Monday, July 31 marks the one year anniversary of the day HSGN went online as a new resource in high school sports and game shows.
HSGN began after examiner.com, the website the creator of this blog wrote since January 2011 went out of business, leaving him a bit distraught. Over the last six years as a high school sports examiner, many state tournaments were attended without buying a ticket and acquaintances were made as well as the opportunity to interview athletes, coaches, tournament personnel and fellow media members. But on July 10, examiner.com folded and it gave an opportunity to continue writing on his own. So that gave to the birth of HSGN.
The focus was very similar to what was written for examiner.com and also included college and professional sports. Also included were stories about game shows past and present to broaden the scope of material for HSGN.
Over the inaugural year, HSGN still covered the Prep Bowl and the state basketball and hockey tournaments. There were also stories about St, Louis Park High School and Groves Academy games that the creator also does the public address announcing. In september, HSGN took a drive to Woodbury to cover the Homecoming game between the East Ridge Raptors and the Woodbury Royals and do an interview with the Raptors top running back who will now be playing for new Minnesota Golden Gopher head coach P.J. Fleck, Dominick London.
Another road trip took place in November when HSGN covered the Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights Class AAAA state quarterfinal football game at Chisago Lakes High School in Lindstrom. The Red Knights would go on to win their first state title with wins over Marshall and Winona.
Basketball and hockey were hot topics in a cold winter for HSGN. In addition to St. Louis Park hockey and Groves Academy basketball, there was coverage of the Breakdown Tip Off Classic at Hopkins High School in December and plenty of state tournament coverage in March that also included the DeLaSalle Islanders sixth straight Class AAA title. Following the state tournament, head coach Dave Thorson resigned to become an assistant coach at Drake University in Des Moines, IA. He was replaced by former Islander Travis Bledsoe. HSGN was also present to cover one of the most memorable state boys hockey championship games when the Hermantown Hawks beat the Monticello/Annandale/Maple Lake Moose in double overtime to win their second consecutive state Class A title. It was also the final state title for Hawks head coach Bruce Plante as he retired after a long career at the Twin Ports high school.
As the weather got warmer and athletes starting playing outside, HSGN was on hand for St. Louis Park lacrosse and baseball. The creator also made his debut as the PA voice for Oriole baseball for the first time since he started announcing at the school in 1995.
In addition, there were historical pieces on game shows, such as the 50th anniversary of Hollywood Squares' debut and the 60th anniversary of the birth of a show that became a bigger hit in it's revival, The Price is Right.
What lies ahead for HSGN in Year Two? Staying with it's mission in covering high school sports as well as writing about other levels of competition and game shows. There's a lot more to come once fall sports practice begins August 14.
Monday, July 31, 2017
Monday, July 17, 2017
Two New Head Coaches in Girls High School Hockey
Next season, there will be a couple of new head coaches in Minnesota girls high school hockey.
The first is Shjon Podein, who will be the new head coach at Benilde-St. Margaret's, replace Dave Herbst, who stepped down following last season.
Podein, who played 11 years in the NHL is no stranger to the St. Louis Park athletic scene. From 2011 to 2013, he was the head boys hockey coach for the St. Louis Park Orioles but he resigned after two years to spend more time with his family.
The other new coach is Randy Koeppl, who will take over the Holy Family/Waconia Wildfire.
Koeppl, a graduate of Bloomington Jefferson was a goalie on the Jaguars 1992 and 1993 state championship teams, alternating with Jeff Heil. He also was a youth coach in the Eden Prairie association and recently served as an assistant at Hopkins High School under another former Jaguar, Cory Peterson.
There were many other coaching changes according to Let's Play Hockey but these were some of the new program leaders.
The first is Shjon Podein, who will be the new head coach at Benilde-St. Margaret's, replace Dave Herbst, who stepped down following last season.
Podein, who played 11 years in the NHL is no stranger to the St. Louis Park athletic scene. From 2011 to 2013, he was the head boys hockey coach for the St. Louis Park Orioles but he resigned after two years to spend more time with his family.
The other new coach is Randy Koeppl, who will take over the Holy Family/Waconia Wildfire.
Koeppl, a graduate of Bloomington Jefferson was a goalie on the Jaguars 1992 and 1993 state championship teams, alternating with Jeff Heil. He also was a youth coach in the Eden Prairie association and recently served as an assistant at Hopkins High School under another former Jaguar, Cory Peterson.
There were many other coaching changes according to Let's Play Hockey but these were some of the new program leaders.
Original Twins Broadcaster Passes Away
Bob Wolff, who has been on the air for 78 years, including a stint with the Minnesota Twins died July 15 at the age of 96.
HHe began his career in 1339 while he was a student at Duke University, working at the campus radio station. He worked for the CBS station in Durham, NC before becoming the broadcast voice of the Washington Senators in 1947. Wolff remained with the team until they moved to Minnesota and became the Twins in 1961.
Wolff was part of the Twins original broadcast team that included Ray Scott and Halsey Hall. They all worked both radio and TV. Wolff would leave the Twins following their inaugural season to go to NBC's Game of the Week coverage and also the Madison Square Garden Network. He would be replaced by a man who would eventually be the Voice of the Twins for 44 years, Herb Carneal.
When Wolff called baseball at NBC, his sidekick, in his first stint with the network was Joe Garagiola. Prior to joining NBC, he did the play-by-play for Mutual's Game of the day that also included the 1956 World Series. Wolff was behind the mike when Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in World Series history that year.
In his long tenure with Madison Square Garden, he broadcast many events, including the Knicks on WOR-TV in New York and the Rangers and was also the long time voice of the Westminster Kennel Club dog show that has aired for years on the USA Network. He also broadcast horse shows, tennis, boxing, bowling and boxing.
Wolff also broadcast football and was the network radio voice for the classic 1958 NFL Championship game between the New York Giants and the Baltimore Colts.
Before concluding his record setting career, Wolff worked for News 12 Long Island. He was also the author of the book Bob Wolff's Complete Guide to Sportscasting, which was published in 2011.
A long running and versatile voice that has entertained and informed fans for almost eight decades has gone silent. Though he didn't work for a team longer than Vin Scully with the Dodgers, Wolff has had a long and storied career well into his 90s. May he rest in peace.
HHe began his career in 1339 while he was a student at Duke University, working at the campus radio station. He worked for the CBS station in Durham, NC before becoming the broadcast voice of the Washington Senators in 1947. Wolff remained with the team until they moved to Minnesota and became the Twins in 1961.
Wolff was part of the Twins original broadcast team that included Ray Scott and Halsey Hall. They all worked both radio and TV. Wolff would leave the Twins following their inaugural season to go to NBC's Game of the Week coverage and also the Madison Square Garden Network. He would be replaced by a man who would eventually be the Voice of the Twins for 44 years, Herb Carneal.
When Wolff called baseball at NBC, his sidekick, in his first stint with the network was Joe Garagiola. Prior to joining NBC, he did the play-by-play for Mutual's Game of the day that also included the 1956 World Series. Wolff was behind the mike when Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in World Series history that year.
In his long tenure with Madison Square Garden, he broadcast many events, including the Knicks on WOR-TV in New York and the Rangers and was also the long time voice of the Westminster Kennel Club dog show that has aired for years on the USA Network. He also broadcast horse shows, tennis, boxing, bowling and boxing.
Wolff also broadcast football and was the network radio voice for the classic 1958 NFL Championship game between the New York Giants and the Baltimore Colts.
Before concluding his record setting career, Wolff worked for News 12 Long Island. He was also the author of the book Bob Wolff's Complete Guide to Sportscasting, which was published in 2011.
A long running and versatile voice that has entertained and informed fans for almost eight decades has gone silent. Though he didn't work for a team longer than Vin Scully with the Dodgers, Wolff has had a long and storied career well into his 90s. May he rest in peace.
Sunday, July 9, 2017
At the Halfway Point of the 2017 Baseball Season
Following the Detroit-Cleveland game Sunday night, the 2017 baseball season will pause for the All Star Break. Here are some highlights and lowlights of the season's first half as well as the potential playoff picture if the season ended.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Best team: Astros They already have 60 wins going into the All Star Break and the league's best record. Despite losing ace Dallas Keuchel to a neck injury, they have a very solid lineup anchored by the middle infield duo of second baseman Jose Altuve and shortstop Carlos Correa. Add an excellent leadoff hitter in George Springer and they have a very solid team. Can they sustain the excellence of the first half into October?
