The Twins are 5-3 since the All-Star break ended on July 13. Their record going back to June 1 is 20-25. The mediocrity of recent weeks has changed the view that the Twins are among the elite teams in the major leagues.
ESPN.com power rankings had the Twins No. 4 in all of baseball during week five of the season. This week the Twins are listed at No. 13. And USA Today Sports Weekly ranked the Twins No. 16 last week.
It’s evident that unless the Twins upgrade their starting pitching and relievers, the club has almost no chance to regain its spot among the best in the majors. Another Central Division title, though, is more likely but no certainty.
Twins outfielder-infielder Michael Cuddyer picked up his plate production last September when first baseman Justin Morneau couldn’t play and he’s done the same this summer with Morneau sidelined with a concussion. He is batting .332 (66-for-199) during the last two seasons as a first baseman and .359 (23-for-64) this season.
Twins catcher Joe Mauer doesn’t have a girlfriend, according to his grandfather Jake Mauer. “His girlfriend is his mom,” Jake joked. “Have you seen those commercials?” (Mauer and his mom Theresa have appeared in TV ads for PlayStation and Kemps).
Several Twins including Michael Cuddyer, Jesse Crain, Orlando Hudson, Joe Mauer, Joe Nathan, Nick Punto, Denard Span, Jim Thome and Delmon Young are expected to participate in the Twins & Pins Charity Bowling Classic July 29 at Brunswick Zone XL in Brooklyn Park. The event was created to raise money for The Friends of St. Paul Baseball, The Autism Society of Minnesota, and the Curing Autism Through Change and Hope Foundation which was founded by Hudson. Single and team event packages ranging from $300 to $5,000 are available. Packages include personalized bowling shirts, gift bags, team photos, guest passes, and food and beverage. For more information, visit www.TwinsandPins.com or call 651-343-4239.
Don’t be surprised if Vikings sixth round draft choice Joe Webb makes the final roster as a quarterback, not a wide receiver. If so, that could be an affirmation of not only Webb’s potential, but also concern about how much veteran backups Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels can be effective in coming seasons.
It seems a smart guess that Brett Favre’s first preseason game for the Vikings will be the team’s third of the summer, at Mall of America Field on August 28 against Seattle. Favre might play most of the first half, then fewer minutes in the final preseason game on September 2 at home against Denver.
Favre’s announced return to the Vikings is anticipated soon but even his agent, Bus Cook, reportedly referred to Favre as a “drama queen.” https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/07/19/even-brett-favres-agent-thinks-favre-is-a-drama-queen/
Vikings single game and two-game packages go on sale Wednesday. Single game tickets are available for all games except Dallas and Green Bay. Two-game ticket packages are being sold for Dallas-Detroit and Green Bay-Denver.
An NHL source told Sports Headliners that Mike Modano is still trying to decide whether he wants to play next season or retire. Detroit, because it’s his hometown, and Los Angeles, because it’s a good fit for his actress wife Willa Ford, are more likely destinations than Minnesota or San Jose.
The same source said there’s talk Marian Gaborik might be going from the New York Rangers to Los Angeles.
Five MIAC players have been named to the D3Football.com Preseason All-America team including three from St. Thomas, Josh Ostrue, Ben Wartman, and Fritz Waldvogel. Saint John’s Kyle Schroeder was also named to the first team and Bethel’s Andrew Johnson to the second. The 50-player honor team has representatives from just 34 of 241 Division III football programs.