Author: David Shama

Joe Mauer’s new contract through 2010 assures he will be with the Twins.  Talk to general manager Terry Ryan and he will tell you Mauer will be catching during those years and not playing another position. 

It’s common to hear speculation that Mauer, 23, will switch to another position sooner rather than later.  He injured a knee while chasing a foul ball and played in only 35 games in 2004.  Catching is not a position that is kind to the body, demanding endless crouching and the non-catching hand is vulnerable to foul tips. 

Mauer’s athleticism and batting skill (American League batting champ last season at .347) not only make him extraordinarily valuable as a catcher but also versatile enough to play other positions.  Don’t expect it to happen anytime soon, though. 

“We’re going to keep him behind the plate,” Ryan told Sports Headliners recently.  “That’s where he’s always played, that’s where he wants to stay and there’s no reason to move him.  He’s arguably one of the best catchers in the game right now at the age of 23.  And I don’t think there’s any design, desire or thought to moving him out from behind there.  That’s very premature.  He’s been (recently) injury free so everything is straight ahead now as far as him staying behind the plate.” 

Ryan was asked if in seven years when Mauer is 30 years old a position change might occur.  “How about 15?” he answered. “You know Pudge Rodriguez (35 years old) is still catching and he’s been catching for a long, long time, and Carlton Fisk and Bob Boone and some of those guys caught for over 20 years.   

“I haven’t quite understood why everybody would think about moving Joe. …  He’s a good catcher.  He’s a good thrower.  He handles the pitching staff.  He can swing the bat.  He’s everything anybody looks for in a receiver and offensive guy.  I just don’t see why anybody would want to mess with that and move him as long as his health holds out, which it has.” 

Ryan said Rodriguez, Fisk and Boone kept their skills “like they were back in their early 20’s” even after they had played for many years. It’s clear he expects no less from Mauer.  “Joe Mauer is a special kid,” Ryan said.  “He’s got that athleticism.  …He’s one of those catchers who can run and there’s a lot of positives for him to stay back there.  It’s tough to find catching and Joe is one of the best catchers in the game.  We’ll keep him there unless something happens that would dictate (to) us we have to make the necessary move.” 

Mauer may catch 125 games or so this season, than perhaps DH in another 10.  Ryan said the latter number could go up if the Twins carry three catchers instead of two on the roster. 

The third catcher behind Mauer and valued reserve Mike Redmond could be Matthew LeCroy, the former Twin who has rejoined the organization after signing a minor league contract.  Ryan said the Twins think they can help LeCroy through some past arm trouble and they like his power as a hitter.  “He’s the type of guy who fits into the clubhouse well,” Ryan said.

Coach Mike D’Antoni has put smiles on the faces of people who love fast break basketball.  His Phoenix Suns averaged an NBA leading 108.4 points per game last season and they advanced to the Western Conference finals before losing to Dallas.  This season they are averaging 111 points per game and again lead NBA teams in scoring.  Most NBA clubs average less than 100 points per game including the Timberwolves who rank 20th at 96.7 (the team is 17-6 when they score 100 points or more). 

The Suns, 42-13, are in first place in the Pacifiic Division and have second best record in the NBA.  Last night at Target Center the Suns defeated the Wolves, 116-104.

No doubt that the Suns with the game’s best decision maker in two-time league MVP Steve Nash and athletic players like center Amare Stoudemire have the personnel to push the ball up the floor quickly.  Still, you have to give D’Antoni credit for his commitment to the fast break in a league with many teams who are determined to playing conservatively.  

In his first full season of coaching the Suns, 2004-2005, Phoenix had the best record in the NBA and he was named coach of the year.  The Suns have been consistent in playing fast break basketball and winning under D’Antoni.  

Running was popular in the NBA years ago but in today’s game many coaches prefer a slower style.  Tommy Heinsohn played on eight Boston Celtics teams that loved to run and won NBA championships in the 1950s and 60s.  He’s an advocate for more fast break basketball. 

“I think that’s what the game is missing right now,” Heinsohn told Sports Headliners. “Anybody that can run makes the game look very easy. Just look at the Suns.  …But nobody wants to run anymore.  They want to control the game.  I keep telling them (to run). …” 

Heinsohn, who follows the NBA as a color man on Celtics telecasts,  talked about all the video tapes teams watch to scout opponents and how “they’ve got every play measured to the half inch.”  Then Heinsohn made a comparison between basketball and World War II.  “I say what you guys are doing by walking the ball up the floor would be like(General) Eisenhower calling up Adolph Hitler and saying we’re landing at Normandy. Get your tanks ready. .. They (NBA teams) allow the defense to play the defense that they’ve scouted you so well (for).” 

Heinsohn was asked why teams don’t run? “They (coaches) don’t think the players can think,” he answered.  “They (also) keep insisting on zeroing in on a player’s weaknesses instead of what they do really well. “

Twins president Dave St. Peter reports via e-mail that the Twins Radio Network has 66 affiliate stations “and counting.” The network ranks as one of the largest team-operated radio networks in baseball, according to St. Peter.  New affiliates have been added in such communities as Red Wing, New Richmond, Marshall, Moose Lake, Preston and Sioux City. 

Wild general manager Doug Risebrough was asked about the recent addition of star center Peter Forsberg to Nashville’s roster, a team that already ranked with the best in the NHL.  Risebrough recalled the Wild won a playoff series in 2003 against a Colorado team with Forbes and Joe Sakic.   “I would say it’s improved their team but I don’t think it’s ordained their team,” Risebrough said. 

The Wild have no problem selling season tickets.  The Minnesota North Stars of the Norm Green era did, however.  The North Star owner came up with a simple and memorable idea.  During a playoff game he held up a sign from his suite that said, “If you like what you see, buy season tickets.” 

Freshman center Mike Carman is a player to watch as the Gophers near the WCHA playoffs.  The Apple Valley native was named WCHA Rookie of the Week earlier this week following his two goal performance in a 3-2 win over Colorado College last Saturday. 

Dan Johnson, the Coon Rapids native, has signed a contract with the Athletics and hopes to win the starting first base job after having double vision last year, according to nbc.sports.com.  In 286 at bats last season he hit .234 with nine home runs.  He struck out 45 times. 

Larry Fitzgerald Sr. reports that son Larry, the Arizona Cardinals star receiver from Minneapolis, is vacationing in Australia.