OPENER: This should be a slow season. Fewer games, fewer teams to follow in real time, other late-summer distractions. But just when you think you can look away, sports calls out with the unexpected. — Howard Sinker
FOUR BIG THINGS
VIKINGS: Starting their preseason schedule Saturday on the road against the New York Giants. (Noon, FOX9 and KFAN). The quarterback issue is settled, with Kyler Murray in charge. Now we can watch the Vikings move on and settle the rest of their roster questions.
LYNX: That winning-streak-ending loss to Los Angeles last week was probably for the best, because highly annoyed coach Cheryl Reeve called out her players for terrible defense and got them reset for weekend wins over Las Vegas and Dallas. The Lynx have three tough road games coming up: Saturday vs the third-place Aces (7 p.m., CBS), Wednesday vs. Golden State (9 p.m., USA and Victory+) and a week from Friday at Washington (6:30 p.m., ION). The Mystics split two close games with the Lynx in June and just had a seven-game winning streak snapped.
TWINS: Six games with the top two teams in the NL East: Philadelphia starting tonight at the Field of Dreams Game in Iowa and continuing with weekend games at Target Field followed by three games hosting Atlanta. The Twins have fallen short more often than not vs. higher-end teams, undone by mistakes in all phases of the game. That can’t keep happening if they want to remain in the postseason chase.
HIGH SCHOOLS: Fall practices start Monday with the first girls’ tennis matches next Thursday and all other sports except football starting games on Aug. 27. The first football Friday in Sept. 3, except for four games involving southern Minnesota teams that are scheduled for Aug. 28.
TEARS AND CHEERS
TEARS: I don’t get attached to players because most of them — even the best of the best — are going to be moving on. Affection can cloud your judgment about whether or not a move makes sense. That’s why the Naz Reid/LaMelo Ball trade didn’t hit me hard . . . until I read a quote from Reid in this story by the Charlotte Observer’s Roderick Boone:
MY TAKE: There will be a number of marquee games on the Wolves schedule this year, including Christmas night at Target Center vs. Oklahoma City. But the scene when Reid returns to Minnesota when Charlotte plays the Wolves will be unlike anything else we’re likely to experience this season. (That date will be announced when the NBA releases its complete 2026-27 schedule this afternoon.)
MORE TEARS: Via Bobby Nightengale at Star Tribune. Twins reliever Tommy Nance didn’t know everything he was getting into when he was traded from Toronto last month. It wasn’t until he was watching the Home Run Derby during the All-Star Break that he learned the Twins would be playing in tonight’s Field of Dreams game. VERBATIM: “Field of Dreams is his favorite baseball movie. ‘I used to always love it, then I love it even more now,’ Nance said. ‘From a personal standpoint, I lost my dad last year. He had ALS for 11 years. He lost that battle last year. There was a time during those 11 years where he no longer could play catch with us. Every time that movie comes on and it’s the scene where he’s like, ‘Hey Dad, you want to have a catch?’ I just lose it.’ Nance’s dad, Mark, was an Air Force veteran and a Culver City, Calif., firefighter. He was Tommy’s Little League baseball coach. He often sat on a bucket when he served as a catcher for Tommy or his sister, Callie, a softball player.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/nance0813
CHEERS: If you were in the arena Sunday when 13-year veteran Kayla McBride scored 43 points (a team record for a regulation-length regular season game) and hit a WNBA-record 10 three-pointers, you will remember the excitement as well as the execution more than the final score of the 103-90 win over Dallas. This eight-minute video takes you from being on the court before the game through the postgame jubilation off the court. MONEY QUOTE: “I feel so loved and appreciated for who I am. . . . I’m just overwhelmed with joy and happiness and being grateful.”
BUT: If you just want to see the baskets, tap here.
McBRIDE’S ENCORE: If you turned away from Wednesday’s Lynx-Portland game when Minnesota had a 29-point lead in the third quarter, you missed what was almost the biggest comeback in WNBA history. After Portland rallied within one point in the final two minutes, McBride had steals on consecutive Fire possessions in the last 40 seconds to seal an 85-81 victory.
