This Week's Column

Hoefs A Good Choice

2005-11-15T21:25:00.000-06:00

For any Mayo baseball players wondering what they're getting in interim head coach Dan Hoefs, I have this to say: rest easy, you're in good hands.

Hoefs is someone who has been around the game for a long time. He knows how it should be played and knows how to coach. He's able to be a player's coach while still laying down the law when it's necessary. I trust his decisions on line-ups as well as in-game decisions like pitching changes. It should be easy for the Spartans to perform for Hoefs. They have plenty of talent this spring and Hoefs will keep them focused, but loose.

My only concern is that Mayo will make it to state, and the Rochester Royals will have to do without him for a few weeks.

Weakest Division in Baseball?

2005-10-28T09:29:00.000-05:00

For years, the "experts" have been saying that the American League Central is the weakest division in baseball. Combine that with the NFC North, and after a while, it starts to chip away at the confidence of Minnesota sports fans. But fear not, things aren't as bad as they say...unless you're talking about the NFC North. I have no help for you there.

But in baseball, the Central has held its own while deflecting the insults tossed at it by the press. Take a look at the numbers. Not regular season numbers (with which you could make an argument against the Central) but the ones that really matter: the post season.

Over the past four years, the Central has won four post-season series. In 2002, the Twins won their first of three division titles and went on to upset heavily favored Oakland in the ALDS. They might have gone even further if they hadn't run into the hottest team in baseball. The Anaheim Angels were unstoppable that post-season. They had a run like this years' Sox, but instead of beating teams by a run or two, they destroyed them on the way to a World Series win. Still, the Twins hung in there against them, battling to the end. More than any other team that year could say.

For two years, the division was down a bit, but this year held redemption. Can a World Series champion come from the worst division in baseball? Is it even possible? Even when the White Sox had the best record in baseball, critics still said the weakness of the division played a role. It couldn't have been their dominating starting pitching? Or tendency toward clutch hits? Or even their cool in the heat of close games? No, it had to be because they were playing most of their games against teams from the Central...the worst division in baseball.

Four seasons, four post-season series victories. That seems like an awful lot for the worst division out there.

Pierzynski Play Not Unique

2005-10-14T00:29:00.000-05:00

I'm getting a kick out of the sensationalism of the last inning of the ALCS Game 2. For those of you who didn't see the play, don't watch SportsCenter and don't own a radio, here's what happened. A.J. Pierzynski swung and missed at strike three. But it wasn't your average third strike.

In this case, it would have been the final out of the inning, sending it to extra frames. But, after taking two steps toward the dugout, Pierzynski sprinted to first and was called safe while the Angels players were all jogging off the field. The umpire made what appeared to be an "out" signal, but was apparently just a "strike three" signal. He reportedly didn't say anything.

The call was that the ball bounced, meaning the catcher had to either tag Pierzynski or throw to first to retire him. He did neither, so Pierzynski was safe. The Sox went on to win the game and the Angels were furious.

Since the play occurred, it seems to be the only thing reporters and talk show hosts want to talk about. I've heard the play described as "odd," "unique," and even "an obscure baseball rule." In fact, it's none of those.

This is a play that happens all the time. Probably in nearly every game played in the Major Leagues this year. The pitcher will throw a ball in the dirt, the batter chases it for strike three, and the catcher tags the batter out. The reason no one notices is that the tag takes place and the play is over. That didn't happen in the Angels vs. White Sox game.

My theory on why this happened during this game and is almost never an issue in any other game is this: the playoffs made it happen.

There are almost no ways in which Major League Baseball and the NBA are similar, but there may be one exception. Players in both leagues tend to step up the intensity and effort a notch in the post-season. Although MLB players put much more effort into the regular season than their NBA counterparts, there are little things that go to the wayside during the first 162 contests. Things like running out a strikeout when the ball bounces into the catcher's mitt. But in the playoffs, you can bet they'll try anything to get on base...even run out a strikeout.

Is the play unique or odd? Not even close. The only thing unique about it is the way it was played.

Weis Puts People Above Football

2005-09-26T10:01:00.000-05:00

As head coach of the 13th ranked team in the nation, Charlie Weis is under more than a little bit of pressure. In fact, the pressure put to a the coach of a big-time college program like Notre Dame has caused many, if not most, coaches to bend or even break the rules. Winning is the highest priority. My own favorite team, the Iowa State Cyclones, are allowing an ex-convict, fresh out of prison, to start on their defensive line. Many programs, like Miami and Florida State, are known for as much action on the police blotter as the football field. But no one cares, because winning is what matters. There is way too much money involved to risk winning for anything else, no matter how noble the cause. In this day and age, there is always a job on the line. You never know when you're one loss away from being fired.

Problem is, someone forgot to tell Charlie Weis.

While visiting a terminally ill, 10-year-old boy named Montana, Weis promised to let the boy call the Irish's first play from scrimmage against Washington. Montana called for a "pass right."

Forget the touching display of compassion Weis showed Montana during his visit (for more, see the article on ESPN.com), the true test of character came during the first series of the Washington game.

Under any circumstances, if Weis had called a pass to the right as the first play from scrimmage, it would be telling of his personal make-up. But when the Irish found themselves on their own 1-yard-line, I don't believe there are more than a handful of people who would do what Weis did.

The smart play was to run between the tackles. Get a few yards of breathing room. The last thing you do is roll right and throw a pass. Weis knew it. Quarterback Brady Quinn knew it. But when Quinn asked Weis what to do, there was no hesitation.

"We have no choice. We're throwing it to the right."

In a fitting reward, Quinn completed the pass to his tight end for a 13-yard gain. Montana had called the right play. And Weis was compassionate enough to listen. Not many others would have.

What To Do About Culpepper

2005-09-21T13:49:00.000-05:00

What they say is true. "The best job in the NFL is the back-up quarterback." Everyone loves the back-up because they rarely have the chance to get into a game and make mistakes. From their protected perch on the sidelines, they look like they could make all the plays in the world. And the recent Vikings back-ups, most recently Gus Frerotte, have done a great job when they've been given the chance. Before they have a chance to have a bad game, they're out of there with all the job security in the world, and the adoration of a million fans.

With the way Daunte Culpepper has started the season, it's no wonder people are starting to call for Brad Johnson. But what is the right move?

In this situation, it's a good question, and a fair one to ask. Culpepper proved last year that he can be one of the best quarterbacks in the league. If not for Peyton Manning's record-setting season, the Vikings quarterback would have been the MVP of the league. But Culpepper has also proven that he can be one of the biggest liabilities in the league.

Here's the proof of Daunte's up-and-down tendencies: In 2000, Culpepper's first year as the Vikings starter, he threw 33 touchdown passes to only 16 interceptions. He also had 7 rushing touchdowns and 6 fumbles. So in all, he scored 40 touchdowns and turned the ball over 22 times. That's a great ratio. His QB rating that year was 98.0.

But what happened two years later? He suddenly had 24 combined touchdowns (only 14 passing) and 32 turnovers. That year he was good for a rating of just 75.3.

Two years later--last year--he was back to his 2000 self with a career high 39 touchdown passes as the majority of his 41 TDs, with only 11 INTs and 5 fumbles. His QB rating of 110.9 was off the charts.

History shows that Culpepper doesn't have good or bad games, he has good or bad years. And so far this year, it's not hard to differentiate good from bad. Culpepper has stunk.

If he continues to play as poorly as he has the first two games (0 TD passes, 8 INTs) what should the Vikings do? It comes down to a question of preference. If you prefer consistency, you have to find another QB. Culpepper has proven that he won't give you that. A strong case could be made that this is the year the Vikings can make a run at the Super Bowl if their offense can carry its share of the load. A solid, consistent quarterback could take them there. A lousy Culpepper certainly won't.

But what about the other side of Culpepper? You know, the one that throws almost 40 TDs in a season and can bowl over any linebacker between him and the goal line. If and when he shows up again, there's going to be no one in the league that can compete.

So, Monday morning quarterbacks, what's your call? A solid, consistent Brad Johnson who you know is going to give you mediocrity and a chance to win? Or a hot-and-cold Culpepper, who can lead your team to a Super Bowl, or just as easily keep you out of the playoffs?

Hats Off To The Hounds

2005-09-06T15:03:00.000-05:00

I hate having to write articles like this. How much better would it be to write an article patting myself on the back for a great season that culminated in a state championship for the Rochester Royals? Alas, another year has come and gone and the state championship has eluded us again, so instead I write "Hats off to the Hounds."

No, the Austin Greyhounds didn't win the state tournament (it would have been their third in four years.) But they came darn close. Only a Mankato team--a team made mostly of Minnesota State-Mankato players rather than Mankato natives--stood in their way. And for that, I'm forced to tip my cap.

During the regular season, the Royals owned the Hounds. After a loss in their first meeting, Rochester rattled off five straight wins--a couple via the ten-run-rule. I have to admit that after a few of those games, I would have said there was no way Austin would even make it to the state tournament. During the section tournament, when it mattered, they put up a fight and surprised us by only losing 2-0. And at state, when it really mattered, they broke out the bats and beat us 5-2.

Was it because they saved Dave Meyer and took their lumps during the regular season? Or are they just a more clutch team than the Royals? Possibly, they just caught us on a bad day. Whatever the case, the Hounds beat us, and then proceeded to win another three games and work their way into the final two teams.

To my arch-nemesis, my worthy opponents, I say hats off to you. I just wish you would have won it all.

Minnesota Amateur Baseball Should Ditch The Draft

2005-08-24T08:45:00.000-05:00

Before I even start on this issue, let me clear something up. What I'm about to write is in no way intended to be an excuse for my team (the Rochester Royals) losing any game in the state tournament. That being said, I think the tournament draft is a hindrance to true team competition and a tradition that needs to go.

Every fall, two teams from each section across the state qualify for the Minnesota State Amateur Baseball tournament. Each of those teams can "draft" players from the teams in their section that didn't qualify, although they can only take pitchers and catchers. The intention, I'm guessing, may be to make sure teams have enough pitching to make it through the tournament. After all, there are a lot of games. But the effect is something much different.

Several of the state tournament losses the Royals have suffered over the past decade have come at the hands of a draftee. Most often, it's a pitcher from another team that comes in and shuts the door. Sometimes it's in the form of a catcher who throws out baserunners and knocks in the winning run. Either way, it's a player that doesn't belong on the team, who isn't from the town or team that qualified, and has no business being there.

In the state tournament, it's not always about who has the best team, instead it's who has the best section. That doesn't seem right.

A survey was taken over the past year in which a vast majority of managers voted to get rid of the draft. But the state board ignored the results. One of the reasons was that the draft is part of Minnesota Amateur baseball tradition. To think that getting rid of the draft would somehow diminish the aura and atmosphere of state tournament baseball is ridiculous. It would simply allow the best team to win.

This year the Royals, who in recent history haven't used a draftee, might actually benefit from the draft. We have three players from the Austin Blue Sox who seem to be good guys and solid pitchers. We'll need those arms before the next eight games are over, and I'm happy to have them on the team.

The draft tradition is counter-productive and has to go. But for this one year, I might be glad we have it.

****As an aside, I was looking through the Post Bulletin the other day and noticed that the Rochester Royals were listed under "Amateur Baseball" while the Rochester Giants were listed as a "Semi-Pro" football team. Does anyone know the difference? I used to think that semi-pro meant some of the players were paid, but I once played for a "semi-pro" baseball team and as far as I could tell, it was the same as amateur. Anyone know?

The "Today's Athlete" dilemma

2005-08-11T13:52:00.000-05:00

Terrell Owens was recently asked to leave Eagles training camp and "given a week off." This illustrates an interesting trend having to do with today's big name athletes.

Imagine if Bud Grant had still been coach of the Minnesota Vikings when Randy Moss came around. What would have happened if Bear Bryant was at the helm of a team consisting of Keyshawn Johnson and Terrell Owens? In today's atmosphere, who wins out? The hard-nosed coach or the troublesome but talented player?

Here is the dilemma: Teams have to win at almost any cost. Professional sports are businesses these days and a team needs to do whatever it takes to win. The problem comes when the most talented players on a team understand this. They realize that they are indispensable. The classy ones take that bit of knowledge with a grain of salt and display some integrity. But increasingly more athletes are taking things into their own hands by demanding more money even if their contract isn't up, or extending their feelings of invincibility outside the football field and breaking laws. So what's a team to do?

The Vikings made their decision. After seven years of putting up with Moss' on and off the field antics, they finally traded him away. Many other teams handle situations similarly, while others allow their players to do anything as long as they put up the numbers.

Throughout sports history, there have been controversial players. Babe Ruth is as well known for his ability to party as he is for his ability to hit the ball out of the park. But the Babe Ruths of the world used to be few and far between. Now you can barely go a day without hearing about some star athlete demanding more money or fighting his most recent charges.

In my opinion, more teams need to do what the Vikings did. Let the trouble go. Respect the integrity of the sport. Respect the rules of society. No one should be able to act like these guys, no matter how much money they make. No matter how many fans forgive anything and everything in exchange for a touchdown. Would it really be so bad if Owens or Johnson or Moss couldn't find a job? Would the NFL really be affected that much?

The Vikings didn't think so, and neither do I.

Hunter's Injury Could Seal The Twins' Fate

2005-07-30T10:20:00.000-05:00

I've never been one to give up on a team early, nor do I believe in calling virtually every game a "must win." But I will say this: it may take a miracle to get the Twins into the post-season.

For longer than most fans, I held out hope that Minnesota would catch the White Sox. After all, the Sox were playing the best baseball in the majors and there was no way they could stay so hot for very long. Surely they would come back down to earth eventually, wouldn't they?

Guess not. Granted, they aren't as hot as they were before the All-Star break, but this team has a comfortable 12.5 game lead on the Twins. They have run away with it. And barring a complete collapse coupled with a super-human surge by the Twins in the final two months, Chicago will win the central.

So that leaves the wild card, which looked so good just a couple weeks ago. But not anymore. Eight teams are within a half-dozen games of winning the wild card. Oakland leads the race, holding a 2 game lead over the Twins and a half game lead over the Yankees. Overcoming both those teams will take a minor miracle. Especially without Torii Hunter.

While climbing the wall at Fenway Park, Hunter tore a tendon in his ankle. He will miss 4-6 weeks at least. What does this mean for the Twins? Disaster. Hunter's fielding prowess is well known, ever since he robbed Barry Bonds in the All-Star game a couple years back. But his bat is what the Twins will miss most, because that's what they have the biggest need for.

Hunter's numbers aren't gaudy. He has 14 home runs and 56 RBI. Neither of those numbers are staggering. But both lead the team. If a team lacks power so much that 14 bombs and 56 Ribbies leads the squad, one thing is for sure: they can't afford to lose that bat. Who is going to replace him? Even if someone like Justin Morneau or Joe Mauer starts to put up better power numbers, it will be in place of, rather than in addition to, Hunter's production. In other words, the Twins had everyone and they had basically lost the central division race and had plenty of work to do to win the wild card. They needed someone to step up. Instead, they lost their biggest run-producer and power hitter.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what kind of trouble that spells.

Were The Home Run Derby Balls Juiced?

2005-07-13T17:10:00.000-05:00

Call me a conspiracy theorist, but this is one I buy into. You can't tell me Bobby Abreu--who I admit is a great hitter and packs a powerful punch--set derby records at one of the bigger ball parks in the majors, without juiced baseballs. Twenty-four in the first round? Forty-one total? And it's not like he was the only one hitting bombs. David Ortiz hit 17 in the first round and didn't even make the finals.

I know what hitting juiced baseballs is like. While playing in a summer baseball league in Cincinnati, I once played a game that followed a senior league game. The senior league played with "juiced" balls that were wound more tightly than normal. As a gag, one of our guys threw a juiced ball in without the other team noticing. I stepped to the plate, hit one off the end of the bat, and watched it fly over the right center field fence. It was like hitting a golf ball.

I can't say I blame Major League Baseball for doing it. It's just an exhibition after all. No pitcher is going to get hurt by a come-backer and the stats and records don't really count for anything either. It was just a way to inject a little excitement into the home run derby without injecting any steroids.

Think about it. Multiple players don't hit consistent 500-foot blasts without the assistance of something. In years past it's been 'roids. Monday, since the players could no longer be juiced, the baseballs were instead.

"Anti-All-Star" Team Full Of Twins

2005-07-06T17:20:00.000-05:00

When the Twins screw up, they hear about it. Everyone likes to point it out...over and over and over. And it's true that playing pretend GM can be an entertaining way to pass an afternoon. With David Ortiz as the latest example of players the Twins have developed only to let go, the second guessing seems second nature. But what about the smart moves? What about the guys that we let go--or traded--and have gone on to bring a different team down? Can't think of any? Dayn Perry of foxsports.com sure can.

Perry points out three former Twins as being the worst in the league at their position. They are...drum roll please.

Doug Mientkiewicz, firstbaseman for the New York Mets. Good old Dougy Baseball, who couldn't believe we would want a power hitter like Justin Morneau instead, is hitting .218 this season.

Christian Guzman, shortstop for the Washington Nationals. Guzy's on-base percentage is .239 and he's as nonchalant as ever in the field.

