Late last week Twins general manager Billy Smith said “we’ve got a good bullpen.” He singled out spring training performances by bullpen pitchers Joe Nathan and Denny Reyes. He said Jesse Crain, coming back from shoulder surgery, has been “fantastic.”
The Twins announced yesterday they have optioned left-handed pitcher Glen Perkins to their Triple A Rochester farm team. In seven spring appearances (two starts), Perkins was 1-2, with a 7.50 ERA, allowing 19 hits with four walks and six strikeouts.
Gopher football coach Tim Brewster isn’t pleased with a new NCAA rule that prohibits head coaches from visiting high schools during the spring recruiting evaluation period. “That’s a disappointing rule change, particularly for me,” he said. “I enjoy being out so much. It limits my effectiveness. …”
Brewster thinks the rule was pushed through by coaches who aren’t ambitious evaluators and that the policy may be changed next year.
He and his family moved into their home in a western Minneapolis suburb late last week. Brewster had been living in an apartment in St. Paul.
Brewster, whose Gophers begin spring practice on Thursday, said he expects nine of the 11 Big Ten Conference teams to run spread offenses this fall. Iowa and Wisconsin are the two programs that won’t.
Vikings’ coach Brad Childress heads for the NFL owners meetings in West Palm Beach next week. Childress said he and Viking owner Zygi Wilf typically talk a couple of times per week but declined to identify the topics.
The Metrodome will be the site of first and second round NCAA® Division I men’s basketball games on Friday, March 20, and Sunday, March 22, 2009. Ticket packages go on sale today and are priced at $192 and $147. Both ticket packages include four games on March 20 and two games on March 22. Fans interested in purchasing tickets may do so online at www.ncaa.com/tickets.
The 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker award are Nathan Gerbe, Boston College; Ryan Jones, Miami University; Lee Jubinville, Princeton; Simon Lambert, RIT; Jean-Philippe Lamoureux, North Dakota; Ryan Lasch, St. Cloud State; Jeff Lerg, Michigan State; T.J. Oshie, North Dakota; Kevin Porter, Michigan; and Kevin Regan, New Hampshire. The public can vote for candidates to determine college hockey’s top player from now through March 30 by visiting www.hobeybaker.com. Fans’ votes account for one percent of the total ballot, with the balance determined by a selection committee of 25 members from across the country. Three final candidates will be announced April 2 with the winner revealed April 11 on ESPNU at 6:30 p.m. Minneapolis time.