Author: David Shama

Yahoo Sports rates the Gophers’ Trevor Mbakwe the No. 12 power forward in college basketball.  Mbakwe, who has interest in turning pro instead of returning for his senior season, isn’t included among nbadraft.net’s projected players to be chosen by NBA teams in 2011.  Last year the website projected sophomore Gopher forward Rodney Williams as a first round draft pick, but not any more after he averaged 6.8 points.

Next fall WCCO Radio will have its most minimal major sports play-by-play offerings in over 50 years.  The station will carry Timberwolves games, but no longer is the broadcast home of any other major pro sports teams or Gophers football, basketball or hockey.

Tim Leiweke, the former Timberwolves executive who is leading the drive to bring the NFL to Los Angeles, is the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Business Person of the Year.  As chief executive of Anschutz Entertainment Group, Leiweke provided leadership in the development of the Staples Center and the L.A. LIVE entertainment complex that have been credited with helping to economically revive downtown Los Angeles.  Earlier this year a $700 million naming rights deal with Farmers Insurance was announced for a new football stadium in Los Angeles.

The Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association announced its coaches of the year by classes: 5A, Brad Anderson, Wayzata; 4A, Marc Franz, Rogers; 3A, Mike Kesler, Rochester Lourdes; 2A, Don Seipkes , Ottertail Central; 1A, Denny Lux, New Ulm Cathedral; and Nine-man, Jeff Gronner, Cromwell.  Brainerd’s Ron Stolski was honored as the Coach of the Year after setting the all-time state prep record for most career wins, 330.

The Butch Nash outstanding assistant coach winners are Mike Allen, Northfield; Kirk Golberg, Lakeville South; Greg Johnson, Delano; Mark Johnson, Rocori; Jeff Moore, Verndale; Jeff Moritko, Totino-Grace; and Charlie Reed, Cretin-Derham Hall.

Win Willy, owned by Jerry and Marlene Myers’ Jer-Mar Stables of Minneapolis, won the Grade 2 $350,000 Oaklawn Handicap on Saturday at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  Ridden by Cliff Berry and trained by Mac Robertson, the five-year-old thoroughbred has now won $821,960 in his 18-race career.

Harmon Killebrew was scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch this afternoon for the Twins’ home opener against Oakland, but will remain at home in Arizona where he receives chemotherapy.  Longtime teammate Tony Oliva will sub for Killebrew and his grandson, Casey Killebrew, a baseball player at Apple Valley High School, will catch the ceremonial first pitch.

The Twins’ legendary slugger and Hall of Famer was diagnosed with esophageal      cancer in December.  The 74-year-old is a hero to every generation of Upper Midwest baseball fans and his appearance at Target Field today was anticipated by his many admirers.

Twins’ officials including marketing vice president Patrick Klinger received the disappointing news earlier this week that Killebrew thought it best not to travel and throw out the first pitch.  “He was my choice from the beginning, but I always knew there was a chance he might not make it here,” Klinger said.  “Chemo can knock you on your backside.”

Klinger saw Killebrew in spring training where he spent five days with the Twins.  “He looked fit, his voice was good and he was in great spirits,” Klinger said.

Killebrew’s 75^th birthday will be on June 29 and he’s scheduled to be in town for his charity golf event.  The Twins play the Dodgers at Target Field that day and Klinger said the club will recognize Killebrew’s birthday at the game.

No doubt he will receive a long standing ovation from the crowd while a regional TV audience applauds at home. The “Killer” was the face of the franchise in its early years and by the time his major league career had ended in 1975 he had 573 home runs.  Killebrew later worked on Twins’ broadcasts and has remained part of the franchise in recent years as a special assistant.

But even without all the home runs and the Hall of Fame resume, Killebrew would make you rise to your feet and wipe a tear away.  Countless ball players, media and fans know Killebrew is a wonderful person − a gracious, caring and approachable man.

Killebrew is on a short list of the best people I have encountered in professional sports.  With his everyday manner, the “Killer” might just as well be the Twins’ clubhouse attendant, not the guy who ranks No. 3 on the all-time American League home run list.

At 11:30 a.m. today a bronze statue of Oliva will be unveiled near Gate 6, adding to the Target Field tributes of the Twins’ greatest players.  Oliva, who played with Killebrew from 1962-1974, had a lifetime batting average of .304 and is one of six Twins to have his number retired.

Although he won three American League batting titles and was an eight-time All-Star, Oliva isn’t in baseball’s Hall of Fame.  Now 70 years old, Oliva’s statue at Target Field may become the most lasting tribute to a great hitter who after retirement remained in this community and is a special assistant with the Twins’ organization.

Oliva, like Killebrew, is an affable guy who so often has been willing to help others.  He will receive a lot of love from the fans and organization today.

Oliva will remember this day, too, because his son Rick Oliva, along with Maria Versalles, will perform the National Anthem before the game.  Versalles is the daughter of the late Zoilo Versalles, the American League MVP shortstop on the Twins’ 1965 pennant winner and former teammate of Killebrew and Oliva.

Some fans will be able to meet Oliva today.  At noon he will be at Gate 6 greeting fans (in recognition of his No. 6 uniform number).

Kent Hrbek will be at Gate 14, Rod Carew at 29 and the late Kirby Puckett’s children, Kirby, Jr. and Catherine, at 34.  Killebrew’s sons, Cam and Ken, will substitute for their father at Gate 3.