Author: David Shama

Francisco Liriano, who will miss next season because of elbow surgery, is expected to receive a modest salary increase for 2007 to $350,000 or more, according to a major league baseball source.  Liriano reportedly earned $327,000 in his rookie season of 2006.  His salary is not eligible for arbitration until after the 2008 season. 

After finishing with three wins in the Big Ten Conference this fall, Glen Mason’s 10 year career conference record is 32-48.  The Gophers’ 2006 12-game schedule was considered one of the most difficult in the country.  Opponents had a combined record of 92-63. 

The leading active NFL coaches with the best winning percentages since 2000 in the month of November are Philadelphia’s Andy Reid and Indy’s Tony Dungy, the former Gopher quarterback and Viking defensive coordinator.  Dungy’s percentage is .758 (22-7); Reid .724 (21-8). 

Will much criticized wide receiver Troy Williams be given one more off-season to improve his pass catching before the Vikings decide whether to keep their No. 1 draft choice from 2005? 

More athletes could emulate Timberwolves center Mark Madsen who makes a noticeable effort to briefly stop and greet fans between the court and locker room on game nights at Target Center. 

Former Gopher football coach Murray Warmath will have his 94th birthday on December 26.  He coached the 1960 Gophers to the national championship and had a three year record from 1960-1962 of 22-6-1. 

Among the new books from Nodin Press in Minneapolis is “The Great Dan Patch and the Remarkable Mr. Savage.”  Author Tim Brady will appear at a book signing on Saturday, December 2 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Minnesota Historical Society.  The book tells the story of Minnesota’s famous pacing horse and resourceful owner.

Four years ago this week Dave St. Peter, then age 35, was named president of the Minnesota Twins.  In 17 years with the organization he has advanced from intern to president and helped steer the franchise through difficult times while winning division championships and seeing the dream of a new stadium become reality. 

Not bad for a guy from Bismarck, North Dakota who doesn’t turn 40 until January, majored in public relations in college and never aspired to be president of a major league baseball team (most baseball presidents have backgrounds in business, law or finance).  His “dream job” was to become the sports information director at a college.   

Instead of being on a college campus, St. Peter works about 365 days a year for the Twins overseeing strategic business planning and various departments including ticket sales, marketing, broadcasting, stadium operations and finance.  Twice during the last four years the Twins have been honored as the Organization of the Year by Baseball America. The Atlanta Sports Council recognized the Twins as the Professional Sports Organization of the Year in 2002.  St. Peter has been included on lists of who’s who among leaders under 40 years old. 

In the late 1980s he landed an internship with the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL.  From there he accepted an internship with the Twins.  While still an  intern he was presented a challenge and opportunity by the Twins.  Although he aspired to work for the team in public relations, he was offered a job managing the Twins’ retail store at the Hub Shopping Center in Richfield. 

St. Peter describes his willingness to accept the position as the “best decision” he ever made.  He went to the Hub with the attitude of showing the organization he deserved a public relations position in the team’s Metrodome offices.  Directing a retail operation provided valuable experience in management, staffing and customer relations. 

The retail experience advanced his career with the Twins, earning his way into a public relations position.  St. Peter said the organization’s willingness to promote from within has contributed to his advancement over the years, too.

“When a front office person leaves, we have a tendency not to go outside the organization. …and in some ways my success with the Twins is all about that,” he said during a recent interview with Sports Headliners.

In January 1999 St. Peter was named senior vice president of business affairs and that was his introduction to having the franchise’s “revenue side” report to him.  The experience of transitioning from public relations to a comprehensive business position was challenging and a “learning opportunity,” but it was also a troubling time for the franchise.  The team was drawing about one million fans per year, the player payroll was low and the team’s campaign for a new stadium was going nowhere. 

St. Peter credits difficult times with helping shape his career and move up the organizational ladder.  He spoke about “crisis du jour” during the last 10 years.  “We’ve had a lot of great times but we’ve had some challenging times with the failed stadium effort, with potential relocation of the franchise, with obviously the contraction issue,” he said.  “I think we all collectively as an organization have bonded together.  And I want to believe that we have been able to provide strong leadership and kind of keep the ship afloat from an operational perspective.  I don’t think there is any question that this has helped me as an individual grow, as an employee and also as a leader. …”  

You don’t talk to St. Peter without hearing about people in the Twins organization.  He praises the baseball and business staffs, and acknowledges mentors Jerry Bell (former president who promoted St. Peter in 1999) and former manager Tom Kelly who helped teach him what it takes “to be successful in baseball.”  They and others generously shared their wisdom and expertise.