Eric Milton, starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds. With an E.R.A over 7, there's really not much else that needs to be said. But I'll say it anyway, he's on pace to break Burt Blyleven's 1986 record for most long balls allowed.

I have a couple honorable mentions I'd like to add. Remember Chuck Knobloch? You know, the Twins stud second baseman who went to New York and forgot how to throw the ball from second to first? And, maybe the best Anti-All-Star ever, LaTroy Hawkins. Who else can inspire a website called latroyhawkinssucks.com? How bad is LaTroy (who, by the way, was the best set-up guy in the league for the Twins)? Any time an opposing pitcher comes in and blows a lead, he's automatically called LaTroy. Not exactly flattering.

Even though it's entirely overdone, I'm going to sing the praises of Twins GM Terry Ryan. With all the Anti-All-Stars, and none still in the Twins uni, he could be doing worse. Much worse.

The Gambler Snaps

2005-06-30T08:24:00.000-05:00

I just watched the footage of Kenny Rogers "assault" a cameraman, which took me by complete surprise. There's something about an aging left-hander who can't throw hard enough to hurt anyone that gives the impression of friendliness. I mean seriously, he's the gambler. How mean could he be? The footage answers that question clearly.

Rogers pushed two cameramen, but it was the second one that will get him in trouble. He shoved a man named Larry Rodriguez, of the Dallas TV station KDFW. Rodriguez tried to put the camera back on his shoulder to continue filming, saying "I figured since now he vented that he was all good, but the second time was just a little bit too much." It's the second attack that Rodriguez says caused injuries to his shoulder, arm and leg. He even went to the hospital for treatment.

During that tirade, Rogers ripped the camera from Rodriguez's shoulder, threw it to the ground and kicked it while teammates tried to intervene. Although I don't really see where the injuries took place, I was appalled at Rogers' actions.

It reminded me of a time I was covering the Twins at the Metrodome. I think I wrote about this when Cory Koskie took out a full page ad in the newspaper thanking his fans, but it warrants another mention now.

I was standing by the batting cage getting some shots of Torii Hunter when I saw Koskie walk behind the cage, getting ready to hop in. A Minneapolis photographer was walking backwards, in front of Koskie by only about two feet, with the camera trained directly on his face. Koskie, a shy man in public, said, "Please don't shoot me that close. I don't like it." He then jumped in the cage and took his hacks.

After his round of hitting, Koskie sought out the photographer and apologized, saying, "I know you're just trying to do your job. I'm just not comfortable around cameras. Sorry."

Obviously, Koskie is in a different class than Rogers. I can't see Koskie doing anything like what Rogers did. But that's not to say this episode is completely one-sided. Photographers, in an attempt to do their job the best they can, often times get very close to people, sometimes getting in the way of what they're trying to do. I'm sure it can be annoying to be walking somewhere and have a camera thrust in your face and have to avoid the person behind it so you don't run into them. In this situation, the camera man wasn't in Rogers' way, but often times photographers cross the boundaries of personal space.

This time, I think Rodriguez can claim that the Gambler crossed that boundary.

Lack Of Scholarships Hurts College Baseball

2005-06-21T12:36:00.000-05:00

While watching the College World Series a couple days ago, I heard an interesting conversation take place between the broadcasters. They were discussing the number of baseball scholarships each team gets. The number is 11.7. Twenty-five players, twelve scholarships. The numbers don't quite add up.

First and foremost, this issue is an annoyance. If baseball had a proportionately equal number of scholarships to football or basketball, I might have been able to find somewhere to give me a full ride rather than the 50% I received. My student loan payments wouldn't even exist. Financially, I guess I chose the wrong sport.

The fact that baseball gets only 12 scholarships is unfair. Let's look at the numbers. Baseball, with 9 players on the field at one time (ten if you count a DH,) gets fewer than 12 scholarships. Football, the king of college sports, gets 85. They have 11 players on the field at one time. I'll even give football programs the benefit of the doubt and count offense, defense and special teams separately. Still, that's 33 players getting 85 scholarships. Football teams have third and fourth stringers getting full-rides while the biggest stars on a baseball team are paying tuition. There are some arguments in football's favor, the most common one being that they bring in the most money so they deserve the most scholarships. This makes me long for the days when colleges were run like colleges rather than businesses. I don't often agree with financial-based arguments when they apply to college athletics.

Football aside, baseball still gets the short end of the stick. Look at the scholarship numbers for each of the following sports that receive more sholarships than baseball:
Men's basketball: 13
Women's basketball: 15
Women's gymnastics: 12
Women's crew: 20

Title IX has obviously made its mark, in positive and negative ways.

Another argument the broadcasters made was that the lack of baseball scholarships filters out those with a lower socio-economic status. Harold Reynolds focused on minority players, saying there are fewer and fewer of them because they can't afford to pay tuition and full scholarships aren't available. Minorities or not, those who can't afford college on their own are hurt by the shared-scholarship system baseball programs are forced to implement.

If an athlete doesn't have money to pay for college and is offered a half scholarship, how is he supposed to come up with the other half? He can't play ball and work. There's not enough time in a day for that. He could rack up student loans or, if he's good enough, turn pro. More and more players are skipping college in favor of the professional ranks as a way to make money rather than rack up debt.

You can't blame them. If college baseball wants to be profitable, which it has proven it can be, it has to be allotted more than 11.7 scholarships.

The Great Bat Debate

2005-06-15T13:17:00.000-05:00

As the College World Series approaches, it's the perfect time to bring up one of the few things that should change about the game of baseball...the bats players use. As of now, kids playing Little League through college use metal bats. I think this started sometime in the 70's, although if someone knows for sure, feel free to leave a comment correcting me.

I can see how it could have made some sense at the time. For the younger players, metal bats were a way to make the game more enjoyable; that includes the players and the fans. If it isn't bad enough watching a game today where the ball never leaves the infield, imagine the same game with a wooden bat. And for the older, college age players, metal bats were most likely a financial decision. If you get jammed or hit one off the end, it won't break. With most wood bats selling for around $35, metal bats could provide relief for some already stretched budgets.

As for the Little Leaguers, let them keep the metal bats. The 15-differential (for example, 32 inches, 17 ounces) or whatever they have is fine for that age. But at some point that has to change. I think high school is the perfect time. Let kids use aluminum bats through 8th grade, but then it's wood.

The financial argument no longer applies. Composite bats won't break and they imitate real wood with the sound it makes and how fast the ball jumps off the bat. The excitement argument doesn't apply at that age. Eighteen-year-old kids can hit the ball out of the park with wood bats and plenty of runs will still be scored. In high school, kids should use wood.

And college? The use of metal bats in college is the most ridiculous thing I can imagine. If you ever play third base when the clean-up hitter for Texas steps to the plate, you'll agree with me. Athletes these days could kill a person with a line drive, and since they run 6.5 second 60 yard dashes, you have to respect the bunt and play up. Metal bats have no place in that equation.

The College World Series has also been a perfect example of why the NCAA should change to wood or composite. There are far too many home runs. Granted, things have calmed some from the -5 days (up until 2000, college players could use bats with a differential of 5, such as 33 inches, 28 ounces. Now it's -3). But games still routinely take three hours to play and have double-digit scoring. At that level of play, there is no reason to use anything but wood or composite.

If metal bats still have a place in the game, it's only in the hands of a young child. Someone needs to start the change. Why not the Minnesota State High School League?

We Never Had That When I Played Legion Ball

2005-06-01T07:57:00.000-05:00

www.district1scores.org. If you're a fan of American Legion baseball in this part of the state, write that down and visit it often.

"Back in the day" when I was playing legion ball, the Post Bulletin would print stories of our games in the newspaper and KTTC, in my three years of playing, came out once. After we won the state tournament, Dan-O and Pat Lund did a VOSOT with me and Restovich. That was our exposure. Now--and it's about time--fans and players of American Legion baseball can get everything they want on the Internet as well.

Jason Fink is the webmaster of district1scores.org. He plans to post scores, stats, standings and other tidbits on the site. It sounds like a great opportunity for legion baseball to get some deserved recognition. Maybe word will spread and lots of people will visit the site often. Maybe it will be more of a fan base following.

No matter how popular or unpopular the site becomes, I encourage those involved with legion baseball in any way to check it out. Most importantly, coaches (or someone else affiliated with the team) need to help keep the site updated by making a habit of e-mailing their scores and stats as soon as possible after each game. There's nothing worse than clicking on to a site to see how your favorite hitter is doing, or to check the E.R.A of the pitcher your going to face next week, and find that his stats are still from the second game of the season.

With help, the site can work. If it works, it can only be a good thing. It can only generate more interest for American Legion baseball in this corner of the state. And whether you're a player, coach or fan, more interest in baseball is a good thing.

Sokol Chooses Medicine Over Baseball

2005-05-23T16:59:00.000-05:00

Over the past weekend, Troy Young wrote an intriguing article on former Mayo star Justin Sokol. The right handed flame-thrower turned down a $100,000 signing bonus a couple years back to go to college. That didn't shock many people. Despite the big number, college is never a bad route to go. He would develop as a person as well as a player, then see where baseball took him. After going to Iowa Central Community College, a solid ju-co program, Sokol accepted a scholarship to Texas A&M. That was the opportunity of a lifetime.

At A&M, baseball is huge. Everyone can play, scouts crawl around like those Japanese beetles, and the crowds really get into the games. In the three-game series I played at College Station, I had more fun than any other place. The fans make it one of the most entertaining stadiums in the nation. Despite all that, Sokol has said he probably won't be playing any more baseball. And that shocked some people.

I know Justin fairly well. We had a chance to play ball together for a season with the Royals. But the way I got to know him best was probably during a Northwoods League game. Sokol was playing for Thunder Bay and I was sitting in the deck down the third baseline. Sokol jogged past on the way to the bullpen, and on the way back, I flagged him down to say hi. What I thought would be a brief hello turned into a three inning discussion. Several of his teammates were giving him some good natured ribbing, as ball players tend to do, but Sokol didn't seem to care at all. He let it all roll off his back. It was then that I realized Justin was his own person and would make choices that he felt were best for him. His latest decision is a perfect example.

Who turns down a chance to pitch for one of the best teams in the Big 12, even the nation? Who turns down six-figures? Who has a legitimate chance to climb the ladder in one of the three biggest sports in the country, and decides against it? One of two kinds of people. Either someone without a clue, or someone who knows what he wants. Sokol is the latter.

Having just joined my wife for her graduation from Mayo Medical School, I might have a better understanding than some people of why the medical field is so alluring to Sokol. For those who are talented enough to become doctors--and that group certainly excludes me--there is a life of hard work and amazing rewards in store. Sokol, who says he wants to serve in a third-world country, will have no shortage of either. And best of all, he's making his own choice.

Twins Stadium Needs A Roof

2005-05-17T08:48:00.000-05:00

After several years of talk, it looks like the Twins might finally have a real chance of getting a new stadium. They've been telling us they need one. They've threatened to leave if they don't get one. They've even had the funny radio commercial guy throw in a little jab about the Metrodome in the most recent radio spot. Now, it looks like it could possibly become reality. But if it does, the team could be hurt more than it's helped.

As I understand it, the new Twins stadium would not have a roof. That would cost another $175 million or so that isn't in the plan. The Twins are pitching in a nice chunk and the Hennepin County tax (20 cents on every $100) will cover the biggest chunk. Funds for the roof are nowhere to be seen.

This spring is a perfect example of why a roofless stadium won't work in Minnesota. Yes, we want the roof off whenever possible. We all love outdoor baseball. It's not only how the game was meant to be played, it's also nice for us fans to sit in the sun, get a little tan on our Minnesotan skin and watch the game on real grass. But what happens when you have a spring full of 45 degree temperatures, wind and rain?

If a team further south gets a rainy day (or even a week for that matter) they still have a chance to draw large crowds because, even if it's wet, it will be nice. Bring an umbrella and your set. Here, you might have to break out your long underwear and I just don't see Twins fans doing that consistently.

The result will be fewer walk-ups. Fewer people in the Twin Cities area will look out their window at work and say to themselves, "Wow, it's nice out. Maybe I should call the family and see if they want to go to a Twins game tonight." I don't see out-state people like us in Rochester being as effected because usually if we go up to a game, it is planned for a while and we'll simply dress or pack accordingly. But to those who live up there, who could go to a Twins game or many other things, the weather will be a big factor in their decision.

The problem is solved with a roof. It's sunny most of the time, and when it's not, they close the roof and the game goes on. Without the roof, the novelty of the new stadium will soon wear off. If the new stadium doesn't have a retractable roof, I wouldn't be surprised to see their attendance drop.

Reusse Is An Interesting Read

2005-05-14T10:40:00.000-05:00

Since I don't subscribe to either of the Twin Cities newspapers, I rarely get the chance to see the sports columnists' work. But now, sitting in my Embassy Suites hotel room (my wife and I are on a weekend getaway: a Twins game and a play) I had the chance to read commentary on last night's Twins game. It was interesting, seeing the game from my perspective only, not having a play-by-play guy influence my views on what happened. It turns out, I saw some things about last night's game (Friday) the same as Patrick Reusse, but a couple things differently.

First, I agree with Reusse's analysis of the Twins defense in general. They aren't being charged with a lot of errors, but they are not making the plays either. Several tailor made double play balls have turned into fielder's choices and the lack of great plays means they aren't making up for it. But Reusse's was a little too hard on shortstop Jason Bartlett for his error in Friday night's game.

Alfonso Soriano shattered his bat and rolled one to short. Reusse is right when he says "Bartlett bobbled the hop, bobbled the ball again, and wound up sitting in frustration on the turf." What he doesn't tell you is the barrel of the bat was flying right in Bartlett's line of vision. Find me someone who can ignore a jagged piece of lumber flying at him and concentrate on a ground ball and I'll be impressed. But Reusse conveniently missed that fact so he could make a stronger point.

The second thing I disagree with only somewhat. Reusse says "Mays drilled David Dellucci in apparent retribution for teammate Jones getting smacked by Texas' Ryan Drese..." Someone in a seat next to me said the same thing: it was Mays getting even. My wife asked if I thought so. I had to think about it, but I decided on "no" for a couple reasons. Yes, there were two outs and no one on, which is always the time to do something like that. But Mays was ahead in the count. He was facing the lead-off batter. Who wants to keep an inning going for the meat of the order? And, as it happens, the next hitter, Michael Young, went yard giving the Rangers their first spark. I think Mays would have more common sense than to hit the lead-off batter when things were going so well in his attempt to put together is first gem in years.

Overall, Reusse does a pretty good job of analyzing the game, and he is an entertaining read. It's just when he tries to make a little more out of something than is there, or leaves out important details, that he misses the mark.

***Coming tomorrow: Why it could hurt the Twins if the current stadium bill goes through.

White Sox Finally Field A Team

2005-05-10T10:35:00.000-05:00

In baseball, as in many sports, a team is often not just the sum of its parts. Sometimes it is more, sometimes less. The Chicago White Sox have been both over the past few seasons. With talent like Carlos Lee, Jose Valentin, and Maglio Ordonez, the Sox had the guns to win but could never get over the hump. The team was less than the sum of its players, and would inevitably collapse each September.

Now, it could be a different story. Ozzie Guillen has turned the loss of those three--and other talent--into a gain for his franchise. He still has guys like Paul Konerko, Joe Crede and Jon Garland (who the team had tried to get rid of in the off season but couldn't. Now he's 6-0 with an ERA under 2.50). And the team has added Jermaine Dye for some defensive support and Scott Podsednik for speed at the top of the line-up. Those two examples illustrate how the Sox have become a more well-rounded team. Although on paper it looks like they shouldn't be as good, they are actually better.

But don't worry, Twins fans. It's not yet September.

Rincon? Steroids? Yep

2005-05-03T06:57:00.000-05:00

The latest Major League Baseball player to receive a 10-day suspension for violating the new drug policy is our very own Juan Rincon of the Minnesota Twins. It may seem odd to many that a pitcher, and a pretty scrawny one at that, would be suspended for using steroids (or some other "performance enhancing drug). In all likelihood, steroid use among pitchers is just as high as the big power hitters.

The reasons, when you think about them, make perfect sense. The drug is just used for a different purpose. Power hitters use steroids in coordination with a vigorous weight lifting routine. As a result, they develop strength that never would have been possible without the drug. Pitchers, of course, aren't worried about getting that big and don't even want to. But it they use steroids and then throw 90 pitches, or even work out playing long toss, the drug helps their bodies recover more quickly, which builds muscle in the important places for them and allows them to pitch more frequently while keeping that lively 93-mph fastball that Rincon loves to use.

Juan Rincon may be the first MLB pitcher to be suspended for steroids, but he won't be the last.

Rockies Do Things Differently Than Twins

2005-04-28T19:39:00.000-05:00

Rochester's Michael Restovich has had markedly different experiences with Minnesota and Colorado. Although he can't know what will happen next, Michael has to be encouraged by what has taken place in Denver so far.

While with the Twins, Restovich proved himself at the AAA level but wasn't brought up to the majors. Team officials admitted he was "ready" but said there just wasn't room. For the next three years Restovich was brought up only to be sent back down, despite playing well enough to stay. He felt the pressure of putting up power numbers and impressing someone enough to stay up, but found out later that there was virtually nothing he could have done to remain on the team. It just wasn't in the cards. He could play well in the major leagues and not be rewarded for it. I don't know if the Twins are to blame, but in the end his experience there proved to be unfair.

