Personal news: This is my last week at the Pioneer Press. I will be covering Broncos for the Denver Gazette. Woody Paige is a columnist there and it's an exciting opportunity. I return to Denver, where I once worked for a decade. I'm thankful to the Pioneer Press for my time here

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 16, 2023

Chris Tomasson the bulldog

Chris Tomasson will be missed, not just by his readers and those who appreciate his bulldog style in an interview scrum, but by his fellow reporters. Nobody questioned who was going to ask the hardest question needing addressed during the last decade (2013-2023), when Chris was in the room.

He never hesitates and puts reporting above all else, even if his commitment level was being questioned by coaches, colleagues or fans. He will live tweet a funeral or spar head-to-head with Mike Zimmer.

There’s nothing — and I mean nothing — that comes between Chris Tomasson and reporting news. And that’s something that the players and coaches he covers absolutely notice. Oftentimes, you’d hear an immediate change in tune when Tomasson would ask questions, vs other reporters. Especially Zimmer.

Zimmer vs Tomasson | Round 231 #Vikings pic.twitter.com/8NNGaSaUE1

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) October 30, 2020

But even when Zim or others would challenge him, Chris stood his ground and was ready to follow up or explain his question whenever needed. As someone with limited experience in a press conference environment, that can be a difficult thing to do. Especially when questions or challenges from your interviewee come at a surprise time, like in the video above when Mike flips out on him for no reason.

Broncos fans win, Vikings fans lose

I’m happy for Chris, if this is what he wanted. The Denver Post and Broncos fans are lucky to have him and they have no idea what is about to hit their team’s press conferences. But this goodbye is hard to swallow, for Vikings fans who appreciate his bulldog reporting style.

Without Tomasson in the room, how are we going to get iconic interview moments like the time Stefon Diggs — after Tomasson finally asked the ‘elephant in the room’ question about whether or not Diggs wanted to be traded — told the world “there’s truth to all rumors, Chris”.

“There’s truth to all rumors.”

Stefon Diggs addresses the question on if he wants to be traded from the #Vikings pic.twitter.com/xccesIutd0

— SKOR North (@SKORNorth) October 3, 2019

Or how about that time Chris called Bashaud Breeland out on his PFF grades, to add context before a question. Oh, and there was that time Kirk Cousins questioned Tomasson’s fashion choices or the legitimacy of a recent pass interference call.

And we haven’t even gotten into his GOAT tweets, which continued right up until the moment Chris announced his impending departure. He will literally do anything and talk to anyone, in order to get a story. Then, he’d tweet about how it went, whether successful or not.

When I recently texted #Vikings safety Harrison Smith to ask about his contract situation, he simply sent back this photo of Prince. Since Prince is a Minnesota icon, I asked if that means he’s sticking around. But I didn’t hear back. pic.twitter.com/8H76kDuSAa

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 14, 2023

There has been speculation that if the #Vikings re-signed Alexander Mattison then Dalvin Cook wouldn't come back. I asked Mattison about Cook's status. "I don't know anything about any of that."

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 16, 2023

I talked to American head basketball coach Mike Brennan, who was #Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s JV coach at Princeton: “I liked him… He was a hard worker. He was a diligent worker. He listened. He was attentive. He was fun to coach. He was a well-liked kid amongst the team."

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) January 26, 2022

Not sure what's going on with ex-#Vikings LB Anthony Barr in free agency. I did call him today mostly since he's up tomorrow for Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award at ESPYs. But he hung up on me before I had a chance to ask him about the award & then didn't return a message.

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 19, 2022

I chatted with the food folks at Allegiant Stadium and was told that among selections in the press box at halftime will be Spam sliders. The Raiders always cater a selection to the road team coming in. I actually have been to the Spam Museum in Austin, Minn, not once but twice.

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) August 14, 2022

I just had a 1 1/2-minute phone conversation with Jim Harbaugh. He was friendly but wouldn’t confirm coming to Minnesota for #Vikings interview Wednesday. “I’m not confirming anything or denying anything.” He said “please don’t be offended” that he wouldn’t discuss his situation.

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) February 1, 2022

I don’t know Chris Tomasson personally, (only interactions are a couple interviews we did with him a few years back, when I co-hosted the “Bleeding Purple” podcast). Still, I will miss him. Neither Vikings press conferences nor Vikings twitter will ever be the same.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

What other attributes were the Wolves looking for in their next PBP voice? They specifically told media that they wanted somebody whose skin color isn’t white. Well, they checked one of those boxes today when they announced the hiring of YES Network’s sideline reporter and part-time play-by-play commentator, Michael Grady.

YES Network (New York) is, undoubtedly, a larger and better funded local network than Bally Sports North, but Michael Grady isn’t a well-known voice, like some of those who have been floated.

Michael Grady has been named our TV play-by-play announcer with @BallySportsNOR!

Welcome to MN, @Grady! pic.twitter.com/on0jS8GntU

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) August 18, 2022

Grady has spent the last five seasons with the YES Network, working sideline duty with the Brooklyn Nets. There’s a funny video of an interview he did with D’Angelo Russell in 2019, where he informs DLo after a win that they clinched a playoff spot.

There’s no doubt Grady has a bright future in broadcasting. He has a great voice and, for a youngster, he has really good flow in his commentating. All and all, fans will be happy with Grady as the new voice of the Wolves. Here he is calling the Nets @ Magic last season, when Kyrie Irving went off for 60 points.

Questionable Hiring Practices

But this hire has to call into question the firing of Dave Benz. Not only did the Timberwolves fail in their search for a well-known basketball voice, like Gus Johnson or Kevin Harlan. But they ended up hiring a young sideline reporter who has very little experience announcing NBA games.

In other words, the Wolves fired a 10-year veteran, who NOBODY was complaining about. A guy who the fans loved and had grown with. Afterward, the team told reporters that being a different color than Benz was an important part of the search criteria, when finding his replacement.

As Jon said, this is very much a Wolves decision. I’ve heard aim is someone who also does national work — like Mark Jones with SAC and Mike Breen with NYK. Have also heard they’d like to hire a person of color. Haven’t heard anything on Gus Johnson specifically, but makes sense.

— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) August 1, 2022

If hiring a Minnesota Timberwolves play-by-play voice and you compared the resumes and fan excitement for Dave Benz vs Michael Grady, Benz would get the job in a landslide. Unless, of course, you’re making the decision strictly based on a candidate’s skin color. Which, I’m pretty sure is illegal.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan