Recent content from Patrick Reusse
Reusse: Casting Mauer in bronze reminds us of a glittery Twins era that didn't shine enough for some
The stretch from 2001 to the end of the decade featured batting titles and MVP and Cy Young winners. You say it lacked playoff success? Get over it.
Reusse: Wolves are kings of unpredictability; that's what makes them so fun
A whirlwind 48 hours proves the Wolves are anything but boring, and that's why they can be dangerous in the playoffs... if they can find a way to get there.
Reusse: Crying babies are no problem for Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson
Strong support from family, and his fellow netminder, have Gustavsson calmly leading the team toward the playoffs.
Reusse: LIV, with the feel of the minor leagues, exists obnoxiously in golf's background
As we reunite at the Masters with those who left for the Saudi-backed competition, we don't care who's winning at LIV and we can't stand to watch long enough to find out.
Reusse: Twins' Castro evokes Tovar's image and draws Kelly's admiration
He's the rare utility player who's in the lineup daily, at nearly any position, solving his manager's problems.
Reusse: Byron Buxton is back in the field and using his speed to torment defenses, but for how long?
After being seen as a designated hitter for the rest of his career as recent as 2023, Buxton's hard work in the offseason has him healthy and back playing center field.
Reusse: When it's all said and done, Bueckers wants the final say
Back at the women's basketball Final Four for the fourth time, former Hopkins star Paige Bueckers is looking for that elusive national championship.
Reusse: Baseball's beauty is its long, winding regular season. Make it matter. Shrink the playoffs.
Eight playoff teams is plenty, and 10 postseason wins certainly would reveal a satisfying World Series champion.
Reusse: Gophers hockey 'behind the wall'
Williams Arena was remodeled into the Pavilion after the Gophers moved across the street to the new Mariucci Arena in 1993, but hockey was played there starting in 1950.
Reusse: Injuries have rocked the Wild, but resiliency has defined them
Rash of injuries have the Wild clinging to playoff dreams, but with Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek back skating, the future looks bright again.
Reusse: Opening Day is about the Cheap Pohlads vs. Cheap DeWitts
When it comes to team ownership, two of the most disgruntled fan bases will collide when the Twins face the Cardinals on Opening Day.
Reusse: U better be ready to spend, because Medved is ready to win
After turning former Breck standout David Roddy into an NBA player, Niko Medved's hire should be a boost to keep the in-state talent in Minnesota,
Reusse: Opening Day is bearing down. Remember to laugh. It's baseball.
Nothing that happens in a single game among 162 is worth the sort of angst that fans of the NFL, NBA and NHL put themselves through.
Reusse: Hope for a Gophers women's hockey upset of Wisconsin is only that
If Badgers fans hadn't invaded Ridder Arena in numbers, maybe there'd have been loud pushback over some whistles, but not this time.
Reusse: Tragedy tinges Orono's state tournament appearance
The Spartans all season have honored Lucas Knudson, their point guard who died in a car crash the day before practice began.
Reusse: Blasi, St. Thomas battling MSU Mankato for CCHA title
From three wins in his first season to one win away from a CCHA championship, Rico Blasi and the Tommies men's hockey team are ready for their moment.
Reusse: The Bigler family of Marshall and Southwest Minnesota State makes it a far-flung basketball day
Dad Brad coached the Mustangs in the NCAA Division II tournament in Kansas while daughter Taleigha played for a high school state title in Williams Arena.
Reusse: Firing Johnson is Coyle's latest mistake in a tenure full of them
Mark Coyle's takes range from silly to delusional, and his promise of a stronger financial commitment to men's basketball doesn't add up.
Reusse: Defying status as a financial underdog, Augsburg aims for two national championships
The women's hockey team and the men's wrestling team will compete for Division III titles. "Proud to be an Auggie" indeed.
Reusse: U legend McCarville bringing world experience to prep basketball
Janel McCarville played professional basketball in eight countries over a 17-year career and now brings that experience back to her hometown in Wisconsin.