CHERYL REEVE VIDEO: “The things we did well in the second quarter escaped us in the third and fourth.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/reeve0813
MURRAY WINS. WHAT DOES McCARTHY LOSE? Via Alec Lewis at The Athletic. The Vikings have started eight quarterbacks since 2023. J.J. McCarthy’s arrival in 2024 as a first-round draft pick did nothing to slow the roll at the position — and 2025 set the stage for 2026. VERBATIM: “It is well known around the league McCarthy’s play in 2025 wore on coach Kevin O’Connell and the offensive staff. Inaccuracies complicated routine throws. Extra hitches threw off the timing of pass concepts. Struggles applying touch on throws to areas of the field limited the team’s offensive menu. On top of all of that, McCarthy’s high ankle sprain and hand injuries shattered any positive momentum. The numbers paint the most objective picture. Among the 36 quarterbacks who threw at least 200 passes in 2025, McCarthy ranked 34th in efficiency, 35th in completion percentage and 36th in touchdown-to-interception ratio. His struggles forced O’Connell to simplify the offense and call plays with a conservative mindset.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/jj0813
SO WHAT NOW? Via Dane Mizutani at Pioneer Press. McCarthy is saying all the right things in the moment. But how will his situation play out over time? VERBATIM: “Asked if he still believes he has what it takes to be a starter in the league, McCarthy confidently nodded, saying, ‘I’m always going to have that confidence in myself.’ The next chance for McCarthy to showcase that confidence that will come on Saturday when the Vikings play the New York Giants in the exhibition opener. He’s expected to get a good amount of playing time. It’s likely that Murray will get the first series before McCarthy gets a chance to run the show.”
MONEY QUOTES: From McCarthy: “A decision was made that was out of my control. It’s about continuing to work hard and staying ready for when my number is called.” From O’Connell: “He’s holding the pen on his story. We’re going to support him and try to just help him continue to improve as a young player at the most difficult position in sports.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/future0813
WATCH: McCarthy’s meeting with reporters.
WHAT ABOUT JEFFERSON? Via CBS Sports. The Murray vs. McCarthy outcome is a boost for Justin Jefferson because, among other things, Murray understands the assignment. VERBATIM: “The two players connected on a handful of big plays at practice Wednesday, including a gain of roughly 35 yards on a deep post. Jefferson is coming off a down year during which he caught 84 of 141 targets for 1,048 yards and two touchdowns, both of which were career lows, over 17 regular-season contests while working with J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer at quarterback. Now with the expectation of more stability with Murray under center, the 27-year-old superstar wide receiver is looking to get back on track. Murray also seems to understand the most important aspect of quarterbacking the Vikings: get Jefferson the ball as often as possible.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/jefferson0813
POSTED: Vikings depth chart for Saturday.
DARRISAW GOES DEEP: Via Mark Craig at Star Tribune. Often times, it takes time for the best stories to be told. After tearing ligaments in his left knee — both the ACL and MCL — midway through the 2024 season, star offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw struggled through a real-time combo of rehab and playing as much as he thought possible last season. He started 10 of the team’s 17 games, but left early in five of them. For the most part, Darrisaw was calling the shots on how much he could play, and frustration oozed through a lengthy interview. VERBATIM: “Darrisaw and the Vikings aren’t at odds. It was obvious, however, that they weren’t always on the same page when it came to Darrisaw’s availability coming off his multiple ligament tears in October 2024. Prime example: Darrisaw’s start on Oct. 23, 2025, a Thursday night road game at the Chargers that came four days after he played all 69 offensive snaps against the Eagles. He lasted nine snaps before pulling himself. That’s also the game Carson Wentz took the mother of all beatings, suffering five sacks and a season-ending injury.”
MORE FROM CRAIG’S STORY: “The process of getting my leg ready for a Sunday was already tough, and now you’re telling me I got three days before we travel?” Darrisaw said. ‘I was doing everything I could do. It just wasn’t there. My legs just weren’t there.’ That prompted this question: ‘Why suit up if you thought your legs weren’t there?’ ‘I’m with you,” he said. “It’s just the way things played out. I’m past all that now.’ “ Darrisaw looks past it. He looks good. Very good. He’s moving well, bending well, like his old self. Like he’s not thinking about his left leg. Finally.” FULL STORY: https://fluence-media.co/christian0813
TWINS TRADE THAT DIDN’T HAPPEN: Via Mitch Bannon and Dan Hayes at The Athletic. The Twins reportedly tried to swing one more big deal before the MLB trade deadline and missed in efforts to get right-handed starter Jose Soriano. They approached the Los Angeles Angels, but backed away when the Angels insisted on No. 1 prospect Walker Jenkins being in the trade. After Soriano was sent to Toronto, the Twins approached the Blue Jays. Shortstop Kaelen Culpepper’s name came up but the Jays also wanted pitcher Riley Quick, the 36th overall choice in the 2025 draft and currently at Class AA Wichita. MORE: https://fluence-media.co/soriano0813
WHAT’S IT LIKE? A friend didn’t win the lottery for tickets to the Field of Dreams game but went to Dyersville to see the St. Paul Saints play the Iowa Cubs on Tuesday. VERBATIM: “The whole experience there was just so well done. I’m so glad we went. Plus, it seemed like the fans were ‘real’ baseball fans, true Saints/Twins or Cubs fans . . . not All Star Game or Super Bowl fans, if that makes sense, people who were just there for the spectacle or event. (My son) was also struck by how quiet it was for the first pitch of the game, in a good way. People were in their seats, and into the game.”
