Dave Heller
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Writer, author, freelancer, vintage base ball player, sports nut, friend & dad. Not necessarily in that order. OK, definitely not.
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Articles by Dave Heller
Dave Heller: There was a lot to celebrate with the River Bandits
Recently, I visited a friend of mine who also owns a Minor League Baseball team. When the attendant at Will Call saw my ticket, she was impressed. kAm“~@9[ J@F’C6 D:EE:?8 :? E96 ~H?6C’D q@I]”k^Am Quad Cities River Bandits owner Dave Heller kAmx H2=<65 FA E@ E96 DF:E6 =6G6= 2?5 H2E4965 E96 82>6 7C@> E96 @H?6C’D DF:E6] pD H6 762DE65 @? 9@E H:?8D 2?5 4@=5 366C[ 96 2D<65[ “s@ J@F C62==J 92G6 E@ 8@ E@ 6G6CJ 82>6 2?5 8C66E 6G6CJ@?6 H96?
Modesto Roadsters thank fans for a successful first year in Pioneer Baseball League
Thank you for welcoming the Modesto Roadsters into your community! When I chose to bring baseball back to Modesto, I made a promise. We’d make the ballpark affordable again. We’d bring back affordable, family-friendly fun. We started with parking. The Nuts charged fans $10 just to pull into the lot. We didn’t reduce that price; we eliminated it. Parking was free all season, and it will stay that way. We lowered ticket and concession prices, too.
Modesto Roadsters thank fans for a successful first year in Pioneer Baseball League
Thank you for welcoming the Modesto Roadsters into your community! When I chose to bring baseball back to Modesto, I made a promise. We’d make the ballpark affordable again. We’d bring back affordable, family-friendly fun. We started with parking. The Nuts charged fans $10 just to pull into the lot. We didn’t reduce that price; we eliminated it. Parking was free all season, and it will stay that way. We lowered ticket and concession prices, too.
Identity crisis
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2-Time Super Bowl Champion Drops 6-Word Message As Commanders Announce They’re Retiring Art Monk’s No. 81 Jersey
The Washington Commanders delivered news that was long overdue on Tuesday: the team is retiring Art Monk’s No. 81. The announcement was met with celebration across social media, particularly by someone who knows what it means to reach the sport’s highest level. Why Is Art Monk So Celebrated? Washington drafted Monk in the first round of the 1980 NFL draft (No. 18 overall after his four years at Syracuse.
Dave Heller: Moved by oath of enlistment ceremony at ballpark Original
I’m not typically an emotional guy; at least, I don’t get choked up too often. But a few weeks ago, watching Major General Mark McCormack, on behalf of the Rock Island Arsenal and the U.S. Army Forces Command, administer the oath of enlistment to 50 young Quad- Cities residents on the field at Modern Woodmen Park, I was truly moved.
Packers Floated as Potential Landing Spot for Havoc-Wreaking $112,011,000 All-Pro Amid Tense Contract Holdout
The Green Bay Packers need more pass-rush help. They might fix a past draft mistake while addressing this need. The Pittsburgh Steelers face a tough decision. They’re clearly trying to win in 2025, based on their offseason moves adding veterans like cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay, plus wide receiver DK Metcalf. The current holdout by outside linebacker T.J. Watt creates a problem. Watt ranks among the NFL’s best pass rushers and would boost Pittsburgh’s defense for any playoff run.
On Juneteenth, Trump Says 'Too Many Non-Working Holidays In America'
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 under President Joe Biden. Perhaps it won't be a holiday much longer. On Thursday, President Donald Trump made no declarations about Juneteenth but did post a message on his Truth Social account decrying Americans having too many paid days off. He wrote: "Too many non-working holidays in America. It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed.
Keon Coleman Admits His Rookie Tape Was ‘Trash’ As Bills WR Reflects on Humbling First Year
One season does not make a career, so it’s a bit early to label Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman a bust. But the 2024 second-round draft pick had a disappointing year. Just ask him, and he’ll tell you. Keon Coleman’s Self-Evaluation At a press conference Monday, when asked what he saw looking back at the tape from his first year in the NFL, Coleman was blunt in his assessment. “You wanna know exactly what I see? Man that s— trash,” Coleman said. “You gotta be better.
