Author: David Shama

The Twins will make a roster move prior to tonight’s game against Chicago, perhaps adding Nishioka to replace Morneau who went on the disabled list yesterday with a left wrist strain.

New Britain right-hander Liam Hendriks is the Twins Minor League Player of the Week for June 4-10.  The Australian native started two games, with a 2-0 record over 13 innings including 10 strikeouts and a 0.69 ERA.

The Twins’ bullpen has allowed just three earned runs in 27.2 innings since June 1.

Harmon Killebrew, who passed away last month, would have been 75 on June 29.  His foundation will have a promotion that day on the Budweiser Roof Deck at Target Field where the Twins will play the Dodgers.  Tickets are $150 and include access to the deck, plus food and beverages for the game.  Net ticket proceeds benefit the Legacy Program of the Harmon Killebrew Foundation. More at www.harmonkillebrewfoundation.org

Former Timberwolves’ head coach Dwane Casey had his profile raised in the NBA Finals.  Casey’s role as a Dallas assistant in helping orchestrate the Mavericks’ zone defense was impressive and a factor in winning the NBA title.  He did an admirable job with the Wolves in a short time, going 20 and 20 (2006-07 season) and seems likely to receive another NBA offer.  But if the Timberwolves replace coach Kurt Rambis, it would be surprising if Casey is considered for the job.

The June 13 issue of Sports Illustrated praised Ricky Rubio in a one page feature comparing the soon-to-be Timberwolf with NBA star Steve Nash’s ability to “draw in defenses” and pass to an open teammate, or finish the play at the basket.  The article also quoted an anonymous scout as saying the 20-year-old Spaniard performs like “he was born to play point guard.”

St. Thomas Academy offensive guard Isaac Hayes is ranked No. 116 among the ESPN-U top 150 senior prep players.  The ESPN.com website reports Hayes hasn’t made a college commitment.

The University of St. Thomas is interested in Jack Gilliland, a wide receiver and kick returner from a private high school in Simi Valley, California.  A senior in 2011-12, Gilliland is a dynamic playmaker and could draw interest from the Gophers.

Augsburg golfer Stefani Zappa, a senior from Patrick Henry High, is the MIAC nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award.  The award honors senior student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in academic achievement, athletics, service, and leadership.

Sporting News Magazine offers a “My Profile” in each issue.  A sports celebrity shares trivia about himself ranging from values he admires in others to a favorite car or meal. Although many candidates applied for today’s Sports Headliners version of “My Profile,” I selected the person I know best.

Me.

Name: David John Shama, although family and childhood friends often call me Mik (don’t ask).  A pal from grade school days calls me Rock (a reference to my muscles, not my head).

Best advice: My mom told me “mind your own business and you will have plenty to do.”

Favorite coach: Phil Jackson.

Childhood sports heroes: Mickey Mantle and Jerry West.

First job: selling TV Guide subscriptions door-to-door.

My heroes today: the men and women past and present who gave their lives in service to America.

Pet peeve: Slow moving motorists who hog the left lane.

What I can’t figure out: Why investment advisors know so much about making money but have to work for a living.

Must see TV: “60 Minutes” (journalism lives!).

Best movies: “Midnight in Paris” and “Animal House.”

Dream date: My wife (she edits my column).

How to recognize a tough week: A bird poops on my writing tablet while sitting on the deck at home.  Two days later I am playing golf and victimized again.  (Same bird? Nah.)

Greatest love: My family, and college football.

Classless super stars: LeBron James and Dwayne Wade mocking Dirk Nowitzki for being sick with a 101 degree temperature.

Favorite restaurant: Are you kidding? Murray’s.

Best meal at home: Anything followed by large quantities of Peanut M&M’s.

Best way to start the morning: Watching Dan Patrick on TV, or reading his column in Sports Illustrated.

Best way to end the day: With a margarita on the deck.

Worst habit: Paying too much attention to both the past and future.

What I love about Canadian native Justin Morneau: He drinks maple syrup and hangs out with bears.

Things I don’t get about the Twins: What is Bert Blyleven’s “California math?”  How come the team caps say TC?  Are they the Twin Cities Twins?

Joe Mauer’s chances of being booed upon his return to Target Field: Slim but I won’t say none.

Most unforgettable call from a World Series: Jack Buck’s famous words following Kirby Puckett’s winning home run for the Twins in game six, “And we’ll see you tomorrow night.”

Best quarterback I ever saw: Brett Favre, 2009 vintage playing for the Vikings.

Stats I can’t forget: Wilt Chamberlain scoring 100 points in a single game.  Joe DiMaggio’s 56 game hitting streak.

Appalling statistics:  America’s big city school systems graduate less than 50 percent of their students.  It’s not just the systems that need to improve, the parents and kids need to step up, too.