Box Score of the Week

Kansas City Athletics at Chicago White Sox - September 28, 1958.

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At age 18 years and 348 days, Lou Klimchock hit a leadoff home run for the Athletics. To this day, he is the youngest major leaguer ever to do so. 

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The NARN Closer's playlist - 6/28/2026

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I'd listen to the words he'd say, but in his voice I heard decay.....

It's the last Sunday in June, which means 2026.....is half over?!?!?! WHAT?!?!?!

Regardless, a lot to get to on today's edition of my radio show The Closer. The 2-hour blitz will get started at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

In the non-guest segments, I'll discuss the latest in the GOP battle for MN governor. Also, I'll address multiple complaints I received about last week's guest host Dave Osmek. 

At 1:15, geopolitical wonk Amanda Peterson will join the broadcast to weigh in on the latest with the Iran war as well as other foreign policy happenings. 

Finally at 2:30, newly crowned Miss Minnesota Anna Brennan will stop by to discuss her new title. 

So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.

 

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 or, if you're near downtown Minneapolis/West Metro area, 107.5 FM on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio as well as Amazon Alexa (just say "Alexa, play The Patriot Minneapolis"). If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #NARNShow or "Like" our Facebook page, where we also conduct a "Live Stream" of the broadcast.

Until then.....

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Proud to be an American.....with conditions

Earlier this year when the Men's U.S. Olympic hockey team won the gold medal for the first time since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" squad, the excitement among Americans was palatable. Or at least it was among right-of-center politicos and those who are apolitical. Y'see political leftists, particularly over the past decade or two, have steadily lost pride in their country based largely upon the fact Donald J. Trump was elected President of the United States twice. As such, they couldn't even cheer on their fellow countrymen upon accomplishing something significant in the name of America. 

The World Cup is the latest thing. 

The triumph of the World Cup’s first two weeks — boosting the U.S.’s global reputation with sold-out stadiums and few logistical complications — has forced Democrats who had criticized President Donald Trump’s role in preparations to grudgingly reconsider.

“I think that there was a little bit of like liberal wishcasting that this would maybe be a disaster to sort of stick it to Trump,” said Rob Flaherty, the digital Democratic strategist and soccer fan who attended the U.S. group-stage match with Australia. “It hasn’t yet been.”

To be fair, there have been some Democrat officials who expressed delight with how the tournament has fared thus far. But a couple of big names just can't seem to put aside their disdain for Trump in order to give props. 

Though other prominent Democrats including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, along with (NYC Mayor Zohran) Mamdani and (New Jersey Governor Mikie) Sherrill, have all attended games, few among them have been willing to articulate anything that sounds like praise for the authorities putting on the event.

It's as if these thumb suckers believe that even tacit approval of the World Cup festivities is somehow tantamount to showing approval of Trump. What an absolute miserable existence. 

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Doesn't pass the sniff test

Hypothetical: Suppose you donated money to an individual running for political office and they took a significant percentage of those funds to line their own pockets. That would seem to be a blatant violation of basic campaign finance laws, right? Well, if the recipient looks to benefit personally from such donations (as opposed to utilizing funds directly for campaign activities like ads, literature, etc.), a quasi money laundering operation would certainly be more discrete. 

So, tell me. Do you believe I'm being hyperbolic in suggesting that mythical scenario draws parallels to a certain Minnesota gubernatorial campaign?

To put it lightly, Mike Lindell is a non-traditional candidate for governor. He has the unique backstory of going from a crack addict to the founder and CEO of one of Minnesota’s best-known companies. Now he also has an unusual method of campaigning. He’s giving away free pillows from My Pillow and copies of his autobiography.

“This is our little ‘Go Anywhere’ My Pillow,” he told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS on Tuesday while pulling one out from under his desk. “It’s like a mini-pillow. We’ve used it in promotions for a long, long time. I love doing parades.”