ROAD TRIP 2027? The Dyersville Dreamers are joining the Northwoods League, the wooden-bat summer league that includes teams from Minnesota and throughout the Upper Midwest. Time it right and you can drive another 65 miles to see the Cedar Rapids Kernels, the Twins’ Class A team in the Midwest League.
TWINS PLAYOFF ODDS: They change daily and vary among these sites. FANGRAPHS | BASEBALL REFERENCE | PLAYOFF STATUS | FANDUEL
NOT GOING THERE THIS WEEK: Anything you read here this week about the WNBA after this note is going to be about basketball. The games have been hijacked enough in the last few weeks that a task force of team presidents and general managers met Wednesday and released a statement, saying they “covered a wide range of topics, including ongoing discussions on transgender athletes and the continued hate and vitriol directed at players online. We will continue to engage all league stakeholders in the coming weeks and months. We will approach these important conversations thoughtfully and in alignment with the values of our league. There are no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA and we strongly denounce the bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others.”
PERICH ON LEAVING U: Via Tony Liebert at Bring Me The Sports. After two years at Minnesota, star safety Koi Perich of Esko left for Big Ten-power Oregon. He explained why at Oregon’s football media day. VERBATIM: “I just wanted to be on a contender and a great program. I think Oregon is both of those. There’s a lot of great coaches, great players here. And with both of those in the equation, you’re going to have a lot of success. Hopefully I can add to that.”
NARROW FOCUS: Oregon coach Dan Lanning got a dose of Perich’s intensity about football during his recruiting visit. VERBATIM: “The guy’s a junkie. Outside the NFL, I think I found that his one other hobby is golf. He likes to play golf, which has kind of become a trend for our football team, but when he came for his visit, checking us out, we were in an apartment or a dorm, and I look over at Koi, and I can tell he has zero interest in the apartment. I’m like, ‘You want to go watch some football?’ Yeah, let’s go watch some football. So we sat down and watched two hours of film, and I get it; I figured out how you tick and am really excited about this season he can have.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/koi0813
‘MORE ATHLETIC THAN HE LOOKS’: Via Randy Johnson at Star Tribune. When the Gophers lost 27-14 at Cal last season, edge rusher TJ Bush Jr. sacked U quarterback Drake Lindsey once and hurried him twice. Now, Bush is at Minnesota and coach P.J. Fleck is a fan. Bush led Cal with 5.5 sacks last season and had 11.5 tackles for loss. VERBATIM: “He’s way more athletic than he looks. When you look at him, you’re like, ‘All right, pretty big run-stopper.’ He’s a great pass rusher. Plays with great leverage. He’s violent. Plays longer than he is. He’s fundamentally and technically sound, and he’s just relentless.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/bush0813
A GOOD GIMMICK? Via The Athletic. The University of Akron hasn’t had a winning football season since 2015 and has come up with a novel way to attract attention to its program. On Wednesday, a drawing for season-ticket holders will be held — and the winner will get to help script the team’s first offensive drive for the home opener against Robert Morris on Sept. 12. The social media announcement of the contest has drawn 22 million views on X. VERBATIM: “Initially I thought it was ridiculous,” head coach Joe Moorhead said. “Once the shock value wore away, and we discussed some benefits, now you see it spoke for itself. It’s a really unique opportunity that’s created a lot of positive publicity for our program.” FULL STORY: https://fluence-media.co/akron0813
MINNESOTA ANGLE: The week after Akron’s experiment, the Zips come to Huntington Bank Stadium to play the Gophers. JUST A THOUGHT: Should Minnesota counter by letting a fan call defenses that afternoon?
SO MUCH PRO VOLLEYBALL: We were reminded Wednesday that Minnesota will be getting expansion franchises in two separate pro volleyball leagues that will start play in January. The Minnesota franchise of Major League Volleyball announced that its franchise will be nicknamed the Forge. They’ll be playing at Grand Casino Arena. Also, Minnesota’s team in League One volleyball released a roster that includes three Minnesotans who played for the Gophers and four others who either played for the Gophers or are from the state. The list is headlined by Tori Dixon of Burnsville, an M Club Hall of fame member who played for the U from 2010-2013. The League One team will play at Maturi Pavilion. LINKS: MINNESOTA FORGE | LOVB MINNESOTA
LITTLE LEAGUERS LOSE: Coon Rapids-Andover Little League was eliminated Tuesday at a Little League regional in Indiana. After losing its opening game, Coon Rapids rallied with two victories before losing 3-2 to Whitefish Bay, Wis. The Minnesota team led 2-0 until the bottom of the sixth and final inning when Whitefish Bay rallied with three runs to win.
