Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi will be with basketball coach Tubby Smith tomorrow when the Jimmy Williams trial begins in front of Hennepin County Judge Regina Chu. Maturi said he’s set aside the remainder of this week and all of next for the jury trial involving Williams’ contention that he was offered an assistant coaching job with the Gophers in 2007.
USA Today Sports Weekly lists the top prospects for the 2011 NFL draft in its May 5-11 issue. Wisconsin offensive tackle Gabe Carimi is No. 3 and Iowa linebacker Adrian Clayborn No. 4. Other Big Ten players in the top 32 are Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones (No. 13), Penn State running back Evan Royster (No. 16) and Penn State center Stefen Wisniewski (No. 29).
ESPN.com’s simulated series between all-time Yankees and Red Sox teams resulted in New York winning in six games. The players include several with local ties such as Red Sox legend Ted Williams who played minor league baseball in Minneapolis. Also on the Red Sox roster are former Minneapolis minor leaguers Carl Yastrzemksi and Dick Radatz. Former Twins David Ortiz and Luis Tiant are also on the Red Sox all-time team. Former Twin Graig Nettles is on the Yankees roster as is Hibbing, Minnesota born Roger Maris. https://espn.go.com/new-york/rivalry/_/id/5167822/
Twins relief pitchers have a 2.16 ERA during the last eight home games.
Two months ago Roy Smalley had “no inkling” he would be in the restaurant business but “Smalley’s 87 Club” in Butler Square is drawing large crowds and media attention since opening earlier this year. Smalley is a partner in the restaurant after being approached about using his name and fame as a member of the 1987 World Series champion Twins. Located in the former Champp’s space, the restaurant is more than a sports bar, according to Smalley, who said the menu has gluten free items and includes fish and salads. “The variety and quality has exceeded my expectations,” Smalley said.
KFAN’s Paul Allen, hoping to bring the Wolves good luck, will accompany club executive David Kahn to Secaucus, New Jersey for the May 18 NBA draft lottery. The radio station talk host impressed Kahn by predicting Super Saver would win the Kentucky Derby. At the time, Allen told Kahn that if his prediction came true he would like to bring the Wolves good fortune by attending the lottery to determine the draft order of NBA teams that didn’t qualify for the playoffs.
Star Tribune and Canterbury Park handicapper Kevin Gorg said on KFAN yesterday that Super Saver may win the Triple Crown this spring. The Preakness Stakes is Saturday, with the Belmont Stakes on June 5. Canterbury Park opens its live racing season on Friday night.
Gophers baseball coach John Anderson is the speaker at tomorrow’s CORES luncheon in Bloomington. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, retired reporters, educators and sports fans. Board members include former Henry High football coach Jim Dotseth and Gophers public address announcer Dick Jonckowski.
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference has three schools, Minnesota State, Winona State and St. Cloud State, among the 48 selected for the NCAA Division II baseball tournament. The NSIC schools are three of the six teams in the Central Region tournament that begins tomorrow in Farmington, New Mexico. Minnesota State, the NSIC regular season and tournament champions, is the second seed, while Winona State is fourth and St. Cloud State sixth in the double elimination tournament.
Marta Radcliffe, a senior pitcher for St. Thomas from Lakeville, Minn., allowed one run, five hits and three walks while producing 23 strikeouts in 18 innings last weekend during the MIAC Softball Playoffs. The Tommies won the tournament and Radcliffe was named tournament MVP.