Video posted on social media shows Lindell and his campaign volunteers throwing the pillows to people along a parade route in Foley last week. There’s no question it’s clever campaigning, but there are questions about whether it’s legal under state campaign finance laws. Lindell says his lawyers say it is legal.

“These aren’t full-size pillows,” he says. “They’re little pillows just like if you gave away a hat or a shirt or anything. Our literature is inside it. We followed all the guidelines…”

Lindell sent 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS an invoice showing his campaign bought 2,500 pillows from My Pillow for $4.50 a piece, or a little over $13,275.94, including tax. Campaign finance reports from Lindell show he’s bought about $250,000 worth of his autobiography to give away instead of using campaign brochures.

So when Lindell sells merchandise, whether it be books or mini pillows, who benefits financially? I mean, it's possible he decided that his favorite charities, as opposed to himself, would be the recipient of funds derived from those specific items. But even then there are some grey areas as charitable contributions are tax deductible. He (or his business) still benefits. 

There have been some polls this past month which have shown Lindell leading the GOP field for Minnesota governor. If by some minor miracle he receives the nomination, his general election candidacy would be dead as a doornail even if he had a pristine background. But with questions regarding his handling of campaign funds looming over him, such a controversy would be amplified by orders of magnitude once he squares off with a well-funded Democrat like Amy Klobuchar. 

If there were no competitive statewide primaries on the DFL side, you can bet many Dem voters would take the liberty of crossing over to vote GOP in an attempt to elevate the most vulnerable general election Republicans. Thankfully, right-of-center voters have a golden opportunity in August to send Lindell packing. Our mission is clear. 

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Box Score of the Week

Toronto Blue Jays at Boston Red Sox - June 26, 2024

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Danny Jansen was the starting catcher for the Blue Jays this game, which ended up being suspended after one inning. 

The game resumed (and was completed) two months later on August 26. About a month earlier, Jansen was traded to Boston for three minor leaguers, so he was available for the Red Sox to be inserted into this contest in the top of the second inning. 

In essence, Jansen played for both teams in the same game. 

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Calling on the NARN farm team

I am away on assignment, so longtime friend of the Northern Alliance Radio Network (and former President of the MN Senate) Dave Osmek will be taking the reins of today's broadcast. The show will air in its usual 1-3 PM Central Time slot. 

Via Dave, here's what he has planned: 

1p to 115p: Opening discussion

115p to 145p:  Michelle Tafoya

145p to 2p:  Various topics, State Convention, Endorsement, Polls

2p to 230p:  Lisa Demuth (or Ryan Wilson)

230p to 3p:  Jeff Kolb, state of the races, endorsement

So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics Dave plans on addressing.

 

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 or, if you're near downtown Minneapolis/West Metro area, 107.5 FM on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio as well as Amazon Alexa (just say "Alexa, play The Patriot Minneapolis"). If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #NARNShow or "Like" our Facebook page, where we also conduct a "Live Stream" of the broadcast.

Until then.....

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Out of the office

Gone on vacation until June 25.

Talk to y'all when I return. 

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Box Score of the Week

Kansas City Royals at Milwaukee Brewers - June 12, 1977

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That time the Royals had to wear the Brewers' road uniforms. 

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The NARN Closer's playlist - 6/14/2026

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I don't need to be blinded by confusion......

Happy Flag Day and happy 80th birthday, President Trump!

It's Sunday, so that means another edition of my radio show The Closer. The 2-hour blitz gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

In the first hour, I'll discuss Minnesota politics, including an explosive new report of Gov. Tim Walz willfully turning a blind eye to the rampant fraud in the state. Also, a plea deal was reached in the homicide case of Mark and Melissa Hortman's assassin. 

In the second hour, Maine voters advance Graham Platner to the general election for U.S. Senate. In doing so, Democrats' objections over Trump's past indiscretions have been nullified. And finally, leftists covet Elon Musk's goods. 

So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.

