Intriguing magazine cover story found while cleaning out a closet: In the December 4, 2000 issue of Sports Illustrated former Vikings’ quarterback Daunte Culpepper declared, “I want to be the best ever.”
ABC-TV NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy described Flip Saunders, the former Timberwolves coach now directing Detroit in the Eastern Conference finals, as one of the league’s best coaches.
The initial reaction was one of disappointment last week when the Timberwolves came up with the third pick in the June 26 NBA draft instead of first or second and the opportunity to take either guard Derrick Rose of Memphis or forward Michael Beasley of Kansas State. But there’s opinion that this might be a Big Three instead of a Big Two draft. The third option being USC guard O.J. Mayo who already has a pro body at about 6-4, 195 pounds, and has exceptional playmaking and scoring skills. However, management’s expertise at drafting over the years provides concerns about future picks by the Wolves.
Twins infielder Alexi Casilla is hitting .306 with two home runs and 11 RBI in 11 games and 36 at-bats after being recalled from Rochester. With the Red Wings he hit .250 with no home runs and two RBI in 96 at-bats.
The Twins are one game over .500 despite being without four pitchers who a year ago could have been projected as starters. Scott Baker is on the disabled list while Johan Santana, Carlos Silva and Matt Garza are with other teams.
Saint Paul Saints owner Mike Veeck is part of an ownership group that wants to have a team playing in Normal, Illinois as part of the Frontier League, according to Pantagraph.com, a Web site that covers news in the Bloomington, Illinois area.
For those who keep track of the trivial in Gopher football scheduling, this year Minnesota will play only one Big Ten Conference game at home before November. The last time that happened was 1975. The Gophers play Indiana on October 4 at the Metrodome, then aren’t at home until November 1 against Northwestern. Not that it’s likely to happen, but the schedule sets up so there’s no potential conflict with Twins home playoff or World Series games.
Wally’s Choice, the local race horse who didn’t race at all last year after a career- threatening torn tendon in 2006, ran for the first time in 2008 on Saturday at Canterbury Park, finishing third in the eighth race of the day. Wally’s Choice is owned by Wally “the Beerman” McNeil, his wife Joyce McNeil and Canterbury Park Board Chairman Curtis Sampson. With over $431,900 in career earnings, the owners hope that one day Wally’s Choice can break Blair’s Cove’s all-time record of $533,528 for Minnesota bred race horses. Wally’s Choice, a seven-year-old thoroughbred, received stem cells from his own body to help the healing process from the torn tendon.
Three representatives from the MIAC were recently honored with regional awards from the United States Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Association. Saint John’s senior Chris Erichsen was named Central Region Men’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year. St. Thomas men’s coach Steve Mathre and St. Thomas women’s coach Joe Sweeney were named Central Region Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Coaches of the Year.