WALLNER GLUM ABOUT TWINS FUTURE: Via John Shipley at Pioneer Press. Even though he’s been one of the St. Paul Saints most productive players since his demotion to the minors, Matt Wallner doesn’t expect to be recalled in September — or probably ever. It is a remarkable tumble for a player who hit 27 home runs and had a .371 on-base percentage in his first two Twins seasons (2023-24). But opponents figured out that Wallner, who grew up in Forest Lake, could be overpowered by high-velocity fastballs, and those have remained a problem in the minors. At the same time, other prospects in the organization have shown more promise. VERBATIM: “Wallner doesn’t expect to be one of the players recalled by the Twins. Maybe ever. ’Really, genuinely not,’ he said. ‘If it happens, it does. But in my head, I feel like maybe my time is past in this organization. I don’t know. I really don’t. Seems like it, but what do I know?’ “ MORE: https://fluence-media.co/wallner0813
GOLDY GOPHER, HALL OF FAMER: Goldy Gopher, Minnesota’s head-spinning rodent, is one of five mascots being inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame this year. Located in cyberspace, Goldy’s honor was announced on ABC’s Good Morning America. (There hasn’t been a physical space since its Indiana location at a children’s museum closed four years ago.) PREVIOUS HONORS: Goldy is a four-time winner of the Universal Cheerleaders Association’s national mascot championship, most recently in 2018. THIS HONOR: The Hall Fame, on its web site, says it will announce “induction festivities, appearances, and events” in the next few weeks. OTHER INDUCTEES: College mascots Cocky from South Carolina and Cosmo from Brigham Young; Denver Broncos mascot Miles and Mrs. Met, the first female mascot to be selected.
GOLDY’S REACTION: In the spirit of the honor, I sought out the CHAOTIC GOLDY GOPHER account on Bluesky. I assumed I would get a more chaotic reply than anything released through the U. I was right. VERBATIM: “I am very grateful to be finally recognized by joining such an esteemed group of mascots and also my arch-nemesis from Madison (who has won zero national championships as a mascot, the same amount as the football team that he represents). While preparing for the new academic year and a new year of head-spinning excellence in our wonderful athletic venues and across our beautiful campus, I am reminded that I do it for our students, faculty, and staff (the best and the brightest in the Big Ten) and the community that our state's flagship University serves! Row the Boat! Ski-U-Mah!! and GO GOPHERS!”
LINKS: MASCOT HALL OF FAME | GOLDY GOPHER PAGE | BUCKY BADGER PAGE
BUECKERS GIVES A GIFT: After her team lost to the Lynx on Sunday, Paige Bueckers stayed in town to help dedicate a refurbished basketball court at Pennsylvania Park in St. Louis Park, where she grew up. The $45,000 renovation was done in partnership with Gatorade, and the kids on hand for the unveiling didn’t know that Bueckers would be there, too. Among those on hand was Brian Cosgriff, her high school coach at Hopkins. VERBATIM: “Her giving back to the community from which she came speaks volumes of her as a person. I was so fortunate to be a small part of her basketball journey. One day, I honestly feel we will be covering her on her induction into the basketball Hall of Fame.”
ONE THOUGHT: This is a what-if, not a prediction. Bueckers could be an unrestricted free agent after the 2029 season. Will she follow the path of Lindsay Whalen, who played six years in Connecticut and then spent the final nine seasons of her career in Minnesota. How does Olivia Miles at point guard and Bueckers as her backcourt running mate sound? MY TAKE: Dare to dream.