McCarville made fans of teammates and coaches, and they happily recall the era
Christina Collison called Janel McCarville a homebody; Kelly Roysland Curry couldn't keep her home. Jim Petersen exclaims over passes, Lindsay Whalen remembers surprise.
Reusse: Gophers baseball team plans a 'bulldog' approach to Big Ten slump-busting
A conversation with coach Ty McDevitt and a look at his team reveal that determination will be sought and required.
Reusse: A search for parallels to Anthony Edwards leads to Randy Moss — without the snarl
The Wolves star shows an entirely different look to his teammates and fans (though not to the refs) than Moss did: "Joyous," coach Chris Finch calls it.
Reusse: As the fan base grumbles, the Twins need a phenom more than a buyer like Ishbia
A tour through Twins history shows nothing quells an uprising more than one special youngster in spring training.
Reusse: Schoenecker Arena gives way to the next step up at St. Thomas
Two successful teams are winding up the last basketball season there. Just ahead is "The Andy," a $200 million, state-of-the-art venue made possible by Lee and Penny Anderson.
Reusse: Legacy wrestling to lead Watertown-Mayer in Class 2A tournament
Royals stars Bryce Burkett and twins Joel and Titan Friederichs are a combined 121-0 this season and going for state titles this weekend.
Reusse: Amid a gathering of alumni, Gophers sink to a bad foe's level in men's basketball
They put 90-year-old Louise Quam, ticket holder for 75 years, through that loss to last-place Penn State.
Reusse: Once we fight past soccer oddities, we see much to like about Minnesota United
Team leadership is strong, and so is ownership. Stadium financing is satisfying. If only FIFA would stay out of the way.
Reusse: Huge stakes on the court this weekend for Concordia-St. Paul
In a five-way tie at 14-6 , Concordia-St. Paul closes out the regular season with two games this weekend and the NSIC title on the line
Reusse: Gustavus, with a hometown kid as a force, overcomes St. John's for the MIAC men's basketball title
Wyatt Olson, who started college at Bemidji State before returning home, propelled the Gusties with a big second half.
Reusse: Olympic wrestler Koslowski's death leaves twin brother missing a best friend
Dennis and Duane Koslowski stuck together through some tough times for their family in South Dakota, and both went on to Olympic glory.
Reusse: Becoming Wolves owner still won't get A-Rod my Baseball Hall of Fame vote
Not-so-fond memories of Alex Rodriguez as a baseball player color the view of him as an NBA team owner in Minnesota.
Reusse: Unlike the Gophers' coaching situation, the solution for Williams Arena is simple: Blow up The Barn.
The venue's often-cited grandeur faded long ago, and it will turn 100 in 2028.
Reusse: Allen's invitation reminds us the Childress administration sure could assemble future Hall of Famers
Drafting Adrian Peterson, landing Brett Favre and working those poison pills into the Steve Hutchinson deal are all plays that paid off.
Reusse: Gophers wrestler embraces Big Ten challenge as the matter of weight weighs less on him
While going 162-1 in high school at Princeton, Tyler Wells endured moments when wrestling's stresses had him pining for fishing and hunting.
Reusse: Coach Johnson's job status is the key detail as various factors and a bad team sink the Gophers
Blame the refs; you know somebody will. Question who plays when. But know what matters most is the end of a winning streak that seemed to be the coach's best hope.
Reusse: Architect of a men's hockey miracle in Mankato aims for the same with Wisconsin
Mike Hastings, in town for a Gophers-Badgers series, is enduring a sub-.500 season after making the NCAA tournament in his first season in Madison.
Reusse: From a no-name hire to the top of the NFL coaching world, Chiefs' Reid goes for ring No. 4
Andy Reid and his cherished toy, Patrick Mahomes, will take on the Eagles for the second time in three years with the Lombardi Trophy at stake. Former Vikings coach Brad Childress was with him long before he was developing quarterbacks and winning Super Bowl titles.
