Maturi has announced that Trevor Mbakwe can play with the Gophers basketball team next season.  Mbakwe, who learned last week that he won’t have to participate in a trial involving an alleged assault, has said he’s unsure whether he will play for the Gophers, according to a Star Tribune story on August 13.

However, it seems unlikely Mbakwe will choose to leave the Gophers.  He would need a waiver from the NCAA to become immediately eligible to play for another school and why would that be granted when he’s already able to play here?  Without the waiver, Mbakwe’s alternative would be to sit out a season but that seems unattractive since he didn’t play last season after Maturi ruled him ineligible because of the alleged incident in south Florida.

Maturi is disappointed about Texas cancelling its two-game series with the Gophers in football and seeing the Longhorns replace those games with Notre Dame.

James Manuel, who chose the Gophers over offers that included Iowa and Michigan State, looks like one of the team’s most promising freshmen.  The 6-2, 200 pound former Indianapolis prep has impressed at strong safety with both his physical and mental abilities.

Former Gopher Alex Daniels, who finished his college career at Cincinnati, is an undrafted rookie trying to make the Oakland Raiders roster.  Daniels, who played both offense and defense for the Gophers and once ran for over 100 yards in a Minnesota nonconference game, was recently switched from defensive end to fullback at the Oakland training camp.

Brian Dutcher, the son of former Gophers coach Jim Dutcher, said San Diego State ex-athletic director Jeff Schemmel, who once was an administrator in Minnesota’s athletic department, is practicing law in Kansas City.  Brian has been an assistant basketball coach at San Diego State for 12 seasons and said the Aztecs have all five starters back from last year’s NCAA tournament team.

Kevin Slowey, who threw a no-hitter through seven innings yesterday before manager Ron Gardenhire took him out of the game, made his fourth career start against Oakland and improved his record in those games to 3-0 with a 1.04 ERA. 

Twins infielder Alexi Casilla has made two errors since June 9, 2009.

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There are common traits among reporters in this business.  Sometimes those traits permeate the outlook of many in the media.

Cynicism can be useful because a good reporter needs to be skeptical of what others tell him.  But the skeptic’s view of life can become exceedingly negative and spoil a person’s outlook.

Another characteristic among those in the journalism trade is always waiting for something to happen.  “The next big thing,” or a better performance by a player or team.  Other times it’s waiting for a milestone, or the once in a generation accomplishment.

All of this comes to mind when thinking about Joe Mauer. The time to enjoy Mauer is now, and not be thinking about how he might one day flirt with a .400 season, or lead the Twins to a World Series parade down Hennepin Ave.  This is the moment, the only time there really is, to appreciate how special Mauer is.

The three-time American League batting champion and 2009 league MVP is hitting .500 in his last 10 games and has driven in 10 runs.  His average now is .327, tied for fourth best in the league.  Only a few weeks ago he was hitting under .300.

The most important statistic to Mauer is that his offensive production has helped the Twins to a 19-8 record since the All-Star break.  After last night’s three game series in Chicago the Twins are alone in first place in the Central Division.

The Twins’ catcher ranks with the best in baseball for being the “hardest to steal on,” according to a players poll in the August 2-9 issue of Sports Illustrated.  That is the most recent national confirmation Mauer is both a gifted catcher and hitter.

Mauer is 27 now, all grown up, presumably in or nearing his peak seasons.  He’s got more financial security than he would need in several lifetimes after signing an eight-year, $184 million contract.  Mauer’s commitment to sign that contract earlier this year and stay with the Twins was the final judgment on his character and loyalty to his home state.

If any local athlete ever was one of us, it’s Mauer.  He is what many Minnesotans aspire to be.  Hard working and accomplished at his trade.  Loves what he does and wants to be part of a team effort.  Wise enough to stay humble and treat others like he always has, with respect.  Makes family a priority and shares his prosperity with others.

Put it all in one sentence:  Mauer is a good “Joe.”  He doesn’t even need a golden reputation because his character defines him wherever he goes and whatever he does.

Mauer is among a few players in major league baseball who other teams would choose to build a ballclub around.  He is a superb hitter, catcher and quiet leader.  One of the great players of his generation.

Someday he might be recognized by one and all as the greatest and most popular athlete to ever perform in this state.  But that’s down the road and a place we promised not to travel today.

So let’s just do this: the Twins come home tonight to play against Oakland.  Mauer will be in the lineup.  Watch and enjoy.

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Here are five newcomers to watch on Saturday night when the Vikings open their preseason schedule in St. Louis: quarterback Joe Webb, running back Toby Gerhart, linebacker Nate Triplett, cornerback Chris Cook and kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd.

With a big learning curve, watch to see how comfortable Webb will be in his first NFL game.  Will Gerhart show the blocking and pass catching skills needed to backup Adrian Peterson?  Triplett might emerge as a standout tackler on special teams and make the roster.  Cook’s size, 6-2, potentially can bother receivers.  Lloyd, the only non-rookie among the five players, is supposed to put so much oomph in his kickoffs they can’t be returned.

Several Rams have local connections: Linebacker James Laurinaitis is a Plymouth native and safety Craig Dahl is from Mankato.  Guard Mark Setterstrom is a Northfield native.  Offensive tackle Adam Goldberg, from Edina, played for the Vikings in 2004 and 2005.

Rams Linebackers coach Paul Ferraro was the Vikings special teams coordinator from 2006-2008.  Defensive line coach Brendan Daly was the Vikings assistant defensive line coach during the same period.  Wide receivers coach Charlie Baggett held the same position with the Vikings from 2000-2004.  Offensive line coach Steve Loney was the Vikings offensive line coach from 2002-2004 and the team’s offensive coordinator the next season.

Think about this: the most important positions on an NFL offense are quarterback, running back, wide receiver and left tackle.  The Vikings are hoping (praying?) Brett Favre shows up to play quarterback.  Adrian Peterson had a leg injury in training camp and although he should be fine the team still needs a No. 2 running back to emerge.  Wide receivers Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin have been sidelined during training camp.  Left tackle Bryant McKinnie has long been regarded as an underachiever.

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany was in Minneapolis this week and Bill Lester said he expected to talk to him regarding the city hosting the conference’s championship football game.  Lester, executive director of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission that operates Mall of America Field, wants to encourage the commissioner to consider a three or four city rotation to host the game that will be played for the first time ever next year.  Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis will be the site in 2011.

Lester said schools like Nebraska and Michigan have huge fan followings and excite the Meet Minneapolis visitors and convention organization because of the economic impact that can be made on the community.

Lester also said the new artificial turf has been installed at the dome.  Eight high school bands will practice on the turf to “tamp” it down prior to the Vikings first game at the dome on Saturday, August 28.

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