Author: David Shama

Joe Mauer’s contract expires next year but the home town superstar is ready to sign a new agreement, according to his grandfather.  “If they offer an extension he will sign right away,” Jake Mauer told Sports Headliners on Tuesday.

Mauer is working on a $33 million four year agreement that ends after the 2010 season.  The 26-year-old catcher plays one of baseball’s most important positions, has won two American League batting championships and been included in conversations as to who the most valuable player in the major leagues is.  Free spending, talent-hungry front offices that operate the Yankees and Red Sox could make Mauer’s next contract among the biggest in baseball history.

“He won’t go,” Jake said.  “He will stay in Minnesota, no matter how much money (he’s offered).”

Mauer said his grandson is conservative with money.   He’s told his grandfather he has enough money for the rest of his life and has invested some in Minnesota real estate.  “He doesn’t even know how much he’s got now,” Jake said.

Mauer played last Friday night for the first time this season, returning from the disabled list because of inflammation in his right sacroiliac joint.  He’s told Jake he has no pain from the back now, but probably will take medication for another couple weeks.   Because of inactivity that included missing spring training and the first weeks of the regular season, his legs are tired and he has some soreness but that’s expected to go away soon.

Mauer has no interest in changing positions, playing another spot to take strain off his body.  He’s told his grandfather if he can’t catch, he “won’t play baseball.”

To repeat as American League batting champion, Mauer must not only have the highest average but as an eligible player needs 502 plate appearances. With only 17 at bats so far, and 134 Twins games remaining, that’s not likely.

Jake Mauer said his grandson doesn’t have a girl friend and will not date anyone during the season so he can focus on baseball.

Jake will be selling his horse racing tip sheet for a 25^th year at Canterbury Park.  The Shakopee track opens on Friday, May 15.

Twins second baseman Alexi Casilla, a switch hitter, is batting .091 against left handed pitchers this season.  He’s hitting .167 overall.  Yesterday he was optioned to Triple-A Rochester and infielder Matt Tolbert was recalled.  Tolbert, who had seven hits in his last 12 at bats, was hitting .260 at Rochester.

When the Twins Jason Kubel hit a single, double, triple and home run (grand slam) on April 17 he accomplished something that baseball greats Ty Cobb, Tony Gwynn, Willie Mays and Babe Ruth never did—hitting for the cycle.  Kubel donated his batting gloves and helmet to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, https://web.baseballhalloffame.org/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090421&content_id=11962&vkey=hof_news

Assuming Brett Favre is healthy and can play at a level resembling past prowess, the arrival of No. 4 means an immediate upgrade at quarterback for the Vikings, a shuffling of the existing three-man quarterback roster, sellouts for every home game, no TV blackouts, higher broadcast ratings, a jump in merchandise sales, more sponsorship interest, soaring public popularity and maybe a better chance at winning the hearts and pocket books of state legislators for funding a new retractable roof stadium.  Other than all those things, acquiring Favre is meaningless.

Former Ohio State linebacker Chris Spielman, brother of Vikings vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman, has been selected for the College Football Hall of Fame.

Nikola Peković, the 6-11 center from Serbia who the Wolves drafted last year but has yet to join them, impresses as a scorer in Europe but probably isn’t the low post shot blocker the franchise needs.

Friends and family said goodbye to Frank Jirik at Church of the Risen Savior in Burnsville on Tuesday.  His children recalled how he had shaped their lives and dedicated himself to them, their grandchildren and, of course, Sharon, Frank’s wife since 1962.

In attendance were sports figures including George Gund III who with his brother Gordon owned the North Stars for many years.  Frank was an executive with the North Stars and started his career in the sports industry working on the grounds crew at Met Stadium.  He would have appreciated the full house at the church on Tuesday.  Someone once said to him, “If there’s an empty seat at a North Stars game, it’s one too many.”  He loved a capacity crowd.

Pittsburgh assistant general manager Chuck Fletcher is a name that interests Lou Nanne, former North Stars president, for next general manager of the Wild.  He likes Fletcher’s background including assistant general manager experience with three NHL  teams, plus experience as a scout and agent.

Wild forward Marian Gaborik is living here during the off-season and has worked out at Xcel Energy Center.  An NHL source e-mailed Sports Headliners to say he believes the star forward wants to re-sign with the Wild.

The Wild’s Houston farm team has a 2-1 series lead over Milwaukee in the West Division Finals of the American Hockey League.  Game four is tonight in Houston.  On Tuesday Houston goalie Anton Khudobin won for the sixth time in the playoffs in a 3-1 Aeros victory.

John J. Arlotta, owner and president of the Swarm, has been named the National Lacrosse League Executive of the Year, the league announced yesterday. In his first season as owner the Swarm set a franchise record for home attendance average, 12,308 fans per game at Xcel Energy Center.  The figure was the fourth highest average in the league and first time the Swarm has finished among the top one-third of teams for a season.  The club also attracted new sponsors.

College Sporting News recently announced its MIAC honorees for this year’s CSN Senior Student-Athlete Award. The 2008-2009 male and female winners are Joe Daly of Saint John’s and Katie Theisen of St. Thomas.  A selection committee of coaches, administrators and former MIAC athletes chose them from a group of 24 seniors nominated by the schools. They were honored for excellence on the playing field, superior academic performance and involvement in community service.