 

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 or, if you're near downtown Minneapolis/West Metro area, 107.5 FM on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio as well as Amazon Alexa (just say "Alexa, play The Patriot Minneapolis"). If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #NARNShow or "Like" our Facebook page, where we also conduct a "Live Stream" of the broadcast.

Until then.....

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Worthy to be celebrated

World history was made on Friday. 

Elon Musk is now the world’s first trillionaire, after his company SpaceX went public on Friday morning.

The 54-year-old businessman and investor founded SpaceX, a space exploration company, in 2002. SpaceX’s initial public offering was officially priced on Thursday at a valuation of $1.77 trillion, making it the highest-valued IPO in history.

Forbes estimates that Musk’s net worth now hovers around $1.1 trillion, thanks to his 38 percent stake in the company.

“It is certainly hard to believe that a little company that was started in a warehouse in El Segundo [California] is now going public with the largest IPO ever,” Musk said in the livestream of NASDAQ’s opening bell.

And in perhaps the least surprising development, secular progressives engage in their obligatory violations of the 10th Commandment. 

I really don’t understand true greed. If I was worth $1 trillion, you’d have to physically stop me from solving as many of the world’s problems as possible.

Everyone would have a home, food on the table, proper healthcare, happiness.

I just don’t get it.

— John Bourscheid 🇺🇸 🚀 (@bourscheid) June 12, 2026

Really hard to imagine becoming a trillionaire and not wanting to immediately liquidate enough assets to give at least a few hundred billion to organizations making the world a better place.

— Jason Kander (@JasonKander) June 12, 2026

Today, Elon Musk, a trillionaire, pays the same amount into Social Security as someone making $184,500.

If we end that absurdity and lift the cap on taxable income, we can make Social Security solvent for 75 years and expand benefits by $2,400. My Social Security bill does that.

— Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 12, 2026

Americans are struggling to pay for groceries and gas while Elon Musk becomes a TRILLIONAIRE.

When the federal government is for sale, the rich get richer and everyone else gets shafted.

The system is rigged.

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 12, 2026

Elon Musk just became the world’s first trillionaire.

Let’s make sure he’s also the last.

— Graham Platner for Senate (@grahamformaine) June 12, 2026

Elon Musk just became the world's first trillionaire.

The typical American household would have to work more than 11 MILLION years to make Elon Musk's level of wealth.

We need a wealth tax.

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) June 12, 2026

After a presser to point out the utter outrage of one man amassing such spoils, Fauxcahontas Sen. Warren was then pressed on *her* wealth. Nor surprisingly, she didn't have much to say. 

 

Finally, National Review writer Charles C.W. Cooke says you can count him out when it comes to expressing envy or fury over someone's wealth. 

I suspect, at one level, Musk’s enemies believe the things he has achieved would magically have happened without him — that, somehow, they were foreordained to occur, and that he just happened to be in the right place at the right time. This is stupid and it is wrong. There are such things in history as great men, and Musk is one of them. Gavin Newsom, Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren, and Graham Platner, by contrast, are not. If they got their way, the United States would become France. An interesting place, yes, but not one that ever does much of note.

So, yeah: If your reaction to this news was to cavil and whine and start looking lasciviously at Musk’s property, you can count me out. I want no part of it. Elon Musk is the world’s first trillionaire. Only in America.

A pretty awesome development ahead of America's 250th birthday!

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Quick Hits: Volume CDXIV

 - Perhaps we're beginning to see why Minnesota Democrats invoked a "nuclear option" to replace the current Governor with Amy Klobuchar. 

A Republican-led congressional oversight report alleges that senior Minnesota officials, including Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., failed for years to act on warnings about fraud in the state’s social services programs, allowing hundreds of millions of dollars in confirmed or alleged losses and placing billions more at risk.

The Walz administration had the power to stop fraudulent payments to high-risk entities receiving federal nutrition and Medicaid funds, but the state "repeatedly failed to act" after officials raised concerns, according to a 205-page final staff report released by the House Oversight Committee on Monday.

