if he has made any decisions on the two scholarships he still has open for…
Hartman: Bottom to top, Twins closer Kintzler knows baseball
Brandon Kintzler climbed through the minors and recovered from an injury to become one of AL's best closers.
Hartman: A surprise to see Wolves deal an improved Rubio
Ricky Rubio appeared to be getting better and better throughout his NBA career, including as a shooter. But Ton Thibodeau wanted to go a different direction.
Jottings
JOTTINGS • Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck reported that the team will start its training camp the first week in August. “The way we…
Hartman: Butler trade puts Wolves on fast track
The Timberwolves have acquired young talent, but getting All-Star Jimmy Butler has drawn lots of attention.
Hartman: Taylor says Butler could help lure free agents to Wolves
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor believes the team's newest star, Jimmy Butler, could attract other outstanding players.
Hartman: Derek Falvey says Twins are adapting well to change
Behind-the-scenes work is paying off, the team's baseball boss says.
Hartman: Trade for Butler signals Wolves want to win right now
It must have been hard to deal guards Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn, but Tom Thibodeau now has a veteran leader in Jimmy Butler who can score and defend.
Hartman: Zimmer, known for coaching defense, takes on Vikings offensive issues
For the 2017 season it's clear that the Vikings are going to need much more out of their offense, which ranked 28th in the league in 2016, if they are going to compete for a Super Bowl bid in their home stadium.
Hartman: Berrios' turnaround buoys AL Central-leading Twins
After going 3-9 last year, the young pitcher is 6-1 with a 2.74 ERA since being called up in May.
Hartman: Vikings memories flow with Moss, Rashad at Winter Park
The Vikings couldn't find two better Ring of Honor inductees than Randy Moss and Ahmad Rashad.
Hartman: Prepare for 'sticker shock' on Super Bowl tickets
Vikings executive vice president of public affairs and stadium development Lester Bagley warned of "sticker shock" for the Super Bowl. "Tickets are going to be hard to come by," he said.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Vikings coach Mike Zimmer was asked to sum up the battle for Chad Greenway’s former weak-side linebacker position. “We’re going to…
Hartman: State's MLB draft history isn't very deep
Only a handful of players from Minnesota high schools have ever been selected in the first round.
Hartman: Wright pushes on after mostly invisible season for Vikings
Jarius Wright, the 2012 fourth-round draft choice out of Arkansas said that while last season was very difficult for him, he is always keeping a positive mind-set.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford was asked if being with the team all offseason is a big advantage compared with last year,…
Hartman: Former Hill-Murray star Guentzel making Stanley Cup history
Guentzel, who grew up in Woodbury, now has 12 goals and seven assists in the playoffs, including three goals in the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final.
Hartman: Twins owner Pohlad rolls with ebb, flow of season
Twins owner Jim Pohlad sees improvement from the team so far, but knows rosters made up of young players will struggle on occasion.
Hartman: Vikings need their recent draft picks to develop quickly
The Vikings like what they see from their young players, which is good considering how many veterans are free agents after the season.
Hartman: Elflein makes his mark at center, guard for Vikings
Former Ohio State assistant Ed Warinner, now with the Gophers, praises Vikings versatility of Vikings rookie Pat Elflein.
Hartman: Kepler moves about Twins' lineup and outfield, stays productive
No matter where he hits in the Twins order or plays in the outfield, Max Kepler has been productive lately.
Hartman: Vikings' Newman learns to adapt in an ever-changing NFL
Terence Newman said he relishes the chance to keep playing and being productive. He is a two-time Pro Bowl player and is also second on the active list for career interceptions with 41.
Hartman: Twins happy to still have Ervin Santana on their roster
He's struggled in his past two home starts, but the team has no regrets about not trading him.
Hartman: Vikings' new Eagan practice facility is first-class
Vikings officials call the new Eagan complex an "iconic venue" and hopes it heralds on-field success.
Hartman: Robison keeps belief in Vikings going into 11th season
Defensive lineman Brian Robison will be the longest-tenured Viking when the 2017 season starts.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • The Twins have the No. 1 choice in the draft this year for the first time since Joe Mauer in 2001, and…
Hartman: Gophers have great expectations for Athletes Village
Scott Ellison, Gophers associate athletic director in charge of the Athletes Village facilities project, is enthusiastically reporting the project is progressing as scheduled.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Timberwolves General Manager Scott Layden knows the team will have a very good first-round pick. He was asked how the team scouts…
Hartman: Jones says Vikings defense suits him better than Green Bay's
Datone Jones jumped the border to sign with the Vikings after the defensive lineman bonded with Minnesota coaches.
Hartman: Vikings DE Griffen always on lookout for ways to improve
Everson Griffen, an eight-year veteran, knows that in the NFL you get better or you get out.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford said this past week that he is looking forward to having a full offseason with his teammates. “Just…
Hartman: Fruechte in line for more playing time with Vikings
The former Gophers wideout has learned much on the practice squad and feels ready to help Vikings.
Hartman: Zimmer assesses what Vikings could do in draft, free agency
Even though the Vikings don't have a first-round pick Thursday night, coach Mike Zimmer expects talent to still be available.
Hartman: Vikings GM Spielman lays out plan without first-round pick
The last time the Vikings didn't make a first-round selection was in 2010, before Rick Spielman assumed his role in 2012
Hartman: Wild's daunting task vs. Blues can still be achieved
Lou Nanne says beating the Blues won't be easy after being down 3-0, but Game 4 provided hope.
