Ex-Gophers kicker Rhys Lloyd is married to a former women’s pro golfer, Tina Miller, an All-American at Miami. Lloyd said his wife could only break even financially on the pro circuit because of expenses. She’s not playing now and is a full time mom to the couple’s six month old son. Lloyd, who has a 0.2 handicap, grew up in England and is excited about the June 12 World Cup soccer match between the United States and his native country.
Lloyd might make the Vikings roster as a kickoff specialist, a role previously filled by Ryan Longwell who is expected to again be the team’s field goal kicker. Longwell, 35, said he realizes the NFL is a business and that specialists like him are “fair game” as the team determines its roster.
There’s been speculation about O.J. Atogwe, the former Rams free agent safety, being interested in the Vikings. The team’s starting safeties last season, Tyrell Johnson and Madieu Williams, combined for one interception (Johnson).
Tyus Jones, the Apple Valley High eighth grader, continues to turn heads among basketball people. He’s following up an impressive first high school season with AAU games this spring. Jones is already a national name in amateur basketball and could become the most highly recruited Minnesota prep ever by colleges.
Baseball’s amateur draft begins today with the Twins selecting at No. 21 in the first round. Washington, for the second consecutive season, has the No. 1 pick.
The Twins will hold an open tryout at the Metrodome on June 21 and 22. The event is held annually and among the notable signings was Charley Walters in 1966. The former Edison High pitcher had a brief baseball career before becoming a sports columnist for the Pioneer Press.
The Twins, averaging 38,871, are third in average American League attendance. Only the Yankees at 44,943 and Angels with 39,383 have higher averages, according to https://espn.go.com/mlb/attendance.
The Twins play in Philadelphia for an Interleague series June 18-20. It will be the franchise’s first visit to Philadelphia since 2002 and only the third series ever against the Phillies.
St. Thomas senior pitcher Matt Schuld is an American Baseball Coaches Association Division III first team All-American. Hamline junior outfielder Tony Rogers is among the recipients of an ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award recognizing the nation’s best defensive players.