Author: David Shama

Joe Mauer had hernia surgery about three weeks ago at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, according to his grandfather Jake.  The Twins catcher has been bothered by hernia problems in the past including last season but Jake said his grandson is “doing real well” now. “He’s pain free and ready to go,” Jake said.

Earlier in the fall the plan was no surgery. However, more recently it was determined the severity of the hernia warranted surgery, Jake said.

Joe is at his home in Florida, working out, playing golf and relaxing.  He will continue conditioning in Florida next month, following a brief Christmas stay in Minnesota, according to his grandfather.

Not only did Joe have a hernia problem last season, but he missed several weeks with a quadriceps injury.  He was in 109 games, after playing in 140 in 2006.    The American League batting champion in 2006 with a .347 average, he hit .293 last season.  The Twins missed his home run and RBI production, too, with those numbers declining from 13 home runs and 84 RBI in 2006, to seven home runs and 60 RBI.  Regarded as one of baseball’s better catchers, Mauer’s defensive and leadership skills were missed by the Twins when he wasn’t healthy or able to play.

Jake said Joe was “down on himself” because of the injuries.  Some may describe Joe as an old-fashioned athlete who doesn’t complain and keeps frustrations to himself.  Jake said Joe told him he has to have a better season in 2008.

The 24-year-old Mauer is regarded as one of baseball’s most valuable properties.  A story earlier this year in the Sporting News named Mauer as THE player to build a team around.  Six of the 12 baseball evaluators (including major league general managers) preferred Mauer as the player to start a franchise with.

Jake said Joe doesn’t say a word about the Twins roster changes that include the departure of Torii Hunter and possible trade of Johan Santana.  His view is the Twins “know what they’re doing,” according to Jake.

Watch the Timberwolves on TV, at Target Center or in their locker room and it’s evident the players like one another.  They also have more than a collective clue about relating to the public and media.  The Wolves are at an all-time low after 23 games with a 3-20 record, but they’re ahead in personality from last season’s crew.

The Wolves have 10 new players on the roster from last season. They also have seven players who are first, second or third year players.

So far the record is dismal with Seattle having the next poorest record in the NBA at 7-18.  The poorest Wolves team record for 23 games prior to this season was 4-19 in December of 1991.

Center Michael Doleac, acquired in the trade with Miami earlier this year, has played with six NBA teams.  He describes his new teammates as a good group and added that “chemistry” is definitely not a problem in the locker room.

Guard Marko Jaric is in his third season with the Wolves and he agrees with Doleac.  “I think this team is made with a lot of good guys,” he told Sports Headliners last week. “They’re trying to work.  They’re trying to sacrifice for the team. We don’t have on and off the court a problem.  I think we have a very good chemistry. …”

Jaric knows a lot of fans and media are discouraged with the team’s start.  He said the club has played aggressively on offense and defense, and coach Randy Wittman has done a “good job” of teaching a team that includes inexperienced players.  But the “pieces” haven’t come together, Jaric said.  With 59 games remaining, he said there’s time to change the results for the better.

Obviously this isn’t a comfortable beginning to the season for Jaric and others.  “This is a tough year,” Jaric said.  “I didn’t play in too many winning seasons (before) but this is definitely so far the worst start.  But, you know what? I know that can change and I strongly believe in that.”

Although the Wolves are 1-9 in their last 10 games and have a five game losing streak, Doleac said last week that losses aren’t going to deter this team. “I don’t think anyone’s confidence is going to be hurt,” he said.

The Wolves have lost five games by four points or less.  “We need to learn how to win,” Fred Hoiberg, assistant general manager, said on Monday.  “Everybody has seen how many close games we’ve had.  We need to experience winning.  We need to get it rolling in the right direction.”

Local writer Brit Robson, who has followed the Wolves for years, predicts the team will have 12 wins by the All-Star break in mid-February.

Timberwolves guard Randy Foye, who was born in New Jersey and played high school basketball there, has bought a home in that state.  He is renting a residence in Minneapolis.

