Joe Mauer talking about his hitting success: “Just being patient and waiting for a pitch I can handle instead of trying to hit something the pitcher wants me to hit. Just hit the ball hard somewhere. Just stay balanced.”
Twins outfielder Josh Rabe, 27, called up to the major leagues after a minor league career that began in 2000, said he was earning $3,300.00 a month on a five month basis. He now earns the major league minimum salary of $327,000.00.
Gopher safety Dom Barber stays close to older brother Marion who is entering his second season playing for the Dallas Cowboys. What’s Dom heard about legendary coach Bill Parcells? “He’s a great guy,” Dom said. “He’s a tough guy. Either he likes you or he really doesn’t like you. You just try to stay on his good side. If he wants a cup of water you bring him two.”
Glen Mason’s summer included golfing at Interlachen Country Club where he plays with former Minnesota North Stars president Lou Nanne. The Gopher football coach said he has an 11 handicap.
Former Gopher football great Bob McNamara celebrated his 75th birthday on August 11. McNamara is a fundraising consultant on the new football stadium for the University of Minnesota.
Tom Metzen, born and raised in South St. Paul and now living in Inver Grove Heights, was inducted into the Canterbury Park Hall of Fame last Saturday, just four days after his 68th birthday. A leader in bringing horseracing to Minnesota over 20 years ago, Metzen is a former vice chairman of the Minnesota Racing Commission.
Wally’s Choice suffered a leg injury recently and will not race again until 2007. With over $427,000 in career earnings, he is closing in on Blair’s Cove’s all-time record of $533,528 for Minnesota bred race horses. He is owned by Wally and Joyce McNeil, and Canterbury Park Board Chairman Curtis Sampson. Wally is “Wally the Beerman.”