Jerry Burns, 82, was the oldest of the Vikings’ large support group for Randall McDaniel at his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last weekend. Burns, the former Vikings coach, told Sports Headliners former Vikings in attendance included Joey Browner, Tim Irwin, Kirk Lowdermilk and Ron Yary.
Minnesota native Tim Herron, who didn’t receive an invitation to play in this week’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club, will attend tournament parties for his corporate sponsors, according to his dad Carson.
Jim Nantz, the CBS sportscaster here covering the PGA, had dinner earlier in the week at Murray’s, enjoying the restaurant’s famous Silver Butter Knife Steak.
Agent Ron Shapiro was in town this week to talk with Joe Mauer and his advisors, according to a source who requested anonymity. Mauer’s contract ends after next season and only the Twins are allowed to talk contract with him until the fall of 2010.
Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Garrett Jones hit .208 with two home runs and five RBI in 56 at-bats with the Twins last year. This season those numbers are: .288, 12 and 20 in 146 at-bats. The 28-year-old seemingly didn’t have a future with the Twins because he would have been behind Justin Morneau at first base, Michael Cuddyer in right field and Jason Kubel as left-handed designated hitter.
Randy Ruiz, who played briefly with the Twins in 2008 and this summer was second in home runs while playing in the Pacific Coast League, joined Toronto’s roster earlier this week and hit a home run in his first at-bat for the Blue Jays. He also homered in his second game.
Trent Oeltjen, a 27-year-old outfielder from Australia who originally signed with the Twins, was called up from the minors last week by Arizona and hit a home run in his first game. He’s hitting .414 with three home runs in six games for the Diamondbacks.