His experience in Colorado, so far, has followed a path that makes a little more sense. He was basically given a two week tryout and played well. Resto is hitting .346 with a home run and 3 RBI, seeing action only against left-handers. As a result, he's staying up in the majors while the Rockies sent a couple pitchers down because they didn't do as well.

Rockies manager Clint Hurdle seems to have a pretty good philosophy when it comes to who stays and who gets sent down. While talking about backup outfielder Cory Sullivan, Hurdle said, "He's done nothing to warrant being moved." That type of thinking makes a lot of sense.

I know there are always tough choices that have to be made. I know Restovich still may not get a fair shake. He was in the line-up a few days ago when snow started to fall and the game was postponed. Resto lost out on a chance to get some at-bats. Now Dustin Mohr is back from the disabled list and, although he's certainly no All-Star, he will move into the starting rightfield spot automatically. The bad break is typical to what Restovich has had to deal with in his fight to become a full-time major leaguer. But don't expect to see him pout. Restovich will continue to fight for playing time.

Hopefully the Rockies continue to make logical choices.

Young Pitchers Can Learn From Santana's Success

2005-04-27T14:42:00.000-05:00

Johan Santana has won 17 straight games since the last time he was beaten. He strikes out double-digit batters more often than the Twins suffer fluke injuries. He's known around the league as one of the best pitchers in the game, and was honored with the Cy Young award as a result. And the biggest thing young pitchers can learn from him is the most effective way he strikes out opposing batters: with the change-up.

Today's youngsters (and indeed, young players for many years) see the big leaguers breaking off nasty curveballs and sliders and the kids want to do that too. But they don't understand the long-term damage they're doing to their arms.

I'd be lying if I said I knew the percentage of players who have arm surgery, but I can tell you this: every player has arm problems. The lucky ones just have soreness once in a while, but a huge percentage of players either have a nagging injury that effects their velocity (like the tendonitis I fought over the past two summers) or worse, surgery.

Elbow and shoulder surgery have become so commonplace that ball players don't even think much of it anymore. Yes, players can come back from surgery, but ruining your arm with the assumption that a doctor will be able to fix it isn't the best way to go about things. And a lot of damage can be done to a young arm throwing curveballs.

Curveballs, sliders, slurves and any other variations of a breaking ball are tough on an arm--any arm. The motion is unnatural and harmful. It is a sharp snapping at release. Either that, or the pitch won't break sharply enough.

When I was young, 16 was thought to be the age that players could safely start throwing breaking balls. I would say that should be the very youngest. It isn't worth risking injury or loss of velocity. Especially when you consider the way many big league pitchers are drafted.

Scouts today draft on tools, potential and for pitchers, velocity. They are much more interested in a guy who can throw a 90-mile-per-hour fastball than someone with a big breaking ball. So kids should develop their arm strength rather than their slider. They should play long-toss rather than throw split-finger fastballs.

Obviously a pitcher will benefit from an effective off-speed pitch (although at any level, control gives pitchers a leg up on the competition). The answer? Look no further than Johan Santana and his best strikeout pitch: the change-up.

A good change-up will ruin the hitter's timing, it will move (down and in from a righty to a righty) and most importantly for young players, it won't cause arm problems.

The only downfall to the change-up is that it can be hard to control. It takes a lot of practice since the ball is placed back in the palm rather than out in the fingers. But when perfected and kept low in the zone, the change-up is the ultimate pitch for little leaguers. And they should keep it in their repertoire for life.

And keep their arm in the process.

First Test For Tice

2005-04-26T08:03:00.000-05:00

Mike Tice has been around for a few years now but has yet to prove himself as a coach. After a couple losing records, Tice's team backed into the playoffs last year and finished the season 9-9 overall. The former Vikings tight end is said to have great rapport with his players, but many of us question his in-game decisions and clock management. Now, the critics (or are they called worshipers) are saying this below average team from the past few years has the chance to be good. Really good.

Although Super Bowl talk is music to the ears of Minnesota football fans, it must be like raking fingernails down a chalkboard to Tice. Finally, the pressure is on.

No one really expected the Vikings to do much last year. Sure, the hometown talk was that their defense was revamped and the squad would win the Super Bowl--like always--but we all know how many times that has happened in the team's history (for those of you who don't know, the number can be counted on zero fingers).

But this time the Vikings faithful have some outside support for their claims. Several draft analyzers gave the Vikings excellent reviews for last weekend's draft performance. With an above-average draft complimenting the Vikings off-season free agent moves, the purple will face some real expectations this fall.

That means one thing. Tice's grace period is over. He can no longer hide behind the fact that he's new. He can't pretend he doesn't have the players (although I still seem to be more concerned about the linebackers than anyone else and they certainly don't have a kicker). Randy Moss' on and off the field interference are no longer an issue. Everyone's happy, nearly every position is solidified and once again the Viking faithful are chanting Super Bowl.

Only this time, Tice better produce.

Title IX Out Of Control

2005-04-25T10:09:00.000-05:00

Let me start by tossing a big bucket of water on the fire that a title like that can create. I am all for gender equity in all areas of life, including sports. With a daughter on the way, I'm looking forward to watching her take part in sports in a way that wouldn't have been possible just one generation ago. I agree wholeheartedly with the idea and purpose of Title IX. But I disagree with the way it is sometimes carried out.

A year after I finished playing baseball at Iowa State University, the school announced its intention to cut the baseball program. The Big 12 Conference was ranked the second best baseball conference in the nation, and now it would only have 10 teams (Colorado also has no baseball team). Imagine the Big Ten with eight football teams. That's about what it's like.

The reason the program had to be cut was twofold. First, budget problems had prompted lawmakers to cut funding to state universities. It trickled down to athletics in the form of Title IX compliance. According to the law, ISU had too many male athletes and not enough female. The options were to add women's sports or cut men's. Partially because of the budget problem, the latter option was implemented.

Although I think the loss of the Cyclones baseball program is tragic, especially for Minnesota kids like me who had the rare opportunity to play in a southern conference, I can partially understand it. We didn't draw big crowds and, since we did play in a southern conference, travel expenses were high. We flew to all four Texas schools in the Big 12 as well as to Louisiana my junior year over spring break. It wasn't cheap for the athletic department.

Still, some things didn't make sense. One day I spoke to a young woman who was on a recruiting visit. It was an odd visit in that she was considering a crew scholarship. ISU had no women's crew team, but was looking at instating one to help comply with Title IX. The really odd thing was that she had never been in a boat before. She was being recruited for the sport not because of her athletic talent but because she was a woman. ISU never did get the crew team, but the incident always stuck in my mind as being ridiculous.

Local Implications

The ludicrous side of Title IX hit Rochester a few weeks ago when a Mayo baseball game was postponed because of darkness. It was being played at Mayo Field. For anyone who doesn't know, Mayo Field is one of the best lit fields around...When the lights are on. High schools have had night games there for many years, but not anymore.

Since softball fields at a couple of the schools in town don't have lights, the boys aren't allowed to use theirs either. The argument is as simple as that.

As I said before, I understand Title IX. I get why it was necessary before and why it remains so today. I'm glad, for my future daughter's sake, that it's still around. But can't we use a little common sense in its implementation?

Rather that taking the privilege of playing night games away from high school baseball teams, we should be working on making it possible for softball teams to have the same luxury. If we want to make change, why hold one group down rather than lifting another up? Why focus on vengeance rather than progressive thought?

What we need to do is quit being so trivial. As much as it pains me, I understand why Iowa State no longer has a baseball program. I might not agree with the allocation of resources that played a part in the cutting of the program, but at least I understand. The lights issue is on an entirely different scale. A scale measured by millimeters rather than miles and fueled by bureaucracy rather than common sense.

I say we should shoot for equality through different means. By making boys and girls sports even by lifting them both up rather than cutting one down just so we can use the word "equal."

Vikings Draft Speculation Is On The Wrong Course

2005-04-21T08:05:00.000-05:00

For the last month, the NFL draft has dominated talk radio, newspapers, even SportsCenter. That's the first thing I don't understand. The hype isn't as drastic for the NBA draft and no one even knows when the MLB draft is. So why is the NFL draft so different?

I digress. After all, the most frustrating thing about all the pre-draft conversation hasn't been its overabundance, but rather its misguided nature, particularly by Vikings fans.

It seems everyone has developed a case of The-Experts-Are-Always-Right-Syndrome. A while back, "experts" started saying teams should pick "the best player on the board" regardless of his position. I couldn't disagree more emphatically, especially in the case of the Vikings.

Sure, if you're team has been dismantled by trades, free agency and injuries and you need to start from scratch, then taking the best player is a good move. But the Vikings? No way.

Minnesota has four above average running backs who aren't getting enough credit. Michael Bennett is an All-Pro. I know he's been hurt, but I have a hard time drafting on the assumption someone is going to get hurt again. Many people think Onterrio Smith is better than Bennett. Again, I don't think you can draft on the assumption a player will get another suspension. Moe Williams is old faithful and for a three week span last year, Mewelde Moore was said to be better than all of them. Draft Ronnie Brown, Cadillac Williams or Cedric Benson? I don't think so.

What about Mike Williams or Brayland Edwards? Nope. That doesn't make sense either. When Randy Moss was hurt last year, Nate Burleson proved that he can fill the shoes. He can stretch the field (although not as well as Moss), make the catches and break tackles (something Moss was overrated at doing). We also have Marcus Robinson, who is good for 8-10 touchdowns and Jermaine Wiggins, who became one of the best receiving tight ends in the NFL last year. Mix in the most dangerous screen play in the NFL with Michael Bennett and the last thing we need is a receiver.

In the off-season, the Vikings have addressed their defensive problems with free agency. Fred Smoot and Darren Sharper will join Antoine Winfield for a much-improved defensive secondary. Pat Williams will join All-Pro Kevin Williams on the defensive line, and look for Kenechi Udeze to play a bigger role this year.

The one position still to be addressed (other than a kicker) is the one that caused Joe Sensor so much pain and suffering in the broadcasting booth last year. He was beside himself with the terrible play of our linebackers. They were the root of all our defensive problems according to Vikings experts. But now that the team has addressed every issue except linebacker (Napoleon Harris could help, but he's no panacea) these same experts are talking about whether we should draft a wide receiver or running back.

Here what the Vikings should do. Go into the draft with a list of their favorite linebackers, 1-7. When they get to their first pick at number 7, they pick their favorite lineback who is still on the list.

That's all there is to it. An offensive selection should be out of the question. Can't we learn from our mistakes of the past decade?

Another Chinese Giant

2005-04-20T07:32:00.000-05:00

And you thought Yao Ming was tall.

If you get a chance while twiddling your thumbs at work today, I recommend going to foxsports.com and checking out the article about the newest giant to head West from China. His name is Sun Ming Ming, and the kid is huge. At 21 years of age, Sun is 7-foot-8 3/4. That's almost 7'9''. And get this...he has great touch on his jump shot. The picture of a basketball in his hands makes Shaq's hands look like those of a todler.

It will be interesting to see if Sun can match Yao's success in the NBA. They say Sun is a raw talent. Physically he is obviously gifted with size, but he needs work on getting up and down the court as well as getting stronger. They are currently treating him like "a high school senior lifting weights" according to his trainer, James Wilson.

If and when Sun gets drafted this June, he will have huge shoes to fill. Yao Ming has been an immediate impact player in the league, something very few players of any age, from anywhere are able to do. That will most likely translate into nearly impossible expectations of Sun. It will be interesting to see if he can handle it.

Personally, I just want to see him stand next to Shaq.

Wolves Post-Season Hopes End

2005-04-18T09:26:00.000-05:00

It's about time. After a season that began painfully and remained painful for the whole year, the Minnesota Timberwolves are finally done. They'll go through the motions for the few remaining regular seasons games--just like they have all year--and then go home and lick their wounds.

I remember early in the season when the Wolves started a little slow. They were around the .500 mark and everyone was panicking. "Settle down," I said. "They'll bounce back. It's still early."

The Wolves proceeded to prove me wrong time after time. They flirted with the .500 mark for too long. By the time they put a run together, it was too late. They couldn't sustain it anyway.

How does a team go from one of the top four in the NBA to a bottom-half club in one year? How do they do that with virtually the same players? Even more baffling, how does a team have a must-win game on their home court and lose by 15 points? They didn't even put up a real fight.

The Timberwolves lackluster play in a game that had everything on the line backs up my claim that the NBA is a lost cause. Compared to college basketball, it's not even a sport.

Cassell and Latrell Should Leave

2005-04-14T09:04:00.000-05:00

When the owner of your team calls your acquisition a "failed experiment" you know you haven't exactly impressed. And that's precisely what Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said about former All-Stars Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell...with emphasis on the "former."

I can't blame Taylor for venting his frustration, especially after last night's game. In the Wolves 116-100 win over Golden State Latrell Sprewell looked like the best player on the court (with the obvious exception of Kevin Garnett, of course). About two months ago, this would have been good news. But not now.

A while back, Sprewell made his famously ignorant comment about how he couldn't feed his family on his multi-million dollar salary. He had been offered $21 million over three years. But the Wolves didn't drop down on their knees and beg him to stay, so he pouted and played at a 50% effort level, maybe. Now the Wolves are about to be eliminated from the playoffs and Spree is going to have to find another team. One that wants him. Suddenly he's playing like the Sprewell of old. I'd rather see the slacker. At least then Sprewell wouldn't attract some attention from other teams. It's pathetic, but he just might win in this situation.

And Cassell can go too, for all I care. He started complaining about his contract just 1 year after he signed it. He's the kind of cancerous player that complains about every call, yells at his teammates when things aren't going well and pouts just as badly as Sprewell.

When the Wolves are officially eliminated, which will happen any day now, Taylor should follow through with what his comments imply. He should get rid of Cassell and Sprewell.

NBA Shouldn't Install Minimum Age

2005-04-13T09:38:00.000-05:00

Indiana Pacers power forward Jermaine O'Neal recently said he thinks David Stern's effort to install an age limit of 20 is racist. Although I see no connection to race (in fact, the comment strikes me as completely ridiculous) O'Neal is right about the age limit.

Why would Stern, the commissioner of the NBA, want to raise the minimum age? The player carrying the most responsibility for the future of the league just turned 20 in late December. If LaBron James hadn't been allowed to play last year, the NBA may still be searching for someone to fit the title "The Next Michael Jordan."

The league doesn't need a higher minimum age requirement, it needs a strong minor league system.

There is no good reason to raise the minimum age. If a player isn't ready for the NBA, then he won't make the team. He can either stay in college, or play in the minors. If its structured like Major League Baseball, each team will have affiliate teams at different levels. An 18 year old can be drafted out of high school and go to the minors, or if he's good enough, the NBA. He can also choose to go to college.

It has worked for baseball for many years. Basketball should give it a try too.

Tiger Overcomes Enemies

2005-04-10T20:15:00.000-05:00

The final round of the 2005 Masters will rank up there with the best ever. It had a comeback (two actually), a completely amazing and improbable shot (Tiger's birdie on 16) and a playoff hole. But what stuck out most to me is the ability of Tiger Woods to overcome all obstacles.

Tiger is one of golf's most loved characters but make no mistake about it, there are plenty of people out there who will consider their trip to the course incomplete until they personally witness Tiger fail. If you watched Tiger and Chris DiMarco play the 18th (during the 4th round) you witnessed a perfect example.

Tiger was a long iron away from the green and clinging to a one-stroke lead on the final hole. He approached the ball--with complete concentration--and a car alarm went off. Tiger calmly backed away from the ball to regroup. The alarm shut off immediately. At this point, it could have been an accidental fluke with terrible timing. But when Tiger approached the ball a second time and the alarm went on again--this time continuing for several seconds--it was obvious that someone was trying to break Tiger's concentration.

The second time Tiger, understanding what was happening, tried to ignore the alarm. He proceeded to make one of his worst shots of the tournament and bogey the hole.

I've never been able to understand why golfers are so sensitive about the smallest of distractions. As a baseball player, I remember the crowds on the road--Texas A&M and Oklahoma stand out--and the distraction the fans tried to create while we were at the plate. As if hitting a 90-mile-per-hour slider isn't tough enough, fans are cracking jokes or insulting your family. People are whistling and jeering and whatever else they can think of to ruin your concentration. But someone makes a peep during a golfer's back swing and suddenly the fan caused the bad shot? To me, it doesn't add up.

That being said, I was angry for Tiger during the final round of The Masters. The car alarm prank was bush-league. Whereas I was originally pulling for DiMarco, the car alarm stunt changed my loyalties. The alarm had me so uptight that I was afraid to watch. It put my nerves on end. I didn't want Tiger to have to shoot. And worst of all, it had its desired effect.

I was happy to see Tiger fight through it. Yes, everyone likes an underdog, but no one wants to see an uneven playing field. And I didn't hear any alarms going off during DiMarco's swing.

It was good to see Tiger pull through.

