Author: David Shama

If general managers and scouts could pick one player to build a team around, Joe Mauer, 25, would be among the first names mentioned.   A recent Sports Illustrated story reported that a panel of such experts listed Mauer as the No. 5 choice in major league baseball after Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez, New York Yankees shortstop Alex Rodriguez, Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley and Seattle pitcher Felix Hernandez.

Last year a Sporting News article named Mauer the No. 1 player to build a team around.  That story resulted from input by general managers, scouts, an assistant general manager and a “Hall of Fame writer.”

Well documented to the public are Mauer’s sweet swing, high batting average and strong arm for throwing out potential base stealers.  A subtler asset is his ability to call a game and work with pitchers.  The latter has positively impacted the development of the Twins’ young starting pitchers this season, Scott Baker, 26, Nick Blackburn, 26, Glen Perkins, 25, and Kevin Slowey, 24.

Pitching coach Rick Anderson was asked about Mauer’s contribution to the success of the four pitchers who have been surprisingly effective and played a major role in the team’s contending for the Central Division title.  “It’s invaluable,” Anderson said. “You think about it, they’re all (the starters and Mauer) about the same age.  He was here a little bit before some of them, but they all kind of came in that same time. They’re all young and they’re all learning.  Our young pitchers trust him, and he’s learning how to call games with them.  And they’re jelling together and that’s the big thing.  He takes charge of these kids and these kids follow right along with him, and that’s the success part there.”

Anderson said when a pitcher trusts a catcher it’s so important because it allows the pitcher to concentrate on executing pitches.  Otherwise, the pitcher is thinking too much about what type of pitch to throw and/or maybe where to place the ball around home plate.  The pitcher doesn’t have to be thinking, “I have to do this, I have to do that.”

A catcher has to know his pitchers, and not just what pitches they throw, but as much about them as possible.  “That’s why the young ones are having success,” Anderson said of Mauer.  “He’s finding ways that’s going to get them success and get them through (the game).  Everyday they’re not going to have their best stuff and he’s finding ways to survive, and that’s pretty cool.”

Also, a catcher has to understand the opposing batters, not just his own pitchers.  Before a series Mauer and Anderson will talk about the other team’s hitters but during a game conversation is pretty minimal other than to analyze something on the spot.  Anderson said Mauer has improved his knowledge of other hitters.

“Joe is getting much, much better as far as retaining (information) and how we attack guys, and what they’re doing, and what they’re looking for,” Anderson said.  “And to me that’s tough because you got 12 pitchers (on the Twins staff).  You’ve got to (for example) remember how did (Twins reliever) Brian Bass get out Gary Shefflield (Detroit hitter) a month ago. …”

Tarvaris Jackson must make productive plays starting with preseason game No. 1 on Friday night in the Metrodome against Seattle.  The third year Vikings’ quarterback needs to be intent on building momentum and confidence during the team’s four preseason games leading up to the Game of the Century (sort of) on September 8 in Green Bay against the Packers, the regular season opener.

Not that Jackson, 25, doesn’t need to see his progress chart escalate beyond September 8.  Let’s be honest, to inspire himself, the coaches, teammates, fans, media and anyone else, he’s going to have to play in the first four preseason games and early regular season games like never before.

With the franchise having NFC North Division and playoff intent, much is expected of the young quarterback who is one of the most discussed athletes to ever play in this town.  The problem so far is that the discussion comes down to this: He hasn’t accomplished much.

A Jacksonologist might recite his numbers like a grade schooler can spit out the alphabet.  In two seasons, 14 games started, 218 completions, 318 attempts, 16 interceptions and 11 touchdowns.

As the team’s only viable big-time play maker at quarterback, Jackson has to start performing with consistency and delivering the deliverables.  Anything less, will be, well, not confidence or momentum developing.

The Jackson support team will defend its man with numerous arguments, the most convincing of which is that it takes time and experience to be a productive No. 1 NFL quarterback.  Look, supporters argue, he played better last season than the year before.  He has athletic gifts including a quick release, strong arm and ability to elude tacklers.  He’s worked hard to understand the offense and himself in the quarterback role.  He wants the challenge he finds himself in starting Friday night.

It sounds good but it all sounds like potential to perform, too.  I guess that might be what Sports Illustrated sees.  In last week’s issue the magazine rated Jackson No. 31 among 32 NFL quarterbacks listed in its fantasy football preview.

Memo to S.I. and the rest of us: Check back after the Game of the Century.

That S.I. preview rated Adrian Peterson of the Vikings No. 2 among NFL running backs, second to LaDainian Tomlinson of San Diego.  Bernard Berrian was 48^th and Sidney Rice 60^th among wide receivers.  Minneapolis native Larry Fitzgerald Jr. of Arizona was rated fourth in the wide receivers ranking.

The Vikings used a Post-It-Note advertisement on the front page of the Sunday Star Tribune promoting $10 off on a single game ticket for the team’s two preseason home games.  Meanwhile, Time magazine in a story about Michigan’s struggling economy reported that the Detroit Lions are using billboards to advertise $230 season tickets.  The magazine also said there’s no waiting list for Detroit Red Wings season tickets despite the team being Stanley Cup champions.

Gopher coach Tim Brewster told Sports Headliners that his defensive line is more advanced than the offensive line because of experience.  Among young Gophers to watch develop on the offensive line are two red shirt freshmen, center Trey Davis from Farmington High School and tackle Ryan Wynn from Maple Grove High School.

Brewster expects sophomore Adam Weber “to be one of the most outstanding quarterbacks in the Big Ten” Conference.  He believes junior wide receiver Eric Decker is going to be “one of the better wide receivers in the country.”

Lou Holtz’s recruiting axiom when he coached here in the 1980s was the “body” came from Minnesota but the “arms and legs” had to come from elsewhere.  With more high level skilled players coming out of the state than ever before, Brewster isn’t so sure that axiom is as accurate now.

Pam Borton’s Gopher basketball team plays four exhibition games in Italy later this month.  The team leaves August 18 and returns August 28.  Gopher athletic director Joel Maturi and wife Lois will be on the trip, too.  NCAA rules allow a team to make an international trip every four years.

Former Gopher and NCAA wrestling champion Brock Lesnar has a new sponsorship agreement with a consumer food company, according to a source who requested anonymity.  There’s talk the company will launch a Lesnar flavor.  He will be a featured participant in the Ultimate Fighting Championship event on Saturday at Target Center.  Lesnar, 1-1, will fight Heath Herring, 28-13-1, in a heavyweight match-up.