Recent content from La Velle E. Neal III
Neal: La Velle Neal, Pedro Martínez, and a look back at a controversial American League MVP vote
Twenty-five years ago, Martínez finished second in AL MVP balloting — because La Velle didn't vote for the Red Sox ace.
Neal: Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell-Pohl, Hockey Hall of Famers? It's happening, and it's right.
A pair of former Gophers, Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell-Pohl continue to contribute to the game that took them around the world.
Neal: Johnson, starting over again with Gophers roster, doesn't have to go backward
Avoiding "disaster" status this season is possible with the U's group of short-timers, and any more than that would be celebrated as overachieving.
Neal: Fourth-quarter version of Brosmer indicates Fleck was smart to get him and even smarter to let him throw
After three strong games in a row, the Gophers quarterback was three quarters into a mediocre (or worse) day, until his team fell behind and required a response.
Neal: Five reasons the Wild could be the real deal
Kirill Kaprizov leads the league in scoring, but there are other factors leading to the team's hot start.
Neal: Made devastatingly clear: Lions' Goff is the best QB in the NFC North. Sam Darnold is not in the top three.
The NFC North is a conference in which all four teams like their quarterbacks, but Sunday's game revealed separation between Detroit's guy and Minnesota's.
DiVincenzo brings shooting, passing, defending and one more quality to the Wolves: an edge
Acquired in the deal for Karl-Anthony Towns, guard Donte DiVincenzo arrives bearing lessons learned on four NBA teams under two MVPs.
Neal: Collier didn't score much in Game 4. Trouble for the Lynx? No. Trouble for the Liberty.
Lynx prove they're more than just Napheesa Collier in WNBA Finals Game 4 victory.
Neal: Vikings vs. Lions is big, but a Minnesota win would set up something much bigger
Are the Vikings for real? Sunday's showdown, and the road game four days later against the Rams, will go a long way toward determining that.
Neal: Timberwolves cross preseason off their list, head into a high-exposure, high-expectations NBA season
Coach Chris Finch said the team is in a "really, really good place," and a columnist watching closely agrees.
Neal: A Lynx crowd large and loud turns out, but the festive atmosphere just couldn't last
Another high-quality game, part of perhaps the most important season in the WNBA's history, becomes another dramatic loss for the Lynx.
Neal: Wild appear positioned to pull off a rare combo and win and grow at the same time
The team has veterans capable of improving and youngsters with the skills to push more experienced teammates.
Neal: Did the Pohlads help the Twins or hamper them over 40 years?
What will history tell us about the family's complicated legacy as owner of the Twins, from a hopeful beginning to a disappointing conclusion?
Neal: Lynx will defeat Liberty in WNBA Finals, and here's why
The 2024 group pieced together by Cheryl Reeve isn't the betting favorite, and it's probably not the best team she has assembled, but five reasons say Minnesota will win the WNBA championship.
Neal: Last-minute thriller could redefine Gophers' season
The decision to go for it on fourth-and-goal was the right one, and it could totally change the direction of the Gophers' 2024 campaign under P.J. Fleck.
Neal: Courtney Williams sparks Lynx past Sun
The veteran point guard had a game-high 17 points as the Lynx evened the WNBA playoff series at a game apiece with a 77-70 win.
Neal: Twins' Falvey, Baldelli have earned one more year
But Twins' process must yield results in 2025 after failures to finish 2024.
Neal: Hear that? It's O'Connell and LaFleur in a battle of quarterback whisperers
Quarterback whisperers take center stage on Sunday when Kevin O'Connell and the Vikings face Matt LaFleur and the Packers.
Neal: Flagrant foul on Carleton set a spark, and Lynx went on a tear
The Lynx closed out the Phoenix Mercury in the first round of the WNBA playoffs with a second-half flurry.
Neal: Collier's phenomenal effort on both ends drives Lynx to Game 1 victory
The WNBA MVP runner-up and AP Defensive Player of the Year showed why she earned those accolades in the playoff opener against the Mercury.
Neal: Veeck's next chapter has taken him across the Atlantic to a new sport
After 30-plus years with the St. Paul Saints, Mike Veeck traded in the baseball diamond for a football pitch — trading in the St. Paul Saints for Larne FC in Ireland
Neal: No one asked me, but I think Purple Reign would have been great PWHL nickname
The newest moniker is A-OK by the Gophers women's hockey coach, however.
Neal: Twins postseason hopes rely on unproven arm
With every game heightening the pressure to get to the postseason, Jeffers is trying to guide three rookies pitchers to the finish line
Neal: Bet against Aaron Jones, Vikings running game at your own risk
Despite boasting one of the game's best receivers, a QB looking to resurrect his career and a coach searching for balance, all of the Vikings' success may depend on what Aaron Jones does in the backfield.
Neal: Gophers kicker Kesich will be fine; he just needs another chance
After emerging as one college football's best kickers last season, Gophers star Dragan Kesich got off to a rough start this year. Don't worry though, there's reason to believe Kesich will be just fine.