A Tradition Unlike Any Other

2005-04-07T14:02:00.000-05:00

Every April, the Masters kicks off the golf season. Some of the other tournaments earlier in the season may claim to be the first but compared to the Masters, they barely qualify as golf.

Just reading about the history of Augusta National makes me want to sneak onto a course and play a few holes. Names like Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicholas and Tiger Woods bring to mind stories of triumph (Nicholas on 16) and embarrassment (Tiger putting into the drink).

The Masters is the kind of event that will make a golf hater into a fan and a fan into a weeping, blubbering maniac who would kiss the turf if they would let him close enough.

It's the kind of tournament that will make a guy sit in front of the television for hours on end without a thought that deviates from "Don't lay up! Pull out the three wood!"

I can't wait to see how this one turns out. Every year, Augusta tells a story. Every year something amazing happens. Will Tiger putting into the water be the pinnicle of this year's tourney? Or is there something even more unlikely still to come?

Bo Knows Steroids?

2005-04-06T20:57:00.000-05:00

A California newspaper recently ran an article quoting a nutritional expert. The quote was as follows: "Bo Jackson lost his hip because of anabolic use." The supposed source of the quotation, Ellen Coleman, denies every saying anything about Bo Jackson and, as proof, pointed to a taped copy of her speech the quote was supposedly taken from. Jackson has filed a defamation lawsuit against the newspaper.

It's possible Jackson used steroids. He was so far above and beyond every other athlete of his time that if his hip hadn't been injured he could suit up today and be an All-Star. Baseball and football. Players of the late 80's and early 90's will tell you Jackson was the best athlete ever. Every one of them seems to have a Bo Jackson story to tell. The sound of the bat when he made contact with a baseball was like nothing else. His somersault run during his Heisman season at Auburn is legendary. During his famous catch in center field he ran no less than four steps while actually up against the wall. He was the most impressive thing to hit the sports world since...maybe ever. No kidding. The only reason he isn't still held in such high esteem is because his career was so short. Otherwise, there would be no debate over who gets the "greatest athlete ever" title. It would be Jackson, hands down.

So some people might see this newspaper report and automatically assume he was juiced. I don't believe it. Maybe it's blissful ignorance, but I think Jackson was clean. First of all, his heyday was before steroids hit the scene will full force. He became a nationally recognized two-sport athlete in the mid-80's. And he was always the best. He always had the talent. He didn't put on 40 unexplainable pounds in a short period of time. His stats didn't skyrocket, they simply remained great. Also, when he found out about the allegations, he immediately filed suit.

He said, "If anyone wants to check into my medical past, go get blood tests, go check up on those blood tests, and see if there was anabolic steroids in it. You're more than welcome. I'm not going to sit here and say, 'Maybe I did or maybe I didn't.' I didn't. Never did. Never had to."

And I believe him. Oh, and just in case you're wondering, Jackson keeps himself busy these days talking to kids about health and nutrition issues.

I think I've made my point. Bo doesn't know 'roids.

NCAA Championship Lives Up To The Hype

2005-04-05T15:26:00.000-05:00

What a game. What a finish to a tournament that delivered everything it promised. Last second shots, 20-point comebacks...and it all culminated with North Carolina and Illinois exchanging punches in last night's final.

UNC dominated the first half, but a 15-point lead was nothing all tournament and when Illinois tied the game late in the second half, the comeback appeared complete. But total inside domination by Sean May set the pace for North Carolina. Illinois had no answer for him. James Augustine's five fouls in less than 9 minutes of play made me wonder how much money he received under the table. Meanwhile, May could do no wrong.

Illinois' only chance was to trade two point baskets for three pointers for the entire second half. And with a shooting percentage beyond comprehension for a ten minute span in the second, it almost worked.

In the end, the better team won. Not only did the Tar Heels have a back court that was at least equal to Illinois', they had a front court, led by May, that dwarfed the Illini's. It was the first time this season a team has been able to exploit a weakness against Illinois, and they made it look like everyone should have been able to check off the Illinois games on the schedule as an automatic "W."

Still, it went down to the wire. After a tournament like that, what else would you expect?

Twins Have Their Own Way Of Winning

2005-04-04T19:46:00.000-05:00

In a recent article on ESPN.com, Jayson Stark (who was my favorite ESPN writer long before this article) predicted that the Twins will win the World Series this year. Yes, our Minnesota Twins. This year. The article goes on to compare the Twins way of doing business to that of the almighty New York Yankees.

As far as the Twins chances for a World Series win, I would agree that there is a decent chance. They have the best pitcher in the game, a deep bullpen and one of the best young closers. They play better defense, position for position (with the obvious exception of Justin Morneau at first base) than any team in the league. If Morneau lives up to the hype and Torii Hunter and Jacque Jones leave the yard 25 times or so, the Twins could also put up some runs this year. Indeed, they will once again be a team that others will fear the prospect of playing against, most likely into October.

But it won't last long.

Remember the mid-90's? The team was nothing short of terrible. The superstars of today were earning their stripes in the minors or taking their lumps in the big leagues and the team was finishing down in the standings. Way down. Meanwhile, the Yankees were signing All-Star after All-Star with an unlimited budget. And they were winning.

The Twins have been nearly flawless with their business decisions lately. Terry Ryan has crafted a competitive team with timely trades and uncanny drafting. But even with perfection, a World Series has eluded them (Yes, I remember '87 and '91, but that was a completely different group). How much longer can we expect to see perfection with draft picks and trades?

Meanwhile, the Yankees continue to write the checks and go to the Series. Ron Gardenhire said it perfectly when he spoke about facing the Yankees.

"After you finish facing a three-time All-Star, now here comes a four-time All-Star off the bench to pinch-hit for a two-time All-Star. It's something to see, I'll tell you."

That's why the Yankees will continue to be better than the Twins. They can buy a better team than we can paste together. Do the Twins have a chance to beat New York and win the World Series this year? Yes. I would even say they have a pretty good chance.

But they better do it soon. Perfection won't last forever.

Comparing Restovich To Ortiz

2005-04-02T18:11:00.000-06:00

A couple days ago, the Twins waived Michael Restovich, opting to carry four catchers. First of all, this proves my belief all along that the Twins have been sugar-coating Joe Mauer's condition. If they really believed he was going to be able to catch there would be no reason to carry a fourth catcher. What I can't figure out is why the team has insisted on making Mauer's injury seem less serious than it is. Who cares if his knee is hurt? Obviously, no one wants that but the Twins receive no benefit for making his injury out to be less than it is. It's not going to help him rehab any quicker.

Secondly, I think the Twins are making a similar mistake with Restovich that they made with David Ortiz, although obviously on a different level. Ortiz was an average to good major league player for the Twins. He showed the ability to hit for power to all fields, drive in runs and, yes, strike out. But the Twins didn't feel the need to keep him. Now he's one of the best power hitters in the big leagues. He credits part of his success to an environment where he is encouraged to hit home runs rather than focusing on not striking out.

Restovich has suffered a similar fate during his tenure with the Twins organization. His mind, if not his swing, has been constantly meddled with. "We know you can hit home runs," the Twins basically said to him. "But we don't want that. Not if it means you're going to strike out too." Unfortunately, the Twins will be looking for a true power threat for a long time unless they change this attitude.

I think Restovich and Ortiz will also be similar in what happens to them after leaving the Twins. No, I'm not saying Resto will be an All-Star or hit 40 home runs this season. I am saying that when he gets a chance to get 500 at-bats a year--and it looks like it won't be with Tampa--he will be a solid major league player, presenting a valid power threat for some team. Ortiz went from average major leaguer to All-Star. Restovich will go from solid minor leaguer to solid big leaguer.

Yes, Terry Ryan, he will also strike out. But isn't that a trade-off you need to consider?

A Blind Ace

2005-03-31T11:12:00.000-06:00

Joel Ludvicek will go down as a legend in my book.

The Iowa native who got a hole in one a couple days ago isn't your typical golfer. Nor was this your typical hole-in-one.

First of all, and most amazingly, Ludvicek is legally blind. His vision is very blurry and he can't see things directly in front of him. How he even hit the golf ball is beyond me.

Secondly, this wasn't a 97-yard chip shot from the tee box. It was a legitimate 168-yard hole. In fact Ludvicek, who I'm guessing doesn't have a whole lot of strength left at 78 years old, had to use a driver to get it there.

Finally, when the ball rolled into the cup and his golfing partners told him about it, he didn't believe them because "they've said it before."

Forget the cruelty of a blind guy's golfing partners telling him he hit a hole in one when he hadn't, and just picture that moment. A blind guy hits the ball--a substantial feat in itself--it's well-struck and looks like it's on a good line. Then it lands on the green and drops into the hole. Three-fourths of the foursome erupts while the one who hit the ball is thinking the joke is starting to get old. But when he approaches the hole and looks in--not directly, of course--he
sees, barely, that he did in fact ace the hole.

If I was Joel Ludvicek, I would have walked off the course right then and there. I wouldn't play another hole of golf in my life. I would just go around telling people about my hole in one and watching them laugh. Then again, maybe I'd tee it up again and go for two in a row. With luck like that, you never know.

Twins Games Will Never Be The Same

2005-03-28T09:08:00.000-06:00

I bought my first Twins tickets of the year the other day. Shortly after the purchase, I heard of Bob Casey's death. It's odd how I didn't realize it until now, but Twins games and Bob Casey go hand in hand. They always have, since the beginning of the franchise. Now, things will feel a little different at the Metrodome.

Many people have been talking about Casey's famous lines. You know, "Nooooo smoking in the Metrodome. Noooooo smoking," as Kent Hrbek takes a fake puff and waves a little no-no. And of course, "Kirbeeeeeeeeeeeey Pucket!" But Casey's influence penetrated deeper than that.

Everything he said, from the starting line-ups to "the Twins are not responsible for thrown bats or batted balls" was said in Bob Casey's voice. Every syllable made it feel like a Twins game. His voice is the only one Twins fans have known.

Maybe Casey was preparing us for his departure. Lately, there haven't been many special name announcements. When Pucket, Knoblauch and Hrbek left, Casey seemed to tone things down a little. Now we don't have to worry about listening to a cheap imitation of his famous announcements, not that anyone could compare.

But that doesn't mean his absence won't be felt. In my mind, Bob Casey will always be the Twins public address announcer.

The Big Dance Comes Through Again

2005-03-27T20:48:00.000-06:00

After a couple chaotic weeks that dwindled the NCAA men's basketball field to four teams, two things occurred just as they always do this time of year, sure as the March snow storm in Minnesota. First, my picks were thrown in the trash well before the national championship game. And second, the tourney lived up to the hype yet again.

I personally consider March Madness the best athletic event of the year. Better than the Super Bowl, better than the World Series and a heck of a lot better than the NBA playoffs. Need proof? Look no further than this past weekend's games.

On Saturday, the tourney's biggest Cinderella squad, the West Virginia Mountaineers, held a 20-point lead over Louisville. Behind Kevin Pittsnogel's six 3-pointers and 25 points, the magical Mountaineers seemed poised to storm St. Louis. Then March Madness got them.

Louisville dominated the final 15 minutes of play, inching closer and closer before tying the game and sending it to overtime. With their best player fouled out and Taquan Dean hobbling around on one leg, the Cards completed the comeback and will advance to the Final Four.

Minutes later, it was Illinois creating the magic. After trailing by 15 late in the game to Arizona, Dee Brown, Luther Head and the Illini forced their game into an extra session as well. A last second Wildcat three pointer clanked off the backboard and Illinois' comeback was also complete.

Then Sunday, a pesky Wisconsin club that had no business being on the same court as North Carolina held tough throughout the entire 40 minutes. The game to come, Michigan State and Kentucky, proved to be the best of them all.

A three-point prayer hit the rim four times before falling in. Four times. That doesn't happen. If the ball hits the rim more than once, it always bounces out. But not for Patrick Sparks. And that toe that looked like it was on the line...nope. It took five minutes of nail-biting to get the word, but the word was overtime. Fighting that momentum, the Spartans emerged victorious, surprising the nation as a Final Four club.

Has there ever been a more exciting weekend in college basketball? Four games, four total overtimes. That's what I call Madness.

Big Ten Dominating The Big Dance

2005-03-26T13:39:00.000-06:00

The Big Ten conference isn't supposed to be any good this year. It's been top-heavy all season, with Illinois and everybody else. But in the only time of year that matters--March Madness--the Big Ten has dwarfed all other conferences by producing three of the final eight teams remaining.

That in itself is a big accomplishment for a conference in which only one team got any real publicity this season. But if the Big Ten can continue the run and propel all three remaining clubs into the Final Four, it would indeed be an accomplishment.

Having three teams in the Elite Eight isn't abnormal. Granted, the Big Ten is the last power conference most people would have chosen to pull it off this season, but the feat itself is fairly common. In 2003 it was the Big 12 and several other conferences did it prior to that. But three in the Final Four? Only once has that happened. No, Dick Vitale and the rest of the ESPN crew, it wasn't your all-powerful ACC. It was the Big East when Villanova, Georgetown and St. John's all got there 20 years ago.

In 2005, it's not about to happen. Illinois will enter their game favored over Arizona, and will probably win. But Wisconsin and Michigan State shouldn't even be where they are.

The Badgers are a 6-seed. They have advanced to the field of eight without pulling off an upset. They beat 11th seeded Northern Iowa, 13th seeded Bucknell and 10th seeded N.C. State. They have kept under the radar and sneaked into the Elite Eight, where their run will most likely end.

Michigan State had a similar path, with one glaring exception. The 5th seeded Spartans beat 12th seeded Old Dominion and 13th seeded Vermont before pulling off the second-biggest upset of the tourney (behind Kansas-Bucknell) with a win over Duke. When Michigan State, who has been in 5 of the last 7 Elite Eights, hits the month of March, anything can happen.

Best case scenario, the Big Ten has half the field in the Final Four. That would be a huge accomplishment for a conference thought to be so poor this year. But three out of the Final Four? That's out of the question.

Hirsch Proves His Point

2005-03-24T20:47:00.000-06:00

His coach called it "bizarre." I call it hilarious.

If you haven't seen footage of Gopher hockey player Tyler Hirsch slamming himself into the net after Minnesota's loss to Colorado College in the semifinals of the WCHA playoffs, you might want to hit up Google and find it. Coach Don Lucia was right about one thing: it's definitely bizarre.

Apparently, Lucia got in Hirsch's face at some point in a recent game and told him he wasn't going to the net hard enough. Lucia followed up his speech by benching Hirsch. After the game, the Gophers leading scorer decided to show his coach, and all the fans still packing the rafters, just how hard he can go to the net.

With the ice completely empty, Hirsch skated to center ice, handling a puck with his stick. Then he skated, full speed, toward the goal. About ten feet before reaching the net (still going full speed) Hirsch ripped off a slap shot, then catapulted himself into the net, dislodging it from the ice. Both Hirsch and the unsuspecting net tumbled to the ice.

That looked like it was all Hirsch had planned, but just before he reached the bench, he veered back to center ice and placed his stick down, Terrell Owens-like. Then, finally, he skated off the ice.

It was an astonishing display of...well, no one really knows what. But something. Something odd. Something strangely hockey. Something Canadian, if only Hirsch didn't hail from Faribault.

The 5'9'', 172-pound junior is back on the ice for Minnesota's practices now, but he's not yet cleared to play in games. I would expect, with the Gophers again well-positioned on the road to the Frozen Four, that Lucia will welcome his leading scorer back with open arms, after he lets him sit for a while longer to prove a point.

Obviously, Hirsch has already proven his.

Utah's Bogut Carries His Club

2005-03-23T09:09:00.000-06:00

Andrew Bogut is a 7-foot center for the sweet-16-bound Utah Utes. He looks a little gangly and uncoordinated. The first time I saw him play, I was reminded of Quasi Modo on steroids. But when you see him play, I guarantee you'll be floored.

Bogut owns the lane. With an enormous wing-span on top of his 7-foot frame, Bogut swats or alters any shot within eight feet of the basket. His rebounding ability--again, funny looking--is unparalleled in college basketball.

Offensively, Bogut is at his best. His low-post play is unstoppable, his passing crisp and his range surprising. In the first round of the NCAA tournament, the Australian poured in 24 points to go with 11 boards. The performance was enough to convince Oklahoma that they could beat Utah as long as Bogut didn't score. In response, Bogut scored just 10 points on a miniscule 7 shots, but killed the Sooners with 11 rebounds, seven assists and enough decoys to seal the win for Utah.

The argument--and it's a good one--is that Bogut is just one player and doesn't have a lot around him. If and when the Utes run into a team like North Carolina, Bogut will have to deal with several big men. Just like Iowa State's Jared Homan, he may be able to hang with any of them--and maybe be better than any of them--but teams like UNC have two or three big guys in at once.

The difference is that the Utes, unlike the Cyclones, will try to slow the pace. They will make it a half-court game in which Bogut can shine. He is bigger than any UNC post player and can handle several at once. The only thing that will stop the Utes is a fast-breaking team that can force Utah into a up-and-down game, basically eliminating Bogut from the equation.

If that doesn't happen, look for Utah to make a serious run toward the Final Four.

2005-03-22T19:51:00.000-06:00

Joe Siple

Is Bonds' Injury A Coincidence?

