Posted May 18, 2009
Historic Times Arrive for Local Teams
For those who believe the Mayan prophecy predicting the world ends in 2012 these are stressful times. Even right here on the prairie it seems like the sky is falling with our pro sports teams.
While now may not be the end games, these are historic times for the Timberwolves, Vikings, Wild and Twins. Pivotal moments, perhaps unprecedented locally, lie ahead for the four franchises.
No franchise is more troubled than the Timberwolves who have made a habit of annually losing most of their games and a lot of money. Despite dismal performance on the court and attendance, Minnesotan and owner Glen Taylor perseveres. He’s searching for a general manager and coach who can make a sweet future out of a failed past. Whoever is hired must make the most out of three first round draft choices this June and lots of salary cap room to pursue free agents in 2010. If things don’t improve, go ahead and wonder how long Taylor wants to own and operate the team at 600 First Ave. North. Timberwolves might not be the best fit for a nickname in Las Vegas, but Lakers has thrived in southern California.
While a few folks are jumpy about the Timberwolves moving, thousands fret about the Vikings home grounds after 2011 when their Metrodome lease expires. The world will end for the Purple faithful if the Vikings relocate in 2012. While it seems far-fetched to speculate on a move to the Mayan’s home country of Mexico, something must be done to provide the franchise with more revenues than is possible in the Metrodome. Without a new stadium, it’s common belief that owner Zygi Wilf will sell the franchise to someone who says adiós to Minnesota. Does Adrian Peterson’s astrology chart have him giving football tutorials on Central American TV for the Mexico City Vikings? Nice fit, huh?
The “warming house” where fans wait to buy Wild season tickets has an air of anticipation these days. For the second time in franchise history the general manager and coaching jobs are open. The men who fill those roles will be expected to put the team into the playoffs on an annual basis. Nothing is more exciting than winning, but a product with more offense sounds good to those tired of the defense obsessed philosophy of the past. Short term, the franchise’s No. 1 need is to retain the most gifted player in Wild history, free agent Marian Gaborik. At 27, Gaborik can headline a franchise that for many years can keep Xcel Energy Center full and the “warming house” open where about 7,500 potential ticket buyers are waiting.
You don’t need a regular diet of Rolaids to talk about the Twins. Lots of good players, capable manager in Ron Gardenhire and that beautiful ballpark opening next year. Things are pretty good except there’s always something to fret about in baseball and life. Short term, the starting and relief pitching demands keeping the Pepto Bismol handy. Then there’s the economy and the question of how the club will do in attracting fans and sponsors in challenging times. Make costs too pricey and even a new stadium doesn’t guarantee success. Example A is the new Yankee Stadium where fans have been disguising themselves as empty seats. Twins worry-warts also have their eye on Joe Mauer’s contract which ends in 2010. That’s awful close to 2012 but it’s hard to see the hometown catcher and batting champ going anyplace else to play.
See, there is good news.
Marian Gaborik
Joe Mauer
Photo courtesy of Minnesota Twins
Worth Noting
There might not be any relocation expenses when the Wolves select their new general manager and coach. Fred Hoiberg and Kevin McHale? What seemed unthinkable six weeks ago seems possible now.
Look for Taylor to at least name a general manager before month’s end, with this week a possibility.
You wonder if Jimmy Williams will join Flip Saunders' staff in Washington. Williams was an assistant coach with the Gophers when Saunders played for Minnesota, and later was an assistant to Saunders with the Timberwolves.
A familiar face to Minnesotans is being seen on Fox Sports West telecasts of Los Angeles Angels and Anaheim Ducks games. Former Gophers basketball coach Dan Monson, now head man at Long Beach State, is pitching ribs on TV commercials. www.ribcompany.com/commercials.html
Chairman Ken Lien will present the Mr. Basketball award to Royce White at a reception Thursday night at the Martin Luther King Center in St. Paul. Proud grandfather Frank White has been sending invitations to the event.
Paul Allen said on KFAN he believes if Jordan Schroeder goes high enough in next month’s NHL draft the Gophers' forward won’t be back for his sophomore year.
Gophers' football coach Tim Brewster has finished evaluation meetings with more than 80 of his players. They receive advice on football, academics and behavior. Last semester the Gophers had 47 players with GPA’s of over 3.0.
Brewster has selected two of the four Honorary Captains so far for the opening game at TCF Bank Stadium on September 12. Bobby Bell was announced last month and now the late Sandy Stephens has been named. Bell, a two time All-American tackle, and Stephens, the first African-American All-American quarterback, were players on the 1960 national championship team. Stephens will be represented by his brother Ray, another former Gophers quarterback.
Jordan Schroeder
Extra Innings
The Vikings have a potential future leader in John Sullivan, the second year center who will try to replace the departed Matt Birk.
The Vikings’ Adrian Peterson can talk about adding more muscle but it doesn’t change the reality of short careers for running backs in the NFL.
If Brett Favre is healthy enough to resume his football career there seems little doubt he will play for the Vikings and also cause an uproar between fans of the Purple and Green Bay. Some of this will be sophomoric ranting on both sides regardless of how Favre performs. If Favre excels, Vikings morons will think they’re sticking it to the Packers. Green Bay loyalists will respond that Favre is a traitor and much better when he played in Green Bay. If Favre flops, immature cheese-heads will be laughing all the way to the nearest taverns while the Purple fans insist they can kick green and gold butts without No. 4. Look for the border war to go nuclear.
Justin Morneau told Sports Headliners almost two years ago that Twins teammates liked one another so much they would be friends regardless of whether they played baseball together. ESPN.com writer Tim Kurkjian wrote about the club’s character recently. See his story and accompanying video of a Michael Cuddyer card trick. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=kurkjian_tim&id=4149888
Three MIAC softball student-athletes have been named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III All-American team. St. Thomas senior infielder Missy Bruggeman and St. Thomas junior infielder Alison Wright were first team selections while Gustavus senior infielder Rachael Click was second team.
St. Thomas won the 2008-09 MIAC Men's and Women's All-Sports Competitions. The traveling All-Sports trophy is awarded annually to the school that accumulates the best all-sports record during the MIAC academic year. For the Tommie men, it is their 23rd overall All-Sports award, and for the St. Thomas women the 18th title in the 26-year history of the women's award. This is the second straight sweep of the men's and women's titles for St. Thomas. See the rankings of all MIAC schools at http://www.miac-online.org/Sports/MIAC/2008/allsports0809.asp?nl=8
Adrian Peterson
Michael Cuddyer
Photo courtesy of Minnesota Twins