Surprise Team: Twins. Last season, the Twins lost a franchise record 103 games. This season, the Twins have been in and out of first place are three games behind the AL Central Indians. They have a pretty good lineup with Miguel Sano, Brian Dozier and Max Kepler and the emergence of Byron Buxton after a slow start has kept the Twins in contention. But they really need pitching help. The bullpen has been going like the revolving door at the IDS Center but there have been bright spots in set up man Trevor Rogers and closer Brandon Kintzler. Will the addition of Bartolo Colon help the Twins pitching staff or be their downfall? It could give them a potential wild card berth.
Disappointing Team: Blue Jays. After two seasons in the playoffs, the Blue Jays got off to a slow start due to the injury to Josh Donaldson and are currently at the bottom of the AL East. The loss of Edwin Encarnacion to the Indians via free agency left Canada's team without a big bat in the lineup. On the pitching side, the departure of knuckleballer R.A. Dickey to the Braves left a gap in the rotation. Will the Blue Jays buy or sell before the trading deadline?
Rookie of the Year: Aaron Judge, Yankees. Not only could Judge win the Rookie of the Year award unanimously, he could also merit consideration for AL MVP. He broke a 81 year old rookie record for home runs that was set by Joe DiMaggio in 1936 that's now at 30 and he's been the key to the Yankees contending in the AL East. Can Number 99 be Number One in post season voting?
Cy Young Winner: Chris Sale, Red Sox. There is joy this season in Red Sox Nation following the acquisition of Sale in the offseason. He has given the Red Sox pitching depth and power to a deep and potent lineup.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Best Team: Dodgers. The Dodgers have baseball's best record by .004 percentage points over the Astros and they have broken open a tight NL West race that also included the Diamondbacks and Rockies. Their pitching has been the key with Clayton Kershaw picking up his 14th win Sunday with Alex Wood and Kenta Maeda also contributed to the team's success. They also have a solid infield with Rookie of the Year candidate Cody Bellinger who has 25 home runs, Corey Seager at third base and Justin Turner at shortstop. Bellinger has been playing first with Adrian Gonzalez on the disabled list. They look like a team that could be playing well into October.
Surprise Team: Brewers. Since their last trip to the playoffs in 2001, the Brewers have finished third twice and fourth three times in the NL Central. They have had success without Ryan Braun, who was isdelined due to an injury and got production from Travis Shaw and Domingo Santana. But the biggest surprise has been Eric Thames who leads the team with 23 home runs, including 11 in April. In the pitching department, Zach Davies and Jimmy Nelson have anchored the starters and Corey Knebel leads the team with 13 saves. Can the Brewers stay on top or will the Cubs overtake them to earn a return trip to the postseason.
Disappointing team: Giants. After ending their run of even year titles last season, the Giants hit bottom with the loss of Madison Bumgarner due to a dirt bike accident in April. Since moving from New York after the 1957 season, the Giants only season where they lost 100 games was 1985. Can they avoid their first 100 loss season in 32 years.
Most Valuable Player: Take your pick. Bryce Harper of the Nationals or Kershaw. Both have been the keys to their team's success this season and the voting should be close.
Cy Young Award: Max Scherzer, Nationals. It could be a two way race at the end of the season between Kershaw and Scherzer but for first half Cy Young, Scherzer would win by a close margin. He has been very consistent in strikeout totals so far this season.
IF THE SEASON ENDED TODAY
Here's what the playoff pairings would look like:
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Wild Card: Yankees vs. Rays
ALDS: Astros vs. Wild Card Winner
Red Sox vs. Indians
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Wild Card: Rockies vs. Diamondbacks
NLDS: Dodgers vs. Brewers
Nationals vs. Wild Card Winner
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Best Team: Dodgers. The Dodgers have baseball's best record by .004 percentage points over the Astros and they have broken open a tight NL West race that also included the Diamondbacks and Rockies. Their pitching has been the key with Clayton Kershaw picking up his 14th win Sunday with Alex Wood and Kenta Maeda also contributed to the team's success. They also have a solid infield with Rookie of the Year candidate Cody Bellinger who has 25 home runs, Corey Seager at third base and Justin Turner at shortstop. Bellinger has been playing first with Adrian Gonzalez on the disabled list. They look like a team that could be playing well into October.
Surprise Team: Brewers. Since their last trip to the playoffs in 2001, the Brewers have finished third twice and fourth three times in the NL Central. They have had success without Ryan Braun, who was isdelined due to an injury and got production from Travis Shaw and Domingo Santana. But the biggest surprise has been Eric Thames who leads the team with 23 home runs, including 11 in April. In the pitching department, Zach Davies and Jimmy Nelson have anchored the starters and Corey Knebel leads the team with 13 saves. Can the Brewers stay on top or will the Cubs overtake them to earn a return trip to the postseason.