2005-03-22T13:58:00.000-06:00

I was shocked to read that Barry Bonds has said he might have to miss the entire '05 season. The guy is 52 home runs away from overtaking Hank Aaron as the all-time home run king. He launched 45 long balls last year, and it would have been a lot more if anyone would have pitched to him. Now he might not play? With a guy his age--who is no longer taking steroids--that could mean the end of his career.

Speaking of taking steroids, is it a coincidence that Bonds was astonishingly healthy throughout the later years of his career--in fact he put on pounds of raw muscle in his late 30's--but as soon as it becomes too dangerous for him to take steroids, he suddenly gets hurt?

Bonds said, "Right now I'm just going to try to rehab myself to get back to, I don't know, hopefully next season, hopefully the middle of the season. I don't know...I'm 40 years old, not 20, 30."

It was almost like a kid pouting. "No Jimmy, you're not allowed to have the king size candy bar. I'll buy you a regular size one." The kid replies, "No, if I can't have the big one, I don't want anything." Only here it's, "No Barry, you're not allowed to take steroids to help with your recovery." Barry's reply? "I'm 40 years old, not 20, 30."

Although I would never wish harm on anyone, there would be a certain sense of equalizing karma if Bonds' career was cut short due to this injury. In all likelihood, Bonds took steroids to enhance his performance and aid his physical recovery during a 162-game season. He then went on a tear with his power numbers and it looked like Aaron's record was all but broken. It was just a matter of time. Then, out of the blue, the steroid scandal hits. Amidst the controversy, Bonds was forced to stop taking the illegal drug. Coincidentally (maybe) he gets injured. Without the steroids his body has come to rely on, his recovery time is prolonged to the point that his career is essentially over, preventing him from breaking the record and saving us a huge asterisk debate.

It's just a theory, but it seems solid to me.

Silas Firing Continues A Bad Trend

2005-03-21T17:05:00.000-06:00

Paul Siras did everything you can ask of a coach. He made progress. He turned a loser into a winner. In exchange for doing that, he was given the same gift so many professional coaches are given these days: a pink slip.

Under Silas, the Cleveland Cavaliers started as the worst team in the NBA. Last year, they improved to 35 wins. The consistent improvement has continued this season and the Cavs have posted 34 wins already. They still have a good chance of making the playoffs. But the team hit a 3-9 slide recently, so Silas was canned.

The speculation is that Silas was fired partially as a way to keep LaBron James happy enough to stay in Cleveland. I would think consistent improvement, the chance to emerge as the game's most hyped superstar and a chance to make the playoffs this early in his career would be enough to keep James happy. Even if it isn't, Silas shouldn't be the sacrificial lamb.

I might sound like an old-schooler here, but there was a time when players played and coaches coached. In other words, players didn't run the organization. Now all a star player has to do is demand that his coach be fired, and it's done. As if that isn't bad enough, in this case, Silas wasn't fired because James publicly announced that he wanted him gone, he was canned because there was speculation that James might be unhappy with how things were going. That takes an unfortunate situation and makes it utterly ridiculous.

Players--especially 20-year-old players two years removed from high school--shouldn't be in charge of decisions such as who coaches the team. They are too flighty, irresponsible and immature. Still, teams give them more influence than coaches who have spent 60 years around the game. Something is wrong with that scenario. Maybe that's why the NBA is in such a sorry state.

Bracketbusters Abound

2005-03-20T08:40:00.000-06:00

As I updated my NCAA picks after the first day of second round games I realized, just as I do every year about this time, that I'm not going to win any money. I've thrown away fifteen perfectly good dollars. These dollars could have been spent on a movie, dinner or Twins tickets. Instead, I used them to get into three separate NCAA pools, thinking at least one of them would have enough correct picks to make the Sweet 16 exciting. Now I look back and, as always, perform the post-mortem.

In previous years, I had always entered just one pool. The logic was that I could cheer hard for those teams and not be torn over whether I want a team to win or lose, depending on the pool I'm looking at. This year, I decided the freedom to cheer hard came second to a chance at some winner's cash. Hence the three pools.

The problem is that I failed to realize that the stars had aligned just so, the ancient Greek gods had devised a plan against me and fate was sure to take it's course. No matter what.

In my first pool I took Gonzaga to make it to the Final Four. Did I really think they would make it? Not really. But I had two other pools where I would pick them to lose early.

Then there was Wake Forest. Making the mistake of listening to the "experts" on ESPN.com, I decided to make Wake Forest a Final Four team on a different pool. I knew the ESPN analysts give the ACC too much credit, but didn't act on that instinct.

Finally, there was Oklahoma. The Sooners, with Longar Longar coming off the bench and giving them a little local flavor, were tough to pick against. They're in the Big 12, they had been ranked most of the season. I had seen them destroy some tough opponents. So I made the jump. It's only one of three pools anyway. OU can be in the Final Four too.

Not only did these three teams all lose, they also managed to ruin each and every one of my pools. I couldn't have clustered them all together into one pool. Then I would still have two chances. No, I had to spread them out so they could infect all three.

I think I owe an apology to these schools, their players, coaches and fans. I cursed them. As soon as I put them down as winners, it was all over for them.

So I'm sorry Gonzaga, Wake Forest and Oklahoma. Next year I'll pick against you.

A Different Take On March Madness

2005-03-18T15:04:00.000-06:00

Your favorite player on your favorite team blows by his defender, slashes through the lane and dunks on a 7'0 center. They're only down by two possessions. They're coming back and they just grabbed the momentum...

Then a time out is taken by the opposing team.

Three minutes later, despite the interruption, your club steals an in-bounds pass, goes coast-to-coast and drills a three, cutting the deficit to a mere three points. They're really rolling now...

It's time for the "under seven-minutes break."

Suddenly, not only is the momentum completely sucked out of the players, coaches and fans for your team, but you're seriously considering popping in a movie to watch during all the time outs. What's the deal with all these time outs anyway?

Couple what feels like an unlimited amount of time outs given to each team with "TV time outs" several times each half and what you have is a painstaking test of patience. If there were anything else even remotely interesting on any other channel, CBS wouldn't be able to get away with it. As it is, there is nothing we can do but refill our snack tray and sit through each and every stoppage of play.

The problem here isn't television time outs. I understand that a station can't run an uninterrupted basketball game. This is the biggest money-maker CBS has and I expect them to milk it for all it's worth. The real issue is the allotment of time outs given to a team.

In basketball, a time out is typically only used for two reasons. First is to stop momentum, as in the example above. Second is to stop the clock late in the game with the hopes that a team can score, call time out, draw up a play, etc. No matter what the cause of the time out is, it's always annoying.

What would happen if each team was only given one time out per half? We would have a game with true momentum swings where the players on the court had to figure things out, not the coaches. We would have fewer frustrating interruptions for the fans. Players would have to be in better shape or substitute more often. Rather than the last minute being a frenzy, the last five minutes would be all-out drama.

In my opinion, we would have a better game.

Steroids In Baseball: Rampant and Obvious

2005-03-17T08:44:00.000-06:00

Have you seen a picture of Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire or Jose Canseco during the early stages of their careers? It's completely hilarious. They are stick-figures with skinny arms and legs pointing out from their uniforms. They don't even resemble their future selves. Those were the pre-juice days.

Today in Washington, several players will testify before congress regarding their use of steroids. Whether they talk or plead the fifth, we all know what went down.

Their appearance changed drastically. Several players around the big leagues put on 30-40 pounds of raw muscle over the course of a winter or two. Along with the improved appearance, their production spiked as well. In a previous column, I broke down Barry Bonds' power stats from when he was young and skinny compared to when he was old and ripped. The numbers (nearly twice as many home runs coming after the age of 31) speak for themselves.

But there are other things that suggest the presence of steroids. Major League Baseball's newest policy, which was supposed to be so tough on steroids, contains a provision that testing would be suspended immediately if the government conducts an independent investigation into drug use in baseball. Think they might have something to hide?

Also, according to the Boston Herald, MLB's political action committee contributed $216,788 to members of congress during the 2003-2004 election cycle. Those congressmen included a ranking Democrat on the committee investigating steroids in baseball. That, along with everything else, is quite a coincidence.

After all the players who have come clean and admitted guilt, it's foolish to believe steroids aren't prevalent in baseball. What that means (i.e. should some records have asterisks?) is a debate for another day.

13-18? Play On

2005-03-16T12:04:00.000-06:00

The Oakland Golden Grizzlies are living it up...for a short while. After starting the season 7-18, the Grizz have rattled off six consecutive wins. They came from nowhere to win their conference tourney and continued the roll by winning the first NCAA tournament game of the Madness. Oakland defeated Alabama A&M in the play-in game Tuesday night by a final score of 79-69.

Of course, no one knows this. The poor team qualifies for the tourney by fighting tooth-and-nail to earn an automatic bid, then they're told they don't even get in the real tourney. They're in the play-in game. That game isn't even on anyone's office pool, and that means you aren't really in the tournament. Of course, the team we should feel bad for is Alabama A&M. They were one-and-done before the real tourney even started.

Starting tomorrow, the Madness truly begins. Unfortunately, it also ends for the Grizzlies as they face top-seeded North Carolina. Adding insult to injury, the game will be played in Charlotte.

So let's hope the Grizzlies are enjoying themselves now. Or...maybe they'll continue their hot streak. After all, that's why they play the games, right? Maybe UNC will come in a little overconfident and the Grizz will pull off another upset. Then another. And another. This squad that played Division 2 until a few years ago could become the biggest Cinderella Story ever.

Maybe the Oakland Golden Grizzlies will make the Final Four. Maybe they'll win the national championship. Ever heard of a national champion with a final record just one game over .500? That would be the Grizzlies.

Then again, maybe not. But hopefully they won't be too embarrassed.

Minnesota vs. ISU...Pick The Cyclones

2005-03-15T22:00:00.000-06:00

If you listen to the local media, especially the crew up in the Twin Cities, you'll look at the game that pits the 8-seed vs. 9-seed in the Syracuse region and pick Minnesota without a second thought. If you're a "homer" who likes to pick your favorite teams so you can cheer wholeheartedly through the tournament, then go with the Gophs. But if you're a serious bracketologist, you might want to look a little deeper.

Let me admit here that I am an Iowa State alumnus and a Cyclone. I concede that, since college, I haven't been a big Gopher fan. I cheer for them most of the time but, truth be told, I'm a Cyclone. Still, the analysis I'm about to indulge in is as objective as I can make it. And that analysis tells me to pick the Cyclones.

When I've watched the Gophers play this season, they seemed to be a one-man team. The Gophers go as Vincent Grier goes. The junior scores 18 points per game, with Jeff Hagen being the only other player in double-digits with 11. Although Minnesota played Illinois pretty tough, the end of the game was nothing but giving the ball to Grier and letting him try to score. He didn't create offense and dish the ball off, he tried to score. Every time. That seems to be the trend for Minnesota. If the Cyclones shut down Vincent Grier, they shut down the Gophers.

ISU, on the other hand, has a few more weapons. There is no doubt that Curtis Stinson, at 17 points per game, is the leader of the team. But they have two other valid scoring threats in senior center Jared Homan (13 ppg) and sophomore guard Will Blalock (12.8 ppg). Also, freshman Tasheed Carr has made huge strides this season and is poised to have a big tourney. Not to mention the fact that the Cyclones are a defensive club.

Iowa State has also proven that they can play with anyone in the nation when they're hot. In one of those hot stretches from January 29th to February 19th, ISU won seven straight conference games including wins against #15 Oklahoma, #18 Texas, #23 Texas Tech and #2 Kansas. Two of those, including the Kansas game, were on the road.

The Gophers are 1-6 against ranked teams this season.

You make the call.

Iowa...The Basketball State

2005-03-14T10:22:00.000-06:00

Selection Sunday was quite a day for the state of Iowa. The day started with three bubble teams and ended with all three squads still alive in the final field of 65. Iowa State was thought to have the best chance. In fact their win over Baylor in the first round of the Big 12 tournament pretty much sealed the deal. After starting the conference season with five straight losses, the Cyclones rattled off seven straight conference wins, including four over ranked opponents. But still, you never know.

The Iowa Hawkeyes have been on the bubble for quite some time. The Hawks finished the Big Ten season three games behind Indiana, a team that didn't make the tournament. But they fought their way into the dance. Iowa ran off five wins in their last six games, including a narrow victory over 15th ranked Michigan State. Non-conference wins over ranked teams like Louisville and Texas punched their ticket. Still, a 10-seed was completely unexpected.

And then there's Northern Iowa. The team most of the country thinks is a Division 2 squad. And why not? The Panthers finished fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference. This club played only one ranked team all year, and lost. Still, they did win seven of their last 10 games, and somehow snatched an at-large bid, sneaking in as an 11-seed.

Iowa isn't the first place that comes to mind when thinking of the best basketball states in the nation, but maybe it deserves more respect. After all, here in Minnesota we have only one D-1 team, and they barely snuck in with some late-season wins. Our friends to the south have three D-1 teams and all sneaked in.

Minnesota's only opportunity to regain some respect will be to beat ISU on Friday morning. But that's not likely to happen. More on that tomorrow.

Sharper and Smoot Give Vikings Something New

2005-03-13T11:10:00.000-06:00

With the acquisitions of Fred Smoot and Darren Sharper, the Vikings will have something new: a defensive secondary. Not since the days of Joey Browner have we had any talent to speak of behind the linebackers. Now we do.

Fred Smoot, who had three picks and 56 solo tackles last season, is also going to be fun to listen to. Try this quote on for size. "Water covers 65% of the world. The other 35% is covered by Smoot." This guy is going to be fun.

And now Darren Sharper, who we've seen in action during his time with the Packers, joins the crew. No more Ken Irvin. No more Rushen Jones. And thank goodness, no more Ralph Brown.

Although each year in recent memory the Vikings have claimed to have a better defense, this time they're on to something. The Williams' will dominate the defensive line, allowing Udeze, Johnstone and Mixon to appear better than they are. Smoot, Sharper and Winfield will cover receivers like a blanket, or at least successfully take care of their assignments, making guys like Brian Williams and Willie Offord less vulnerable. As for the linebackers...well, we still have some issues there. Hopefully Napoleon Harris will make this core better, but the linebackers will still be our weak spot.

Still, two out of three segments of the defense are solid this year. Maybe even great. After so many years of an all-around terrible defense, I can live with that.

Two State Champs

2005-03-12T22:14:00.000-06:00

Watchmen Finally Win The Big One

Since Katie Ohm became a household name for Minnesota girls basketball fans during her freshman year, the Watchmen have been on the brink of a state championship. Today, they finally got it.

During that freshman season, Ohm was surrounded by other talented players like the Olstads as well as a 6'1'' center and an able point guard, both of whom were seniors. When they advanced to the state championship game that season, the question became, "Will anything less than a state championship be a disappointment." They answer, though guarded, was yes.

This year, they finally put it all together. No one else really stood a chance. With the addition of Abby Lindquist at the point guard position, the Watchmen had everything. A point guard to run the show, two star players in the Olstads, and a Division 1 superstar who, after coming so close so many times, had all the motivation in the world. When it came down to it, things happened just as we all expected: with Ohm scoring 22 points and willing her team to a state championship.

This area isn't likely to see another team quite like Elgin-Millville for a long time. They are a special group of girls and have been entertaining to watch.

Eagles Break Their Own Record

Seven state championships was a state record. Now make it eight. The Lourdes girls' dynasty continues to grow as Myron Glass' squad defeated Pequot Lakes for another title. They did it their way, with nothing fancy, swarming defense and a calm persistence that eventually helps them pull away from any opponent. They protected the ball better than any other girls state tournament team in Minnesota history, turning the ball over just two times the entire contest.

After hitting the locker room at halftime with a five point deficit, the Eagles--behind Anne Breland--came alive. Breland was held scoreless in the first half but exploded for 20 second half points and showed Lourdes the way to victory.

That's the mark of a true star. After being held scoreless for an entire half, it takes a special player to put that behind her and refocus. Breland did so admirably and her team is a state champion as a result.

Only one question remains. With Lourdes and Elgin-Millville having split during the season, which team is better?

Tice Story Is Overblown

2005-03-11T09:03:00.000-06:00

Mike Tice scalped Super Bowl tickets. The real question is, so what?

First of all, he did so as an assistant, not as head coach. Of course, that doesn't make it right, but at least when he was given the head coaching job he realized the position of authority and leadership he had been given and refrained from illegal acts.

Secondly, by all accounts this is a very common practice in the NFL. Again, it doesn't make it right, but why make one person the fall guy for something that is happening league-wide?

Finally, and most importantly, who cares? He scalped tickets? So what? Who among us wouldn't try to sell our tickets if we had some and couldn't make it to the game? What are you going to do, toss them in the garbage? No, you would sell them. Maybe you'd sell them cheap to a friend, maybe you'd put them up on E-Bay and see how much you could get for them. The point is, we would all do exactly what Tice did and scalp them.

True, this is on a bigger scale. It also might be true that Tice headed a scalping operation, which could be somewhat more serious. But in the end, he scalped some tickets. He didn't get arrested for sexual abuse, drunk driving, possession of drugs and weapons or beating a man after he was unconscious--all things his players have been arrested for. Tice illegally sold some tickets. So what.

