Torii Hunter has been a Twins regular since 1999 including on the playoff teams of 2002-2004 and 2006, but he rates the 2007 team the best.  “This is definitely the best team that I’ve been part of,” he said earlier this week.  “I thought the year (2002) that we had David Ortiz, Jacque Jones and Corey Koskie, I thought that team was really special.  But this team right here is something special. …It’s a lot of fun with this ball club we have right now and it’s exciting to watch.” 

The 2002 team won the Central Division championship, finishing 94-67 and 13.5 games ahead of second place Chicago. Last year’s team, 96-66, also won the division, finishing a game ahead of Detroit. 

The Twins return mostly the same personnel as last season but the loss of the extraordinary Francisco Liriano has made the starting pitching rotation a prime target for worry warts.  On the flip side, the team’s hitting, bullpen and defense eases a lot of anxiety. 

“We’re happy with the pitching staff we have,” Hunter said.  “All they have to do is go out there and throw strikes.  They can’t strike out everybody, so just rely on your defense and have faith in your defense.” 

Despite their talent and past success the Twins aren’t the popular pick to repeat as division champions.  “Now that the division is strong they put us on the backburner, way down on the backburner,” Hunter said.   “But I definitely think that just being the underdog gives us a little bit of a motivation to go out there and prove people wrong.” 

Winning the division, because of so many competitive teams, is likely to be determined by which teams avoid injuries to their best pitchers and position players.  “Oh, definitely, it’s all about who is the healthiest,” Hunter said. “That’s the key for every player, for every team.  …You’re going to have some guys get banged up.  It’s just how long they’re out.  You don’t want a guy out so long you’re falling behind and he’s the key guy on your ball club. …”

The Twins have four players on the list of the 50 greatest Rawlings Gold Glovers of the past 50 years.  Those players are center fielders Torii Hunter and Kirby Puckett, first baseman Vic Power and pitcher Jim Kaat.  Kaat won 16 Gold Glove awards, the most of any major league pitcher ever and is tied with Brooks Robinson for most by any player.  From the 50 players fans can vote for the nine who they think are the best, www.rawlingsgoldglove.com

The Twins can back up talk they had baseball’s best bullpen last season.  Minnesota’s bullpen had a major league best 2.91 ERA.  The group’s .722 winning percentage was tops in the majors.

The much maligned Metrodome opened 25 years ago this week.  It’s been the site of major league baseball’s All-Star game, two World Series, a Super Bowl, two Final Fours and numerous special events.

Jason LaFrenz, director of marketing and ticket sales, reports via e-mail that the Gophers’ new season ticket sales for football and basketball are 1,500 and 900. 

FSN North will televise the Gopher football spring game starting at noon tomorrow.  The broadcast team features Anthony LaPlanta and Dean Dalton. 

Former Gopher football player and University benefactor Pinky McNamara was featured on WCCO TV news last Saturday.  The story focused on his life with Alzheimer’s disease. 

Kevin Garnett told Marc Stein of ESPN.com that despite his frustrations with the Timberwolves he hasn’t requested to be traded.   

Saturday is Minnesota Wild Fan Celebration Night at Xcel Energy Center.  The Wild play the St. Louis Blues and all fans receive a set of four Wild collector cups. Fans also will receive a scratch-and-win card providing a chance to win prizes, including Wild player autographed sticks and jerseys.  Players will also give their jerseys to 24 lucky fans.

Gaines Adams, defensive end from Clemson, just might be the Vikings No. 1 draft choice later this month.  Draft expert Dean Dalton told Sports Headliners on Monday he would choose Adams if the first six picks ahead of the Vikings go pretty much as expected. 

Players like wide receiver Calvin Johnson of Georgia Tech, quarterback JaMarcus Russell of LSU, offensive tackle Joe Thomas of Wisconsin and running back Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma are among the most highly regarded prospects and expected to be drafted before Adams.  As much as Dalton likes Adams, and recognizes the team’s need for a pass rushing defensive end, he cautions that the Vikings would want to think about not passing over one of the draft’s most elite players if one of them becomes available.

Dalton, a former Vikings assistant coach, is studying about 150 potential draft choices as part of his new media career.  He will be providing his draft expertise to ESPN.com, Sirius Radio and FSN North. 

How does he evaluate the 6-foot-4, 261-pound Adams?  “I like Gaines Adams because he has explosive speed off the edge,” Dalton said. “He has a tremendous first step and he’s a pure pass rushing defensive end with great size, but he has the ability on his frame to become bigger. …He has excellent football instincts.  His athleticism along with his big body and long arms allows him to bat balls down when he can not get to the quarterback before the ball is out, as well as close down passing lanes. …” 

Dalton is an advocate of what he describes as drafting for “value” rather than just filling a need on the roster.  When he was with the Vikings the team had five quarterbacks on the roster with NFL experience but still drafted Daunte Culpepper in the first round because of his extraordinary skill and potential. 

Dalton suggests that filling roster spots can be done between April and September through free agent signings and trades.  Of course, many teams are like the Vikings with so many needs they can often draft a high value player who plugs a hole.  With the uncertainty about the future of defensive end Erasmus James’ left knee, the Vikings need a speed rushing defensive end. 

While Adams looks like the more likely pick for the Vikings, Dalton mentioned two other “high impact” defensive players as possibilities.  LaRon Landry of LSU is a physical player who has played both strong and free safety for the Tigers and is projected ahead of Adams in ESPN.com’s draft listings.  Amobi Okoye of Louisville is a defensive tackle who is only 19 years old and highly regarded by Dalton and others.