Twins
September 26, 2020
Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the 8th inning.

Despite loss to Reds, Twins are on doorstep of AL Central title

Although the Twins lost 7-2 to Cincinnati, and saw Josh Donaldson and Byron Buxton exit with potential injuries, Minnesota has a one-game lead in the division with two games to play.
Twins
September 26, 2020
Twins starting pitcher Jose Berrios reacted after a strikeout to end the top of the fifth, after allowing two runs against the Reds.

Reusse: In these different playoffs, Berrios under same pressure to produce

Playoff ball means it's Jose Berrios' time to bear down rather than backslide
Twins
September 26, 2020
Party like it's 1987, in your living room. Tom Brunansky, left, and Kent Hrbek mastered waving the original version of the Homer Hanky in 1987. We're

The Homer Hanky is back — with an emphasis on 'home'

The 2020 version of the Homer Hanky will be available for purchase early next week, in time for Tuesday's opening game of the playoffs.
Loons
September 26, 2020

Heath on Loons players during virus threat: 'They've done everything we've asked'

Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath said his team has "been fine so far" in testing every other day and the day before games.
Loons
September 26, 2020
Schalke's Weston McKennie, left, celebrates with Schalke's Rabbi Matondo after scoring his side's opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer mat

Soccer Insider: Young Americans thrive in overseas play

The U.S. Men's National Team should benefit from a wider selection of talent as the years roll on.
High Schools
September 26, 2020
Eden Prairie head coach Mike Grant Thursday night in the second half against Blaine. ] Aaron Lavinsky ¥ aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com Eden Prairie p

Mike Grant to leave Eden Prairie activities director post Jan. 1

Grant, 63, will remain as the school's football coach. His teams have won 11 state championships since he took that job in 1992.
Vikings
September 26, 2020
Todd Downing, seen here in 2017, got his break in coaching from Mike Tice.

Eden Prairie's Downing goes from driving NFL coaches to becoming one

This is Todd Downing's 20th NFL season. He's 40 years old. The former Eden Prairie quarterback has been grinding away half a lifetime since entering the league as essentially an airport chauffeur for the family of Vikings owner Red McCombs.
Gophers
September 26, 2020
College Football Playoff Executive Director Bill Hancock, in 2014

As normalcy returns, ranking college football teams will be more difficult than ever

Among those sorting out the twists, turns and uncertainty to determine the best football teams in the country are the College Football Playoff selection committee and the AP top 25 voters.
Loons
September 26, 2020
Minnesota United FC goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair (97) in the second half. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ • cgonzalez@startribune.com – St. Paul, MN – September

Loons keeper St. Clair has a promising future in his hands

Pressed into service with Minnesota United, young Canadian goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair has found his rhythm.
Vikings
September 26, 2020
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mike Hughes, left, took to the field for practice at TCO Performance Center, Thursday, September 17, 2020 in Eagan, MN. ]

Vikings will be without two top cornerbacks vs. Titans

Mike Hughes and Cameron Dantzler have been ruled out because of injuries that kept them from practicing this week. One of their back-ups is listed as questionable.
Twins
September 26, 2020
Reds manager David Bell, brother to Twins bench coach Mike Bell, spoke to umpires and exchanged lineup cards before the first pitch of a game in Septe

Twins' Mike Bell understands family's weekend loyalties to Reds

Twins bench coach Mike Bell is part of three generations of Bells in the major leagues - the majority of which has been in Cincinnati
High Schools
September 25, 2020

Loneliness of socially distanced running makes cross-country athletes own best fans

The COVID-19 pandemic has split team training into pods. Even at the starting line, runners take off in waves governed in size by health department guidelines.

Minnesota Sports

Complete coverage of the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves, Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Lynx, Minnesota United, Minnesota Aurora, Minnesota Whitecaps, University of Minnesota Golden Gophers and Minnesota high school sports.