Neal: With the return of Lewis' power swing comes the return of hope for Twins
The Twins earned a much-needed victory thanks to Royce Lewis' go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Lewis' three-run homer in eighth lifts Twins to victory over Blue Jays
Royce Lewis hit a go-ahead, three-run home run in the eighth inning Sunday at Target Field, propelling the Twins to a 4-3 win over Toronto to end their homestand.
Michael Helman, 28, tries fitting in after getting first call-up to Twins
The utility player said he didn't have time to get emotional over his first promotion to the major leagues.
Neal: Wild wanted Patrik Laine, but Laine did not want the Wild
The 3-2 Pitch: With the Wild's season fast approaching, Neal also tackled the difficult AL Central, the putrid Gophers run defense and a bold prediction for the Lynx and Twins.
Neal: Here's hoping MLB voters get it right when it comes to Carlos Santana and the Gold Glove
Twenty five years after Twins first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz was robbed of the Gold Glove award — losing to an undeserving Rafael Palmeiro — Minnesota is hoping Carlos Santana brings it home.
Neal: Jumping to conclusions about Twins prospects is a road not worth traveling
Once an afterthought in Minnesota's future, prospects Trevor Larnach and Jose Miranda are proving their value by helping the Twins push to the postseason.
Analysis: Ramsay has been a steady hand for Minnesota United, despite the chaos
Since taking over as Loons coach four games into the MLS season, Eric Ramsay has weathered constant roster challenges yet still has the team challenging for a playoff berth.
![Can the Twins count on Zebby Matthews in the stretch run of a pennant race?
] AARON LAVINSKY • aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/M2MSP73JKNCC7PW5E53V2KNQNE.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Neal: Festa. Matthews. Woods Richardson. Varland. Can the Twins count on them down the stretch?
The good news is that Derek Falvey has created a pipeline of young starters. The bad news? They're being thrown into the fire.
St. Thomas football gains strength by tapping the family that produced Faith, Hope and Love
Running back Hope Adebayo has helped lead the Tommies to a 25-7 record in their first three seasons as a Division I team.
Neal: Witt and KC, next up for the Twins, present an AL Central threat
Their young superstar is among the hottest hitters in baseball, and the Royals made themselves stronger at the trade deadline.
Neal: She's back! Andrea Hayden returns to Twin Cities, this time with Lynx
MLB's first female strength coach with the Twins, Andrea Hayden followed her journey west to Stanford. Now she's back, helping the Lynx make a push for the postseason.
Neal: It turns out South Sudan is on route from Mahtomedi to Olympics
Nuni Omot and his teammates will take on the powerful U.S. men's basketball team in the Olympics.
Neal: Kuchar gathers momentum with tie for third at 3M Open
Winless since 2019, Matt Kuchar had a shot at victory at TPC Twin Cities on the final hole, but just being in the final group had him feeling back on track.
Neal: Of the NFC North's two rookie QBs, which one has the better plan?
Between the Vikings' J.J. McCarthy and the Bears' Caleb Williams, only one is supported by infrastructure for growth and development.
Neal: Twins lose again vs. baseball's best, but they can turn trend around
The Twins entered their series this week against Philadelphia with a 2-19 mark this season against the five other teams with a better record than them, but that trend can change.
Neal: Mauer had his Cooperstown moment ... next year, it's Ichiro
St. Paul's hometown hero was treated right on his Hall of Fame weekend.
Mauer is inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame in front of thousands of Twins fans
Former Twins star catcher Joe Mauer was enshrined in the Baseball Hall on Sunday in Cooperstown. The St. Paul native, who wore No. 7 in his career, is the seventh player to wear a Twins cap on his plaque.
Friends, family and former Twins flood Cooperstown ahead of Mauer ceremony
Despite massive travel delays Friday, a host of familiar faces arrived in time to help settle Joe Mauer's jitters before he officially becomes a Hall of Famer.
Seven memorable moments in Joe Mauer's career
Joe Mauer enters the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, elected on the first ballot five years after his retirement. Here are seven memorable moments in St. Paul Joe's career, from high school to the pros.
Mauer's 2009 Twins season made baseball history
Joe Mauer's third league batting title as a catcher is unmatched in MLB annals.
Neal: A tip for Mauer: Get ready for your next career as a Hall of Famer
Joe Mauer's induction into the exclusive Hall of Fame club this weekend will only be the beginning of many cherished memories and events.
Mauer makes four Hall of Famers for St. Paul's Cooperstown Corridor
Former Twins star catcher Joe Mauer is the fourth in a line of great products of Minnesota's capital city.
Neal: It's time for Twins to get what they can get for Kepler
Max Kepler is among several lefthanded hitters not yet producing for the club this season. With his contract expiring after this season, trading the longest-tenured Twin is the right move.
