Mike Shanahan, Denver Broncos coach, attended Gopher football practice yesterday and spoke to the team. “He is the best coach in the world today,” Gopher coach Tim Brewster told Sports Headliners Tuesday. Brewster was an assistant on Shanahan’s staff before becoming Minnesota coach.
Former Minnesota North Stars executive Lou Nanne describes Patrick White of Grand Rapids as a “terrific hockey player.” White, a Gopher recruit, has been named the Associated Press state Player of the Year. “White’s got unbelievable skill to handle the puck along the boards, in the corners,” said Nanne. “He’s got great balance. He’s really heady and he can shoot the puck. He’s just a terrific all around player.”
Since 2004 the Twins’ Joe Nathan ranks third in saves among major league relief pitchers with 123. Mariano Rivera of the Yankees and Trevor Hoffman of the Padres each have 130.
Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, who led the major leagues last season in hitting from June 8 with a .362 average, had 94 two-out RBI’s in 2006, the best total in the American League.
Viking football players began off-season conditioning at Winter Park Monday and will continue through mid-May.