Author: David Shama

Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi told Sports Headliners he expects the Big Ten Conference to announce its realignment within “30 days” of football schools.  New schedules need to come ASAP because all schools must remake their home and away dates with Nebraska joining the league in 2011 as a 12^th member.

Maturi won’t speculate on the specific grouping of schools into two six-team divisions but did acknowledge that Big Ten officials will value both competitive balance and historic rivalries in making a final decision.  Led by commissioner Jim Delany, league officials have comprehensively researched performances by Big Ten teams and Nebraska dating back to 1993 when Penn State joined the conference.

Maturi said the results show Ohio State is No. 1 during that period, while Michigan and Nebraska come next.  Penn State, Wisconsin and Iowa are also performance leaders.  Purdue, Michigan State, Northwestern, Illinois, Minnesota and Indiana have been less successful.

Sports Headliners suggests this grouping:  Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa, Michigan State, Purdue and Indiana in an “East Division.”  The “West Division” members would be Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Illinois and Minnesota.

Maturi acknowledged the likelihood that traditional rivals Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin won’t all be in the same division.  Each Big Ten team is expected to play five games against division rivals and three more conference games against teams from the opposite division.

One of the three conference games is likely to be designated a cross division rivalry game but even that might not assure the Gophers, Wisconsin and Iowa playing each other annually, Maturi said.  In the Sports Headliners grouping of teams Iowa is in the opposite division of Minnesota and Wisconsin.  Following this example, some seasons the Hawkeyes might not play both Minnesota and Wisconsin.

League teams may eventually play nine conference games, not eight.  The addition of a ninth game likely figures to boost TV ratings for the conference including on the Big Ten Network.  However, the addition of a ninth game isn’t expected for at least a few years and if it does happen schools will during alternate years have either four or five home conference games.  A ninth league game also means one less nonconference game which may result in less revenue for a school.

Maturi has announced that Trevor Mbakwe can play with the Gophers basketball team next season.  Mbakwe, who learned last week that he won’t have to participate in a trial involving an alleged assault, has said he’s unsure whether he will play for the Gophers, according to a Star Tribune story on August 13.

However, it seems unlikely Mbakwe will choose to leave the Gophers.  He would need a waiver from the NCAA to become immediately eligible to play for another school and why would that be granted when he’s already able to play here?  Without the waiver, Mbakwe’s alternative would be to sit out a season but that seems unattractive since he didn’t play last season after Maturi ruled him ineligible because of the alleged incident in south Florida.

Maturi is disappointed about Texas cancelling its two-game series with the Gophers in football and seeing the Longhorns replace those games with Notre Dame.

James Manuel, who chose the Gophers over offers that included Iowa and Michigan State, looks like one of the team’s most promising freshmen.  The 6-2, 200 pound former Indianapolis prep has impressed at strong safety with both his physical and mental abilities.

Former Gopher Alex Daniels, who finished his college career at Cincinnati, is an undrafted rookie trying to make the Oakland Raiders roster.  Daniels, who played both offense and defense for the Gophers and once ran for over 100 yards in a Minnesota nonconference game, was recently switched from defensive end to fullback at the Oakland training camp.

Brian Dutcher, the son of former Gophers coach Jim Dutcher, said San Diego State ex-athletic director Jeff Schemmel, who once was an administrator in Minnesota’s athletic department, is practicing law in Kansas City.  Brian has been an assistant basketball coach at San Diego State for 12 seasons and said the Aztecs have all five starters back from last year’s NCAA tournament team.

Kevin Slowey, who threw a no-hitter through seven innings yesterday before manager Ron Gardenhire took him out of the game, made his fourth career start against Oakland and improved his record in those games to 3-0 with a 1.04 ERA. 

Twins infielder Alexi Casilla has made two errors since June 9, 2009.

There are common traits among reporters in this business.  Sometimes those traits permeate the outlook of many in the media.

Cynicism can be useful because a good reporter needs to be skeptical of what others tell him.  But the skeptic’s view of life can become exceedingly negative and spoil a person’s outlook.

Another characteristic among those in the journalism trade is always waiting for something to happen.  “The next big thing,” or a better performance by a player or team.  Other times it’s waiting for a milestone, or the once in a generation accomplishment.

All of this comes to mind when thinking about Joe Mauer. The time to enjoy Mauer is now, and not be thinking about how he might one day flirt with a .400 season, or lead the Twins to a World Series parade down Hennepin Ave.  This is the moment, the only time there really is, to appreciate how special Mauer is.

The three-time American League batting champion and 2009 league MVP is hitting .500 in his last 10 games and has driven in 10 runs.  His average now is .327, tied for fourth best in the league.  Only a few weeks ago he was hitting under .300.

The most important statistic to Mauer is that his offensive production has helped the Twins to a 19-8 record since the All-Star break.  After last night’s three game series in Chicago the Twins are alone in first place in the Central Division.

The Twins’ catcher ranks with the best in baseball for being the “hardest to steal on,” according to a players poll in the August 2-9 issue of Sports Illustrated.  That is the most recent national confirmation Mauer is both a gifted catcher and hitter.

Mauer is 27 now, all grown up, presumably in or nearing his peak seasons.  He’s got more financial security than he would need in several lifetimes after signing an eight-year, $184 million contract.  Mauer’s commitment to sign that contract earlier this year and stay with the Twins was the final judgment on his character and loyalty to his home state.

If any local athlete ever was one of us, it’s Mauer.  He is what many Minnesotans aspire to be.  Hard working and accomplished at his trade.  Loves what he does and wants to be part of a team effort.  Wise enough to stay humble and treat others like he always has, with respect.  Makes family a priority and shares his prosperity with others.

Put it all in one sentence:  Mauer is a good “Joe.”  He doesn’t even need a golden reputation because his character defines him wherever he goes and whatever he does.

Mauer is among a few players in major league baseball who other teams would choose to build a ballclub around.  He is a superb hitter, catcher and quiet leader.  One of the great players of his generation.

Someday he might be recognized by one and all as the greatest and most popular athlete to ever perform in this state.  But that’s down the road and a place we promised not to travel today.

So let’s just do this: the Twins come home tonight to play against Oakland.  Mauer will be in the lineup.  Watch and enjoy.