Hopefully this will blow over and everyone will forget about it. Then we can get back to criticizing Tice for something deserved...like tossing red flags at the most baffling times.

Meyer vs. The Red Sox

2005-03-11T08:54:00.000-06:00

Troy Young of the Post Bulletin had an entertaining story in Thursday's paper about Rochester native Matt Meyer facing the Boston Red Sox. The Boston Red Sox! Well, not necessarily the starting line-up for opening day, but some big names nonetheless.

Meyer talks about his 1-2 curveball to Trot Nixon that was driven down the line. How cool is that? Nixon hit .315 last year in 48 games in the big leagues. For Meyer, who is a soft-spoken, modest left hander with impressive stuff, should wear this experience as a badge of honor.

Several college teams play against big league clubs because spring break trips to Florida often coincide with Spring Training. But to be able to say he faced the Red Sox the year after they broke the curse puts Meyer in some pretty elite company.

My congratulations to my old Royals teammate for facing the Bo-Sox...even if Trot was sitting on the bender.

Vikings Change Philosophy

2005-03-10T16:13:00.000-06:00

In a way, I have to hand it to the Minnesota Vikings. After years of doing things the wrong way, they seem to finally understand what it takes to win. Recently, the purple have been entertaining us with high-flying offensive attacks while throwing a defense onto the field that would struggle against a decent college squad. They have spent huge chunks of money on offensive playmakers while turning a blind eye to a defense that could never seem to improve, no matter how much they tried to tell us it would.

But now, things seem to be turning for the better. The Moss deal resulted in a solid linebacker--our weakest position last season by far. We also have a draft pick or two to use however we choose. But getting rid of Moss also opened some other doors related to the salary cap.

Under Red McCombs, the Vikings have never had to worry about the salary cap, but they have had some struggles in reaching the league minimum. Now that Moss and his salary are gone, Minnesota had no choice but to spend some money on free agents. Hence the acquisition of cornerback Fred Smoot.

Although saying the Vikings have "three very, very good corners," as Tice told the Associated Press, is a bit of an exaggeration, it's true that the Vikings have done well to recognize the need to pay real attention to its floundering defense.

Whether this perceived change in philosophy will pay off remains to be seen. But we have to feel good about the fact that they're changing something, and realizing the importance of a solid defense.

Oakland Illustrates The Beauty Of The Big Dance

2005-03-09T13:41:00.002-06:00

The Oakland Golden Grizzlies are in the NCAA tournament. Yep, the Division One tourney. The Big Dance. The same tournament Illinois, Duke and North Carolina will be playing in. And the Grizzlies lost more games than they won this year. Six more. In the Mid-Continent Conference. They won only nine regular season games.

Still, they're in.

I love it. This is exactly what makes March Madness such a huge draw for so many people across the country. We all want to see David take a shot at Goliath on national television. We all want to see that first 16-seed knock off the number-1-seed. And if it happens to be a team like Oakland--a team that wouldn't have been invited to play in my driveway tournament before upsetting top-seeded Oral Roberts Tuesday night--that would make it even sweeter.

It's not that anyone truly believes a team like this is going to run the table and win a national championship. But what if a couple players get hot? We'll hear all about these guys and who they are, where they're from. We'll cheer for them because they don't have a chance. Maybe they'll pull off the biggest upset in NCAA tournament history and defeat a 1-seed. It's been so close so many times. If and when it happens, what if that team feels a jolt of momentum and rattles off a couple more wins? What if there was a game between Oakland and Illinois; the winner goes to the Final Four?

That might be getting a little carried away, but you can count on this: someone will pick Oakland to win their first round game in their office pool. Someone will be calling in sick next Thursday or Friday to watch the game. He will perch on the edge of the couch, potato chips in one hand and a cold one in the other, and cheer his brains out, pulling for the Golden Grizzlies. Maybe it will be a game for the first half. Maybe it will come down to the final minute, or even the final second.

That is what March Madness is all about.

Cole Butler Will Be Missed

2005-03-08T11:29:00.002-06:00

When I heard the news of Cole Butler's death, I was immediately struck with a sense of sadness. Sadness for him and the future he will never know and for his family and close friends, who never could have prepared for something like this. It also made me think back to high school and the days when I knew Cole Butler.

In the fall of 1994, a tall, skinny ninth grader was brought up to play on the Lourdes varsity basketball team. He had a crooked smile and a good-natured sense that made it impossible to consider any sort of "freshman initiation." In an instant, Cole became a teammate.

He entertained us all during the two years that I was fortunate enough to play with him; with his high flying dunks as well as witty comments always appropriately placed during practice. He had an understanding of the boundaries of discipline, but thoroughly enjoyed himself within those boundaries. When I heard of his accident, one of my first thoughts was that he had lived the life he was given to the fullest.

It has been nearly ten years since I last saw Cole. It's amazing how time tends to slip away from you. I remember his flowing stride and intense eyes like it was yesterday. Although a lot of time has passed, I still remember what kind of person Cole Butler was.

I extend my sympathies to Cole's family and close friends. I hope you understand the impact Cole had on people. Even those ten years removed from his presence.

No More Illini Intimidation

2005-03-07T08:34:00.000-06:00

With a perfect 29-0 record, all Illinois had to do was win one more game. They would have breezed through the entire regular season with a perfect record; the first Big Ten team to do so in 29 years. They would have ridden that momentum through the Big Ten tourney, into the Big Dance and all the way to the Final Four. No one would have been able to touch them. They had size, speed, talent and intimidation. While they retain the first three qualities, the fourth has been severely tarnished.

Before Ohio State shocked the Illini with a 65-64 upset, Illinois was untouchable. Every team that tipped off against them was looking to do one thing: compete. Now the tides have turned for Bruce Webber's team. Suddenly teams aren't going to be hoping they can play with the best team in the nation for a while, they're going to want to beat them. What's worse for Illinois is that these teams are going to know that it's possible.

Some people are trying to use the cliched line about a late regular season loss being a good thing because it serves as a wake up call and let's the team know it has to continue to work hard. I don't buy it. The people who say that are people like ESPN's Pat Forde, who predicted a clean Illini sweep. Now that he has been proven wrong, he tries to cover his tracks by saying this is a good thing for them because "no team needs the burden of being unbeaten going into the NCAA tournament.

I guarantee that the Illinois squad, if it's being honest with itself, doesn't feel the same.

No team wants to lose. Especially a team that has rolled through the entire regular season without a blemish. These guys wanted nothing more than to finish the clean sweep and be compared to the best teams in NCAA history. But now? Now they don't even know if they'll be able to win the Big Ten tourney, much less the Big Dance.

The loss was good for Illinois? Maybe if you're a DePaul fan.

I Feel Your Pain, LHS

2005-03-06T08:16:00.000-06:00

This story has been told before. A talented and successful Lourdes boys basketball team enters the post-season as the favorite to get out of the section and represent our area in the state tournament only to be upset somewhere along the line. It's our own little curse. We never traded Babe Ruth. I've never heard legends of turning a goat away at the door. But our curse is real and alive.

I first learned of the curse when I was a freshman in high school. It would have been the '92-'93 season. Although I was primarily a B-squad player, I was fortunate enough to suit up for varsity games as well and play the closing seconds of the occasional blowout. Our team that season, with another conference championship to its name, was eliminated early in the playoffs. During my "we'll get 'em next year" thoughts, someone shouted, "I can't believe it happened again!"

Apparently this has been going on for a while, although I don't know enough to even give an estimate. But I can tell you that I did nothing to break the curse. My sophomore year we lost to a solid St. Charles team with names like Spud Stevens, J.B. Mathison and Justin Treptau. But we had entered as the favorites. My junior year we were again ousted prematurely but my senior year, we were confident. We had already beaten a talented Lake City team twice, including just days earlier in the HVL championship game-our third conference title in three years. But the Tigers, led by Lance Mienke, sneaked out of the Mayo Civic Auditorium with another upset of a Lourdes powerhouse.

Shortly after I left, a couple Lourdes teams were able to make the state tournament. And maybe that's good enough. Maybe that broke the curse. This year's squad wasn't really upset. They lost to a Dover-Eyota team with a better record. But maybe what Lourdes boys basketball really needs is a state championship. Maybe that's the only thing that will open the floodgates.

I'm confident it will come soon. Every other sport at Lourdes, from baseball to tennis and everything in between, has been off the charts. Soon, the boys basketball team will do what I and so many others were unable to do. They will win a state championship.

Then all that will be left to work on is the Lourdes football curse. But that's a story for another day.

Twins Secure Nathan

2005-03-05T08:35:00.000-06:00

Last season, Joe Nathan made his first appearance as a closer. For recognizing Nathan's talent, the Twins were rewarded with an All-Star performance. The hard throwing right hander converted 44 of 47 saves, including a team record 27 in a row. He posted a 1.62 E.R.A. and struck out 89 batters in 73 games.

Nathan will make $2 million this season, which is the final year of his current contract. Next year he will take home $3.75 million and $5.25 million the following season.

This is yet another example of Terry Ryan's tendency to secure his top pitchers and fill the field with solid defensive players. What these players are able to do at the plate is important, but down a ways on the list of prerequisites of being a Twin.

It's tough to argue with any of the moves Ryan has made recently. He wrapped up the Cy Young award winner and inked Juan Rincon to a two-year deal. We still have guys like Torii Hunter, Jacque Jones and Shannon Stewart. All this from a small-market club that hasn't allowed its general manager to increase spending in over two seasons.

Somehow Terry Ryan always makes it work. The Nathan signing is just one more in a long list of examples.

Not Kelly Campbell Too!

2005-03-04T20:05:00.000-06:00

I'm afraid it's true. Our favorite wide receiver with the little body and the big mouth succumbed to the behavior of his counterparts. On Thursday, February 24th, Campbell was arrested in Atlanta on a drug and weapons charge. He was freed after posting an $8,000 bond.

According to the Associated Press, Campbell was charged with "possession of marijuana and theft by receiving stolen property involving a handgun." The drug charge doesn't bother me too much. Granted, a person in his position should think twice before jeopardizing his standing by smoking pot. But it's tough to be too hard on a guy for smoking a drug that is as common in as tobacco in California and Canada as well as the NBA and NFL.

But the weapons charge is a different story. What does Kelly Campbell need a gun for? He's a professional football player. I don't think his life has been threatened recently and even if it had, purchasing a stolen gun probably isn't the way to go.

There really isn't a lot to say about this situation. Kelly Campbell was found with a handgun that was reported stolen in Florida. It's a disappointment. It changes how I think of the little guy. It makes it tough to cheer for him.

The Vikings crime resume continues. I suppose I should have seen it coming. We got rid of one criminal/receiver, I suppose someone had to step into a leadership role. I just wish it hadn't been Campbell.

Obesity Data Is A Joke

2005-03-03T10:50:00.000-06:00

The University of North Carolina has allowed endocrinologist Joyce Harp and student researcher Lindsay Hecht to make a joke of the university. Harp and Hecht recently released a study claiming that 56% of NFL players are obese. It is the most ridiculous and least scientific study I have ever seen.

The study considered one set of data: the height-to-weight ratio of NFL players. Then, because most NFL players are heavy for their height, these geniuses come to the conclusion they are obese. According to Foxsports.com, Harp and Hecht got their "statistics" off the NFL website, meaning they used height and weight and that's it. The NFL's response--and I applaud them for not sticking the word "idiot" after the response--was to suggest that the data is inaccurate or at least incomplete because it doesn't take into consideration the weight of muscle in these players.

NFL football players are a rare specimen. Sure, there are skinny guys like Randy Moss, and there are certainly fat guys, like Gilbert Brown. But the vast majority of these guys--even the linemen--are in amazing shape. It's part of what they do for a living. Even most linemen these days are not only big and strong, but athletic and muscular. A layer of fat over a lot of muscle on someone who can run a 40-yard dash in five seconds doesn't make him obese. It makes him bigger, stronger and in better shape than 90% of Americans.

I'm not claiming NFL players don't face health risks. They get beaten and bruised every week, use of untested supplements is rampant and there's no shortage of drug problems in the league. But obesity? You have to be kidding me.

I'm curious about the circumstances of this study. Without having any knowledge of the situation, I would guess it was for a Master's program of some sort. I was recently speaking with a friend of mine who has been a professor at Iowa State University for 30 years. He told me of a Master's thesis which came to the conclusion that if you are nicer to people, they will like you more. When put into thesis-speak, almost anything can be Master's worthy. My suspicion is that Ms. Hecht will earn a passing grade for this, too.

That doesn't change the fact that this is incomplete science. Either the percent of obese NFL players is more like 3%, or we need a new definition of obesity.

Lay Off Coach Chaney

2005-03-02T19:49:00.000-06:00

Temple men's basketball coach John Chaney is a 73-year-old man with a hot temper. That temper backfired on him last week when he sent a "goon" into a game against St. Joseph's. The hard foul that ensued resulted in a broken arm for John Bryant, a senior forward for St. Joe's.

Since the incident, Chaney and Temple University have been volleying suspensions. First Chaney voluntarily suspended himself for a game. When the extent of Bryant's injury became known, the university extended it through the rest of the regular season. Then Chaney added the conference tournament on top of that. Along with his self-imposed suspension, Chaney has apologized profusely. He has offered to pay for Bryant's medical bills and called the family to apologize. Still, people insist on making an example out of him.

To pretend things like this don't happen routinely in big time college basketball is ridiculous. Chaney simply had the misfortune of his actions resulting in an injury. Without condoning what he did, I appreciate his apologies and feel confident he has learned from it.

Chaney is well known for his ability to take kids off the street and turn them into respectable, educated citizens who contribute to society. He is a Hall of Fame-type coach with 721 career wins and has acted with complete class since the incident. There is nothing he can do now but wait and see what the university decides to do with him.

With scandals of all shapes and sizes rampant in collegiate sports, we shouldn't demand a school dismiss someone who has done so much good--and will continue to do more--because of one mistake. Let's all just ease off Coach Chaney a little bit.

He made a mistake, it's true. But he doesn't deserve to be fired for it.

Restovich's Year

2005-03-01T11:08:00.000-06:00

The 2005 major league baseball season will be the year of Michael Restovich's arrival. After spending every season since 1997 in the minor leagues, the 2nd round draft pick will finally land in the big leagues, and stick.

It has gone from an exciting trip to a long haul for the Rochester native. After flying up the farm system ladder early in his professional career, Restovich has run into a wall over the last few years. Outfielders like Torii Hunter, Jacque Jones, Shannon Stewart and Lew Ford will do that to a guy. But now the Twins will be forced to make a decision. Either Resto has to be put on the big league roster out of spring training, or another team will surely pick him up off the waiver wire.

During the past few seasons, the numbers make it appear that Restovich has plateaued a bit. Last year's major league stints produced a .255 batting average and two home runs in 29 games and his AAA numbers weren't anything mind blowing. He has always had impressive power numbers, but his overall stats have, if anything, taken a slide.

I think Ron Gardenhire hit it right on the head when he said of Restovich in AAA, "You get stuck down there...Maybe he should be in the big leagues. Maybe he'd do better in the big leagues." When you have a guy who can hit the ball "408,000 miles," according to Gardenhire, it seems like you'd want to give him a consistent shot.

Last season, Resto had to deal with being called up and sent back down. He would start to get into a groove in AAA, then be called up and play sparingly for the big club. Then he'd be sent back down and the process would start all over. But not this year.

I don't know where Resto will be. I have a feeling it won't be in Minnesota. But, professionally, I think that would be the best thing for him. Here, he'll be our 4th outfielder. He'll play once in a while and never get into the kind of groove that will help him fulfill his potential. But there are plenty of teams out there that could use him not as a 4th outfielder, but as a regular 3rd. Somewhere, he'll get 500 at-bats this season. He'll hit 20 home runs and chalk up 75 RBI. This will be the year of Michael Restovich's emergence.

The other option is that he stays here as the 4th outfielder. For his sake, I hope he leaves.

Mulholland's Love For The Game

2005-02-28T15:01:00.000-06:00

In today's Minneapolis Star Tribune, an article on Twins pitcher Terry Mulholland renewed my faith in professional ball players. The southpaw is already over 40-years-old and has always had every intention of pitching until he is 45. But lately, that's changed. He doesn't think he'll be ready to retire that young. He'd rather throw until he's 50.

Mulholland's comments paint the picture of a man who refuses to get caught up in the fact that he is a professional baseball player. He never mentions money, looks forward to the season and spends extra time at the ball park and in the clubhouse because--get this--he wants to. He realizes that he's been given a gift. He is a major league baseball player, and he doesn't want to let a minute slip by without savoring it. He keeps his wit and sense of humor readily available because, well why not? What's not to be excited about when you're in his shoes?

Mulholland isn't going to blow anyone away with his fastball. He couldn't do that when he was 22, much less 42. But there will always be a spot in the bullpen for a crafty, veteran lefty who can perform in a situational role.

I'll take Terry Mulholland on my team any day. Or at least until he turns 50.