FROST BRINGS SKILLS TO CALIFORNIA: Via Giselle Velazquez at Title IX Sports. The Minnesota Frost just did a good turn for adult hockey in southern California by hosting summer camps for adult players. The connection came about after a discussion between Claire Bjerke, the team’s director of operations, and Celeste Loyatho, a longtime coach in the Anaheim Lady Ducks youth program. VERBATIM: “Minnesota hosted adult camps back home in the past, but this one was different. For starters, it sold out quickly. The demographics in this area of California are different from the state of hockey. That meant a diverse group of players. In Irvine, ages ranged from early 20s to 50s with hockey experience varying, too. Camryn Addimando was one of the participants who noticed the high demand to attend camp. ‘The second the news came out about the camp, it’s like the whole league knew about it and everyone wanted to be here. It’s super cool that [the Frost] want to invest in us and invest in new players and get them to feel good about themselves in the game. It’s hard to find people that really support you right now because it’s women’s hockey and people aren’t always so open to it.’ “ MORE: https://fluence-media.co/camp0813
MINNESOTA CAMPS: The California camp was part of the PWHL’s Grassroots Hockey initiative. Coming next week are youth camps in Hermantown on Monday and Duluth on Tuesday, followed by an all ages (8 through adult) camp in Superior on Wednesday. DETAILS, REGISTRATION: https://fluence-media.co/frost0813
MEDIA STUFF
MUST BE A BIG GAME: J.J. Watt, who is taking over an the lead analyst for CBS as Tony Romo’s fate with the network is uncertain, posted on social media where he’ll be to open the NFL season on Sept. 13. That would be U.S. Bank Stadium for Packers vs. Vikings. VERBATIM: “Haven’t said much because it’s not the circumstances you’d hope it would happen under, but I’m incredibly excited about this opportunity and look forward to working with a legendary team in Jim Nantz, Tracy Wolfson, Jim Rikhoff and the entire CBS lead crew. See you in Minnesota!” X: https://fluence-media.co/watt0813
GLEEMAN IN PIONEER PRESS: Aaron Gleeman, who left The Athletic earlier this year and returned to publishing the newsletter that gave him a prominent baseball profile among Twins fans, published a guest column last weekend in the Pioneer Press. Both Gleeman and sports editor John Shipley acknowledged there could be a budding relationship. In an email, Gleeman said he’s been invited “to be a regular contributor, which is very flattering and definitely something I'm considering. I need to figure out how doable that is while also focusing on growing my own site.” GLEEMAN’S SITE: https://fluence-media.co/gleeman0813
EX-STRIB SPORTS EDITOR UPDATE: Via Ryan Glasspiegel at Front Office Sports. Ryan Kostecka, who left the Star Tribune late last year, is gone from his sports editor position at the Murdoch-owned California Post, which began publishing in January. In an interview at that time, Kostecka told Sports Business Journal: “The plan is to kind of just take over the California sports scene from the Bay Area all the way down to the coast and here in L.A.”
GRADE PROVUS AND HIS POSSE: The website Awful Announcing is doing its annual fan survey of MLB television broadcast teams and you can vote until 9 p.m. Friday. The survey asks for a letter grade and gives you the option to leave comments. The Twins finished 15th last season. VERBATIM FROM 2025: “The comments here saw some nostalgia for past broadcasters. That included ‘Not the same since Dick Bremer and Bert Blyleven left’ and ‘Twins fans LUST for the days of Dick Bremer.’ However, Cory Provus received his own praise, from ‘day-by-day very solid’ to ‘fantastic’ to ‘nails big-time calls.’ “ VOTE: https://fluence-media.co/poll0813
PREVIOUS RESULTS: 2025 | 2024 | 2023
U WOMEN’S SOCCER OPENER TONIGHT: The Gophers host North Dakota at 7 p.m. and Georgia at noon Sunday. (Both on BIG+). Minnesota was 6-8-3 last season and wasn’t among the 10 schools who qualified for the Big Ten postseason tournament. The team has added forward Ada Westlund, a Mounds View graduate who played for three seasons at Cal Baptist, where she was the leading scorer in 2025 and helped the team to consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. SCHEDULE | ROSTER | TICKETS
AND FINALLY: Via Nora Knoepflmacher at Wall Street Journal. Paige Bueckers binge watches Criminal Minds, is seriously attached to her iPad and watches sports the way a lot of us do. I learned this from a Q&A in the Journal, which frequently surprises in a good way with the sports topics it writes about. VERBATIM: “Summer 2026 was a gift to sports fans, Bueckers included. The Dallas Wings guard kept up with the World Cup, attended two matches in person and was ‘locked in’ to Wimbledon. ‘When I watch other sports, I completely go into fan mode and just get lost in their passion and their drive. I’m not even thinking about how I can compare it to myself unless it’s basketball, then I’m learning while I’m watching.’ ” MORE (including the secret to her slick-back ponytail): https://fluence-media.co/paige0813
BONUS: Want some slick-back hair tips? GO HERE.
THANKS FOR READING.
EMAIL HOWARD: sportstake100@gmail.com
ON THE WEB:
Bluesky: @howardsinker.bsky.social
Instagram: @howardsinkermn
Previous editions of Sports Take are here.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-sinker-80921813/
ESPN’s full TV and streaming service listings: https://fluence-media.co/watch