Author: David Shama

Rambis said the Wolves’ appetite for the fast break will not be done with “reckless abandon,” and “repeating the same mistakes will not be tolerated.”

Even before Rambis was hired there was speculation the Wolves next coach will not be around for more than a couple years.  The Wolves have won only 46 of 164 games the last two years, and have just six players remaining from a roster that’s been gutted in a plan to remake the personnel next season and beyond.

Rambis admitted having a four-year contract was important to him and he’s determined to be around here when the team improves.  “ I did not want to be the individual that put in the work, that put in the time and then somebody else come in and took it to another level,” Rambis said.  “I feel like I am that coach to not only help this team develop and grow but then take it to the next level where we are winning playoff games.”

The California native said that in considering the “pros and cons” of accepting the Wolves position there was only one negative.  “The con being that I have to go out and buy some big winter coats because I have none,” he joked.

ESPN college basketball reporter Andy Katz wrote about two players with Gopher connections this week, Ralph Sampson III and Klay Thompson.  Sampson will be a sophomore with the Gophers next season while Thompson, the son of former Gopher All-American Mychal Thompson, starts his second season at Washington State. https://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=4388545

The Vikings, who open their preseason schedule tonight on Ch. 5 against the Colts in Indianapolis, must cut their 80 man roster down to 75 by September 1.  The roster needs to be finalized at 53 by September 5.  On September 6 a practice squad of eight players can be established.

Tonight’s rosters include all four NFL players who grew up in South Dakota.  The Vikings have three of the players, linebackers Chad Greenway and Ben Leber, and kicker Taylor Mehlhaff, while kicker Adam Vinatieri plays for the Colts.

The biggest Viking in camp is rookie offensive tackle Phil Loadholt, 6-8, 343.  The smallest is cornerback Antoine Winfield, 5-9, 180.

Former prison warden turned author Jim Bruton has assisted ex-Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton with his new autobiography.  A successful businessman, Tarkenton’s book is titled “Every Day is Game Day.”  Bruton told Sports Headliners that he made several trips to Georgia to interview the hall of fame quarterback.  “He was so interesting,” Bruton said.  “We spent one day down in Athens where he grew up.”

Bruton also said Tarkenton has purchased 5,000 copies of the book.  Bruton, who lives in White Bear Lake, has authored a book about the Gophers due out next month, “Gopher Glory: The Pride of the Maroon and Gold.” 

Jerry Burns, 82, was the oldest of the Vikings’ large support group for Randall McDaniel at his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last weekend.  Burns, the former Vikings coach, told Sports Headliners former Vikings in attendance included Joey Browner, Tim Irwin, Kirk Lowdermilk and Ron Yary.

Minnesota native Tim Herron, who didn’t receive an invitation to play in this week’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club, will attend tournament parties for his corporate sponsors, according to his dad Carson.

Jim Nantz, the CBS sportscaster here covering the PGA, had dinner earlier in the week at Murray’s, enjoying the restaurant’s famous Silver Butter Knife Steak.

Agent Ron Shapiro was in town this week to talk with Joe Mauer and his advisors, according to a source who requested anonymity.  Mauer’s contract ends after next season and only the Twins are allowed to talk contract with him until the fall of 2010.

Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Garrett Jones hit .208 with two home runs and five RBI in 56 at-bats with the Twins last year.  This season those numbers are: .288, 12 and 20 in 146 at-bats.  The 28-year-old seemingly didn’t have a future with the Twins because he would have been behind Justin Morneau at first base, Michael Cuddyer in right field and Jason Kubel as left-handed designated hitter.

Randy Ruiz, who played briefly with the Twins in 2008 and this summer was second in home runs while playing in the Pacific Coast League, joined Toronto’s roster earlier this week and hit a home run in his first at-bat for the Blue Jays.  He also homered in his second game.

Trent Oeltjen, a 27-year-old outfielder from Australia who originally signed with the Twins, was called up from the minors last week by Arizona and hit a home run in his first game.  He’s hitting .414 with three home runs in six games for the Diamondbacks.

Twins’ catcher Joe Mauer is financing brother Bill’s purchase of Southview Chevrolet in Inver Grove Heights, according to Jake Mauer, the boys’ grandfather.  The older Mauer told Sports Headliners the dealership will be open in early September to provide parts and service, and sell vehicles by October 1.

“He (Joe) takes care of his family,” Jake said.  “His brother needs something, he always gives. His dad and mom, he always gives.  That’s what’s really nice about him.  He takes care of family first.”

Bill has previous experience in the car business including past employment in sales at Southview when it was owned by Denny Hecker.  Joe is expected to make personal appearances at the dealership which as yet is unnamed but could be Mauer Chevrolet.  “I think this thing is a natural,” said Jake who knows the Mauer name is legendary in St. Paul.  “I really do.”

An owner in the auto business today typically needs patience.  When does the Mauer dealership plan to be profitable? “They say it will take at least a couple years to come around,” Jake said.

What’s Joe’s feeling about the business?  “He doesn’t mind it,” Jake said.  “What the hell.  He’s got more money than you can talk about.  He might as well use it.  He’s single.  He can do what he wants to do.”

Joe is in the next to last season of a four-year contract worth $33 million, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts on the Web.  It’s believed that he’s paying less than $5 million for the dealership.

Jake said another Joe Mauer deal was closing last week on a large amount of land near Rush City.  “What he bought it for really and truly was for his mom and dad’s home,” Jake said.

Joe took possession of a $110,000 Mercedes-Benz earlier this week, Jake said.