Alex Wimmers, the Twins’ 2010 No. 1 draft choice, has been a reliever in four games and started one this season for Fort Myers in Class A. He is 0-1 in 10 innings with a 6.30 ERA.
For a late season promotion to increase Twins attendance, Cesar Tovar played all nine positions in a 1968 game. Mostly an outfielder who had major league experience in the infield, too, Tovar accepted the challenge of also catching and pitching in the game.
Last week when Michael Cuddyer pitched one inning for the Twins it brought back memories of Tovar’s performance. Tony Oliva, who was a teammate of Tovar, was asked about Cuddyer who has major league experience in the infield and outfield. “I think if Minnesota asked him to catch, he would go and catch, too,” Oliva said.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Sunday on his 1500 ESPN radio show he expects Denard Span to rejoin the team in Anaheim on Tuesday for the start of the Angels series. The manager has told Span, who hasn’t played with the Twins since June 6, that instead of his regular center field spot he may sometimes be assigned to right or left field.
Span is more comfortable in center, but Gardenhire said Span is willing to play where asked. Center fielder Ben Revere’s arm isn’t strong enough to play right field.
An article in the August 1 issue of Sporting News Magazine lists “Sports’ Greatest Individual Performances” and No. 4 on the all-time list is Jack Morris’ 10 innings, 1-0 shutout of Atlanta for the Twins in game seven of the 1991 World Series.
Minnesota’s 1997 Mr. Basketball Khalid El-Amin, now 32, said he will play foreign pro basketball again next winter but isn’t sure where. El-Amin is interested in a coaching career after he retires from playing.
Former Gophers basketball assistant coach Silas McKinnie, who worked for head coach Clem Haskins, is a scout for the Detroit Lions.
Minneapolis native and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is on the cover of the August 1 issue of Sports Illustrated. He is praised in an NFL article for his off-season work ethic.
Vegasinsider.com makes Alabama the favorite at 4/1 odds to win the 2012 national championship. Nebraska at 22/1 is the most likely Big Ten team to win the title.
General public tickets for the inaugural Big Ten Football Championship Game on December 3 in Indianapolis sold out within two hours on Saturday. After the two participating schools are determined, each will receive 7,500 tickets. The game will be played at 63,000-seat Lucas Oil Stadium.