Wild single game tickets for first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs go on sale Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office and at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com) locations, or charge by telephone via Ticketmaster at 651-989-5151. A limit of four tickets per game may be purchased per person.
Twins outfielder and designated hitter Craig Monroe was asked his opinion as to how important it is for the team to start fast this month since the club plays 16 of its first 28 games against Central Division teams. “It’s a long grind,” he said. “It’s 162 games; you don’t make your season in April. Yeah, of course, we all like to get off to good starts, get this thing going and be in this race early, but at the same time, if you can just be consistent and play good baseball. This is a marathon. It’s not a sprint. …”
Monroe, who played for Detroit and the Chicago Cubs last season, was asked what team other than the Twins he respects most in the American League. “On paper, I gotta respect the Tigers,” he said. “They went out and did a great job of getting some really big name players. But those big name players have got to swing the bat and they’ve got to catch the ball. ….”
The Twins will again sell over 10,000 season ticket equivalents, according to Patrick Klinger, vice president of marketing. Last year’s total was about 10,200 and this season will be similar, he said.
Klinger said it’s not certain the Twins will sell naming rights to the new ballpark. A decision will likely be made in the next 12 months. The franchise is determined to find a naming rights partner that is a good fit for all concerned.
Expect an interesting variety of food offerings including a Minnesota theme at the new stadium. While Klinger said menus haven’t been decided, possibilities could include walleye fingers, Spam burgers and wild rice soup.
Because Randy Foye has only played in 30 games, missing much of the season due to a left knee stress reaction, he’s still learning how to direct the Timberwolves’ offense, according to coach Randy Wittman. Foye has become the team’s starting point guard since Sebastian Telfair injured his left ankle on March 8. Wittman was uncertain earlier this week as to when Telfair will play again.
Through games of last week, the Timberwolves, 19-54, had a better home attendance average than the New Orleans Hornets, a team with the best record in the Western Conference, 51-22. The Wolves were averaging 14,102, the Hornets, 13,816. The SuperSonics are likely relocating to Oklahoma City because Seattle won’t build a new arena, but it’s the Hornets, playing before feeble fan support in New Orleans, that should look for a new home.
Don’t be surprised if the Dallas Mavericks, who lost in the NBA finals to the Miami Heat just two years ago, don’t even make the playoffs this season. That will lead to speculation about coach Avery Johnson staying with the team. What if flamboyant owner Mark Cuban named himself as Johnson’s successor?