Golden State plays the Wolves at Target Center tonight (Wednesday).  This is the first of four games with the Warriors this season and all games will be played between now and January 21.

Twins president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners on Monday that the organization’s first preference remains to keep two-time Cy Young award winning pitcher Johan Santana.

St. Peter observed a stadium milestone on Monday when the first concrete for any of the flooring was poured on the mezzanine level of the new downtown ballpark. The stadium opens in 27 months and most of the design work is completed, although St. Peter said about 20 percent of the interior space is yet to be finalized (flooring, walls, art work etc.).

He was part of a group that recently visited the new Washington Nationals baseball stadium that opens this spring.  He said the exterior of the stadium almost has a federal building type look and the facility will have three levels of suites.

Seven Vikings have been selected for the 2008 Pro Bowl in Hawaii on February 10.  Vikings on the NFC roster playing against the AFC in the annual all-star game are running back Adrian Peterson, fullback Tony Richardson, guard Steve Hutchinson, center Matt Birk, defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, and safety Darren Sharper.  Peterson is the only rookie running back from the Vikings other than Chuck Foreman (1973) to be selected for the Pro Bowl and the first Minnesota rookie since Randy Moss (1998).  All of the Vikings chosen have played in three or more Pro Bowls except for Peterson and Pat Williams (two games).  Players are selected by a vote of coaches, players and fans.

Not that they wanted to, but Michigan administrators did the Gophers no favors by hiring Rich Rodriguez as the Wolverines new football coach.  Rodriguez is a talented coach and will make an underachieving Michigan program better.  He also coaches a spread offense similar to Minnesota’s and that could mean more recruiting competition for prize recruits.

Earlier this year Michigan hired away West Virginia’s basketball coach, John Beilein, as its new coach.  Now the Wolverines take Rodriguez.  Don’t mention the word Michigan in Morgantown for a few decades.

The Wild’s 2007-08 Puck Series, in conjunction with FSN North, will highlight the greatest goals scored by the Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The four puck series will feature Darby Hendrickson, Richard Park, Brian Rolston and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. The initial puck features Hendrickson scoring the Wild’s first-ever goal at Xcel on October 11, 2000 against the Philadelphia Flyers and will be given away to all fans on Saturday night.

Wild forward James Sheppard is scheduled to appear and sign autographs at Great Waters Brewing Company (426 St. Peter Street in downtown Saint Paul) on Friday from 5 to 6 p.m.

Players from Augsburg, Macalester, Saint John’s and Gustavus have been selected MIAC Athletes of the Week for men’s and women’s basketball and hockey based on performances last week. Augsburg senior center Femi Solaja earned his third double-double of the season with 19 points (on 9-of-11 shooting) and 10 rebounds as the Auggies defeated St. Scholastica, 84-72. Solaja’s double-double was the seventh in his last 12 games dating to last season. Macalester sophomore forward Alyssa Lunde finished with a game-high 21 points and also had six rebounds in a 60-57 overtime defeat at Wisconsin-River Falls. Saint John’s sophomore forward Gabriel Harren scored three consecutive goals in three minutes and 10 seconds during the first period to lead the Johnnies to a 5-1 win over Gustavus Adolphus.  Harren entered the game with five career goals in 27 previous games. Gustavus senior defender Laura Vannelli scored a power play goal at 8:55 of the second period to tie the score at 1-1 against Wisconsin-Superior. It was the Gusties’ lone goal in a 2-1 loss. Vannelli was playing in her first game after suffering a concussion two weeks ago that forced her to miss four games.

Tickets for the 2008 Big Ten Women’s Indoor Track & Field Championships to be held at the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse, March 1-2, are on sale. All-session tickets are $12 for adults, $7 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased online through www.gophersports.com, in person at the athletics ticket office in Mariucci Arena or by calling 1-800-846-7437 or 612-624-8080.