Reusse: Before he became leader of the NFL's Bills, quarterback proved others wrong and his Wyoming coach right
Craig Bohl coached Josh Allen at Wyoming, where he began as lightly regarded, then caught NFL eyes and then delayed his pro time because he hadn't won enough college football games.
Reusse: AFC title game has us flashing back to Taylor Swift and Katy Perry beefing. Thank goodness America's differences are all patched up now.
Yes, this is a football column. See the portion about Blake Elliott from St. John's making the College Football Hall of Fame.
Ambitious South Dakota State women's basketball team visits St. Thomas on Wednesday
South Dakota State coach Aaron Johnston runs a strong mid-major program that believes in tough scheduling. His Jackrabbits roster features several Minnesota natives.
Reusse: Willard Ikola's hockey journey led him from Iron Range fame to unparalleled high school coaching success
A star prep goalie in Eveleth, a college All-America, an Olympian and Edina's trailblazing coach died Monday at age 92.
Reusse: Darnold's flash-and-flop moment with Vikings comes with parallels in Minnesota history
A couple of other quarterbacks fit that pattern, and the Twins, Lynx, Gophers and North Stars all have made boom-and-bust hires.
Reusse: Drake Dobbs has a chance to end his career with a championship at St. Thomas
After missing out on the chance to win a Minnesota state title with Eden Prairie in 2020, Dobbs returned home and is leading St. Thomas to new heights.
Reusse: There's only one Bob Uecker — forever a baseball funnyman and Milwaukee's famous 'cheeser'
Longtime Milwaukee Brewers radio broadcaster Bob Uecker died Thursday at age 90, leaving behind a legacy that will not be matched.
Reusse: If only Vikings fans had their own version of 'Uncle Carl,' Monday's heartbreak may have been spared
Monday's season-ending loss to the Rams was nothing new to generations of Minnesota fans. However, it was an introduction for the next generation of what to expect as Vikings fans.
Reusse: Los Angeles proved itself as a football town, but the baseball Dodgers and basketball Lakers still reign
L.A. went 21 years without an NFL team and still came to rule North America as a pro sports spot.
Reusse: The Wild's grip on their supporters stands out as Minnesota's firmest
A Thursday visit to St. Paul on a night when Notre Dame played important football revealed a full house at Xcel Energy Center. That settles it.
Reusse: Edina-Minnetonka hockey showdown to benefit 'Sophie's Squad'
Friday's games between Edina and Minnetonka to be a substantial fundraiser for Sophie's Squad — a growing mental health initiative named in memory of Sophie Wieland, a 14-year-old hockey player from Sartell who took her life in 2021.
Reusse: The Lance family of Marshall, Minn., lingers in its own football universe: Frisco, Texas
That's where Trey Lance prepared before starting for the Cowboys on Sunday, and where Bryce Lance will play for the FCS national title with North Dakota State on Monday.
Reusse: Bryce Lance's 'famous' catch propels North Dakota State into FCS title game
After one catch in three years, Bryce Lance — younger brother of NFL QB Trey Lance — sent North Dakota State to the FCS title game with a game-winning touchdown that made him 'Internet famous.'
Reusse: Pavia paves way for JUCO athletes to gain more NCAA eligibility
Jerry Kill's quarterback at New Mexico State, Diego Pavia, sued the NCAA, seeking to regain eligibility used at junior college.
Reusse: Where do the 2024 Vikings rank among Minnesota sports surprises?
Here are the top 10 "most unlikely" successful teams in Minnesota sports since 1960, as determined by the wisest and most objective source you could hope to find.
Reusse: Family time for Cashman means he's playing and the family's watching
Mother Corinne said attendance was "30 or 35 of us altogether," all dealing with Blake's holiday norm, described by brother Austen: "No Christmas involving him when there's a game to be played."
Reusse: In this lifetime of constant change in sports, a few requests
More baseballs hitting more bats would be nice. In the NFL and WNBA, better officiating, now. In the NBA, longer and fewer three-pointers, please. And yes, I can keep going.