Disappointing team: Giants. After ending their run of even year titles last season, the Giants hit bottom with the loss of Madison Bumgarner due to a dirt bike accident in April. Since moving from New York after the 1957 season, the Giants only season where they lost 100 games was 1985. Can they avoid their first 100 loss season in 32 years.
Most Valuable Player: Take your pick. Bryce Harper of the Nationals or Kershaw. Both have been the keys to their team's success this season and the voting should be close.
Cy Young Award: Max Scherzer, Nationals. It could be a two way race at the end of the season between Kershaw and Scherzer but for first half Cy Young, Scherzer would win by a close margin. He has been very consistent in strikeout totals so far this season.
IF THE SEASON ENDED TODAY
Here's what the playoff pairings would look like:
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Wild Card: Yankees vs. Rays
ALDS: Astros vs. Wild Card Winner
Red Sox vs. Indians
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Wild Card: Rockies vs. Diamondbacks
NLDS: Dodgers vs. Brewers
Nationals vs. Wild Card Winner
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Santana and Sano Selected to 2017 AL All Star Team
Two Twins will be playing in the 2017 All Star Game.
Third baseman Miguel Sano and pitcher Ervin Santana were selected as reserves by AL manager Terry Francona. Though Sano had a sizable lead heading into the final days of fan voting, he came up short against Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez.
Here are the starters for the American League:
C: Salvador Perez-Royals
1B: Justin Smoak-Blue Jays
2B: Jose Altuve-Astros
SS: Carlos Correa-Astros
3B: Jose Ramirez-Indians
OF: Aaron Judge-Yankees
OF: Mike Trout-Angels (will not play due to injury; replacement TBA)
OF: George Springer-Astros
DH: Corey Dickerson-Rays
AL Reserves and Pitchers (By Team)
Orioles-2B Jonathan Schoop
Red Sox-OF Mookie Betts; P Chris Sale and Craig Kimbel
White Sox-OF Avisail Garcia
Indians-SS Francisco Lindor; OF Michael Brantley; P Corey Kluber and Andrew Miller
Tigers-P Andrew Fulmer
Astros-P Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers Jr.
Royals-P Jason Vargas
Twins-3b Miguel Sano and P Ervin Santana
Yankees-C Gary Sanchez; 2b Starlin Castro; P Luis Severino and Dylan Betances
A's- 1B Yonder Alonso
Mariners-DH Nelson Cruz
Rangers-P Yu Darvish
Analyzing the Picks; It's been an outstanding season so far for the Astros, with four players selected. Keuchel has been on the disabled list due to a neck injury so he may or may not play. They have a solid middle infield in Altuve and Correa and great production in the leadoff spot from Springer. Judge is a solid candidate for AL Rookie of the Year. The big question is, who will replace Trout, who has been sidelined with a thumb injury and is on a rehab assignment with Inland Empire. Will it be Brantley or will Francona add a veteran like Jose Bautista to the roster? Who will it be? It's up in the air
Here are the starters for the National League:
C: Buster Posey-Giants
1B: Ryan Zimmerman-Nationals
2B: Daniel Murphy-Nationals
SS: Zach Cosart-Reds
3B: Nolan Arenado-Rockies
OF: Bryce Harper-Nationals
OF: Charlie Blackmon-Rockies
OF: Marcell Ozuna-Marlins
NL Reserves and Pitchers (By Team)
Diamondbacks: 1B Paul Goldschmidt; 3B Jake Lamb; P Robbie Ray and Zach Greinke
Braves: OF Ender Inciarte
Cubs: P Wade Davis
Reds-1B Joey Votto
Rockies-2B DJ LaMahieu; P Greg Holland
Dodgers: 3B Corey Seager; OF Cody Bellinger; P Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen
Marlins: OF Giancarlo Stanton
Brewers: P Corey Knebel
Mets: OF Michael Conforto
Phillies: P Pat Neshek
Pirates: 2B Josh Harrison
Cardinals: C Yadier Molina; P Carlos Martinez
Padres: P Brad Hand
Nationals: P Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg
Note: The 32nd player for each team will be chosen by fan vote.
