Author: David Shama

The Twins have made a series of unproductive personnel moves that are troubling, dating back to the trade of power pitcher Johan Santana to the Mets in 2008. From the Santana deal to the maneuverings that sent shortstop J.J. Hardy away for failed relief pitcher Jim Hoey, to the signing of Japanese shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka—the most expensive franchise bust within memory— it’s evident the front office has struggled multiple times to improve the ballclub.

In fairness, though, the Twins have made some productive personnel moves in recent years.  Heading the list are the acquisitions of pitcher Carl Pavano and slugger Jim Thome.  In past seasons the Twins’ success was aided by the acquisitions of Orlando Cabrera and Orlando Hudson, both starting infielders.

The organization’s evaluators are on the spot not just for the big league team, but the minor leagues, too.  The farm system isn’t exactly dazzling and has been of minimal help to the Twins this season trying to plug holes.  Power hitting, a priority need on the big league club, seems to be missing in the farm system.  Power arms—candidates to become the team’s No. 1 starter—seem to be on the same missing-in-action list.

The players on the big league club need to do their own self-audits with analysis that includes how can they best condition themselves, and also define their roles to help the team.  It wouldn’t be surprising, for example, if catcher Joe Mauer accepts part-time assignment next season in the outfield and at first base.

The fans have embraced the ballclub and the new ballpark, a public-private partnership partially funded by Hennepin County taxpayers.  With that relationship and ticket prices that only a few years ago were seen at Vikings games—not at Twins games—the Twins’ bosses owe the public and themselves a thorough offseason evaluation of the business.

Michael Chang, who along with Andre Agassi, John McEnroe and Jim Courier will be here for the September 30 LeeAnn Chin Challenge at Target Center, spent part of his childhood growing up in the St. Paul area where his father worked for 3M.  Former Gophers’ tennis coach Jerry Noyce recalled that as a youngster Chang won the local Green Giant Little Sprout Tennis tournament.  Among Chang’s childhood opponents was David Wheaton, the name most associated with men’s professional tennis in Minnesota.

Agassi has a Minnesota connection, too.  He won his first professional tournament at the Minikahda Tennis Invitational in Minneapolis.

McEnroe has helped tutor Rochester eighth grade tennis phenom Ingrid Neel.  She played on the Rochester Mayo boys Class 2A state tournament team last spring.

The Target Center event is part of the Champions Series that begins September 22 in Fort Lauderdale and is scheduled in 12 U.S. cities through October 22.  Pete Sampras, Bjorn Borg and Mats Wilander will also participate.  A prize pool totaling $1 million will be shared by the top three finishers at season’s end.

Dan Patrick asking Donovan McNabb in the August 22 issue of Sports Illustrated whether the Vikings’ veteran quarterback believes he’s been “unfairly criticized” during his NFL career: “I personally don’t care what people think about me.  I’ve been criticized throughout my career, so it doesn’t matter.”

Former Cretin Derham-Hall quarterback Steve Walsh tutored Terrelle Pryor before the ex-Ohio State quarterback was selected last week in the third round of the NFL supplemental draft.  Walsh, who played collegiately for Miami, was a NFL supplemental pick in 1989.

Gophers football coach Jerry Kill’s 50^th birthday was last Wednesday. Kill was born in 1961, the last year the Gophers sent a team to the Rose Bowl.  Minnesota defeated UCLA 21-3 in the January 1962 Rose Bowl.

Former Timberwolves assistant coach Eric Musselman has been hired by the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League as head coach.

Former Gophers coach Dan Monson was among the guests at the wedding of his ex-Minnesota player Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian earlier this month.

Tyus Jones, the much acclaimed sophomore point guard at Apple Valley High School next season, impressed Sporting News Magazine enough last month that he was proclaimed  “best shooter” in the August 15 issue after writer Mike DeCourcy travelled thousands of miles watching America’s top preps play summer basketball.

Twins curator Clyde Doepner will be the speaker on Thursday, September 8 at the C.O.R.E.S luncheon.  C.O.R.E.S members can contact Jim Dotseth for more information, dotsethj@comcast.net.  C.O.R.E.S is an acronym for coaches, officials, educators, reporters and sports fans.

Gophers’ athletic director Joel Maturi told Sports Headliners that new football coach Jerry Kill has presented him with a “written vision” for the football program at Minnesota.

Maturi declined to offer many specifics about the contents of the “two to three pages” planning document.  “It ranges from academics to support for facilities,” Maturi said.

It’s most certain that salaries for assistant coaches are included, too.  Kill brought most of his staff with him from Northern Illinois after being hired in December and although compensation is significantly more at Minnesota, it’s known that the Gophers’ salaries for assistants rank near the bottom in the Big Ten.

Maturi said compensation for coaches is affected by revenues and the Gophers football income ranks below most conference programs.  That doesn’t mean, though, that football revenues and other funding for the program can’t grow and provide a larger operating budget, including for salaries.

The salaries for assistant coaches are important to Kill who is loyal to staff members who work for him.  He told Sports Headliners earlier this summer that if necessary he would accept less compensation for himself to pay his staff the salaries he believes his assistants deserve.

It’s Maturi’s job to manage budgets and Kill’s responsibility to outline what he needs for success.  The coach’s message will undoubtedly be delivered to new president Eric Kaler, and perhaps it has already.  The two have had at least one meeting and certainly could have more.

Sources tell Sports Headliners that Kaler will live up to his reputation for being supportive of intercollegiate sports, including making football important.  If the president wants football success to be a priority at Minnesota, that will go a long way to ensuring that the Gophers become winners because Kill has been a turnaround specialist other places he’s coached.

Maturi is upbeat about both Kaler and Kill.  “How can you not like Jerry and Dr. Kaler?” he asked.