Author: David Shama

Joe Mauer ranked No. 9 and Justin Morneau No. 40 in the Sporting News Magazine’s list of baseball’s top 50 players.  They were the only Twins included on the list as voted by 21 major league executives, according to the publication’s June 6 issue.

In the article former teammate Orlando Cabrera praised Mauer for the “calm” he brings to the Twins as a catcher, calling pitches and throwing out base runners.  Talking about everything Mauer does, including his hitting, Cabrera said: “I look at Joe as a force. …”

The magazine didn’t report the survey date but it’s obviously based on past performances of players and not the 2011 season.  Mauer hasn’t played for the Twins since April 12, appearing in just nine games because of injuries.  Morneau is hitting .229 with four home runs and 20 RBI.

Both Mauer and Morneau have experienced various physical problems since last year.  When next year’s voting comes around, Mauer could certainly slide out of the top 10 and Morneau might exit from the top 50 if the two don’t stage big summer rallies.

Twelve major league teams had more players on the list than the Twins, led by the New York Yankees and Boston with five each.  Former Twins center fielder Torii Hunter, No. 31 last year in the ranking of baseball’s best, didn’t make the top 50.

For the third consecutive year St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols was voted No. 1.  Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki No. 2 and Seattle pitcher Felix Hernandez No. 3.

Joe Nathan’s future with the Twins seems uncertain after this season.  At 36 he’s yet to show his arm is healthy and his salary is a load on the budget-conscious Twins who have a reported payroll of $113,237,000, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts website.  Nathan earns $11,250,000 and is in the final year of his contract, according to Cot’s.  He is on the disabled list after pitching in 17 games with a 7.63 ERA.

Ex-Chaska prep Brad Hand was recalled by Florida earlier this week and pitched last night for the Marlins, giving up one hit over six innings in a 1-0 loss.  The Minneapolis-born left-hander was 7-1 with a 3.53 ERA at Jacksonville in the Southern League before being recalled.

Outfielder Paul Giel III is a third team National Junior College Athletic Association Division III All-American.  Giel played for Century College in White Bear Lake this spring and is transferring to Concordia, St. Paul.  He is the grandson of the former Gophers All-American baseball and football player.

Former Gophers center Joel Przybilla, 31, is successfully rehabbing his patella injury and awaiting contract offers.  The ex-Monticello prep only played in 36 games last season for Portland and Charlotte.  He finished up a five-year, $32 million contract, according to a Przybilla source.  Another of his former teams, Milwaukee, might be a fit for next season where starting center Andrew Bogut has been a disappointment.  Przybilla’s rebounding and shot blocking would be an upgrade for the Timberwolves too, but the price and commitment is probably too much for the local team.

Mr. Basketball Chair Ken Lien presented the Mr. Basketball Trophy on Sunday to 2011 winner Joe Coleman of Hopkins at his high school graduation open house.  (See photo).

New Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale was the 1976 Mr. Basketball winner after playing for Hibbing High.

Hopkins High School wide receiver Andre McDonald is rated among the top 20 prep senior wide receivers in the nation by Athlon Sports’ Big Ten football magazine.  McDonald has made a verbal commitment to play for the Gophers.  Minnetonka coach Dave Nelson is impressed with the 6-3 McDonald’s ability to catch the ball.  “He has size and great hands,” Nelson told Sports Headliners.

Nelson visits the Mayo Clinic in Rochester at month’s end for a checkup, but said his “health is great” after surgery earlier this year for prostate cancer.  Nelson will be in his 10^th season as Minnetonka coach this fall.

The 40^th Tapemark Charity Pro-Am starts Friday at Southview Country Club in West St. Paul.  Among those playing will be 2010 champion Ryan Helminen.  Other past champions in the field will be Mike Barge, Jeff Sorenson, Mike Zinni and Craig Brischke.  A Friday night event will recognize the Tapemark’s impact through the years on the benefitting agencies (Arc MN, Arc Greater Twin Cities, Children’s Home Society and Family Services, Dakota Communities, and ProAct).  Guitar player Billy McLaughlin will provide entertainment.  Tickets for Friday night are $25 each and can be purchased either at the door or in advance at www.tapemarkgolf.org.

Vikings’ head coach Leslie Frazier will give an inspirational talk to children, youth and families from North Minneapolis, an area hard hit by a tornado this spring.  The ticketed event ($30) will be from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 15 at the Ukrainian Center in Northeast Minneapolis.  For more information, contact the Sanctuary Community Development Corporation, 612-339-1812, or www.sanctuarycdc.org.

Canterbury Park’s Summer School, a one night course for beginners and intermediates to learn more about horse racing and wagering, debuted last week.  The course is taught by track analyst Angela Hermann and others.  The next class is the night of Friday, June 17.

What if Ohio State had hired Glen Mason in 2001 instead of Jim Tressel?

Mason, who played at Ohio State and was once an assistant coach in Columbus, wanted to leave the Gophers and succeed Buckeyes’ coach John Cooper.  “If you go back and read the reports, it looked like the day before (Tressel was announced) that Mason was the leading candidate,” said Dave Mona who worked with Mason on WCCO Radio shows for several years.  “He would have been delighted if chosen.”

Mason’s friends know him as a coach who led programs for 21 seasons at Kent State, Kansas and Minnesota without NCAA penalties.  I asked Mason about cheating in college football years ago and he said, “I wouldn’t be able to look my son in the eye.”

Tressel resigned last week after months of controversy surrounding himself and several of his players.  Tressel admitted not notifying school administrators of NCAA violations involving his players and speculation is that rules violations may be more widespread during his coaching era than previously believed.

Ohio State’s and the NCAA’s investigation of the football program is ongoing.  Certainly the Buckeyes have been a success on the field under Tressel, winning nine of 10 games against hated rival Michigan, playing in eight BCS games and sharing or winning seven Big Ten championships, but Mason supporters will argue OSU would have been a winner and also on the straight-and-narrow had he become the coach.

Would Ohio State call Mason again?  Assistant coach Luke Fickell is the interim head coach for the season, but a coaching search is possible after the Buckeyes finish their schedule.  Mona believes Mason, 61, might be interested in the job.

“Glen certainly could be responsive to phone calls,” Mona said.  “I don’t think the loyalty to Ohio State goes away.”

Mason played reserve linebacker at Ohio State under legendary coach Woody Hayes, earning a letter in 1970.  He was an assistant coach in Columbus from 1978-1985. Every year Mason goes back to Columbus to play in the Jack Nicklaus golf tournament, an indication of his many ties and relationships in Ohio.

There is speculation, too, whether the Ohio State athletics director job will be open later this year.  Gene Smith will be under scrutiny as the investigation moves along.  Mason’s name might come up with an AD opening.

Gary Hohman, a former Gophers’ football player and friend of Mason for many years knows the Buckeyes will need the right kind of leadership in the months and years ahead.  “Integrity is the No. 1 thing that Glen Mason presents,” Hohman said.  “I think that’s something they’re looking for.”