Raiders Rookie Ashton Jeanty Reveals His Mount Rushmore of Running Backs and It Might Surprise You
Picking the top players at one position over the history of the NFL can be a futile exercise. No list will satisfy everyone, but that doesn’t stop them from being made and fiercely debated. Las Vegas rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, however, was asked to name his personal Mount Rushmore during an appearance on “The Rush With Maxx Crosby” podcast. Crosby, Jeanty’s new teammate, asked the Boise State product’s Mount Rushmore of running backs both in college and in the pros.
3-Time Super Bowl Champion Reveals the Team He Believes Will End Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs’ Dominance
The Kansas City Chiefs haven’t been renting the top spot in the AFC West; they’ve owned it. Kansas City has finished in first place in the division since 2016 – which even predates quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ time with the team. But is it finally time for the Chiefs to relinquish their crown? Mark Schlereth, who played in the NFL from 1989-2000, made two Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowls, has pinpointed the team that he thinks has the best chance of unseating Kansas City.
Saints QB Jake Haener Candidly Shoots Down the Notion That New Orleans Needs To Add a Veteran Signal-Caller
The New Orleans Saints have the least experienced quarterback room in the NFL. Well, at least in terms of those who might line up behind center in 2025. The retirement of Derek Carr this offseason left the Saints with a cacophony of young signal-callers. Why the Saints Are OK With Four Young Quarterbacks Spencer Rattler, the team’s fourth-round draft pick in 2024, threw 228 passes as a rookie. That gives him the most NFL pass attempts of any QB on the New Orleans roster.
Who Do the Eagles Take Instead of WR Jalen Reagor? 2020 NFL Redraft Brings in 33.5-Sack EDGE
Philadelphia executive vice president/general manager Howie Roseman has deservedly been given his flowers for the recent Eagles drafts, as well as some of his other roster machinations. However, Roseman’s first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft is one Philly fandom would like to forget. Try out Pro Football & Sports Network's FREE playoff predictor, where you can simulate every 2025-26 NFL season game and see how it all shakes out! 2020 NFL Redraft – Who Goes to the Eagles?
‘Could They Make a 4th Trade?’ — NFL Insider Reveals Cowboys Are a Team ‘To Watch’ as a Suitor for $72,300,000 Star | PFSN
If you can say one thing about the Dallas Cowboys, it’s that they don’t mind trying to make a splash move. Dallas has swung for the fences with trades in recent years, although often have come up short — mainly wide receivers such as Amari Cooper, Joey Galloway, and Roy Williams (some might put recent deals for Jonathan Mingo and quarterback Trey Lance in that list, although there wasn’t as much capital used to acquire them). Maybe a switch to the opposite side of the ball could bring better luck.
‘Completely Unfazed by Money’ -- Former NFL Scout Compares Brock Purdy to Golf Superstar Scottie Scheffler
The San Francisco 49ers locked down their starting quarterback for years to come when they signed Brock Purdy to a lucrative extension. Purdy, the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, inked a five-year extension for $265 million with $188 million guaranteed and a $40 million signing bonus. Former NFL scout John Middlekauff thinks this was a great signing — but maybe not for the reasons you think.
Here's How Raiders’ Star Rookie Ashton Jeanty Reacted to Getting Called ‘Thick’ by Brock Bowers
Thick. When first hearing the comment by Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, it might seem like another case of long-standing (but now frowned-upon) rookie hazing, but in fact, it was rookie praising. Try out Pro Football & Sports Network's FREE playoff predictor, where you can simulate every 2025-26 NFL season game and see how it all shakes out! How Did Ashton Jeanty React to Being Called Thick?
Atlanta Residents Feel Aftershocks of Earthquake
People might have been woken up in Atlanta on Saturday morning by an unusual occurrence – an earthquake. The earthquake didn’t originate in Georgia, however. Atlanta felt the aftershocks of a registered 4.1 magnitude one which occurred roughly 12.5 miles southeast of Greenback, Tennessee at 9:04 a.m. Atlanta is 132.69 miles south of Greenback.
