The Vikings playing in San Francisco on Sunday stirs memories for many fans of Jim Marshall. In 1964 the former Vikings defensive end scooped up a fumble in San Francisco against the 49ers and ran the ball into the wrong end zone. The result was one of the most famous safeties in football history.
Daunte Culpepper didn’t play last week for the Oakland Raiders because of a quadriceps injury. Culpepper, though, has the most passing yards among former Vikings quarterbacks now with other teams. Culpepper ranks 27th in the NFL in passing yards with 1,331, while Gus Frerotte of St. Louis has thrown for 983 yards and Brad Johnson of Dallas has yet to attempt a pass.
A Boston Globe Internet story yesterday, quoting an unnamed National League executive, suggested that the Detroit Tigers, by way of their recent trade with Florida, are now the American League favorites, and that if the Boston Red Sox acquire Johan Santana the New York Yankees could be looking at a wild card spot at best for the next five years.
One reason it’s good business for the Twins to field a playoff contending team is the new stadium will not have a roof. That means the Twins want to sell a lot of season tickets so much of the stadium seating is purchased in advance, not leaving to chance what the weather will be and the impact that has on ticket buying. A contending team gives the organization the best likelihood of selling season and individual tickets in the off-season.
Alexi Casilla, the 23-year-old Twins infielder who has had problems with mental mistakes, will be among the most intriguing players to watch in spring training because of his versatility and potential. Casilla has been playing winter baseball in his native Dominican Republic.
Sports Illustrated honored St. Paul as America’s new hockeytown this week. The article recognizes the success of the city and Twin Cities as home to professional, college and high school hockey. From the city of Herb Brooks, to the nation’s best high school tournament, to continuous sellouts by the Minnesota Wild since their inception, St. Paul has been a special hockey city.
Four Gophers will represent the United States at the International Ice Hockey Federation Under-20 World Junior championships December 26-January 5 in the Czech Republic. Sophomore forwards Mike Carman, Ryan Flynn and Kyle Okposo and freshman defenseman Cade Fairchild will be on the 22-member roster. Minnesota’s four selections are the most of any school. The U.S. team begins practice on December 16 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The Gophers are at North Dakota for a weekend WCHA series starting tonight. The Sioux has the returning WCHA Player of the Year and Hobey Baker Award winner in Ryan Duncan who leads the team in scoring with five goals and nine assists for 14 points. Gopher senior forward Ben Gordon leads Minnesota in scoring with four goals and nine assists for 13 points.
WCHA teams have a 23-8-6 record in non-conference play. The league has six teams among the top 15 in this week’s USA Today/USA Hockey poll including No. 8 ranked North Dakota. Minnesota is not ranked.