Neal: Oliva hit hard by the deaths of two Hall of Fame brothers
Orlando Cepeda's death on Friday night followed Willie Mays' earlier this month, and Twins great Tony Oliva was close to both.
Neal: Wild boss Guerin set up for busy weeks
The team faces an uphill battle for another season as it battles salary cap issues.
Neal: Inside Aurora's 46 days of bonding, goals and orange juice metaphors
The USL W plays a compact schedule. That hasn't stopped the Minnesota Aurora from having fun while topping the Heartland Division.
Neal: Tony Oliva remembers Willie Mays as 'the best player I've ever seen play'
Tony Oliva remembers his longtime friend, who was on a meteoric rise for the Minneapolis Millers once upon a time.
Neal: Allianz Field early proving ground for USWNT coach Hayes
When the U.S. women's national soccer team faces South Korea on Tuesday at Allianz Field, Emma Hayes will look to build off her debut.
Neal: 'Big Unit' Stecklein stands tall on defense to win another title
Since first getting the nickname from coach Ken Klee about 10 years ago, Stecklein has only grown to embody it more and more over the course of her title-studded career.
Neal: Twins face uphill climb in difficult AL Central
The Guardians and Royals are much improved, while many of the Twins players have underperformed a third of the way into the season.
Neal: Fitting for PWHL championship series to go distance
Minnesota and Boston needed nearly 100 minutes to decide a Game 4 winner; maybe they will have one more classic in store for us in the finale.
Neal: Wolves of '03-04 form ominous example for the '23-24 team
Wally Sczcerbiak and Gary Trent's advice to the team in the Western Conference finals: This chance can pass quickly.
Neal: Barkley, Shaq, TNT crew bring big joy to Target Center
"Inside the NBA" is quality entertainment, even with the questionable addition of Wolves fans' least favorite player.
Neal: NWSL's next franchise should be the Minnesota Aurora
The team enters Year 3 with plans to continue winning while drawing big crowds with an eye toward reaching the pinnacle of U.S. women's soccer.
Neal: As Canterbury's season begins, handicappers worried about gambling bill
The most recent version of the bill would ban historical horse racing, which could affect Canterbury Park's ability to rebound from losing nearly $5 million in prize money.
Neal: Baldelli content to roll DH dice with Jeffers in All-Star form
Not too long ago, running a lineup with both catchers would have been unthinkable. With Jeffers leading the AL in slugging percentage, the Twins don't mind the tradeoffs.
Neal: Can the Wolves recover? Here are five things that must happen.
The Wolves haven't lost three in a row all season. If they keep that record intact Tuesday in Denver, they'll be playing for a spot in the Western Conference finals Thursday.
Neal: Hurt most by Bally-Comcast fight? Superfans like Debbie
The most-tenured of fans can't watch their Twins on TV, and that might be the best reason of all to settle this squabble. C'mon, CEOs, figure this out.
Neal: The ceiling for these Timberwolves? There isn't one.
Book your Western Conference finals plans, Wolves fans. Beyond that? There's no reason to doubt this team can win it all.
Neal: What happens after you win a national title?
The parties start, and some don't stop. The phone rings. The contracts come. Life is good right now for basketball coaches and fans in Mankato.
Neal: A legend exits the Twin Cities pro boxing scene
At age 40, after 40 bouts and one world championship, Caleb Truax is retiring from fighting and jumping into the real estate ring.
Neal: PWHL ready to build on successful inaugural season with better names, more goals
Interest in women's sports has never been higher, and PWHL Minnesota has big plans for its future.
Neal: McCarthy mania sweeps through Vikings draft party
There was jeering, booing and yelping at U.S. Bank Stadium, where thousands of fans gathered for a Vikings draft party. And then J.J. McCarthy was picked and the mood changed.
Neal: Sweep? This Wolves-Suns series may not get to Game 5
The Timberwolves have proven that being dominated like they were by Phoenix during the regular season means nothing. But don't just assume a sweep, OK?
Neal: Twins' slow start leads to many worries
Little is working so far for the Twins, who many predicted would win the AL Central again.
Neal: Eulogy for a bad season. May the Wild's future come quickly.
A eulogy is when one says nice things about someone, right? That's the intention here as the season winds down to Thursday's final game.
Neal: Tessa Johnson still feeling Minnesota's love in S. Carolina
When Johnson committed to the Gamecocks, some people thought the leap was too big for her. But she's showed the doubters they were wrong.
Neal: From LeBron to STMA, Tessa Johnson lit up the basketball world
Tessa Johnson made Minnesota proud — especially in the Wright County towns of St. Michael and Albertville — with her stunning title game performance for South Carolina.
Neal: Let's celebrate women's basketball. Let's also do better by its players.
So many good things are happening in women's basketball at this NCAA tournament. But racism, misogyny and the unequal playing field continue to creep in.
Neal: Bremer adjusting after Twins make change in TV booth
After 40 years of Dick Bremer broadcasting Twins games, management decided to make a change in the TV booth. That has led to a very different spring for Bremer.
