Recent content from Patrick Reusse
Reusse: Taylor's story. 'I just bought the Minnesota Timberwolves.'
Thirty years ago, Glen Taylor went from frustrated mediator to NBA owner with a phone call, some writing on the back of an envelope and a handshake in a conference room full of lawyers and accountants.
Reusse: Back from injury, Towns doesn't have to carry load
It is now nine years since Flip Saunders selected Karl-Anthony Towns, and the Wolves are finally enjoying a season comparable to the excellence of 2003-04.
Reusse: Payroll-cutting Twins no match for big-spending Dodgers
Unstoppable forces met Tuesday at Target Field, those being Tyler Glasnow's pitching prowess and the Twins' spectacular ability to strike out.
Reusse: 'The Tonk' crisscrossed globe before returning to Twins
Quirky reliever Michael "The Tonk" Tonkin has played in Japan, Mexico, even Lew Ford's Long Island Ducks before being reacquired on Tuesday.
Reusse: Correa follows Twins lineage as team's next great, and greatest, shortstop
Shortstop Carlos Correa "is the complete package," said former Twins shortstop Roy Smalley. Starting Season 3 in Minnesota, he will be the Twins' best-ever shortstop.
Reusse's impressions from the home opener. (He's not a happy columnist.)
The Twins opened their 15th season in Target Field on Thursday, and 24 hours later, witnesses can state the most positive element of the experience was the weather: 48 degrees and sunny
Reusse: Another N.C. State team a big part of college ball's golden age
Men's college basketball was in a golden age in the 1980s, and Jim Valvano's Wolfpack helped make it so with a run of upsets that led them to the NCAA title. Is there another such run coming?
Reusse: Hynes, Wild go out gambling by pulling goalie in OT
In the spirit of Minnesota's sporting past, coach John Hynes took a courageous gamble and lost, costing the Wild against Vegas.
Reusse: '89 Gophers came close to a title. Now some of their sons have their chance.
Dave Snuggerud, Lance Pitlick and their 1989 Gophers teammates are waiting to see if Jimmy Snuggerud, Rhett Pitlick and others can finish on top.
Reusse: Taylor on sale for Wolves, Lynx falling through: 'It's business'
"Everyone has the right to bring in the lawyers," Glen Taylor said after Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez didn't hit deadlines to complete the purchase of the Timberwolves and Lynx.
Got time for a tale? Reusse muses on Mankato, Winona, West Texas and St. Thomas
An NCAA Division II semifinal game in men's basketball has a lot of ties to Minnesota powerhouse teams.
Reusse: Dark cloud looming over the Twins as season begins
Closer Jhoan Duran's injury is just the poster for a horrible spring training for a Twins pitching staff that already suffered from a lack of depth.
Reusse: Boys basketball continues surge under four-class tournament
The old two-class system brings about nostalgia, but the eye-popping talent in Saturday's championship games should be appreciated.
Reusse: Who's lying in this Ohtani debacle?
Betting, bookies, lies, theft — the barely begun baseball season has taken one on the chin.
Reusse: Ugly game, beautiful ending gets 2 Mankato teams to Elite Eight
Minnesota State Mankato's women blew out its opponent to move into the NCAA Division II quarterfinals this weekend. Then, the men took a very different path.
Reusse: Minnesota-bred big men help Wisconsin fell Purdue and its giant, Edey
Ex-Twin Cities high school standouts Steven Crowl, Tyler Wahl and Nolan Winter all fouled out, but Wisconsin still outlasted Purdue in overtime, 76-75.
Reusse: Why Augsburg, heavyweight star deserve their spotlight
Tyler Kim and the Auggies will be battling for another Division III wrestling title this weekend in Wisconsin.
Reusse: Transformational drink of water led Breck boys hoops over Minneapolis North
The Class 2A, Section 5 championship pitted two dangerous teams with star names in tow, but only one could break its fast.
Reusse: St. Cloud Cathedral's title was a tribute to Mack Motzko
Mack Motzko, who died in July 2021, played for Cathedral but was at Minnetonka during the Crusaders' 2019 Class 1A championship.
Reusse: Caitlin Clark hype has been percolating for years - and I saw it coming
Back when Caitlin Clark was just coming onto the national radar Patrick Reusse knew this would happen: She's going to be a star. Sure enough, Target Center was sold out Friday.
Reusse: Last call for Lou Nanne at this year's state hockey tournament
Nanne is providing TV commentary for the last time at the 2A boys hockey tournament. But that doesn't mean he's slowing down at age 83.
Reusse: With new pressing tactics, Loons fans could be in for a fun season
Minnesota United's home opener featured a Liverpool-style, high-intensity press that left even Patrick Reusse begrudgingly entertained.
Reusse: With playoffs looming, Gophers hockey honors the men who won it first
Motzko's boys are gearing up for another playoff push. They could learn a thing or two from Herbie's boys, winners of the program's first NCAA title in 1974.
