Peterson joins local writer and broadcaster Larry Fitzgerald for a guest appearance on Monday night at Outback Steakhouse in Inver Grove Heights. More information on activities including Peterson’s appearance is available by calling 651-457-7688.
Sheppard is a free agent after this season and doesn’t know about his future with the Vikings. “I have a lot of football left in me,” the 29-year-old said. He believes he has “three or four great ones” left if he’s healthy.
Rookie guard Chris DeGeare had his first NFL start last Sunday in place of the injured Steve Hutchinson. DeGeare said he played “pretty good” and that a false start penalty given to him should have been on left tackle Bryant McKinnie. DeGeare said he won’t know until Sunday morning if he will start against the Giants.
Former Gophers cornerback Marcus Sherels, now on the Vikings practice squad, said he wants to add about 10 pounds of muscle next year and bring his weight to 180. He’s not sure if the Vikings will bring him back next season and provide an opportunity to make the 53-man roster.
The Texas offensive staff has openings and it might not be surprising if former Gophers coach Tim Brewster rejoined his old Longhorns boss Mack Brown as an assistant coach.
Work ethic guy Cliff Lee would be a perfect fit in the attitude-conscious Twins organization but it would be a shock if the front office ever considered the kind of seven year big money deal the 32-year-old lefthander wants.
Last month the Twins added four players to their 40-man roster to protect them from being available to other clubs in yesterday’s Rule 5 Draft. The four are first baseman Chris Parmelee, outfielders Joe Benson and Rene Tosoni and right-handed pitcher David Bromberg. All but Tosoni are playing in the Arizona Fall League. Parmelee, a former first round draft choice, is hitting .339 in 29 games with 13 RBI, according to stats on the Twins website. Benson is hitting .236 in 17 games while Bromberg is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA.
Deolis Guerra, acquired from the Mets in the 2008 Johan Santana trade, has a 2.92 ERA and 2-1 record pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League. Kyle Waldrop has a 1-0 record and 16.05 ERA in 10 games in the same league.
Tickets for TwinsFest went on sale Wednesday. The three-day event will be held January 28-30 at the Metrodome with more than 60 current and former Twins players expected. Tickets are available at Target Field, the team’s pro shops and at www.twinsbaseball.com.