The first sections of grass for the Target Field playing surface will be installed on Monday with completion expected Thursday.
With faulty mechanics and poor control, 25-year-old Francisco Liriano is a classic thrower, not a pitcher. Liriano, now on the disabled list, is sure to receive plenty of attention from the Twins between now and next season. Despite his Tommy John surgery after the 2006 season, Liriano still has the potential to be outstanding and on the pitching poor Twins, management isn’t likely to part with him.
Liriano’s 2009 record is 5-12 with a 5.80 ERA. The pitching staff has a 4.79 ERA (only three American League teams have higher ERA’s).
Matt Tolbert, despite a .178 average in 43 games with the Twins this year before being sent to the minors, is likely to be in the system for awhile. The Twins like his hustle and versatility, a utility infielder and switch hitter. Tolbert, 28, is at AAA Rochester where he’s hitting .286.
It was a surreal scene when Brett Favre arrived in town on Tuesday. Among the lasting images was that of coach Brad Childress driving away from the St. Paul downtown airport with Favre in the passenger seat. How many NFL coaches have ever picked up a player at the airport and driven him to practice? Don’t know, but if I had a dollar for each time, I am sure the total would have me dining only at McDonald’s.
Not only is Favre expected to make his playing debut tonight against Kansas City at the Metrodome, but so, too, is rookie wide receiver and No. 1 draft choice Percy Harvin.
The game will be the 116th consecutive Viking sellout at the Metrodome.
After one preseason game, the Vikings’ defense ranked No. 1 both overall and against the pass, with a No. 6 rank versus the run.
The Sporting News magazine week of August 17 issue has the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson No. 1 in its Fantasy Football Preview. Minneapolis native Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is No. 10, with former Viking Randy Moss 18 and ex-Gopher Marion Barber III 19.
That same issue of the Sporting News magazine rates Bloomington Jefferson alum Cole Aldrich, now playing center for Kansas, as the No. 3 prospect for the 2010 NBA draft. The article describes Aldrich as fundamentally sound and capable of playing in the NBA now. The No. 1 prospect is Kentucky freshman point guard John Wall, with North Carolina sophomore power forward Ed Davis No. 2.
Rich Kallok, who as head coach won the 1999 state title at Cretin-Derham Hall, is back with the Raiders as a volunteer linebackers coach.
Each of the 34 NHL players at the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Orientation Camp donated 15 sets of hockey equipment to the youth organization of their choice and all nine Minnesota natives at the camp chose programs in their home state: David Backes (Spring Lake Park), Dustin Byfuglien (Roseau), Tom Gilbert (Bloomington), Erik Johnson (Bloomington), Jamie Langenbrunner (Cloquet), Paul Martin (Elk River, Kyle Okposo (Highland Central-St. Paul), T.J. Oshie (Warroad) and Zach Parise (Highland Central-St. Paul).
The Wild will introduce a new third jersey for the upcoming season on Sunday, August 30 at 12:30 p.m. at the Minnesota State Fair’s FAN Central building. The event will feature left wing Derek Boogaard and team mascot Nordy. Fans can pre-order the jerseys beginning on August 30 at the Wild’s state fair booth, or the team’s stores at Xcel Energy Center and Mall of America.