Carlos Gomez had 18 stolen bases on June 9 and has added only three since then. He has no stolen bases in his last 10 games but is hitting .379 during the period.
Clem Haskins, who was forced out of his job in 1999 as Gopher coach, has no plans to return to basketball, according to a recent espn.com story. Dana O’Neil wrote about her visit to Kentucky to talk with Haskins who has lived on his farm near Campbellsville since leaving Minnesota. More at https://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=oneil_dana&id=3510729&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab5pos1
Jim Holden will be autographing copies of his new book, Tennis in the Northland, at three locations during the next nine days. The former Northfield tennis coach has written a comprehensive history of boys’ high school tennis in Minnesota. The 448 page book includes 180 photos and covers the great teams and players in state history. It’s a fun read with coverage of interesting characters including a former prep tennis player who went on to write a book about Charles Manson, Helter Skelter. Holden will autograph books at the Men’s Senior Clay Court Championships at Bearpath Country Club in Eden Prairie on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Monday from 9 a.m. to noon. On Saturday, August 16 he will be at the Sectional USTA League Tournament at the Baseline Tennis Center on the University of Minnesota campus from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. https://www.jim-holden.com/
The Vikings’ opening preseason game against Seattle tonight (7 p.m. Metrodome) will be televised by Ch. 5. The Vikings have finished their preseason schedules undefeated six times in franchise history. The most recent year was 200l.
Minnesota-Seattle connections include Vikings left guard Steve Hutchinson who played five seasons with the Seahawks. Seattle wide receiver Nate Burleson and safety Brian Russell each played three seasons for the Vikings. Former Gopher wide receiver Logan Payne is on the Seattle roster.
The Vikings finished 8-8 last season and missed the playoffs. Seattle was 10-6 and won the NFC West.
Sports Illustrated, in its recent fantasy football preview, rated the Vikings’ defense and special teams No. 3 in the NFL, behind No. 1 San Diego and No. 2 Chicago.
The Minnesota Thunder plays its seventh consecutive USL game at home on Sunday, starting at 5:05 p.m. at the Blaine Sports Center stadium against Seattle. The Thunder has won twice during the previous six games and will go on the road for the first time since July 3 next Saturday (August 16) for a game at Rochester.