In a poll of general managers and assistant general managers, Mauer was the top vote getter for “best swing” in major league baseball, according to the January 18 issue of Sporting News magazine. He was second in voting to Pujols for “player I’d want on my team.”
The Twins organization was voted the “best farm system” in baseball.
Jake Mauer said USA Today will interview him for a story next week. Although Mauer has macular degeneration, he still golfs and had a hole-in-one while playing in Florida. Because of his eyesight it’s unlikely he will return to Canterbury Park in the spring to sell his handicapping publication.
2010 could be a good season for Twins second baseman Nick Punto who has alternate years of hitting success. His batting averages the last five seasons are: .239, .290, .210, .284 and .228.
Gophers football coach Tim Brewster could talk publicly about his 2010 recruiting class for the first time yesterday. He said if running back Lamonte Edwards from Woodbury had played high school football in Florida or Texas he likely would have had 100 or more scholarship offers.
Brewster also said new recruit Jimmy Gjere of Irondale is “absolutely one of the top offensive linemen in the country.” While Brewster wouldn’t name names, it’s likely that Gjere and Edwards are among a few freshmen who might become starters next fall.
The Gophers could add another player or two to the list of 2010 recruits. Brewster thought that if that’s going to happen it will within a week or so. NCAA rules allow players until April 1 to sign a national letter of intent.
If stadium legislation is to happen this year it seems unlikely that any site other than the Metrodome will be considered for a new Vikings stadium. With existing infrastructure and so much prior planning, the Metrodome site is the front runner.
Governor Tim Pawlenty’s decision not to seek re-election presumably places him in a more comfortable position to lead a stadium effort.
The Minnesota Golf Show will be March 12-14 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, a new location after being at the Metrodome for many years. The show will include a $100,000 putting challenge and a clinic for youngsters. More at www.minnesotagolfshow.com.
When goalie Wade Dubielewicz filled in for Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding on Tuesday night it broke a 234 consecutive games streak by the two-some. The Wild is the only NHL team to use only two goalies during that time period, according to Elias Sports Bureau (St. Louis played 10).
Erik Haula, the Wild’s seventh-round pick in last June’s draft, continues to impress in his first season in the United States Hockey League. Through 37 games he ranked fourth in USHL scoring with 51 points and third with a +24 rating.
Fans raised more than $34,000 for the Minnesota Wild Foundation at the recent Wild Skills Competition by purchasing event tickets, player autograph cards, raffle tickets and more.
Gustavus senior forward David Martinson (St. Louis Park) and St. Thomas senior goalie Lauren Bradel (Bemidji) have been selected as finalists from the West Region to take participate in the NCAA Frozen Four Skills Challenge on April 9 in Detroit. Six position players and two goaltenders representing both genders from the East and West Regions will be selected based on fan voting through the following website: https://www.ncaa.com/frozenfourskillschallenge/index.html.