The annual TwinsFest is scheduled for Friday, January 25 through Sunday, January 27 at the Metrodome. More than 50 current, former and future Twins players are expected to attend. On display will be a three-dimensional model of the new ballpark. The 5-foot by 5-foot model represents the most detailed depiction of what the new 40,000 seat ballpark will look like when it opens in 2010. TwinsFest is an annual fundraiser for the Twins Community Fund. Since its inception in 1989, the event has raised more than $3.3 million for programs and organizations supported by the fund.
Brian Buscher, who left the Venezuelan League early for family reasons, hit .279 with two home runs in 12 games, according to the Twins Web site. Buscher, who batted .244 with the Twins last season with two home runs and 10 RBI, didn’t solve the team’s need at third base in his rookie year. Sports Illustrated suggested in a recent issue that the Twins acquire Colorado third baseman Garrett Atkins for minor league pitchers Anthony Swarzak and Eduardo Morian.
Viking linebacker Chad Greenway has interest in a post-playing career in broadcasting, perhaps as a color commentator on football games. During the next off-season he may spend time with well-known football and baseball broadcaster Joe Buck. Greenway, a communications major at Iowa, has been a guest this fall on a couple of Tuesdays with KFAN’s Paul Allen and Jeff Dubay. Greenway said he may do some work with KFAN during the off-season.
When the Gophers open their new stadium in 2009, they will have two of the most attractive non-conference opponents in years, Air Force and California. The best previous home non-conference schedule was 1997 when Iowa State and Houston came here.
Oakland coach and Bloomington native Lane Kiffin answering a question about his interest when he was a candidate for the Gophers’ football job last January and whether he’s pleased it didn’t work: “Yeah, actually I am glad (to instead be Oakland’s head coach). … I was very interested (in the Minnesota job) and had spent a day in the interview process. …I think the University is a great place and I think it’s a great job and I’m sure they’ll turn it around and get back to winning. …I don’t think that Wisconsin and Iowa has anything on the University of Minnesota. …”
The guess here is that the Wild will start negotiations with all-star forward Brian Rolston in January. His contract expires after this season. The 34-year-old wing has seven goals and seven assists so far this season. Earlier in the year he tied a career high for most assists in one game, three against Columbus.
The Gopher hockey team had a 2-1 lead after two periods Saturday against Alaska Anchorage but lost to end a three game winning streak. It was only the 15th time the Gophers have lost a game when leading after two periods in 203 such games during nine seasons under coach Don Lucia (176-15-12).
Gopher men’s and women’s basketball coaches Tubby Smith and Pam Borton have radio shows on WCCO that can be heard locally on Mondays at 7 and 7:30 p.m.
Sports Illustrated’s college basketball preview ranked Indiana No. 8 and Michigan State No. 11. No other Big Ten Conference teams made the top 20. The Gophers weren’t included in the magazine’s prediction of the 65 teams who will make the NCAA tournament.
Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman talking about his team prior to Saturday night’s game against New Orleans: “I love these guys. They’re coachable. They play hard. They play for the most part together. So we just gotta keep fighting. The record isn’t where we would like it to be but you know what, it’s big picture where we’re trying to get.”
The Timberwolves organization will partner with the Minnesotans’ Military Appreciation Fund to host over 150 people, including returning military members and their families, for a Thanksgiving meal tonight (Monday) in Minneapolis. The event will feature players and coaches serving a complete Thanksgiving meal and bussing tables for the guests, plus providing autographs and posing for photos.