Major League Baseball is way “off base” by not having replay cameras for playoff games and at least using them for foul line calls.  The mistaken ruling that Joe Mauer’s fly ball landed in foul territory outside the left field line at Yankee Stadium on Friday night was embarrassing.

Vikings quarterback Brett Favre and kicker Ryan Longwell are golf buddies.  Longwell told Sports Headliners the two have played on area golf courses several times since Favre joined the team in August.  Weather permitting, the twosome hope to play more golf on Tuesdays, or Friday afternoons.

Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams, 36, has the rocking chair in front of his locker at Winter Park that previously was placed by Favre’s locker.  Williams likes the large wooden rocker and intends to use it.  Longwell said it’s still not known who placed the chair in front of Favre’s locker.

Williams is a car buff.  He has eight autos including a Rolls Royce.

In a Sports Illustrated player poll (compiled only through the first week of the season), Favre was voted the “most overrated player” in the NFL.  (Favre made his miracle last minute throw to Greg Lewis in game No. 3 to beat San Francisco.)  Finishing No. 2 and 3 in the poll were Tony Romo and Terrell Owens.

Here’s an attention grabbing quote in that same issue of Sports Illustrated (October 12) from Stanford running back Toby Gerhart who in his senior season has become a Heisman Trophy candidate:  “As a white running back you get stereotyped.  When I tell people I play football, they say, ‘Oh, you’re a fullback.’ ”

Former Bloomington Jefferson center Cole Aldrich, now preparing for his third season at Kansas, was selected as Pre-season Co-Player of the Year by Big 12 Conference basketball coaches.  Teammate Sherron Collins was the other player honored.

Comments Welcome

Although some observers are in a funk about the Gophers after losing to Wisconsin last Saturday, it’s a good bet the players will be sharp in tomorrow’s homecoming game at TCF Bank Stadium against Purdue.  The Gophers (3-2) know they made too many mistakes against Wisconsin, losing a sixth straight game to the Badgers, but their commitment to the season doesn’t have to hit bottom with seven games remaining.

Senior wide receiver Eric Decker said earlier this week the Gophers need to prepare better in practice to avoid the mistakes that led to a loss against traditional rival Wisconsin but he’s not concerned about emotional damage for tomorrow’s game.  “I’m not (worried).  I think we have enough upperclassmen and leadership to be able to put that (loss) in the past and prepare for Purdue,” Decker said. “This is a big game for us and all of us feel like this is a must win.  Every week is the biggest game for us. We are going to do everything we can do (and) break down film on Purdue and see what we can do against them on offense.”

The Gophers gave up 454 total yards to Wisconsin in the 31-28 loss, 295 rushing and 159 passing.  “I feel like we took a step back last week,” Gophers safety Kyle Theret said.  “We didn’t play the way we wanted to. We didn’t hit like we wanted to and I feel like we were ‘out-toughed.’ It is kind of embarrassing as a defense and we want to get back to the way we want to be playing.”

Purdue quarterback Joey Elliott ranks first in passing yardage per game (255.2) and total offense (270.8) in the Big Ten Conference.  Purdue running back Ralph Bolden is second in the conference in rushing yards per game (108.2). The Gophers defense is fourth (202.4) in passing defense and 10^th in rushing defense (174.6).

But the Gophers defense has made big plays this season as has the team’s passing game (ranking sixth in the conference).  The running game, though, has been a problem and the Gophers are last in league rushing at 96 yards per game.

The Gophers may better that average against a Purdue defense that is giving up 159.4 yards per game in rushing defense, ninth in the league.  The Boilermakers are 10th in pass defense at 240 yards per game.

With road games the next two Saturdays at Penn State and Ohio State (both Big Ten title favorites), the Gophers will be in a funk themselves if they don’t beat a Purdue team that is 1-4 on the season and 0-1 in the Big Ten, losing last week to Northwestern.

Comments Welcome

Viking running back Adrian Peterson talking about recognizing Brett Favre’s 40^th birthday tomorrow: “I don’t know if the team has any plans. I haven’t come up with anything yet, but I definitely plan on surprising him with something; some type of gift or something.”

Viking coach Brad Childress has a 14-3 record in his last 17 regular season games.

If the Vikings (4-0) win at St. Louis (0-4) on Sunday it will be the team’s sixth consecutive road win.

Gopher coach Tim Brewster talking about sophomore center Trey Davis who will be starting on Saturday and replacing the injured Jeff Tow-Arnett who is injured and out for the season: “He (Trey) played for us last year.  Got some experience.  He’s got strength.  Explosive guy.  He was a national champion shot putter, track athlete.  He’s a smart guy.  He’ll do a good job of making decisions at the center spot and help our offense.  I feel very comfortable with Trey Davis stepping in and taking over the center job for us.”

Purdue first year offensive coordinator Gary Nord had the same title last year at Florida Atlantic when the Owls lost to the Gophers.

The Gophers don’t have a big tailback on the roster but that could change next season.   Minnesota may have a special runner coming to campus if Lamonte Edwards, already about 6-2, 215 pounds, keeps his verbal commitment.  The Woodbury High School running back is one of two four-star players to make a verbal commitment to Minnesota (the other is Irondale lineman Jimmy Gjere), according to Rivals.com.  The Minnesota 2010 recruiting class has moved up to No. 32 in the rankings, https://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?Year=2010&School=46

Josh Sacco, a five-year-old from Tennessee, has been gaining attention for his memorization of Kurt Russell’s locker room speech in the movie “Miracle” that tells the story of coach Herb Brooks and his players on the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team.  https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/How-4-year-old-boy-mastered-Miracle-speech-in-?urn=nhl,193765&cp=13

Martin Havlat, who got his 400^th career NHL point on his third assist in the Wild’s win and home opener on Tuesday night, goes through an extensive stretching routine (up to 45 minutes) prior to games and practices. He’s been able to avoid groin and hamstring injuries during his NHL career.

The Wild, who lost to Los Angeles last night, are on an 11-day road trip today, the longest of the season.

Wild head coach Todd Richards’ parents flew to Columbus to watch his NHL coaching debut last Saturday.

Gopher sophomore Jordan Schroeder has been named to the preseason All-American team by College Hockey News. Schroeder is also the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s preseason Player of the Year pick by both the coaches and the media. Last season he was the WCHA Rookie of the Year and was a second-team All-WCHA selection after ranking third in the country with 45 points and 32 assists in 2008-09.

The Twins didn’t want to make excuses after losing their opening playoff game to New York on Wednesday night, but they had to be tired after the intense schedule and emotions of recent games.

Twins right hander Nick Blackburn starts tonight’s game in New York and will need to keep his pitches down against the Yankees powerful lineup of hitters.  Blackburn had no decision in a May start in New York, giving up six hits and four runs in 7.2 innings.

Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, 79, isn’t expected to attend the playoff series in New York with the Twins, according to Yahoo! Sports.  He’s been in declining health and mostly stays in Tampa and seldom sees his Yankees.  This post-season run will be seen as a win-one-for-George, whose Yankees last won the World Series in 2000.  https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-yankees-steinbrenner&prov=ap&type=lgns

The Twins are selling Homer Hankies at their pro shops and the Metrodome.  There will be a “white out” against the Yankees for playoff games at the dome on Sunday and Monday.

Rochester native and tennis pro Eric Butorac is promoting the Minnesota Tennis Challenge on Saturday, December 5 at the Fred Wells Tennis and Education Center, https://www.ebmntc.com./

Comments Welcome