Author: David Shama

Three years from this month the Minnesota Twins will be playing outdoors at home for the first time since 1981.  What the weather gods will choose from their April bag of tricks is harder to predict than the next Anna Nicole Smith headline.  The weather worry warts are already in anxiety mode about games in April of 2010 in the new downtown ballpark but team president Dave St. Peter has a calming message. 

The Twins anticipate playing almost all their games as scheduled, April-October. St. Peter said rain will cancel only a handful of games and the team will play in cold weather.  “A state of the art” drainage system will allow the grass field to accept “significant amounts of rain” and still be suitable for play, according to St. Peter.   The field will be heated, too, making the grass not only green during cold weather but safer for the players. 

While there is no possibility of adding a retractable roof to the stadium, St. Peter said the Twins are planning to make fans comfortable during inclement weather.  There are plans for heating concourses and some seating areas.  It may also be possible to both heat and cool individual seats, just like in cars.  Four or five lounges with capacities of 150 to 200 people will provide indoor viewing and be open to the general public.   Sixty private suites will offer the ultimate in climate controlled comfort but even fans paying on the cheap, sitting in the bleachers, will have something going, too–the most exposure to the sun in the ballpark. 

The Twins open the season this year at home during the first week of April but prefer later home openers starting in 2010.  St. Peter said major league teams have some influence in determining schedules. “We hope for the middle of April to open up (at home),” he said. 

The Twins also have input on whether games are played during the day or night.  While some April games such as the home opener will certainly be played during the day, St. Peter said the Twins will play at night in April.  Weekday games, because of all the downtown workers, will provide parking challenges for fans. 

On the Twins Web site St. Peter’s blog includes research on how Minneapolis compares favorably in temperature and precipitation with other northern major league cities.  Minneapolis and Cleveland have an average April temp of 57 but seven other cities are between 58 and 62 degrees.  For April-October precipitation, Minneapolis has the second smallest amount among nine cities. 

Small crowds of less than 20,000 were the norm during April when the Twins played in Met Stadium but the new ball park will have lots of customers every month of the year.  Season ticket projections are about 17,000, although the total could go to 20,000, exactly half of the stadium’s capacity.  Individual and group sales will be brisk, too, as fans respond to the opportunity to see outdoor baseball for the first time in more than a quarter century. 

How soon will the University award an honorary doctorate degree to Tim Brewster for his public relations skills?  Since being named the Gophers football coach in January, Brewster has made a series of PR moves endearing him to the public, media and special interest groups such as the Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association. 

Last Friday night Brewster and his staff hosted over 400 high school football coaches for a fish fry and Gopher scrimmage.  Brewster was at his best.  He announced he was becoming a member of the association, an organization that promotes and serves the interests of football in the state.  His players impressed the crowd, too, when they lined up and shook hands with the high school coaches. 

Don Swanson, an association board member, said prep coaches want to feel like they have a voice with Gopher football and to be recognized.  Speaking of former head coach Glen Mason, Swanson said many coaches “never met him in 10 years.” 

Swanson said he was “surprised by the large number of coaches” who came to the Friday night event.  He was expecting more like 100, rather than 400. 

Swanson, association executive director Ron Stolski, and many coaches from various parts of the state have already met and been impressed with Brewster.  They love his messages including that the Gophers aren’t just about the University or metro area, but they represent the state.  “He’s a good guy,” Swanson said.  “He loves his job. . ..” 

Brewster is 24-7 in his efforts to reach people.  Later this spring he or a member of his staff will visit each football high school in the state.  He wants every Big Ten Conference quality player from the state to attend Minnesota.  Swanson said Brewster talked Friday night about how it bothers him to see Minnesotans play at Wisconsin or Iowa.  “There’s no reason to leave the state of Minnesota and go represent anyone else,” Brewster told Sports Headliners Sunday. 

Starting at 6 p.m. on Friday at the Bierman Building on campus, Brewster is hosting a free reunion for former Gopher football players.  The event will include a meal and program.  He said football alumni can attend without making a reservation, but those looking for more information can call the football office, 612-624-6004.

Johan Santana makes his second career start tonight as the Twins opening game pitcher. Brad Radke has started the most Twins opening games, eight.  

It was 20 years ago this month that the Twins opened the season on their way to the franchise’s first World Series championship.  This was the opening day lineup: DH Dan Gladden, second base Steve Lombardozzi, center field Kirby Puckett, third base Gary Gaetti, first base Kent Hrbek, right field Tom Brunansky, left field Mark Davidson, shortstop Greg Gagne, catcher Tom Nieto and pitcher Bert Blyleven. 

Talk at the Final Four in Atlanta included conversation that former Gopher coach Dan Monson is a candidate for the Long Beach State job. 

Filmmaker and actor Spike Lee, a legendary New York Knicks fan, will speak from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday at Target Center.  Lee will talk about community, the arts and basketball prior to the Timberwolves-Hornets game.  Admission to hear Lee is included with the purchase of a game ticket. 

Detroit Lions owner William Ford is expected to be Charlie Sanders’ presenter at his pro football hall of fame induction on Saturday, August 4 in Canton, Ohio.  Sanders, the former Lions and Gophers tight end, will have a large group of friends in attendance including former Minnesota teammates from the 1967 Big Ten championship team. 

The guess here is Gopher defenseman Erik Johnson will return to school for his sophomore season next fall.  Johnson was the No. 1 draft choice of the St. Louis Blues last year.