Reusse: Master at throwing batting practice replaced by machines
Phil Roof has been invited to spring training with the Twins for 63 years and he could lob a home run ball with the best of them. In that department, his services are no longer needed.
Reusse: Buxton is back in center field. If he stays there, watch out
Byron Buxton is 30 years old and hoping to convince everyone — including himself — that the good parts of his baseball story have not yet been written in full.
Reusse: Payroll, Pohlad debates swirl around Twins pitching lineup
Sonny Gray is now with the Cardinals and the Twins are taking their chances with cost-effective arms. But are the Rays really the team to emulate?
Reusse: Anderson still maintaining Gophers-Twins bond established by Siebert
Ahead of Friday's exhibition game vs. the Twins, and his final season as Gophers coach, John Anderson looked back fondly on a decadeslong relationship between the Minnesota baseball teams.
Reusse: Thielbar turns second chance with Twins into a career
Lefthander Caleb Thielbar, now 37, was nearly out of pro baseball several times. Since 2020, he's stayed in the majors and become a reliable option out of the Twins' bullpen.
Reusse: Prank phone calls, fights and, yes, some baseball in 50 years of spring training memories
The little moments created special memories. It was all fun until Sid showed up.
Reusse: Four unsung heroes pulling their weight in Fort Myers
The mules of the Twins' spring training offer far more value than their lack of name recognition would indicate.
Reusse: Not much Varland can't do — but can he start for Twins?
The North St. Paul native has a phenomenal work ethic instilled by his family. He can wrestle, drywall and throw a fastball in the upper 90s, but he enters spring training without a clearly defined role.
Reusse: Austin Martin is an intriguing name for Twins spring training
After working his way through the minors, is he ready to make an impact in the major leagues?
Reusse: The long, hopeful road of Twins prospect Matt Canterino
Canterino was a second round draft pick in 2019, but his early career was marred by the pandemic and arm injuries. Now he's ready, again, for spring training.
Reusse: 'Zmolek' still a big name in hockey, from Rochester to Florida
There are three Zmoleks playing pro hockey, sons of a former North Stars defenseman who was a high school standout in southern Minnesota.
Reusse: The Old Sportswriter tries fitting in with the growing influence of influencers
Super Bowl week has the Star Tribune's senior sports columnist pondering the power of Taylor Swift, social media and a new profession.
Reusse: '90-91 North Stars prove no Wild dreams are too outlandish
Never say never. If those chaotic North Stars can make it to the Stanley Cup Final, who's to say what this year's Wild might do?
Reusse: Growing from failure pushes St. Thomas women toward success
The Tommies spent their first two seasons being regularly overmatched in their move to Division I. But players grew from the things that went wrong.
Reusse: Newest Twins Hall member earned it with coaching impact
From young prospects to big-league mainstays, decades of players in the Twins organization spent time with the late Rick Stelmaszek.
Reusse: Here's proof that pinch hitting for Mauer is no easy job
Stepping in for Mauer was no picnic this week. The crowd probably wished the Cooperstown schedule had played out differently.
Reusse: After 60 years, hockey writing legend still a force for the sport
Longtime sportswriter and car reviewer John Gilbert keeps preaching the gospel of puck, and his story is one to share as Hockey Day Minnesota approaches.
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Reusse: Mauer's boyhood friends and mentors say he's 'the same old Joe'
The former Twins star was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first try Tuesday. Don't expect it to change him much.
Reusse: The road to Cooperstown began on Lexington Parkway
Joe Mauer was not born with a silver bat in his hands, as those around the St. Paul playgrounds in the 1990s can attest.
Reusse: Oliva says 'no reason' Mauer should have to wait for Hall call
One Twins great reflects on another, and the joys of making baseball's Hall.
Reusse: After win vs. Iowa, Blockhus boost for Gophers is real
Gophers wrestler has his eyes set on a national championship.
Reusse: For Lions faithful, a thrill ... with a side of suspicion
KFAN radio host Dan Cole and other longtime Lions fans and observers aren't yet uncorking a full-on celebration. These are, after all, the Detroit Lions.
Reusse: Feisty brother-sister pair stand out for U hockey, SCSU wrestling
Don't mess with the Murphys. Abbey is a tenacious redshirt junior forward at the Gophers, with an Olympic silver medal on her résumé. Dominic is an All-America at 197 pounds for St. Cloud State. Their battles growing up made them closer than ever now.
No. 2 Gophers women's hockey absorbs rare blowout loss to top-ranked Buckeyes
Friday night's 7-0 loss matched the worst NCAA defeat in program history.
Reusse: Minnesota college basketball shines with diamonds in the rough
Between St. Thomas stars now excelling in D-I and recent powerhouse St. John's, there's plenty to like at lower levels.
McElroy, Bethel's defensive coordinator, named head coach
Mike McElroy replaces the retired Steve Johnson, who had been the Royals coach for 35 years, elevating the program to perennial powerhouse in the MIAC and Division III.
