Ramon Ortiz has made a nice impression during the first month of the major league baseball season.  The 33-year-old right-handed pitcher signed with Minnesota as a free agent before this season and the Twins Nation crossed its collective fingers he could be as good or better than his previous six-plus major league seasons.  Playing for Washington last year his record was 11-16 with a 5.57 ERA.  For all seasons through 2006 he was a not too exciting 79-76 with a 4.85 ERA. 

In search of at least two starters to emerge as regulars in the team’s five man rotation, the Twins signed Ortiz in January for $3.1 million, according to espn.com.  So far the results have been, well, sort of un-Ortiz like.  His 3-1 record and 2.57 ERA place him among the American League leaders in both categories. Ortiz and Johan Santana lead the Twins in wins.  Ortiz’s ERA is the best among the team’s starters and his walks are the fewest.   

In five starts, he has been consistently sharp.  He won his first three games including a three hit, eight inning game against the Yankees.  Each game he’s pitched at least six innings, never given up more than eight hits and twice had no walks in games. 

“Mr. April” has been pitching all month like a man with confidence.  Ortiz raves about pitching coach Rick Anderson.  “How much this guy helped me this year…it’s unbelievable,” Ortiz told Sports Headliners last week.  “He worked me hard the whole spring training and now in the season.  It’s unbelievable the way we pitch right now. …” 

Ortiz has pitched for three other major league teams.  Is Anderson his best pitching coach? “Well, believe it,” Ortiz answered.  “Yes, the best one. …The best one because he doesn’t have a special guy. …He’s working for everybody.  He be happy for everybody. …I am happy here.” 

Ortiz’s best seasons were with the Angels in 2001-2003 when he won 13, 15 and 16 games.  A visitor mentioned winning 15 games or more for the Twins.  “I want to pitch the best I can,” Ortiz said.  “Every time you get an opportunity to go get it, you pitch the best you can. …” 

The Gophers have sold 2,000 and 1,000 new football and basketball season tickets, according to Jason LaFrenz, director of marketing and ticket sales for University athletics.

Basketball insiders say the Gophers’ Tubby Smith is one of the best X’s and O’s coaches in the country. 

A family rivalry missed:  If the Vikings had selected quarterback Brady Quinn of Notre Dame he could have competed twice per season against his brother-in-law, linebacker A.J. Hawk of the Packers. 

Twins pitcher Joe Nathan talking about last season when he was 7-0 with a career best 1.58 ERA:  “Last year I think I did a really good job of using all three pitches (slider, fast ball and curve).  That was kind of what kept me from being predictable.  And you don’t ever want to be predictable when you’re on the mound.   The more pitches you are comfortable with out there, the better.” 

Legendary St. John’s coach John Gagliardi, 80, just finished teaching his annual Theory of Football course to 53 students and is focusing on 2008 recruiting.  He was a speaker at the recent Minnesota State High School League’s athletic directors conference.    

The United States Handball Association National 4-Wall Championship starts today and goes through May 6 at the University of Minnesota Rec Center.  Hundreds of participants from America and other countries will participate.  More information is available at www.ushandball.org.

Although some fans may be disappointed with tomorrow’s Viking draft pick in the first round, vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman told Sports Headliners yesterday he won’t be.  Six teams will draft ahead of the Vikings and Spielman said there are eight players of special interest. 

Could he be even a little disappointed with the player who falls to the Vikings at No. 7.  “No, never be disappointed,” he answered. 

With eight favored candidates and picking at No. 7, Spielman said it’s “mathematically impossible” he won’t like his draft choice.  Of course, he’s not saying who the elite eight are but here’s a guess:  quarterback JaMarcus Russell of LSU, offensive tackle Joe Thomas of Wisconsin, quarterback Brady Quinn of Notre Dame, wide receiver Calvin Johnson of Georgia Tech, defensive end Gaines Adams of Clemson, defensive tackle Amobi Okoye of Louisville, running back Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma and safety LaRon Landry of LSU.  That order, by the way, is how Sports Illustrated sees the draft developing through the first eight picks. 

Many fans want to see the Vikings draft a show biz talent.  That translates into an entertaining quarterback, running back or wide receiver.  Spielman made it clear the Vikings won’t use box office appeal to figure out who to pick.  He said there’s so much criteria including “17 alerts” (the Vikings would take the player with the least liabilities) that separating players to draft, even those who seem highly comparable, is a matter of process.  

“You have to focus internally (on) what’s best for the football team,” Spielman said. “A lot of times it may not be the most popular decision but you know in your heart of hearts that’s the right thing.  . . . .” 

While Spielman talks about the future, he’s not dismissing the prospect of the Vikings being a good football team in 2007.   “There’s a lot in place here,” he said.  “We need to get some offensive weapons, which we’re putting together. …Everybody says we need a pass rusher (at defensive end) but we’ll see how Erasmus (James) comes off his knee injury.   

“Fred Smoot is gone.  We just need another corner.  We were able to sign Mike Doss as a safety to come in and compete, but we’re getting a little older at safety so that doesn’t preclude us from taking (LaRon) Landry.  I just think the process keeps going and even after this process (the draft) we’re going to continue.   You know we picked up (safety) Dwight Smith last year in June.  We’ll pick up guys. …”