The Gopher baseball team is 0-3 after losing 15-4 to No. 4 ranked Mississippi in Oxford on Sunday. The Gophers host the Dairy Queen Classic at the Metrodome this weekend with games Friday, Saturday and Sunday against TCU, Tulane and Pepperdine.
Toronto signed free-agent outfielder Shannon Stewart to a minor league contract with an invitation to attend spring training with the Blue Jays. The former Twin, now 33, hit .290 in 2007 playing for Oakland with 22 doubles, 12 home runs, 48 RBI and an on-base percentage of .345. Originally drafted 19th overall by the Blue Jays in 1992, Stewart was acquired by the Twins during the 2003 season and played here through 2006.
The Twins play their first spring training game tomorrow against Cincinnati. A total of 25 spring training games, including tomorrow’s opener, will be broadcast on the Twins radio network including AM 1500 KSTP, according to to www.mlb.com. ESPN will televise the 12:15 p.m. March 5 game against the Yankees and FSN will air the March 9 game against the Yankees, according to the Twins Web site, www.minnesota,twins.mlb.com
Last night was the Wild’s first game on the road against a Southeast Division opponent since playing at Washington on November 1. A new scheduling format in 2008-09 will make this a thing of the past. The Wild lost their fourth straight.
Congratulations to Mark Parrish and his wife Nicholle on the birth of their first child, Gianna, last week.
The next “Wild Hockey Unplugged” event will be on Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Joe Senser’s, 4217 American Blvd. West in Bloomington. Fans in attendance can ask questions and receive autographs from Todd Fedoruk and Nick Schultz.
Speculation that Brian Burke, the former Edina resident, will leave his job as general manager of the Anaheim Ducks has quieted down. There had been talk he would take over in Toronto.
Minnesota Swarm goalie Nick Patterson and defenseman Ryan Cousins will be starters in the National Lacrosse League All-Star Game on March 16 in Edmonton.
An MIAC source said it’s likely Macalester will rejoin the conference in 2012.
The MIAC started its league playoffs in men’s and women’s basketball earlier this week with the championship games to be played on Saturday. Hockey playoffs for both men and women begin tomorrow night, with the championship games on March 5.
Thanks to Jay Pfaender and other members of the West St. Paul Rotary for the opportunity to speak about the local sports scene this morning.