Century Hockey Breaks Through

2005-02-26T09:03:00.000-06:00

The school has only been around since the mid-90's, but Rochester Century's athletic program has already made its mark on the state and even national scene. Track and field and cross country were amoung the first sports in which the Panthers excelled. Then came a baseball team that won the state tournament and, with a little help from a couple Lourdes players, the American Legion World Series. The football team is a Big 9 threat and now, the boys hockey team has finally broken through.

The team has been solid for years. You don't get to four straight section championship games with average talent. But each time, whether it was Austin or Lakeville, the Panthers came up short. Having seen each of the last four defeats, I can only imagine the sense of relief coach Bruce Frutiger had when the clock hit zero. Relief for himself, to be sure. But in my time dealing with Coach Frutiger I learned that he is the type of coach who is happy most of all for his players.

Century will face Moorhead in the first round of the state tournament on Thursday. If this group of kids is anything like the Panthers baseball team from a few years back, playing on the big stage won't even faze them.

I, for one, can't wait.

Another Injury Plagued Season?

2005-02-25T18:38:00.000-06:00

Spring Training is just underway and already, the Twins are dealing with a common foe: injuries. So far this year, the plague has focused its attention on the pitching staff. Grant Balfour had a minor forearm problem, Jessie Crain tweaked a hamstring and Terry Mulholland went down for a few days with bronchitis. But other players aren't immune. Infielder Nick Punto, who will battle for the starting shortstop position, went down with a strained back on Tuesday.

Granted, none of these is serious. Unless they become worse, these conditions will be forgotten about by the time the Twins open their season. But one can't help but be reminded of how injury plagued the Twins have been over the past three seasons.

Joe Mauer, Cory Koskie, does anyone remember what Joe Mays looks like in uniform? The Twins haven't had an easy time of it over the past few years, but they seem to fight through. The last three seasons, all of which have seen the Twins injury ridden, have all resulted in Division Championships.

So bring on the injuries. Fate can throw whatever it wants at this team. They won't be phased and, unlike their counterparts from Chicago, they won't use injuries as an excuse. The Twins will fight through. They will make it four in a row, regardless of who gets injured.

A Brilliant Move For The Vikings

2005-02-24T15:07:00.000-06:00

Finally...no more Randy Moss.

According to Moss' agent, the troubled superstar will be out of our hair, causing problems for the Oakland Raiders this fall instead of the Vikings. We can move on. We can field a team. With Moss gone, we can even compete for a Super Bowl.

Nothing But Trouble

No one can doubt Moss' ability. He's not the "super freak" for nothing. He does things on the football field that others only dream of, and his stats show it. He's the only receiver in the history of the game to start his career with six 1,000-yard seasons. He's approaching the 100 touchdown mark and 10,000 receiving yards after just seven seasons. Every defensive back in the league knows he's overmatched when Moss lines up across from him.

Still, I've never been so excited about my home team losing a player.

His misbehavior has been well documented. What hasn't been considered is the escalation of his misbehavior. It started in 1999 with his first fine for yelling at an official. The next season he upgraded to squirting an official with water. Later the same year, he was fined for touching an official. Mix in some taunting, yelling at innocent sponsors and a little mooning here and there (which, in fairness, was harmless), and you have a nice resume of wrong doing. Not to mention his little run-in with the traffic cop, which was his most serious offense by far.

Moss believes he is above the law. In many respects, he is. But it won't be long before he takes it too far. Minnesota was the best place for him. It's relatively calm, the fans are understanding and for the most part he could stay out of trouble. Oakland will be little more than a trap. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in Jamal Lewis' position sometime soon: trying to negotiate jail-time around the football season.

An Overrated Asset

Not only is Moss trouble, he's also not as big of an asset on the football field as most people automatically assume. I acknowledge his stats, but the lack of winning he so readily blames on others can be tracked right back to him.

Who else on the team takes plays off, much less defiantly admits to it? Who else gets in Daunte's face in the middle of a game, demanding the ball? Who else leaves the field while the game is still being played? Who else has such little respect for his teammates that he won't accept responsibility for his role in the losing and watches silently while his quarterback willingly carries the blame by himself? This line of questioning could go on for days.

Not only are the Vikings going to benefit from Moss' departure, they will also be better because of what they get in return. Napoleon Harris is a young linebacker with speed, decent size and sure tackling ability. He proved what he is capable of during the 2003 season, when he racked up 109 tackles, 79 of them solos. Harris will help fill the void we have at the linebacker position while Kevin Williams and Kenechi Udeze lead an improving defensive line. If Antoine Winfield stays healthy and the secondary holds its own, the defense could be okay. Along with Harris, the Vikings will reportedly received the seventh pick overall in this year's draft. They could either draft another linebacker or a defensive back, or they could opt to fill Moss' roll on the team with someone like Michigan's Braylon Edwards.

This team could be good. This team really could become a winner. And it's all because they got smart and got rid of Randy Moss.

No Sympathy For Bonds

2005-02-23T16:30:00.000-06:00

I almost went crazy today. A close friend of mine and I were having lunch while we watched Barry Bonds' press conference. Somehow, we convinced ourselves that we should feel some sympathy for Bonds. After all, he shouldn't have to allow the media into his personal life. His family should be able to stay out of the spotlight. He might not be the most polite fellow in the world, but at least he shows up for the interviews.

What in the world were we thinking?

Bonds has proven two things over his 19-year career. He can hit the crap out of the baseball and he is a punk.

Make that three things: he has also used steroids.

These days, Bonds doesn't even deny it anymore. He just sidesteps the question. For example, when asked directly whether he has used illegal substances, Bonds replied, "You repeat those things to children and then eventually they tell you. I don't."

Is that a denial?

How about this one. When asked if he thinks using steroids is cheating, Bonds fires back with, "I don't know what cheating is. I don't believe steroids can help your hand-eye coordination, technically hit a baseball."

Thanks for clearing that one up, Barry.

Another batch of evidence can be found in his statistics. In his first 10 years as a major leaguer, Bonds hit 292 home runs. In his last 9 seasons, he has hit 411. You would expect a player's greatest output to be during his physical prime. Especially a home run hitter. We're not talking about a marathoner here. I guess there's still hope for me. I could still hit 500 major league home runs. I just need some juice.

We all wanted to love Barry Bonds. We all wanted to cheer for him and tell our kids one day that we saw the greatest player ever. But instead, we'll tell them we had to put up with him. He's a modern day Ty Cobb. The days where he had a chance to be loved by the fans are long gone.

How Is Mauer's Knee Really Doing?

2005-02-22T15:45:00.000-06:00

He was picked first in the draft, ahead of Mark Prior. He signed for millions. An All-Star was traded to make room for him. He was named starting catcher as a 20-year old kid--and succeeded. He's soft-spoken, well respected and has a bright future in the game. Only one thing has been able to hold Joe Mauer back: his left knee.

During the second game of last season, a seemingly harmless slide on the warning track behind home plate resulted in torn medial meniscus cartilage and sidelined Mauer for the majority of the season. Throughout the year, Twins officials insisted Mauer was close to being ready. When he was playing, they insisted he was feeling fine. But he went back on the disabled list and stayed there. Now he's said to be healthy, but I have my doubts.

If Mauer played any other position this wouldn't be an issue. People hurt themselves all the time and come back 100% as good as they were before the injury. But a catcher hurting his knee is completely different. The wear and tear on a catcher's knees is no secret. Countless catchers have started out with healthy knees, only to be forced to hang up their spikes when they went bad. It would make sense that the wear and tear on something that was once torn would be more destructive than on something that starts out healthy.

For that reason, I wonder how long Joe Mauer will be a catcher in the big leagues. I have no doubt that he will succeed somewhere, and possible behind the plate...to begin with. But don't be surprised if somewhere along the line--and before too long--the Twins make the announcement: Joe Mauer's knee won't allow him to catch any longer, but he will be starting for us somewhere else in the field.

I hope I'm wrong. I hope Mauer's youth will be an asset in the healing process and the knee won't be affected for years to come. I would love to see him behind the dish for the next decade. I wish him nothing but the best.

I'm just not convinced about the health of his left knee.

NBA All-Star "Display"

2005-02-21T10:11:00.000-06:00

The NBA All-Star game shouldn't be classified as a game at all. It's similar to the NFL Pro Bowl in that defense is rarely if ever implemented, the atmosphere is closer to that of a party than a contest and players have free reign to break the rules of the game in order to appear as athletic as possible. One thing is for sure: the display of talent during the NBA All-Star game more closely resembles street ball than NBA basketball.

This is a league infamous for allowing players to routinely get away with violations that used to be called traveling, carrying the ball and fouling. And even by those standards, the All-Star game is out of hand.

Despite my questioning tone, I agree with the NBA's loose interpretation of some of the rules. The majority of the leeway given to players involves ball handling: the traveling and carrying oversights. These help players do more while dribbling the ball. The days of keeping your hand on the top of the ball when you dribble and only taking two steps without dribbling are long gone, and that makes the game more fun to watch.

But the All-Star game? I could do without that. I don't have any desire to watch Shaq dance or check out the different skits the guys come up with for the slam dunk contest. It also wouldn't bother me to miss a bunch of cherry pickers hanging back during the game to see if they can get a break-away dunk. Believe it or not, there is a lot of suspense in a jump-shot. I wouldn't mind seeing one once in a while.

The NBA All-Star game, while potentially entertaining, illustrates the reason so many people prefer college basketball to the NBA. College features players giving some effort for a full game. It is based on the best team rather than a collection of individuals. It's not so much a production as it is a game. The NBA can say none of these things, and the All-Star game is a perfect illustration of that.

Cyclones Are For Real

2005-02-20T10:00:00.000-06:00

I'm not just an over zealous alumnus when I say that the Iowa State men's basketball team will not only make the NCAA tournament, they will also make some noise there. Yesterday's 63-61 overtime upset of second-ranked Kansas is the game that put the Clones in the national spotlight, but this team didn't come out of nowhere.

After starting a dismal 0-5 in the Big 12 conference, Coach Wayne Morgan's team performed a complete 180. First came Oklahoma, a confident, ranked team that entered Hilton Coliseum fully expecting to destroy ISU. But the Cyclones came away with the upset on their home court, and the tides had been turned.

Baylor, Texas, Nebraska, Texas Tech, Kansas State and Kansas all followed. Anyone who was in Iowa State's path was removed. They have now won 7 straight conference games and have beaten four ranked teams in a row in less than a month.

This is a team the selection committee will fall in love with. A run like that late in the season will be good enough to give the Cyclones not only a berth in the Big Dance, but a decent seed. And then watch out. Anything can happen with this team. They proved that yesterday in Lawrence, Kansas.

Wolves Could Make A Run With Kidd

2005-02-18T10:28:00.000-06:00

Jason Kidd wants to play with Kevin Garnett, and who can blame him. The Timberwolves want Jason Kidd, and who can blame them?

If a trade can be pulled off before the trade deadline, now less than a week away, Minnesota would have a chance to make a run at the playoffs. And with guys like K.G., Szczerbiak, Cassell and Spree along with a healthy Jason Kidd, the Wolves wouldn't be a pushover for anyone in the post season.

Maybe this is the spark the Wolves need. They need a winner. Someone who has been on successful teams that have advanced farther than the Wolves ever have. Someone who has led those teams. Maybe this is the action that should have been taken all along, rather than firing Flip Saunders.

A trade could also backfire. Kidd had knee surgery in July and didn't practice until December. He's not 23 anymore, he'll be 32 next month. His legs aren't what they used to be, but his game is. His vision, motivated play and experience could be just what the Wolves need in order to sneak into the playoffs. From there, who knows? The door is wide open.

Let's just hope it all goes down before the deadline. The clock is ticking.

Bettman Doesn't Deserve All The Blame

2005-02-17T16:44:00.000-06:00

As far as the NHL is concerned, the buck stops at Gary Bettman. When it comes down to it, he is the one man who could have conceded some things and allowed at least some of an NHL hockey season to be played. He locked out the players. He made the final decision to cancel the season. But he doesn't deserve all the blame, or even most of it.

That burden belongs to the players and their decision not to accept the $42.5 million salary cap for each team.

It's not hard to see why they turned down the league's final offer. They see teams in the NBA, NFL and Major League Baseball in which two or three players make up $42.5 million each season. They are the fourth "major" sport. They think they deserve the same treatment. But they're wrong.

The numbers just don't add up. The "big three" have a wider fan base and, most importantly, far superior television contracts. They have more money to give. Their teams actually make money, while far too many NHL teams lose money. I hate the fact that rich businessmen run today's sports leagues as much as anyone else, but you can't expect to make a ridiculous amount of money from your employer if the league is losing money.

The gap between the numbers the players' association quotes and the numbers the league quotes resembles the Grand Canyon. But one thing is certain: the NHL isn't in position to pay it's players anywhere near the kind of money being earned in basketball, baseball and football.

I'm sure the players' association understands this. They are privy to a lot more information than I am. But pride is getting in the way. Why do I say that? Because of their final rejection.

At the last moment, the two sides both conceded some things and the gap--which was too big to even define during the entire conflict--was suddenly the very tangible number of $6.5 million. The league pitched a "take it or leave it" offer of a $42.5 million salary cap. Instead of accepting the offer like they should have, the players' association countered with $49 million. Evidently, they didn't understand the phrase "take it or leave it."

Do I like Gary Bettman right now? No. Do I condone the way he ignored the players' final counter-offer? No. But he isn't the only one to blame here.

Winter in Minnesota is a lot colder without the Wild playing on their frozen pond. But it's time to forget about it. The season is dead. Spring is almost here.

Another Hockey Deadline Approaches

2005-02-16T10:46:00.000-06:00

As I write this, it is approaching 11:00 central standard time. The newest deadline for the NHL season is noon. A press conference is scheduled in which the league will either announce the deal they have struck with the players association or, more likely, announce that the NHL will become the first major sport to lose an entire season to a lock-out.

The poker game that has taken place over the past seven years has been infuriating for hockey fans to watch. The league has been getting ready for this lock-out since 1998. I was shocked a few years back when I heard that the NHL was in danger of losing a season...three years down the road. With three years to work out a deal how could a season be in jeopardy?

The poker game continued for a couple years. Finally, after last year's Stanley Cup Finals, everyone knew they wouldn't be seeing a hockey game for quite some time.

Recently, the player's association accepted the idea of a salary cap for the first time. Why did it take until Tuesday for this to happen? If it had happened months ago, or even years ago, we wouldn't have missed 834 games and counting. But each side decided their cause was more important than playing hockey. So this is what we get.

The most recent numbers aren't that far away. The league is offering a salary cap of $42.5 million while the players refuse to go below $49 million. Given more time, the two sides would surely come to an agreement. But the seven years are over, and Tuesday was too late to start negotiating.

The announcement will come in exactly one hour. I'm not keeping my fingers crossed. But I would hope that, when dealing with numbers of this magnitude, $6.5 million won't spell the end of the hockey season. Of course, knowing the NHL, they could always impose another deadline.

McCombs Hits The Jackpot

2005-02-15T15:38:00.003-06:00

After three years of trying, it appears Red McCombs will finally get rid of the Vikings. His frustration at the unwillingness of Minnesota to build him a stadium pushed him off the edge and McCombes decided he wanted nothing to do with the purple. He would sneak by, paying his players and coaches as little as possible, until someone stepped up and offered his asking price for the organization. Now someone has, and McCombs will be free of it. He'll also be a lot wealthier.

Reggie Fowler, an Arizona businessman who spent a short time playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, will be the new Vikings owner. Fowler will become the first black owner in NFL history, increasing the Vikings tendency toward diversity. In the past seven years, we have had a black coach, two black starting quarterbacks and now the first black owner. But the transaction won't come cheap for Fowler.

The price tag on the Vikings is listed around $625 million. Last fall the franchise was estimated to be worth $604 million. Evidently Red McCombs didn't become rich by accident. He just made $375 million in seven years. And that's just in appreciation.

In the end, everyone gets what they want. Red gets a ton of money. The Vikings get rid of an absentee owner who wouldn't put his profits back into the organization. Fowler gets a shot at owning a successful NFL franchise. Everyone walks away with a smile. No one more so than a certain Texas businessman, who we'll likely never hear from again.

Flipped To The Curb

2005-02-14T08:26:00.000-06:00

Flip Saunders continually improved as head coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves. His teams with average talent did an average job: they made it to the first round of the playoffs before being eliminated by superior teams. As much as Minnesota fans griped about never making it past the first round, we have to admit, matching up with world champions every year makes it pretty tough to sneak into the second round of post season play.

When the Wolves finally went out and got some real talent to go along with K.G, Flip led them to the first Western Conference Championship in franchise history. What more can you expect from a coach in the NBA?

This year, Saunders and the Wolves have struggled. They are below .500 and have lost 21 out of their last 33 games. But in a league like the NBA, how much of that can be blamed on the coach? When Latrell Sprewell complains because his latest multi-million dollar contract isn't enough to feed his family, Troy Hudson spouts off because he isn't starting and Michael Olowokandi is busy getting arrested, how is a coach supposed to turn things around?

Kevin McHale said the Wolves were "just not playing at a level that's acceptable, energy-wise." I don't think he was referring to Flip's energy level on the bench. He was talking about the players. Can we really expect a coach to give a Vince Lombardi-style pep talk before each of the 82 regular season games? Can't athletes get themselves ready to play so the coaches can focus on coaching?