Congressional investigators found that concerns about potential racial discrimination claims — rather than legal constraints — contributed to the Walz administration's decision to continue paying providers suspected of fraud. The committee also spoke to nearly 30 whistleblowers, some of whom accused the Walz administration of retaliation against state employees for sounding the alarm about potential fraud.

Hey, c'mon now. Isn't this kind of backdoor redistribution a show of neighborliness???? 

But seriously, it's not a stretch to believe Walz was willing to turn a blind eye when he's basically gone on national television touting his state as not so much fraud-ridden but rather "generous." 

The more that is being revealed about Minnesota's fraud problem, it's all the more incomprehensible the magnitude of Walz's arrogance regarding his initial intention to seek a third gubernatorial term. 

- Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig is seeking the Democrat nomination to be the state's next U.S. Senator. I recently happened to see one of the TV ads put forth by a leftist PAC supporting Craig. In it, they touted her commitment to no longer fund I.C.E. So passionate was she over this stance, that Craig even got into a shouting match with fellow Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer on the House floor. 

Footage of that dustup was featured in the aforementioned TV ad. 

Knowing she has to get to the left of Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan in order to secure the Dem nomination this August, Craig is also attempting to disavow her "yes" vote on the Laken Riley Act. 

I ask you to keep all of the above information in mind as you read this post from Emmer: 

Always great to see my friend and fellow Minnesotan, Angie Craig, around the halls of Congress. She's one of the few Democrats who's willing to work across the aisle to get important legislation like the Laken Riley Act across the finish line!

We will miss you around here,… pic.twitter.com/NYWmA0NHCu

— Tom Emmer (@GOPMajorityWhip) June 10, 2026

I'm not a big fan of our elected officials' constant "trolling" of each other. I firmly believe it's beneath the office. But that said, even I have to concede that Emmer's work here is PhD level. 

- Despite donning a Nazi tattoo on his chest, being tagged with multiple allegations of domestic abuse and sexting women other than his wife, Graham Platner easily won the Democrat Senate primary in Maine on Tuesday night. 

The official statement from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and DSCC chair Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. 

Keep in mind that it was Gillibrand who 8-1/2 years ago was on the forefront of efforts to oust then Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) after multiple women came forward with allegations of inappropriate touching. Fast forward to today when she's essentially welcoming with open arms a guy who's been alleged to have committed far more egregious offenses in an effort to unseat a sitting female U.S. Senator. 

Life comes at ya fast. 

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Box Score of the Week

Baltimore Orioles at Cleveland Indians - July 6, 1954.

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The 11 first inning runs scored by the Indians is an all-time MLB record for most runs in an opening inning which accounted for the only runs scored by the team. 

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The NARN Closer's playlist - 6/7/2026

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Give me one good reason why I should never make a change...............

It's been a while since I've been on the air in my usual Sunday slot, so it'll be good to be back! My radio show The Closer will air today, 1-3 PM Central Time. 

In the first hour, I'll discuss the fallout from last weekend's chaotic MNGOP state convention. 

At 1:30, MN State Senate candidate Julida Alter will drop by the Patriot bunker. She is vying to be the GOP candidate in Senate District 56, which covers Apple Valley, Rosemount and the southeastern portion of Eagan. 

In the 2:00 hour, I will weigh in on the national Democrats' continued extremism problem and how their laments over the behavior of Donald Trump now ring hollow. 

So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.

 

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 or, if you're near downtown Minneapolis/West Metro area, 107.5 FM on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio as well as Amazon Alexa (just say "Alexa, play The Patriot Minneapolis"). If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #NARNShow or "Like" our Facebook page, where we also conduct a "Live Stream" of the broadcast.

Until then.....

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Gotta love Beast Mode

I've been in quite a funk the past two weeks, so it's nice to have a mindless diversion to give me a chuckle. 

This story from former Seattle Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch on the ending of his team's Super Bowl XLIX loss to the New England Patriots lives rent-free in my head. 

Just watch. 

