Author: David Shama

Former Timberwolf Chauncey Billups will be 35 when the Summer Olympics is held in 2012.  Billups, now with Denver, and the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, who will almost be 34 in 2012, are the two oldest players who have agreed to be on the 25 man U.S. preliminary Olympic roster.  Timberwolves Al Jefferson and Kevin Love are also on the roster.

With unemployment news a constant topic, the timing couldn’t be better for a new book by Minneapolis businessman and former Gopher golfer Harvey Mackay, Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door. https://www.harveymackay.com/.

Fox Sports North will telecast 120 Twins games including the two Target Field exhibition games on April 2 and 3 against St. Louis.

Outfielder Aaron Hicks of the Twins organization is No. 29 on major league baseball’s top 50 prospects list.  Atlanta prospect Jason Heyward, an outfielder, is rated No. 1.  https://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100127&content_id=7983130&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.

Greg Gagne, the shortstop on two Twins World Series championship teams, has been selected by a committee for induction into the organization’s Hall of Fame on September 4 in a home game against Texas.  He becomes the 22^nd member of the Hall of Fame.  Former pitchers Jim Perry and Camilo Pascual were the next top vote getters but weren’t elected.  Former broadcaster Halsey Hall belongs in the Hall of Fame, too.

Joe Anderson, who once was a sidekick to Dan Barreiro on KFAN and is a former public relations director at Canterbury Park, is a talk show host on KSTP, replacing Matt Thomas who is working in Houston.

The Twins and Joe Mauer haven’t reached agreement on a new contract but likely will prior to the start of spring training later this month, according to Jake Mauer.

“It’s very close,” Jake said.  “It will all be signed by the beginning of spring training. …That’s what they’re shooting for.”

Jake Mauer, Joe’s grandfather, spoke to Sports Headliners on Wednesday from Florida.  The two have a close relationship and spend time together during the winter in the Fort Myers area.

The older Mauer said Joe’s agent, Ron Shapiro, and Twins general manager Bill Smith spent two days last week in Minneapolis working on a new contract.  A 10 year deal is likely but specific compensation numbers aren’t settled, although $20 million per year is a possibility, according to Jake.

“That’s mind boggling,” Jake said.  “No one is worth that.  I don’t give a (blank)…nobody is worth that.  I don’t care who they are.  My God!”

The grandfather said Joe’s “heart and soul are with the Twins,” the only organization the 26-year-old all-world catcher has ever played for.  “But even if they cut Joe down to $15 million for 10 years he would sign with the Twins…I think.  Because Joe wants to stay in St. Paul, and he wants to start his thing (career) with the Twins and finish with the Twins.”

There’s no greed in his grandson, Jake said, and the Mauers know he could earn a richer contract by leaving the Twins after this season when he becomes a free agent.  Just like the Twins, the Boston Red Sox train in Fort Myers, and Jake said even he has become a celebrity in southwestern Florida this winter.

“I don’t know half the people here but they all come over and shake my hand,” he said.  “(People say) ‘I am from Boston.  We’re going to have Joe for 2011.  We’re gonna win the World Series.’ ”

Mauer and his agent have nearly all the leverage in the contract negotiations.  A baseball source told Sports Headliners this is a classic send the player a blank check situation.  The Twins could threaten to trade Mauer if negotiations aren’t to their liking but that leverage is a risky position to take given Mauer’s immense talent and popularity.

Along with Albert Pujols of St. Louis, Mauer is probably the most valuable player in baseball.  He’s won three batting titles, one American League MVP award, two Gold Glove awards, and he plays the most important leadership position on the team, catcher.  He’s also a Minnesota native and on track to become the most popular athlete in state history.

An alternative for Mauer and Shapiro could be to ask for a short term deal like five or six years.  That strategy would put Mauer back into free agency while still in his prime and able to negotiate an even richer deal.  (Mauer currently has a four year contract worth $33 million that ends after this season).

But Jake said his grandson wants to be here and will ask for a no trade clause in the new contract, a deal that could be his last as a major leaguer.  It’s with the Twins that Joe wants to become part of a championship team.

“He wants to win the World Series,” Jake said.  “That’s the only thing left for him.”

A year ago Mauer was in pain and unable to play in spring training because of a back injury.  He wasn’t even able to begin playing with the Twins until May.

Jake said his grandson’s health is “excellent” now and the back is not a problem.  He also said Joe works out daily and is dedicated to being in shape for the start of spring training (pitchers and catchers scheduled to report on February 20).

What if a deal isn’t completed prior to spring training?  “It would just be a disaster, really and truly,” Jake said.  “I think it would just destroy the Twins.  I really do.  Not because he’s my grandson.  But the gate (ticket sales), the guy and what he does and…how he promoted the Twins and everything.  The people (fans) just love him.  If they don’t sign him it will be just hell.”

But Jake is confident about a deal coming soon.  “He’s gonna stay with the Twins,” he said.  “I really think that.”