Twins' Buxton on slow start: 'I just need to relax'
Byron Buxton, leading the league in strikeouts with 23 and hitting just .085 with four hits in 47 at-bats over 14 games to start this season for the Twins, has turned things around before.
Hartman: Spring focus of Gophers football is learning a new culture
Coach P.J. Fleck also said that the coaches have started to get clearer indications of who could help them when the season starts.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Vikings owner Mark Wilf got a great honor from the Jewish Telegraph Agency (JTA) when he was recognized as a Visionary Leader. Wilf…
Hartman: Taylor echoes Thibodeau's call for veteran help for Wolves
"[Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau] needs some players that will come off the bench and keep us going and not give up the lead," owner Glen Taylor said.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • The Gophers rank No. 14 overall and No. 8 in the Class of 2018 football recruiting rankings, according to 247sports.com. The Gophers, who have…
Hartman: Molitor has 'high expectations'; thrilled with sweep
Manager Paul Molitor knows it's a long season, but the Twins' hot start is a vast improvement over last year's 0-9 mark.
Hartman: Sano's offseason adjustments are paying off for Twins
Work on fielding, hitting and weight have helped the Twins third baseman get off to a sizzling start.
Hartman: St. Peter tells fans to stay patient with Twins
Ask St. Peter what he sees out of this year's squad and he believes there's much more positive on the horizon at Target Field than negative.
Hartman: Memories of Lakers days come to life again
Sid Hartman writes: "In my days members of the sports staff also worked on publicity for the sports teams in town, and that's how I got permission from the editors to work with the Lakers."
Hartman: Wolves' Ricky Rubio playing his best after trade deadline
It's amazing to think that just over a month ago, there were serious questions about whether Rubio would finish the season with the Wolves.
Hartman: Zimmer expecting a boost from Vikings' new faces
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer is aware of how difficult replacing 12 players on a 53-man roster can be but won't get caught up in who's gone.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Byron Buxton hit leadoff for most of his time in the minors, but Twins manager Paul Molitor said Friday he didn’t…
Hartman: Fleck starts the task of Gophers team-building
Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck sees progress and reason for optimism at the start of spring practice.
Hartman: Towns, Wolves keep improving together
The Timberwolves' long playoff drought probably won't end this year, but soon. Karl-Anthony Towns' continued growth should set the stage for a great second year under coach Tom Thibodeau next season
Hartman: Spielman treads carefully to open NFL free agency
Vikings GM Rick Spielman said NFL free agency is a balancing act and the team still feels it's in a good position.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • ByungHo Park is hitting .357 with three home runs in 28 spring at-bats after the Twins took him off the 40-man roster…
Hartman: Gophers' loss shouldn't detract from accomplishments
The Gophers, who led the Big Ten in offensive rebounding during conference play, gave up 11 offensive boards to MTSU and grabbed only four themselves.
Hartman: Rick Pitino knew his son had a good team in the Gophers
The Louisville coach liked what he saw of his son's team going into the year.
Hartman: New bosses don't alter Paul Molitor's goal for Twins
The biggest improvement for the Twins, along with their starting pitching, is going to have to come from their everyday position players.
Hartman: Dozier stays put; now Twins must rebound from worst season
Brian Dozier, after a career year, endured trade rumors. He's happy to be back to help the Twins rebound after a 103-loss season.
Hartman: Vikings mull over patching roster through draft, free agency
Coach Mike Zimmer has holes to fill, but the club has cap money available to tempt free agents.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck was asked about the progress he is seeing on the $160 million facilities project, a lot of…
Hartman: Former Gophers great Darrell Thompson, family know recruiting
A son of U great Darrell Thompson is receiving the sort of attention from colleges his father once did.
Sid on 'Today'
Sid on ‘Today’ Star Tribune sports columnist Sid Hartman will be featured on the Sunday “Today” show, which airs 8-9 a.m. Sunday on Ch. 11.…
Hartman: Thrills build as Gophers basketball team continues to win
Success has brought back the crowds and noise to Williams Arena, which is a boon to recruiting.
Hartman: Twins counting on Mauer to be part of their resurgence
Twins manager Paul Molitor said recently that regardless of what has happened in the past few years, he still sees the 2009 American League MVP as a player critical to his team's success.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • New Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck was asked what he expects his “Row the Boat” slogan can do for the program. “What these…
Hartman: Three changes fuel Gophers basketball's turnaround
Transfers and freshmen made an immediate impact, and top returning players greatly improved to help the Gophers into one of this season's biggest stories.
Hartman: MVPs Peterson, Mauer have gone from cornerstones to question marks
The Vikings and Twins must ponder the worth of Adrian Peterson and Joe Mauer as their mighty contracts come due.
Hartman: Fleck aims to maintain close ties to state coaches
The Gophers held an open house for any high school coach last weekend, and coach P.J. Fleck talked about their importance and his familiarity with them.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • The Timberwolves are 22-35 at the All-Star break. With 28 games remaining, they are 3½ games behind Denver for the eighth and final…
Hartman: Gophers hockey faces test in rising Penn State
Coach Don Lucia knows the high-scoring Gophers can't rely on barrage of goals vs. the Nittany Lions.
Hartman: Vikings' role model for next season should be 1973 team
With a stout defense and Fran Tarkenton in his second year back, the team went to Super Bowl.
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