2-Time Super Bowl Champion Doubts Mike Tomlin’s Steelers’ Ability To Succeed Following George Pickens Trade
Mike Tomlin has proven himself as one of the best coaches in NFL history. In 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he’s never had a losing record and has led the team to the playoffs 12 times. But the Steelers’ trade of wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys has raised some red flags. At least one former NFL player thinks Tomlin may have a tough time repeating past success. Why Does Mike Tomlin Have an Uphill Battle With the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025?
Who Are the Eagles’ Highest-Paid Players? Philadelphia’s Top 10 Biggest Salaries in 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles lost some key pieces in free agency but still have a number of marquee players on their roster. Which Eagles will be making the most money in 2025? Our list doesn’t include draft picks (first-round selection Jihaad Campbell) or players no longer on the roster who the team still has to clear from its books (i.e. Darius Slay and James Bradberry). Nor is this a look at the salary-cap hit for each player.
Steelers Insider Reveals Pittsburgh Would’ve Picked Will Howard Over Shedeur Sanders If Both Were There in 6th Round
Before last week’s NFL draft, it was pinpointed by many that the Pittsburgh Steelers needed a quarterback. It could still be argued they still do – and maybe a dalliance with Aaron Rodgers will potentially be consummated. But Pittsburgh entered the league’s yearly selection process with two quarterbacks on its roster: Mason Rudolph, a failed starter previously with Pittsburgh, and veteran backup Skyler Thompson. Why Didn’t the Steelers Want To Draft Shedeur Sanders?
Trump: Nominating Waltz to Be UN Ambassador; Rubio Gets Added Role as NSA
President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social account that he's nominating Mike Waltz to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will also take on duties as national security adviser. "From his time in uniform on the battlefield, in Congress, and as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nation's Interest first. I know he will do the same in his new role," Trump wrote.
NFL Insider Makes Bold Claim That Shedeur Sanders ‘Sandbagged’ Combine Meetings With Teams He Wanted To Avoid
Where Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders was going to land in the 2025 NFL Draft was one of the biggest, if not the biggest, storylines. It took a while before everyone found out where he was going, as he waited until Day 3. After NFL teams bypassed him throughout Days 1 and 2, the Cleveland Browns finally stepped up in the fifth round to select Sanders with the 144th overall pick.
Trump Backs Hegseth: 'I Don't View Signal as Important'
President Donald Trump has continued to support Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the Signal chat controversy. In a meeting with reporters Friday on Air Force One en route to Rome for Pope Francis' funeral, Trump was asked about his confidence in Hegseth and particularly the Signal messaging app. Trump dismissed the matter with a wave of his hand. "I don't view Signal as important," Trump said. "I think that's fake news.
Who Is Mason Crosby? Examining the Super Bowl Champion’s 17-Year NFL Career, Stats, College, Age, and More
With the NFL Draft taking place in Green Bay, Wis., get ready to see a lot of cheeseheads and Packers. The NFL is ensuring it. The league called on former players to announce picks in the second and third rounds. Among the seven ex-Green Bay standouts who are scheduled to take the podium and deliver Packers selections is kicker Mason Crosby. What Kind of Player Was Mason Crosby?
Rams GM Les Snead Reveals He's Had Trade Talks About Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey, Opening Door for Potential Reunion
The Los Angeles Rams traded cornerback Jalen Ramsey to Miami in March 2023. Two years later, might the Miami Dolphins return the favor? Miami gave Ramsey a lucrative contract extension just 7.5 months ago, a three-year deal worth $72 million with $24.235 million guaranteed. But the honeymoon is over, and the Dolphins are shopping the six-time Pro Bowl corner as Ramsey is due an $18.98 million bonus on Aug. 30 and already collected a $4 million bonus in March.
Jordan Peele Drops Trailer For His New Football-Themed Horror Movie ‘HIM’ and It Instantly Went Viral
Football is sport, football can be fantasy, and football now can be … horror? There have been plenty of football movies over the years, including such fare as “Any Given Sunday,” “The Program,” “Rudy,” “We Are Marshall,” and plenty more. These are usually based on true stories or tales of hard work and/or redemption. Leave it to filmmaker Jordan Peele to take an entirely new tact. What Is The New Jordan Peele Film HIM About?