Kevin Tapani clears up name background: 'That is true; we're Finnish'
The former Twins pitcher is from Escanaba in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a community with deep Finnish roots.
Reusse: Finland native Tapani's ringette skills shine for PWHL Minnesota
Along with playing on two Olympic and five World Champion hockey teams, Susanna Tapani also excels at her homeland's other major ice sport.
Reusse: Among sports characters, 'Slick' was as good as it gets
Billy Gardner died last week at 96, but in the five years he spent managing the Twins, he proved himself a one-of-a-kind character in the local sporting scene.
Reusse: U's gold medalists return to a coach who knows the grind
Bob Motzko knew he'd be losing some Gophers well before the Team USA roster dropped. Fortunately, he's well-versed in navigating the comedown.
Reusse: Gophers showing some teeth in third season under Johnson
Ben Johnson got a true Year Zero in the wake of Pitino's departure and the transfer portal. Three seasons later, things are coming together.
Reusse: Salute to the man who kept 'em entertained at Williams Arena
Thanks for the memories, Mike Monson, the man who kept the fun alive in pregame shows for Gophers men's basketball games — and in clubs, schools and beyond.
Reusse: Gophers men's programs await brilliance from a pair of north stars
Small-town heroes Koi Perich, a football safety from Esko, and Isaac Asuma, basketball guard from Cherry, are on the way.
Reusse: LeBron's longevity puts him in league of his own
The NBA superstar and his Los Angeles Lakers face the Timberwolves on Saturday for his 39th birthday.
A Twin Cities connection weighs in on LeBron James, his teammate for 22 games
Ricky Davis, once a Timberwolves player and now Minneapolis North coach, saw the King James era coming.
Reusse: Forgettable Gophers season ends with victory in Basement Bowl
The Gophers beat Bowling Green in the Quick Lane Bowl on Tuesday, but many experts pegged the game as the worst of the 41 bowl matchups.
Reusse: Which Minnesota teams are on the nice list this holiday season?
Minnesota's four major men's sports franchises have brought a little joy, each in their own way, to this holiday season.
Reusse: Quick Lane Bowl absurd? Gophers' first bowl game had oddities, too.
The Gophers' appearance in the Quick Lane Bowl with a losing record sent columnist Patrick Reusse to the newspaper archives, looking for tales of their first bowl game: The Rose Bowl on Jan. 2, 1961.
St. Thomas signs 20 football recruits, including two QBs, four linebackers
Tommies coach Glenn Caruso now has five quarterbacks on the roster for a team that went 10-1 last season.
Reusse: Albany, Providence Academy battle in a game worthy of March
The Huskies and Lions girls basketball teams each have a standout player in Alyssa Sand and Maddyn Greenway, and the teams have a history of meeting in the state tournament. Who would prevail this time?
Morrell beats Agbeko in second-round TKO at Armory
It was the final fight of the final night of boxing for Showtime after nearly four decades.
Reusse: A Wild turnaround from top to bottom
Since hiring John Hynes as head coach, the Wild have gone 7-2. But off the ice, questions still linger.
Morrell Jr., Agbeko face off at Armory in Showtime's final boxing card
It's the end of an era for televised boxing, and local fans will get a front-row seat with Minneapolis' adopted favorite Morrell Jr. headlining the card.
Reusse: Coyle, don't let U baseball wither after Anderson retires
With John Anderson retiring in 2024 after coaching the Gophers for 43 seasons, athletic director Mark Coyle should bolster the baseball program with a great who's already in town.
Reusse: Foolish for Gophers to keep avoiding St. Thomas hoops rivalry
There's plenty of entertaining crosstown and cross-state college basketball rivalries across the country, pitting large public universities against smaller private schools. This should be another.
Reusse: Gophers from this Illinois prep team are women on a mission
The Gophers can trace a lineage from the record-setting Megan Bozek to Abbey Murphy's antics in Friday's victory vs. Wisconsin.
Reusse: How we got to know this boxing champ, and where he'll go next
Boxing fans in Minnesota get a chance to see the talented Cuban fight again this week. It might be the last time we see the champ around here.
For Gophers, Badgers women's hockey, Chicago Mission players have a legacy of excellence
The Gophers can trace a lineage from the record-setting Megan Bozek to Abbey Murphy's antics in Friday's victory vs. Wisconsin.
Reusse: Move over, men's college basketball. It's time for the women
Recent seasons and current stars recognizable by first name — Caitlin, Angel, Paige — prove it: The women's college game continues to rise above a muddled men's side.
Reusse: Gophers, South St. Paul legend Carter left behind legacy rich in friendship
Old teammates recount fond memories of the hockey and football star after his passing in late November.
Reusse: These Wolves just had a month for the history books
Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker is becoming a fixture during the team's most successful month yet.
Reusse: Don't worry about Evason. Hockey coaches are just like cats.
Nowhere in North America's four major men's sports can a coach find himself on the way out as suddenly as in the NHL — or on the way back in after getting fired,
