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No “Secret Plan” for Twins’ Roof
A
design for the new Twins’ baseball stadium will likely be presented to
the public in March or April of next year, according to club president
Dave St. Peter. During an interview with Sports Headliners
he spoke about various aspects of the stadium project including whether
there will be a retractable roof.
St.
Peter expects ground to be broken for the stadium in May or June and the
facility will open in 2010. Although Hennepin County and the Twins made
a commitment to build a $522 million (includes financing and
infrastructure) open-air stadium earlier this year, there has been
ongoing speculation about adding a retractable roof but St. Peter said
“there is no secret plan” to do so.
The
expense of a roof would add considerably to the stadium’s cost and has
never been part of the current plan. The Twins,
St. Peter said, were given a choice of remaining in
the Metrodome or playing in an open-air stadium.
Based
on his research, St. Peter concluded there isn’t a significant inclement
weather difference between Minneapolis and other northern major league
cities such as Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland. St. Peter said the Twins
and stadium planners are looking at options for providing protective
cover and heat to “as many seats as possible.”
St.
Peter’s enthusiasm about the stadium is evident. “The ballpark
preserves the future of the franchise,” he said. He expects the 42,000
seat facility to allow the Twins to move from near the bottom in
revenues among major league teams to a league average. While those
revenues are important to making the Twins competitive on the field, St.
Peter also talked about the consumer benefit of the new stadium. With
seats angled toward the pitcher’s mound, views of the downtown skyline,
21st century fan enhancements and a superb location with
proximity to transportation and hospitality, the Twins expect to play in
the new ballpark for 50 to 100 years. “We’re building a landmark,” St.
Peter said.
St.
Peter said the expected increase in revenues from the new ballpark will
not figure into the franchise’s budgeting for “at least two years.” The
team’s budget philosophy has been and remains to spend what it earns.
Because revenues increased in 2006, St. Peter expects the player payroll
to increase for next season. Although he didn’t offer any figures,
there has been speculation the payroll may increase from an estimated
$63 million to perhaps $70 million.
What
will the ballpark be named? St. Peter said the Twins aren’t rushing to
make a decision and want to thoroughly consider the name. A corporate
name is a possibility but not a given, he said, although already “there
is no shortage of interest from companies.” |
Although Hennepin County and the Twins
made a commitment to build a $522 million open-air stadium earlier this
year, there has been ongoing speculation about adding a retractable roof
but Dave St. Peter said “there is no secret plan” to do so.
The
team’s budget philosophy has been and remains to spend what it earns.
Photo Courtesy of Minnesota Twins
Dave St. Peter
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Little Man Big Contributor to U
If
you measure a player’s contribution by both skill level and versatility,
then Dominic Jones is the Gopher football team’s most valuable
player. After all, what else would you expect from “Mighty Mouse?”
Jones, a 5-foot-8, 190- pound sophomore, started the season as
Minnesota’s strong safety. Trumaine Banks’ broken left arm sent
Jones to cornerback after the Wisconsin game on October 14. Jones had
started as a freshman at safety, impressing everyone with his hard
tackling and desire to cover the field to make as many plays as
possible. So how well did Jones adapt to cornerback? “He’s a better
corner than he is a safety,” coach Glen Mason said Sunday on WCCO
Radio.
Jones, who is a good fit for the “Mighty Mouse” tag because of his
speed, strength and short stature, started seven games as a true
freshman last season and also returned punts. This season he has
clearly established himself as one of the team’s best players, covering
receivers with skill and rocking ball carriers or receivers with tackles
worthy of his nickname. As both a punt and kickoff return man, he
ranked among the 2006 Big Ten Conference leaders in both categories.
Jones
is so versatile Mason has said the former Columbus, Ohio high school
star could excel as a running back for the Gophers. |
Dominic Jones
Jones, who is a good fit for the “Mighty Mouse” tag because of his
speed, strength and short stature, started seven games as a true
freshman last season and also returned punts.
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Greenway
Positive on Rehab Progress
Vikings’ No. 1 draft choice Chad Greenway injured his left knee
on August 8 in a pre-season game against the Oakland Raiders and shortly
thereafter it was announced Greenway wouldn’t play until next year. He
has been rehabilitating the knee this fall and said recently he probably
could play before the season is over but won’t.
“I am quite a ways ahead (of schedule on
rehab). …It’s gone very well (the last three months)," Greenway said. "Technically, I
could push harder and get back. But there’s no point in pushing it
because when you start pushing it you put more stress on the patella and
you get tendonitis and stuff. …I will be 100% by
mini-camps (next
spring) and I will certainly be looking to be 100% within the next month
and a half, two months.”
The rookie linebacker from Iowa, the No. 17
pick in the draft earlier this year, is working hard to regain his
explosiveness and lateral movement. He works on strengthening his legs
and balance.
Greenway injured his right knee in the spring
of 2002 in Iowa City and had a major rehabilitation process. He
recovered to play in the fall and during his Iowa career became an
All-America linebacker.
In addition to participating in practice next
spring, Greenway is looking forward to golf and perhaps playing every
day. He has a 10 handicap. “It’s not that great but it’s
good for me,” he said. |
I
will be 100% by
mini-camps (next spring) and I will certainly be looking
to be 100% within the next month and a half, two months.”
Chad Greenway
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Extra Innings
Minnesota Timberwolves
Kevin Garnett, Mark Blount, Ricky Davis and Mike
James are players fans can consider voting for as starters for the
56th NBA All-Star Game in February. A media panel chose 120 players
from throughout the NBA for the all-star ballot. Among the ways fans
can vote are at NBA arenas, on AOL.com/nba, and at T-Mobile-owned retail
locations.
Vikings coach Brad Childress talking
about Daunte Culpepper’s comeback chances in Miami following his
“devastating knee injury” while playing for the Vikings last season:
“He’s got all those tools. Sometimes when you have one of those
devastating knee injuries that next year is tough and really you don’t
get back to have all of your faculties maybe until you’re 16-18 months
out.”
Gopher coach Glen
Mason said on WCCO Radio Sunday that the improvement of offensive
lineman Andy Brinkhaus, who is being red shirted this season, is
“mind boggling.” Brinkhaus played at Bloomington Jefferson last fall.
Bill Lester, Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission executive director,
recalled testifying before the Minnesota legislature several years ago
about stadiums including Lambeau Field in Green Bay where there are
seats just 17 inches wide. “I said there isn’t a 17 inch derričre in
the entire state of Wisconsin,” Lester chuckled.
Patrick Reusse talking on KSTP Radio compared the glory days of
capacity crowds and roaring fans with the now dwindling attendance and
quiet atmosphere at Williams Arena for Gopher basketball games. He
described the change as enough to make you “puke.”
Former Minnesota Twins shortstop Jackie Hernandez is leaving the
St. Paul Saints coaching staff to become the manager of the Charlotte
County Redfish (Port Charlotte, Florida) in the newly formed independent
South Coast League. Hernandez, 66, will be in his 47th year
in professional baseball in 2007 and first as a manager.
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“I said there isn’t a 17 inch
derričre in the entire state of Wisconsin.”
Bill Lester humorously recalling
testimony
Jackie Hernandez |