Reusse: As Packers arrive, let's go through their QB history. Brett Favre. Aaron Rodgers. That'll do for now.
Their latest quarterback, Jordan Love, has three decades of success, staying power and controversy to live up to.
Reusse: Iconic Mud Bowl still brings a smile to older generations of Vikings fans
Vikings 14-7 victory over the Rams during the 1977 playoffs is legendary... not for the victory, but because of the field conditions turning it into the Mud Bowl.
Reusse: Basketball coach puts his memories, his yarns, his time in the game into words
Jay Pivec, who spent 20 years at Minneapolis Community and Technical College and also coached at Dakota Tech and St. Thomas among others, is publishing his memoir, "The Book of Piv."
Reusse: High praise for Vikings leaders O'Connell, Adofo-Mensah
The head coach and general manager didn't just trend toward perfection these past 12 months. They achieved it.
Reusse: Chicago sports hits an all-time low with lousy teams, including self-destructing Bears
The Windy City has fallen on tough times, although long-time media members insist the fans will stick through thick and thin.
Reusse: Bethel was a surprise to even reach the DIII quarterfinals, but ending still stings
The Royals had three moments late in Saturday's loss when they thought they had the game pretty much won, but Susquehanna still pulled out the victory.
Reusse: Wild vs. Flyers brings much hockey history to mind
The NHL's coaching carousel revealed itself again, a fight reminded us what has changed, and of course there was unpredictable matter involving a goalie.
Reusse: Love meter shows Twins rank low on Minnesota's list
Talk of competing for the best players or of a potential new owner wielding big bucks doesn't change this: They are last in popularity among the four major men's pro sports.
Bethel football will attempt to do what St. John's couldn't: beat Susquehanna
The Bethel Royals will take a walk through history Saturday, playing in the Division III quarterfinals on Amos Alonzo Stagg Field in Susquehanna, Pa.
Reusse: Bethel's star safety Jung wasn't always a towering giant on the field
Matt Jung was the scrawny brother growing up in a sports-loving family, and now he's become a ball-hawking force for the Royals, entering the Division III quarterfinals.
Reusse: When Plitzuweit talks basketball, it's a serious conversation
The Gophers women's basketball coach will lead her team against Nebraska on Sunday, testing that 10-0 record against Big Ten competition.
Reusse: Michigan came in loud, but Gophers men's hockey made all the noise
With a talented squad taking the ice night after night, the Gophers men's hockey team shows it is up for any challenge.
St. Paul native Mendez, aka 'Pops,' emerges as a go-to receiver for St. John's
Marselio Mendez transferred to St. John's from a North Dakota junior college and has been one of the main pass targets for quarterback Aaron Syverson.
Reusse: Izzo enters 30th Big Ten basketball opener as a head coach filled with memories at The Barn
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo also visited Williams Arena as a player at Northern Michigan and as an assistant coach for the Spartans under Jud Heathcote.
Reusse: St. John's turns to shapeshifting to overcome Wisconsin-La Crosse in Division III playoffs
The Johnnies, handed a stern challenge for their opener thanks to an expanded bracket, fooled 3,317 spectators and one entire defense with trick play "Rampage."
Reusse: Timberwolves' two new pieces present a challenge with their playing styles
The team will need to get used to Julius Randle's dribbling, and there's evidence Donte DiVincenzo should be limited to catch-and-shoot offense and turned loose on defense.
Patrick Reusse's 2024 Turkey of the Year winner is …
Evidence exists that some recent Grand Turkeys changed their behavior after receiving the prestigious honor. Inspired, The Chairman declares this the Make the Turkeys Great Again era.
Reusse: State boxing scene has been put on hold
The Armory is about to go a full year without having played host to boxing, the sport that helped ring in the building's return to relevance in downtown Minneapolis.
Reusse: Minneota seeks another state football championship
Small town has won handfuls of state titles with lots of parent involvement, some versatile coaches.
Reusse: After all this time, we finally care about the Timberwolves
Led by Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, this year's iteration of the Wolves are something all Minnesotans can get behind.