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta Addresses Whether Mark Andrews Will Return to Team in 2025
Mark Andrews has had a memorable run with the Baltimore Ravens. His last play might be one to forget. The tight end, selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, finished his seventh season with the club this past season. Andrews is the franchise’s career leader in receiving touchdowns (51) and is second in receiving yards (5,530). He’s been selected to three Pro Bowls, and in 2021, he was named First-Team All-Pro.
Steelers Legend Ben Roethlisberger Urges Pittsburgh’s Front Office To Set Strict Deadline for Aaron Rodgers’ Free Agency Decision
If you think the Aaron Rodgers “will he or won’t he sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers” drama has gone on long enough, well, you aren’t the only one. Add former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to that list.
NFL Insider Reveals Shedeur Sanders’ Mature Take on Potential Draft-Day Slide
Being the No. 1 pick or even being selected in the top five of the NFL Draft comes with a lot of fanfare. Shedeur Sanders, the enigmatic quarterback out of Colorado, certainly has a lot of hype entering the 2025 draft. Where he will land and how high will be one of the big storylines in Round 1 on April 24. According to NFL insider and FOX analyst Joel Klatt, Sanders knows it won’t necessarily be where he goes in the draft but to who and how he can succeed with his new team.
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa Ignites Trade Rumors by Listing His South Florida Home for Sale
Move over, cryptic social media posts—there’s a new way to speculate about an NFL player’s future: by keeping an eye on the real estate market. Case in point: Tua Tagovailoa. Speculation Surrounds Tua Tagovailoa After Real Estate Listing The Miami Dolphins quarterback has recently put his South Florida home on the market, sparking fresh rumors about his long-term future with the team.
'He's Older Than Trevor Lawrence' -- NFL Analyst Doesn't Understand Hype Around QB Prospect Ahead of 2025 Draft
Former Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough is getting some love in the upcoming NFL Draft as one of the top quarterbacks available. Some experts project him as one of the first five quarterbacks to come off the board. There are, however, legitimate concerns about Shough’s viability as a pro signal-caller.
Dave Heller: Thanks for making Modern Woodmen Park No. 1 again
For the second year in a row and the third consecutive time, the readers of USA Today and 10Best.com voted Davenport’s Modern Woodmen Park “America’s best minor league ballpark.” All of us within the River Bandits family are both humbled and gratified by the outpouring of support from our great community for our wonderful ballpark.
Story behind the story: Eventual Super Bowl hero Corey Clement
With Philadelphia having won Super Bowl LIX and Zack Baun being a key player on the team - the former Wisconsin linebacker was named All-Pro this season and had one heck of a diving interception in the big game - I remembered that when Baun was headed to the NFL I interviewed him for a story.
Dave Heller: Proposed hotel a win for city, developers and downtown businesses
My mom was a realtor; helping people find their dream homes brought her great joy. She’d say, “the front door is one of a home’s most important features,” because that’s where people get their first impressions. She’d always advise folks to ensure their front door gave off a warm “Welcome! We’re glad you’re here!” vibe. Downtown Davenport’s front door sits just past the Quad-City Times building at 3rd and River Drive – and the vibe is anything but welcoming.
Wisconsin Badgers predictions: Game 9 at Iowa
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Game 8 vs. Penn State
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Game 6 at Rutgers
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Game 5 vs. Purdue
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Wisconsin Badgers predictions: Game 4 at USC
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Wisconsin Badgers predictions: Game 3 vs. Alabama
Discover more from View From Heller Substack Sports musings from longtime sportswriter Dave Heller It’s pretty cool that Alabama is making a rare trek north to play a true regular-season road game (first time since 2011, if you were wondering). It’s also pretty cool that this particular game is in Madison. Alas … this is probably not the best Badgers team over the years to have to face the No. 4 team in the nation. A 16 1/2 home underdog spread solidifies that thought.
Story behind the story - Ex-NFL, Badgers LB Casillas aims to ease pain with cannabidiol
I can’t remember where I saw it but it immediately struck me as an interesting story. Jonathan Casillas, the former Wisconsin linebacker, was getting into selling CBD products. He also had no problem talking about his use of marijuana. However, how to find Casillas? Fortunately, Casillas is a good friend of another ex-Badgers linebacker Jaevery McFadden, with whom I have a good relationship. McFadden reached out to Casillas, who agreed to talk. And talk he did.
