Author: David Shama

Those who revered Tiger Woods as a role model will hopefully now view celebrities differently. That’s a potential benefit from the sad soap opera surrounding the story of Woods’ infidelity and the suffering he caused his wife Elin and others.

Woods presented himself as a dedicated family person who was deserving of our applause on and off the golf course.  Those who fawned over him couldn’t limit their adoration to his extraordinary golfing abilities.  They bought into him as a total person, believing that he was a hero representing the best of values.

An appropriate perspective could look at Woods and any other celebrity like this: Enjoy and appreciate the gifted skills and performances, and admit you know very little about this person’s behavior and values.

The Woods image fooled people for a long time but that doesn’t make him unique from other celebrities past or present.  Celebrities, including athletes, engage in all kinds of behavior that is contrary to the values of their fans.  If you’re looking for heroes based on values and behavior search closer to home.  Try someone you know, like a dedicated teacher, a tireless volunteer, or courageous person with a terminal illness.

In his apology speech on Friday Woods admitted he used his stature to have affairs and cheat on his wife.  How many other celebrities who have done the same but never been exposed to such public scrutiny were watching Woods in his nationally televised confession?  I have no idea but a cynic might suggest the total is 50 times the number of children they have fathered out of wedlock.

The behavior of Woods is observed by not just adults, but also children who sometimes don’t have guidance in choosing role models.  Unfortunately, what the Woods story says to some kids is that when you’re young, rich and powerful you can mess around on your wife and enjoy various women.  Cheating and dishonesty won’t help a generation of young people already so troubled that high school graduation rates are under 50 percent in American cities.

Let’s hope a better life lies ahead for Woods and those who care about him.  He plans to continue in a rehabilitation program.  Maybe that’s right for him, perhaps not.  The rehab sounds good, makes us nod our heads and say, “Yup, that Tiger he’s really trying.”

But how do we know who the real Tiger is?  Let’s just stop pretending we do and watch him play golf when he comes back.  And when he does return it would be nice if he doesn’t curse on the course, throw his clubs and pout when some fan clicks his camera and breaks his concentration.  That kind of behavior we can observe and decide whether it’s acceptable.

Let’s not pretend to know what our celebrities do at home, in a hotel room, or in a corporate meeting.

Former state senator Dean Johnson, a leader in Twins stadium legislation a few years ago, told Sports Headliners he doesn’t expect a Vikings stadium bill to be passed this year.  Tim Pawlenty won’t lead stadium legislation even though he isn’t running for re-election, according to Johnson who says the governor has other interests and priorities.  Johnson believes that with a new governor and legislators in 2011, and with the Vikings Metrodome lease expiring late next year, a stadium bill will be passed.  He predicted the facility likely will be funded from a mix of sources including perhaps a car rental tax.

Third baseman Joe Crede is still on the market as a free agent and probably approachable for a budget offer from the Twins.  At 31 and with a history of back problems, Crede is a “red flag” to many teams but the Twins need a third baseman and he hit 15 home runs for them in 333 at bats last year.

The Brewers were apparently willing to trade shortstop J.J. Hardy to the Twins because of their excitement over 23-year-old shortstop Alcides Escobar.  Hardy, 27, is a former All-Star, but the Brewers have an extraordinary prospect in Escobar who has been among the most impressive defensive middle infielders in the minors.

The February 10-16 issue of USA Today Sports Weekly lists Escobar No. 5 among 100 players who are “among the next wave of players heading into the major leagues” that can make the biggest impact in 2010.  The Twins didn’t have a player on the list.

The Twins are featured in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated as a successful example of a small market franchise.  Afflicted with limited payrolls, small market teams haven’t won a World Series in six years but the magazine reports the Twins are “brimming with optimism.”

Local sports writer and announcer Dave Wright has authored his first book and it’s titled: 162-0.  The book is about the greatest wins in Twins history and will be out in early March.

Power rankings of NFL teams for next season still regard the Vikings as a top 10, or even top five team, but division rival Green Bay is included, too.

Minneapolis native Larry Fitzgerald, Jr., the All-Pro Arizona Cardinals wide receiver, has been vacationing alone in China and seeing the sights including the Great Wall, according to his father Larry.

Brad Salem, who was head football coach at Augustana College for five years, has resigned to become backfield coach at Michigan State.  He is the son of former Gophers head coach Joe Salem.

Former Gopher football player Tommy Watson is the principal at Palmer Lake Elementary school in Brooklyn Park, and is also a motivational speaker.

The Gophers Blake Hoffarber, who has led the country in three point field goal percentage, probably won’t make an NBA roster after he leaves Minnesota.  Although he is an undersized shooting guard who lacks quickness, he could find NBA employment with the right coach who appreciates his shooting accuracy, passing ability and general court sense.  If not in the NBA, the Gophers junior will earn a paycheck in Europe or elsewhere if he chooses to continue his basketball career.

Northern State University today announced the retirement of men’s basketball coach Don Meyer effective at the end of this season.  Among the more prominent small school coaches in the country, Meyer was head coach at Hamline for three seasons starting in 1972.

Coach Don Lucia’s Gophers had seven players score goals, including four defensemen, in a 7-4 win over Colorado College on Saturday at Mariucci Arena.  The Gophers moved to within three points of Colorado College for fifth place in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings and a possible first-round home series in the upcoming league playoffs.  The Gophers, who have struggled to score goals this season, had 11 players earn a point in the game.

Goldy’s Locker Room of Minneapolis has won the Rising Star Award from the Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show in Las Vegas.  The Rising Star Awards recognize one retailer from each of the 50 states for their progressive approach to marketing, merchandising and dealing with customers.