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Quick Hits: Volume CDXIII

- After the absolute debacle that was the MNGOP convention this past weekend, the runner-up in the gubernatorial endorsement is taking it to the August primary. 

House Speaker Lisa Demuth will continue her campaign for Minnesota governor despite losing the state Republican endorsement to former healthcare executive Kendall Qualls at the state party convention in Duluth.

She and her running mate, attorney Ryan Wilson, announced their decision on Tuesday. Demuth will run in the GOP primary on Aug. 11 against Qualls and My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell, after this weekend’s convention failed to eliminate top Republican candidates in the races for governor and U.S. Senate.

Demuth had originally pledged to abide by the GOP’s endorsement before the convention, but left the door open after “unusual circumstances” with the balloting process on Saturday.

“We fully expected when we agreed to abide by the endorsement that that process would be fair,” Demuth said on the steps of the state Capitol after filing paperwork to run. “That was brought into question.”

Demuth had led on the first four ballots, increasing her percentage on each occasion. But then from ballots 4 to 5, the result went from Demuth leading Qualls 42.4% to 35.8% to her trailing 49.9% to 46%. And if that wasn't suspicious enough, the number of delegates casting votes dropped by nearly 400. It was when results were being tabulated for ballot #6 that it was ascertained there were technical issues involving the clickers being used to cast votes. A 15-minute recess to address the issue turned into multiple hours before voting resumed. Qualls would eventually reach the 60% threshold on the 10th ballot. 

Look, I'm not suggesting that Qualls' victory is illegitimate. However, given the flawed process, the state party was absolutely justified in allowing Demuth to rescind her pledge to abide by the endorsement if she so chose. 

Finally, friend of the NARN (and occasional guest host) Dave Osmek with perhaps the paramount reason why the endorsement process should be gassed altogether. 

Text from former GOP Senate Pres. Dave Osmek, who is very much not holding back right now: "Any convention that sees fit to have a Moment of Silence for Derek Chauvin should not be able to chose what flavor juice is in their sippy cup, much less the next Governor of Minnesota"

— Walker Orenstein (@walkerorenstein) June 2, 2026

If MNGOP activists indeed don't want the party to perpetually be in the minority, what would they be doing differently if they did? 

- Given it's the month of June, major organizations look to pander to the LGBTQIA2S+ community. And certain media outlets are witting accomplices in calling out those who refuse to do so.  

⚾ The Texas Rangers celebrate everything from Whataburger to Barbie nights, but one tradition remains absent from their schedule.

While every other MLB team is hosting an LGBTQ+ Pride Night in 2025, the Rangers are once again the league's lone holdout. Fans, advocates and… pic.twitter.com/4OpFxWoNcC

— Chron (@chron) June 2, 2026

Unless the Rangers are actively banning gays from participating in their various promotional nights, I'm not really seeing an issue here.  

- I wrote a few weeks ago that the national Democrat party has an extremism problem. 

A lot has been made of Graham Platner (or is it Grähäm Plätner?), the guy vying to be the Dem Senate candidate to oppose Susan Collins in Maine. Turns out the Nazi tattoo on his chest may, shockingly, be the least of his issues.  

But if you think that's jarring, get a load of the official Democrat candidate for Congress out of New Jersey's 12th Congressional District. 

New Jersey Democrats have nominated this man for US Congress. https://t.co/RCJeqVyJSF pic.twitter.com/2eoxvisHil

— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) June 3, 2026

I guess this all makes sense. For a solid decade now, progs have painted Donald Trump as evil and morally bankrupt. Turns out they were only doing so to justify the lunatics they're now regularly putting forth for political office.

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It's the month of June......

 ....which means..........

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Box Score of the Week

San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves - August 14, 2007. 

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Braves manager Bobby Cox was ejected this game for arguing a called third strike. It marked Cox's 122nd career ouster, surpassing John McGraw for the all-time lead. 

Cox retired after 2010 with 162 total ejections, a record that will likely never be broken. 

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