Twins outfielder Josh Rabe was asked if hitters start to press when they are not producing hits and runs. “Baseball is such a mental game. It’s not like basketball or football where it’s more physical. There’s a lot of down time. All you do is think. Sometimes your mind gets in the way, forces you to press and causes negative stuff to happen. Guys get aggressive trying to force things to happen instead of letting it happen.”
Baseball’s first-year player draft will be nationally televised for the first time ever when ESPN2 provides coverage from 3 to 7 p.m. Minneapolis time on Thursday, June 7. ESPN2 will air each team’s first round draft choice and additional draft coverage during the four hours. The total draft is 50 rounds.
The Minnesota Vikings will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Hall of Fame coach Bud Grant being named the team’s head coach with an honorary lifetime achievement dinner on Tuesday, September 18. The Vikings have commissioned nationally-recognized artist Terrence Fogarty to create an art print recognizing Grant’s lifetime of achievement in athletics and the outdoors. Proceeds from the event and print will benefit the Viking Children’s Fund. Ticket information and event location will be announced later.
Former Cretin-Derham Hall football player Rafael Eubanks, a sophomore next season at Iowa, is an early contender for the Rimington Award that goes to college football’s best center.