Author: David Shama

The Wild will soon be starting its season ticket renewal process. Season tickets will be capped at 16,500. The franchise has over 7,500 on a waiting list to purchase season tickets.  

Except for Minnesota natives Wyatt Smith and Mark Parrish, Wild players will be summering other places than the Twin Cities.  Nine players from the Wild organization, representing several different countries, are participating in the IIHF World Championships in Russia. Players include Pavol Demitra, Marian Gaborik and Branko Radivojevic, all playing for Slovakia, 

On a team that didn’t consistently close out games with wins, Wolves rookie Randy Foye often was better in the fourth quarters than earlier in games.  He scored 48% of his points (398 of 832) in the fourth quarters and overtimes. In those late game situations he made 48.2% of his field goals, 39.3% of three point field goals and 87.5% of free throws. His game averages in those categories: 43.4%, 36.8% and 85.4%.  

Although heights of NBA players are often exaggerated, Mark Madsen said teammate Kevin Garnett is 7-1, not 6-11 as often written.  Garnett, who led the NBA in rebounding for a fourth consecutive season, was selected as a member of the NBA’s all-defensive second team announced on Monday.  It was the eighth time Garnett has been on the first or second team.  The teams are selected by NBA coaches and Garnett received the second fewest votes (Kirk Hinrich of the Bulls had less).  With forwards Tim Duncan and Bruce Bowen, the Spurs were the only franchise with two players on the first team. 

Madsen will lead Timberwolves camps for kids 6-14 at Champlin Park High School (June 25-29) and Eden Prairie High School (July 9-13).  For more information, call the Timberwolves offices, 612-673-1600. 

Vikings coach Brad Childress on Randy Moss being traded to New England from Oakland:  “You’re always happy he’s not in your division. He’s a good football player. I talked with Bill (Belichick, Patriots’ coach) about that a little bit. … He’ll do a good job with them. I know Randy is happy to be there so it looks like a match made in heaven.” 

The MIAC has honored Bethel University senior centerfielder Kirby Carr as its Baseball Player of the Week.  The Fergus Falls native was 11-for-22 at the plate including five home runs, 10 runs scored, 12 RBI and compiled a 1.182 slugging percentage as the Royals won games against St. Olaf, Saint Mary’s, and Gustavus last week.

Ciatrick Fason offered advice to Adrian Peterson, the Vikings’ No. 1 draft choice last weekend.  Fason, a reserve running back drafted in the fourth round by the Vikings two years ago, was asked about the transition Peterson will make going from Oklahoma where he set school and NCAA rushing records to playing in the NFL. 

Fason told Sports Headliners “learning how to take care of your body” tops the must-do list.   How is that done?  “You just got to do everything possible. . . Tony Richardson (veteran Vikings running back) and those guys, they teach you those things. …They taught me how to go to the chiropractor, how to get massages, how to take care of your feet.  You gotta do everything just to make sure your body is always taken care of.” 

The advice couldn’t be more on target for running backs, with all the physical abuse they receive, and particularly Peterson whose story line at Oklahoma was almost as much about injuries as it was electrifying performances on the field where he ran past and over tacklers with a style and frequency seldom seen in college football.  During his first season, the one year he was free from injury, he broke the NCAA freshman running record and the school single season rushing mark.  He gained 1,925 yards. 

Fason disagrees with those who question whether Peterson, who seldom was thrown passes at Oklahoma, can catch the ball, adding that Peterson has “great hands.”  Durability and pass receiving were pre-draft concerns about Peterson. 

“I watched him his whole career,” Fason said.  “He’s a great back.  I feel like we’re a lot alike.  … He’s just a little faster than me, but I feel like we’re almost the same type of back.”  

Fason, 6-foot, 207-pounds, has run the 40 yard dash in 4.57 seconds.  Peterson, 6-foot-2, 217-pounds, has run a 4.37.   

Asked to further describe Peterson’s running style, Fason said, “He runs with a mad demeanor about himself.”  That description fit with profiles of Peterson running “angry.” 

The Vikings listed seven running backs on their pre-draft roster.  There had to be some private “ughs” in reaction to the Vikings selecting Peterson at No. 7.  A good teammate wants to see the team improve itself but he also wants playing time.   

Fason, for example, has played a reserve role for two seasons.  His NFL career stats include 18 games, 50 carries, 161 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Does he anticipate his third season means an expanded role with the Vikings?  “I really can’t tell you that now,” he said.  “I thought it was going to be but the way it’s looking, I am going to have to…wait for my opportunity.” 

The Vikings might make a $15 million guaranteed investment in Peterson.  That money translates into opportunity.  “Third or fourth round guys, we just got to sit back and wait for our opportunities,” Fason said.  “It really makes a big difference on where you slide (in the draft) and you just got to wait for your opportunity.”

Ramon Ortiz has made a nice impression during the first month of the major league baseball season.  The 33-year-old right-handed pitcher signed with Minnesota as a free agent before this season and the Twins Nation crossed its collective fingers he could be as good or better than his previous six-plus major league seasons.  Playing for Washington last year his record was 11-16 with a 5.57 ERA.  For all seasons through 2006 he was a not too exciting 79-76 with a 4.85 ERA. 

In search of at least two starters to emerge as regulars in the team’s five man rotation, the Twins signed Ortiz in January for $3.1 million, according to espn.com.  So far the results have been, well, sort of un-Ortiz like.  His 3-1 record and 2.57 ERA place him among the American League leaders in both categories. Ortiz and Johan Santana lead the Twins in wins.  Ortiz’s ERA is the best among the team’s starters and his walks are the fewest.   

In five starts, he has been consistently sharp.  He won his first three games including a three hit, eight inning game against the Yankees.  Each game he’s pitched at least six innings, never given up more than eight hits and twice had no walks in games. 

“Mr. April” has been pitching all month like a man with confidence.  Ortiz raves about pitching coach Rick Anderson.  “How much this guy helped me this year…it’s unbelievable,” Ortiz told Sports Headliners last week.  “He worked me hard the whole spring training and now in the season.  It’s unbelievable the way we pitch right now. …” 

Ortiz has pitched for three other major league teams.  Is Anderson his best pitching coach? “Well, believe it,” Ortiz answered.  “Yes, the best one. …The best one because he doesn’t have a special guy. …He’s working for everybody.  He be happy for everybody. …I am happy here.” 

Ortiz’s best seasons were with the Angels in 2001-2003 when he won 13, 15 and 16 games.  A visitor mentioned winning 15 games or more for the Twins.  “I want to pitch the best I can,” Ortiz said.  “Every time you get an opportunity to go get it, you pitch the best you can. …”