Here’s today’s trivia challenge:  Name the four stadiums in Minnesota that the Vikings have used for either pre-season or regular season games since 1961.  See answer at bottom of column.

Jake Mauer, Joe Mauer’s grandfather, told Sports Headliners the Twins catcher will finish the season with these stats: .335 batting average, 15 home runs and 90 RBI.  The .335 average will win the American League batting title, according to Jake.  He said Joe, who is hitting .316, has been seeing the ball better.

Francisco Liriano won his first 2008 game in the major leagues yesterday, sending his record to 1-3 by pitching six scoreless innings in a 6-2 Twins’ win over Cleveland.  He has won 11 straight games counting the 10 consecutive at Triple A Rochester where he was recalled from last week.  Liriano gave up three hits yesterday and it was the ninth time in his big league career he’s allowed three or fewer.

Yesterday’s attendance was the 12^th consecutive of over 30,000 for the Twins, their longest streak since 1992 when they had 15 straight.  During the recent seven-game home stand the Twins averaged 36,398.

University football fans can meet players and coaches on Sunday, August 10 at the Gopher Nation Fan Fest from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex on campus. Tim Brewster and his coaching staff will be in attendance.  Players will instruct fans in football drills.  Interactive games and prizes will also be featured, plus an autograph session. Admission is free.

Several MIAC players are receiving national preseason football publicity. Saint John’s senior defensive lineman Nick Gunderson was named a first team preseason All-American by D3football.com.  Augsburg senior wide receiver Royce Winford and Bethel junior defensive back Tim Cornish were second team picks by D3football.com. Gunderson and Winford were also chosen for the 26-member Division III All-America team selected by The Sporting News.

In Lindy’s College Football 2008 Preview, Gunderson and Winford were first team selections. Carleton senior defensive back Drew Ziller was a second team selection by Lindy’s.  Saint John’s first-year running back Harry Awe was chosen as the National Newcomer of the Year by Lindy’s. Gunderson, Winford, and Gustavus senior wide receiver Chad Arlt were named to the Consensus Draft Services preseason All-American team last month.

NCAA Division II and the CBS College Sports Network announced that the Southwest Minnesota State at Minnesota Duluth football game will be broadcast live nationwide on CBS College Sports Network. The game, originally scheduled for Saturday, September 13, will now be played on Thursday, September 11 at Malosky Stadium in Duluth beginning at 7 p.m.

Trivia answers: Memorial Stadium, Met Stadium, the Metrodome and Parade Stadium.

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The Twins are a half game out of first place in the Central Division this morning after winning three of four games at home this week against Chicago.  The last year the Twins won the division was two years ago, but on August 1, 2006 the Twins were 9.5 games behind first place Detroit.

The 2006 Twins pulled off a remarkable comeback to win the division, while this year’s team hasn’t chased a team like Detroit that was 71-35 with the best record in baseball two years ago on this day, August 1, 2006.  Chicago’s record today is 60-47, while the Twins are 60-48.

Twins first baseman Justin Morneau elevated his play from the ordinary to the exceptional during the 2006 season and won the American League’s Most Valuable Player award.   He’s toward the top of anyone’s list now to win the 2008 award.  During the White Sox series he had two three RBI games and increased his career RBI’s against Chicago to 69 in 76 games.  Morneau is tied for third in league batting at .320 and is second in RBI at 83.

The Twins are at home for a three game series against Cleveland starting tonight.  They are 8-4 against the Indians this season, including 5-1 at the Metrodome.

While every series is important in a pennant race, anxiety goes up a level in anticipation of New York’s visit here August 11, 12 and 13.  The Twins are only 7-15 against East Division teams.  The record against the Yankees is 2-2 at home, 0-3 at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees have won seven of their last 10 games.

Patrick Klinger, Twins vice president of marketing, reported via e-mail earlier this week that advance ticket sales are 20,000, 21,000 and 25,000 for the series.

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With the Twins loving the outfield defense of left fielder Delmon Young, center fielder Carlos Gomez and right fielder Denard Span, you wonder if injured right fielder Michael Cuddyer could switch to third base next season, a position he played in the minor leagues.  In 1999 Cuddyer was rated by Baseball America as the best defensive third baseman in the Florida State League.  The regular DH role seems a possibility, too.

Francisco Liriano, 9-0 in his last 10 starts in Rochester, looks like a sure thing to be a starting pitcher for the Twins next season unless he has an injury.  Best guess is Liriano, 24, replaces Livan Hernandez, 33, in an otherwise young starting rotation.  And, yes, Liriano should be recalled now to help the Twins’ pennant drive and he might replace Hernandez. 

Phil Humber, who was acquired from the Mets during the off-season in the Johan Santana deal, is also pitching for the Twins’ AAA team in Rochester and is 6-7 with a 5.38 ERA.  Kevin Mulvey, also part of the deal, is 4-8 with a 3.89 ERA.

The Sporting News issue of July 28 lists Jared Allen, the Vikings defensive end who came here from Kansas City, first among the “biggest off season acquisitions” made by NFL teams.

Don’t bet your bubble gum card money on it, but undrafted Illinois linebacker J Leman might make the Vikings roster.  He’s a classic effort guy and hard hitter.  Possible fit on special teams?

Vikings’ right tackle Ryan Cook was selected for the Mountain West Conference’s 10^th anniversary football team.  Cook, who played at New Mexico, was chosen for the offensive line as was Adam Goldberg, the former Edina high schooler who played at Wyoming and is now a reserve with St. Louis.  More at https://themwc.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/072208aac.html

The Vikings’ first preseason game is Friday, August 8 against Seattle.  The team leaves its Mankato training camp the next Friday, August 15.

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