Author: David Shama

Affection for his home town of St. Paul provided incentive to Vikings center Matt Birk to open Matty B’s Supper Club earlier this year.  “I love St. Paul and I want to see St. Paul thrive,” Birk said. 

Matty B’s is located at 353 Wabasha Street in downtown St. Paul.  The restaurant was a popular hangout for years when it was Gallivan’s.  The place has been given cosmetic changes, plus “elbow grease,” Birk said. 

Birk has three partners who prefer to remain anonymous.  “They have made me the face of the restaurant, even though I am not very good looking,” he joked.   

Birk has no previous restaurant experience but was drawn to the business by the challenge.  He talked about wanting something to challenge him during the months he isn’t playing football.  He sees similarities to the restaurant business and football including preparation, hard work and producing a product people enjoy.  “In the end it’s all about your customers,” he said.  “It’s flattering when people walk through the doors to your establishment and want to spend their hard earned money.  That’s an obligation on us that we have to make them leave happy.” 

During the off-season Birk is at the restaurant “all the time.”  This fall you will probably see him there on Monday, Tuesday and Friday nights.   

What does Birk enjoy eating at his place?  “I am a big fan of the meat loaf,” he answered. “I also like the pot roast and if I am really hungry I order the pork chops.  They have a pork chop plate with two man sized pork chops (that) seems to fit well in my belly.” 

Does he pay for his meals?  “I don’t pay,” he said. “I just tip.”

On a team where almost everyone seems to have a turn as the hero of the moment, 35-year-old Phil Nevin may be next in line.  Acquired by the Twins from the Chicago Cubs on September 1 to provide power and run production, Nevin’s playing time has been limited on a roster filled with younger and currently more productive players.  The right handed hitting first baseman has had just 30 at bats, with six hits, no home runs and one RBI.  Known as a home run hitter, Nevin homered 41 times for San Diego in 2001 and as recently as 2004 hit 26 for the Padres.     

His role as more of a spectator than participant is one he accepts.  Nevin talks about being ready for designated hitting against left handers and occasionally giving Justin Morneau “a rest” while he plays first base and Morneau DH’s.  “I know there’s going to come a time during the season where I am going to be in a position to help this team out and win a game or two, and hopefully then again in the playoffs,” Nevin said.

Nevin has been impressed with the quality of people in the Twins’ locker room.  Teammates have made his late season transition to a new team much easier than it could have been and he talks about joining a “great group of guys.”   

At his age and being a free agent after this season, Nevin’s run with the Twins may be only for 2006.  Plus, in the future he’s interested in playing more.  “I would like a chance to play everyday next year but I am not worried about that right now,” he said. 

Nevin started the season with Texas where he hit 9 home runs in 176 at bats before being traded to the Cubs on May 31.  With the Cubs he homered 12 times in 179 at bats.

Kicker Ryan Longwell said on KFAN earlier this week that only five people knew about the fake field goal play leading to a Vikings touchdown against Carolina last Sunday.  The five, including Longwell, were holder Chris Kluwe, receiver Rich Owens,  special teams coach Paul Ferraro and head coach Brad Childress. 

Injured rookie quarterback Tarvaris Jackson showed his athleticism and scrambling ability during pre-season.  Still, he knows if has an opportunity to play during the regular season he must run out of necessity, not by command, and stay aware to “just be safe and get down.” 

Purdue coach Joe Tiller talking about Gopher senior quarterback Bryan Cupito’s improvement since his sophomore season:  “What’s changed in a three year period is he makes them (the Gophers) much more potent offensively because of his abilities.  He is really the forgotten guy (among quarterbacks) in the league (Big Ten Conference).  He is the biggest improvement that has occurred at Minnesota.” 

Gopher coach Glen Mason said on WCCO radio earlier this week that Joel Monroe, who has consistently kicked the ball into the end zone on kickoffs, is the “most improved” player on the team.  

Former Vikings radio play-by-play announcer Joe McConnell is on an indefinite leave of absence for health reasons as Purdue’s football radio voice, according to the Boilermakers’ Web site.  McConnell has been experiencing double vision. 

Local business executive and former Gopher tennis coach Jerry Noyce, appointed earlier this year to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, is serving on a subcommittee to encourage corporate America’s workers to exercise more. 

Ellis Park Race Track in Henderson, Kentucky will host Claiming Crown in 2007 but the well-known national horse racing event returns to Canterbury Park in 2008.