Author: David Shama

Joe Mauer and his grandfather Jake Mauer will play golf this fall in Florida despite the elder Mauer having macular degeneration.  The eye disorder has left Jake blind in the right eye and with reduced vision in his left.

Jake told Sports Headliners he’s going to play golf using a special dark colored ball.  In April he’s planning to visit the Mayo Clinic and be fitted with innovative eyeglasses that could improve both his reading and distance vision.

Jake’s vision has been declining and he seldom drives a car now.  Earlier this year he announced he wouldn’t return to Canterbury Park in 2010 to sell the handicapping sheet he’s produced since the horse racing track’s inception in 1985.

That was an emotional loss and so, too, is not driving.  Jake hopes the special colored golf balls and the new eye glasses will keep him on the golf course.  “I’ve got nothing left if not for golf,” he said.

Jake had thoughts of being an 80-year-old tour guide at the new Target Field next year but that won’t be possible because of his vision.  His spirits lift when he talks about his grandchildren including Jake Mauer, 30, who was recently promoted by the Twins to manage the Single-A affiliate Fort Myers Miracle (Florida State League).  For the last two seasons Mauer managed the Gulf Coast League Twins.

The elder Mauer is hoping for good news in late November when the announcement is made about the 2009 American League Most Valuable Player.  Joe, who won his third batting title last season, is considered a favorite to win his first MVP award.

Meanwhile, a panel of 12 USA Today reporters and editors voted Mauer AL MVP with 163 points, 56 more than runner-up Mark Teixeira of the Yankees received, according to a story in last week’s USA Today Sports Weekly.  The Twins RonGardenhire finished second to Mike Scioscia of the Angels for top manager.

Gophers football coach Tim Brewster told Sports Headliners the potential for sophomore wide receiver Da’Jon McKnight is “huge.”  McKnight made a superb catch for a two point conversion in last Saturday’s game against Illinois.

Brewster said as of last week the Gophers and Iowa were tied for most comebacks this season (five) in major college football.

The Vikings had over 3,000 tickets remaining late last week for this Sunday’s game with Detroit, according to an email from Steve LaCroix, vice president of sales and marketing.  Prices start at $48.

Tubby Smith’s Gophers were impressive in their opening exhibition win over the University of Minnesota Duluth, 114-47.  The Gophers played harder and more cohesively than the Division II Bulldogs.  The Gophers blocked 14 shots and had more than 40 deflections.  Centers Ralph Sampson III and Colton Iverson appear improved from their freshmen seasons.  Freshman forward Rodney Williams had a spectacular first half dunk and looks like a candidate for air time on ESPN’s SportsCenter.

In its college basketball preview issue Sporting News Magazine predicts the following order of finish (with the first seven teams making the NCAA tournament): Michigan State, Purdue, Ohio State, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Penn State, Indiana and Iowa.

Two of the Wild’s best players, goalie Niklas Backstrom and forward Martin Havlat, are dedicated to stretching to maintain maximum flexibility in their bodies.  Havlat has a Twitter account: Twitter.com/martinhavlat.

Wolves coach Kurt Rambis has already watched a lot of inconsistent play from rookie Jonny Flynn, but predicts the 20-year-old will become an “elite guard.”

The Lynx have the first pick in next April’s WNBA draft and two players creating talk that they could go No. 1 are Connecticut’s Tina Charles, and Stanford’s Jayne Appel.

The Lynx are the only Minnesota major pro sports team to draft No. 1 overall since the Twins in 2001 (Joe Mauer).

Carlos Gomez, who hit .229 in 137 games for the Twins last season, didn’t sound too disappointed to leave here in last week’s trade to Milwaukee for shortstop J.J. Hardy. He told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: “I know I can hit,” he said. “When you’re young and you play every day, it’s easier. Last season, I didn’t play every day. It’s tough.

“I need to play every day. This is good for me. I can’t wait for the season to start. I want to show everybody how I can play.”  More at https://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/69423807.html.

Will the Vikings surprise the Packers with offensive changes on Sunday?  The stagnant Vikings offense has produced no touchdowns in its last two games and for the season quarterback Brad Johnson has thrown four touchdown passes and the Vikings have rushed for two scores (both by Chester Taylor).  The ineptness has been a team effort with mistakes and below average performance in multiple positions. 

Sometimes a coaching staff will respond with “out of the box” thinking.  Like what?  Maybe a no-huddle offense to speed up momentum and give the defense less time to prepare for the next play.  Perhaps a new offensive formation, unbalanced line or different blocking schemes.  Try a change in quarterbacks, or rotating two quarterbacks during the game, capitalizing on the skill sets of both, including ability to run or scramble for extra yards.  Even a trick play or two can help get a team out of its funk (Johnson passing to Taylor who passes to Johnson?)

And then if you want to talk way “out of the box,” how about inserting safety Darran Sharper at quarterback for one or two plays?  He was a high school quarterback with a 20-9 record in Richmond, Virginia. 

Whether the Vikings offer some surprises or just execute their standard stuff a lot better, they know Sunday’s game is more than a “border battle.”  Lose and the Vikings and Packers both have 4-5 records and are tied for second place in the NFC North Division.  Win and the Vikings take advantage of a home field game against an inferior team.   

It might be time to draw up a few plays “in the sand.”