Analyzing the picks: Last year the starting infield was All Cubs with Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell and Kris Bryant. None of them are going to Miami. Instead there are three Nationals who could give the Nation's Capitol a shot at their first pennant since 1924 in Zimmerman, Murphy and Harper in the outfield. There's also an outstanding crop of reserves headline by Goldschmidt, Votto and Stanton. They key is their pitching with solid starters in Scherzer, Strasburg and Kershaw. Two NL reserves with Minnesota roots will make the trip to South Florida, Brad Hand from Chaska and former Twin Pat Neshek who came from Brooklyn Park.
Who will be the starting pitchers? AL: Vargas or Sale. NL: Scherzer.
The All Star Game takes place Tuesday, July 11 at Marlins Park in Miami.
Third baseman Miguel Sano and pitcher Ervin Santana were selected as reserves by AL manager Terry Francona. Though Sano had a sizable lead heading into the final days of fan voting, he came up short against Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez.
Here are the starters for the American League:
C: Salvador Perez-Royals
1B: Justin Smoak-Blue Jays
2B: Jose Altuve-Astros
SS: Carlos Correa-Astros
3B: Jose Ramirez-Indians
OF: Aaron Judge-Yankees
OF: Mike Trout-Angels (will not play due to injury; replacement TBA)
OF: George Springer-Astros
DH: Corey Dickerson-Rays
AL Reserves and Pitchers (By Team)
Orioles-2B Jonathan Schoop
Red Sox-OF Mookie Betts; P Chris Sale and Craig Kimbel
White Sox-OF Avisail Garcia
Indians-SS Francisco Lindor; OF Michael Brantley; P Corey Kluber and Andrew Miller
Tigers-P Andrew Fulmer
Astros-P Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers Jr.
Royals-P Jason Vargas
Twins-3b Miguel Sano and P Ervin Santana
Yankees-C Gary Sanchez; 2b Starlin Castro; P Luis Severino and Dylan Betances
A's- 1B Yonder Alonso
Mariners-DH Nelson Cruz
Rangers-P Yu Darvish
Analyzing the Picks; It's been an outstanding season so far for the Astros, with four players selected. Keuchel has been on the disabled list due to a neck injury so he may or may not play. They have a solid middle infield in Altuve and Correa and great production in the leadoff spot from Springer. Judge is a solid candidate for AL Rookie of the Year. The big question is, who will replace Trout, who has been sidelined with a thumb injury and is on a rehab assignment with Inland Empire. Will it be Brantley or will Francona add a veteran like Jose Bautista to the roster? Who will it be? It's up in the air
Here are the starters for the National League:
C: Buster Posey-Giants
1B: Ryan Zimmerman-Nationals
2B: Daniel Murphy-Nationals
SS: Zach Cosart-Reds
3B: Nolan Arenado-Rockies
OF: Bryce Harper-Nationals
OF: Charlie Blackmon-Rockies
OF: Marcell Ozuna-Marlins
NL Reserves and Pitchers (By Team)
Diamondbacks: 1B Paul Goldschmidt; 3B Jake Lamb; P Robbie Ray and Zach Greinke
Braves: OF Ender Inciarte
Cubs: P Wade Davis
Reds-1B Joey Votto
Rockies-2B DJ LaMahieu; P Greg Holland
Dodgers: 3B Corey Seager; OF Cody Bellinger; P Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen
Marlins: OF Giancarlo Stanton
Brewers: P Corey Knebel
Mets: OF Michael Conforto
Phillies: P Pat Neshek
Pirates: 2B Josh Harrison
Cardinals: C Yadier Molina; P Carlos Martinez
Padres: P Brad Hand
Nationals: P Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg
Note: The 32nd player for each team will be chosen by fan vote.
Analyzing the picks: Last year the starting infield was All Cubs with Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell and Kris Bryant. None of them are going to Miami. Instead there are three Nationals who could give the Nation's Capitol a shot at their first pennant since 1924 in Zimmerman, Murphy and Harper in the outfield. There's also an outstanding crop of reserves headline by Goldschmidt, Votto and Stanton. They key is their pitching with solid starters in Scherzer, Strasburg and Kershaw. Two NL reserves with Minnesota roots will make the trip to South Florida, Brad Hand from Chaska and former Twin Pat Neshek who came from Brooklyn Park.
Who will be the starting pitchers? AL: Vargas or Sale. NL: Scherzer.
The All Star Game takes place Tuesday, July 11 at Marlins Park in Miami.
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