Story behind the story: Unexpected journey of Badgers' Ogunbowale leads to NFL Draft
Seeing running back, and former Wisconsin Badger, Dare Ogunbowale kick a field goal in Houston’s win last Sunday was pretty incredible and quite the story. Of course, it’s pretty incredible that Ogunbowale is in his seventh year in the NFL — the same number of years Ron Dayne played in the league. Think about that for a second. Ogunbowale only has two carries this season, heading into the Week 10 games.
A look at the Twins' contract situations heading into 2023-24 offseason
With the World Series getting ready to begin and the offseason almost officially upon us, Major League Baseball teams soon will turn their attention to the 2024 season. Minnesota general manager Thad Levine will have plenty of decisions to make, with two key players having option years, seven players up for arbitration and a host of free agents, including three starting pitchers.
A look at the Brewers' contract situations heading into 2023-24 offseason
With the World Series getting ready to begin and the offseason almost officially upon us, Major League Baseball teams soon will turn their attention to the 2024 season. Senior vice president and general manager Matt Arnold has a few decisions to make, especially with a number of Brewers eligible for arbitration. There are the usual choices on impending free agents and a couple of notable team options on players to pick up or decline as well.
Minnesota Timberwolves 2023-24 player capsules
9 Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G HT/WT: 6-foot-5, 193 pounds 2022-23 STATS (with Wolves): 5.9 pts, 1.8 reb, 1.4 ast NOTABLE: Acquired as part of three-team trade with Utah and the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 9. … Averaged 6.3 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 48.8% from the field and 40.2% from 3 in 36 games with the Jazz. … Shot 38.4% from the field and 36.1% from 3 in 23 games with the Wolves.
StaTuesday: Bucks predictions for 2023-24 season
The addition of Damian Lillard to Milwaukee has made the Bucks an even more interesting team in 2023-24. It also made them a heavy NBA favorite. Both BetMGM and DraftKings list the Bucks at +400 to win the championship while FanDuel places them at +380. Those are the best odds, albeit tied with … fellow Eastern Conference mate Boston. All three sites list Denver next at +550 (FanDuel also has Phoenix at +550). Clearly, no matter how you slice it, Milwaukee is one of the top teams in the NBA.
Wild's Fleury gets his flowers back home
A look at who is trending up and down the past week in Minnesota sports, including Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury getting his flowers, a strong defensive pairing and trouble in the air with the Vikings. Marc-Andre Fleury, Wild goalie (⬆️ UP) He might not be a No. 1 anymore, but at 38 years old – 39 next month – Fleury showed Tuesday he’s still got it. In what was clearly an emotional night for him, the Quebec native backstopped Minnesota to a 5-2 win in Montreal, notching 27 saves.
StaTuesday: Twins' Correa one of the best postseason performers of his generation
There are plenty of reasons a team would want to have Carlos Correa. He’s a lifetime .272/.351/.460 (124 OPS+) hitter, a two-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner. Correa also steps up when the lights are shining brightest, as the Minnesota Twins found out this year. While Correa did not enjoy the offensive or perhaps even defensive season expected of him (after a tumultuous offseason which saw him unexpectedly re-land in Minnesota), his true value came alive in the playoffs.
Milwaukee Brewers 2023 season awards
A season coming to an end in the playoffs, especially the wild-card round, is always a bitter pill to swallow. But that doesn’t mean a year wasn’t a success. Milwaukee won the National League Central Division with a 92-70 record – the Pythagorean W/L (expected wins and losses based on runs scored and allowed) suggests the Brewers should have been 90-72. The AL Central champion Twins, for example, won 87 games but had a Pythagorean W/L of 93-69. Yes, the finish wasn’t what anyone wanted.
2023-24 Minnesota Wild player capsules
2 Calen Addison, D 2022-23 STATS: 3 goals, 26 assists, -17, 22 PIM NOTABLE: Appeared in 62 games last year after playing in 18 combined with the Wild the previous two seasons. … Received two points in voting for NHL All-Rookie team, fifth among defensemen. … Had 38 blocks, 19 hits and 11 takeaways. … Did not appear in playoffs. … Second-round pick (No. 53 overall) in 2018 by Pittsburgh. … Acquired by Wild in Jason Zucker trade Feb. 10, 2020.
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