This firing wasn't about Flip Saunders and the job he was doing. It was about the players. By not putting forth the effort for which they are being paid, they got their coach fired. This was simply a "mix-up." Any time a professional team goes through a slump like this, management feels the need to mix things up, to try to stir up some emotion that might result in energy on the court.

It's pathetic that it has come to this, but it's certainly not new. Flip is the latest in a long line of coaches who didn't necessarily fail, but fell victim to a managerial need to "mix things up."

What's A Guy To Do Without Football?

2005-02-13T17:46:00.000-06:00

First there was training camp, where we met Udeze, Winfield and Broc. Then a 17-week season followed by the playoffs, which were pretty entertaining since we were lucky enough to have a home team playing for a couple weeks. It culminated with last week's Super Bowl which, after a boring first quarter, turned into an entertaining contest.

But what now?

Football is over, not to be seen from again until August (the Pro Bowl isn't a real game, it's a glorified scrimmage). The NHL has officially cancelled a season that never started. The NBA players don't start trying for another couple months and we all know that NASCAR isn't a sport.

So what now? I think we turn our attention to the "lower level" sports, which are often more entertaining anyway. College basketball and even hockey are getting warmed up. High school sports are in full swing and could provide some drama in the coming months. In fact, it might be good to have a break from professional sports for a while, especially with the way the Timberwolves are playing.

So kick back and do some research on NCAA hoops. If this down time is well spent, you could be the pride of your office come March Madness.

Twins Ripped Off By Lohse

2005-02-12T13:36:00.000-06:00

Starting pitcher Kyle Lohse won his arbitration hearing against the Twins on Friday, meaning he will make $2.4 million this season. It was the first arbitration case of the year in major league baseball and things couldn't have gotten off to a worse start. Lohse, who made $395,000 last season, doesn't deserve even a quarter of the money he will make this year.

What kind of magical season did Lohse have last year to deserve a pay raise of more than $2 million? He lost four more games than he won, had an inflated E.R.A that was well above 5 and became one of the least reliable pitchers on the staff. And that gets him a $2 million raise?

Even the Twins counter offer to Lohse's $2.4 million request was ridiculous. They were willing to give him $2.15 million. As if that isn't baffling enough, Lohse says no! Then he feels so strongly that his 9-13 season of a year ago should earn him a raise of two million instead of $1.75 million that he becomes just the third Twins player since 1999 to ride things out to an actual hearing.

In my book, a losing record shouldn't get you a $2 million raise, it should get you a pay cut. If you perform, you get a raise, if you do poorly, you don't make as much money. That's just the way of the world. Somehow, Kyle Lohse got around it.

To illustrate how much the arbitrators know, consider this. Last year, Johan Santana had an arbitration hearing against the Twins. He lost and became the A.L. Cy Young winner while making just $1.6 million. In other words, we're going to pay a guy who went 9-13 last year $800,000 more than what the league's best pitcher made last year.

Congrats, Kyle Lohse. You just ripped off your club.

Contraction Is NHL's Best Option

2005-02-11T12:30:00.000-06:00

A few years ago, "contraction" became a swear word in Minnesota and surrounding states. When Bud Selig put the Twins on the chopping block, we were outraged. And we should have been. But the NHL is not Major League Baseball and for hockey, contraction is the only option.

From 1990-2000, the NHL expanded from 21 teams to 30. Several of those were in southern states. The NHL misread the possibility down south and is paying for it now. ESPN.com reports that "at least 10 teams stand to lose money when their local revenues (ticket sales and broadcast sales) and their share of meager league-wide national revenues are stacked up against payrolls above $30 million, especially in a lockout-depressed environment." Included in that list of teams are Atlanta, Carolina, Florida, Nashville and Phoenix. Every one of these teams was a southern experiment that didn't pan out. It's time to get rid of them. It's time to realize that hockey is a regional sport. Rather than expanding to the southern United States, it would make sense to expand north, further into Canada where the sport is popular.

Even some teams in the Midwest need to go. The Chicago Blackhawks are the worst franchise in professional sports and Columbus loses money every season. Those two teams, and every franchise to the south, should be contracted or moved north. Michael Leeds, a sports economics professor at Temple University, tells ESPN.com, "...since (the hockey fan) is a casual fan instead of a die-hard fan..." Leeds may be an expert in the economics of sports, but he evidently knows nothing about its fans.

Hockey's fan base is more "die-hard" than any other sport. The problem the NHL is running into is that it's also a regional sport. If kids can't grow up playing it on the outdoor ponds and rinks, it just doesn't catch on. It's like putting a professional surfing team in Minnesota. Hockey fans in the northern U.S. and Canada are die-hard. The NHL just needs to put the teams where the fans are. If they do that, salary-cap issues may still hang around, but they won't cancel an entire season.

Did Iowa Wait Too Long? (Follow-Up To 2/3 Column)

2005-02-10T10:24:00.000-06:00

As the facts continue to come out, it looks more and more like the University of Iowa athletic department not only didn't jump the gun by kicking Pierre Pierce off the team, they may have actually waited too long.

Yesterday, the Hawkeyes leading scorer was charged with six crimes stemming from an incident at his former girlfriend's apartment on the night of January 27th. According to the Des Moines Register, police say a fight "turned into a night of assault, vandalism, intimidation and sexual threat." If convicted on all accounts, Pierce faces up to 32 years in prison. The most serious crime is first-degree felony burglary.

It's always easy to second guess after something like this takes place, but as time continues to pass, it continues to look like Pierce had no business being on the Hawkeyes team to begin the season. In 2002, he was charged with third-degree sexual abuse. He pled guilty to assault causing injury, served a year of probation and worked 200 hours of community service. He was allowed to stay in school because he received a deferred judgment.

I can see letting him stay in school. The best way to help someone get away from a life of crime is to educate him, to give him opportunity to become something more so he doesn't feel the need to be a criminal. But letting him stay on the basketball team wasn't going to help anything, with the possible exception of the Hawkeye basketball team.

Letting someone with criminal tendencies remain in that kind of an environment--where he is praised by thousands, allowed to get away with things average students couldn't and generally made to feel superior over others--only enhances his predisposition to crime. Although Pierce obviously needs to be held responsible for his actions, the university should feel a certain degree of guilt. They set Pierce up for this latest crime spree by allowing him to remain on the basketball team. No one is guilty but Pierce, but it may not have happened if he had been kicked off two years ago.

Wolves' Struggles Continue

2005-02-09T10:34:00.000-06:00

I never thought this day would come. Throughout the Timberwolves struggles, throughout their childishness, I never doubted they would pull out of their funk and once again become the team they were a year ago. Now, after falling 108-96 in Memphis last night for their sixth consecutive defeat, I've finally lost hope in my Wolves.

With the season nearing the home stretch, Minnesota has fallen below .500 for the first time since early last season. What's the problem? We have basically the same players, except Troy Hudson and Wally Szczerbiak are healthy. Logically, that should result in an even better team than the one that made it to the Western Conference Finals last season. Unfortunately for the Wolves, things just aren't clicking with the line-up they have out there.

This scenario is a perfect lesson in team dynamics. The United States olympic team learned that lesson in Athens last year as well. The best collection of players don't always win. After all the individual highlights and accomplishments of the group of All-Stars fade away, the best team will come out on top in the end.

As odd as it sounds, we might have too much talent. Too much talent on its own is never a problem. Obviously, everyone in the league would kill for that kind of talent. But when talent is mixed with ego, suddenly there's no room for everyone on the court. Someone's not getting his shots. Someone's not handling the ball enough. Especially in the NBA, it's difficult to appease your team's talent enough to field a winning team. Rarely, a coach can find the right mix of players. A mix that combines talent with a team attitude and an unselfishness that fuels a winning team. The Timberwolves don't have that.

Until they find that mix, prepare yourself for more of the same.

Nothing But A 'Roid Rage?

2005-02-08T13:09:00.000-06:00

Jose Canseco's book, due out February 14th, is said to implicate multiple All-Stars of steroid use. He names names and isn't shy about it. Mark Mcgwire, Juan Gonzalez, Ivan Rodriguez, Rafael Palmeiro. These are big names. Well respected names. These are supposed to be the good guys. These charges by Jose are no small matter.

Baseball is making strides toward cleaning up the game but we will probably never know the truth about whether these players used steroids. That's either good news for them, or good news for Canseco, we'll never know.

This is such a tough situation because the initial reaction most people have is to think "guilty until proven innocent." We think Canseco wouldn't say these things unless they were true or he had some type of grudge against them. It doesn't make sense that he would just make it up. The response from the accused, on the other hand, is obvious. Of course they're going to "categorically deny any steroid use."

We want to believe them. We want to toss Canseco's comments to the side and forget he ever said them. But if none of it is true, why would he say these things? Does he really need money from book sales so badly he would stoop to making false accusations that no one can prove to be false?

I don't know. McGwire and Gonzalez did put on a lot of muscle over their careers. Does that make them guilty? McGwire admittedly used Andro before it was a banned substance and that kind of supplement can make a big difference. Even Creatine can add 20 pounds of muscle over an off-season if used with proper nutrition and a vigorous workout schedule. And in 2000, Gonzalez was one of only two players who volunteered to be tested for steroids. That makes me think Canseco's estimate of 80% of players using steroids might not be that far off. It also makes me think Juan is in the 20%.

Here's what I've decided to do. I'm going to give these guys the benefit of the doubt. I think, until Canseco comes forth with some sort of proof, I'm going to assume the extra muscle on these athletes came from hard work and legal supplements. If they didn't do it, they don't deserve the public scrutiny. If they did, the new, stricter rules should stop them from continuing, and their consciences will have to deal with the past.

Time To Recognize Tom Brady

2005-02-07T13:27:00.000-06:00

Bill Belichick is a great coach, don't get me wrong. But enough already. The guy stands on the sidelines calling plays, which is fine and dandy, but when has he ever made a play? Yes, Belichick puts his players in a position to succeed. But the players are the ones creating the success. So let's stop praising the coach and give credit where credit is due...to the quarterback.

Tom Brady is 27-years old. He's only been a pro for 5 years and spent the first season as a back-up for Drew Bledsoe. And he has three Super Bowl championships. Three! And he's not a small part of the team, like Brad Johnson when the Tampa Bay defense won a Super Bowl or whatever no-name quarterback watched the Baltimore Ravens win a ring. Brady was MVP of the first two Super Bowl wins and was no slob last night. He completed 23 of 33 passes for 236 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He joined Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana and Troy Aikman as the only quarterbacks to win at least three Super Bowls. Look at those names again. Bradshaw, Montana and Aikman. And the media is talking about Belichick?

On one play, late in the second quarter, Brady illustrated what makes him great. If you watched the replay of his first touchdown pass, you saw his eyes start to the left, move from one receiver to another before finally catching a glimpse of David Givens in the right corner of the end zone. His eyes bulged and he threaded the needle, connecting for the touchdown. Granted, he needed protection to check down to his third receiver, but he did it quickly, wasting no time worrying about being hit. Yes, he's smart (ever notice how, according to the announcers, all white guys are "smart" and all black guys are "athletic?"). Yes, he has a great defense. Yes, his receivers make some amazing plays for him. But more than anything else, Tom Brady is simply one of the best quarterbacks around. Winning doesn't follow him, he creates it.

Think of the hype and craze that would follow if Brett Favre accomplished what Brady has. He would be deemed the All-Time Greatest Athlete in the History of History. But it's just little Tom Brady (who, at 6'4, 225 is bigger than most people think). It's time we give Brady some credit. It's time we call him what he is...a future Hall of Famer.

Former Yellowjacket Deserves Shot In The NFL

2005-02-06T10:31:00.000-06:00

Former RCTC Yellowjacket Rhys Lloyd finished his collegiate career this winter when the Gophers won their bowl game and wrapped up the 2004 season. Lloyd's football career has taken him from England, where he was a "futbol" player, to Eastview High School, to RCTC and then on to the U. There is no doubt where the next step should be: to the NFL and specifically, to the Minnesota Vikings.

Those of us who are Vikings fans are keenly aware of the importance of the kicker in a football game. We remember one of the most hillarious bloopers in the history of football when Bucky Scribner fumbled, then swung his foot and missed the ball completely before being swamped by defenders. We've put up with names like Aaron Elling, Darren Bennett and Jose Cortez, all of whom fall short of Jan Stenerud. Or even guys like Morten Andersen and Gary Anderson who were superstars in their day...if only we could have had them in their day. Now they just take up extra roster spots, forcing us to add players who can kick the ball further. And they create an awkward "What do we do here?" range when the offense stalls at the 30 yard line.

Now that we've seen the impact a bad kicker can have on the game--and that of a kicker without range--it's time to see what a good one can do. The Vikings should sign Ryhs Llyod this year.

I'm not saying he should be our first round draft pick. We have plenty of other problem areas to address. But we need to get a good kicker. We don't need someone different for punting, kicking off, kicking field goals inside 35 yards and kicking field goals outside 35 yards. We need one player who can do all of the above. And Lloyd is the guy.

Minnesota fans are already in love with him. He has range in excess of 60 yards if the conditions are right. He can punt, and his running-punt style opens the door to fake punts as well. He won't be a problem off the field. He has an intensity about him and isn't intimidated. You can't ice him. And as Gopher fans learned against Wisconsin in 2003, he can make the big kick.

There are plenty of reasons to get rid of every kicker currently on the roster and make room for one man. That man is Rhys Lloyd. Let's just hope he looks good in purple.

Hype Takes Away From Super Bowl

2005-02-04T18:33:00.000-06:00

A funny thing happens during the two-weeks of hype that preceed the Super Bowl. The attention somehow shifts from the game to the event. The end result is that people are waiting for the pregame show and the commercials more than the sixty minutes of football.

The "event" has nothing to do with football. It starts innocently enough, with the media running out of "x's and o's" material and moving to features on the players. But it doesn't stop there. The media coverage gets dilluted until any story about any aspect of the Super Bowl makes even the most avid football fans cringe. We think, "Not another story on how some player's offensive line coach in college helped form his religious beliefs and guided him to find strength in football." And, if you're anything like me, you turn the channel.

Joe Buck, who will call the game on Sunday, told Paul Christian of the Post Bulletin in a teleconference call that "the build-up for the game is mind-boggling." It's also mind-numbing. When you focus for so long on one particular game, more people tune out than in. By the time the big game rolls around, most people have had enough Super Bowl talk and don't have any interest in watching more than a quarter or two of football.

Unfortunately, this 14-day media blitz won't be ending any time soon. Since millions upon millions of people will mindlessly go to their Super Bowl party (this group may include me this year) the ratings will remain high and the decision makers at the television station will continue to overwhelm us with coverage.

Maybe you're the kind of person who thrives on the endless feature stories. Maybe you can't get enough speculation and prediction. Maybe for you, the hype is the perfect build-up to the big game. If so, turn your TV to Fox at 9 a.m. Sunday. You might want to bring a big bucket for popcorn. Super Bowl programming will be on the air but the four hour game won't start for more than eight hours. So get comfortable and--eventually--enjoy the game.

Did Iowa Jump The Gun?

2005-02-03T10:00:00.000-06:00

In a news conference yesterday, University of Iowa athletic director Bob Bowlsby and head basketball coach Steve Alford kicked Pierre Pierce off the team. Pierce was the leading scorer for the Hawkeyes, averaging nearly 18 points per game. The junior guard has been in trouble before, having been charged with third-degree sexual assault which caused him to miss the entire 2002-2003 season. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge (assault causing injury) and was allowed back onto the team with the understanding that being involved in another off-court incident would result in his dismissal from the team.

Now, Pierce is the subject of an investigation by West Des Moines police. That is what prompted university officials to kick him off the team.

I can only assume the athletic department at Iowa knows more about the most recent situation than the general public. Publicly, we're only being told that Pierce spent more than two hours with investigators Wednesday night. If that is truly the extent of anyone's knowledge, then Iowa should have waited for more facts before kicking Pierce off the team.

With the past conviction, it's easy to think, "He must have done it." Whatever "it" is in this case. But, at least publicly, we don't have any idea if he did anything wrong. It's entirely possible Pierce was in the wrong place at the wrong time and is completely innocent this time. If that were the case, kicking him off the team would be a mistake.

But Iowa did give him the boot, suggesting Pierce's guilt. I don't believe Steve Alford would remove his best player from the team without some pretty strong evidence that he broke the law...again.

If Pierce did break the law, and the facts will certainly come out soon enough, then it's time to commend the Iowa athletic department. It's not easy for a coach to dismiss his leading scorer. At many school's, something like this would be swept under the rug. Alford's squad is ranked 28th in the nation and his job depends on fielding a winning team. Losing Pierce will undoubtedly hurt the squad's chances. But it's the right thing to do.

Because of that, I say--and you might want to make a copy of this because as an Iowa State fan I don't say this very often--I'm pulling for the Hawkeyes.

From Red To Emmitt?

2005-02-02T13:58:00.000-06:00

Future Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith is expected to announce his retirement from football during a press conference in Jacksonville on Thursday. The St. Paul Pioneer Press has suggested that he might join an investment group that will purchase the Minnesota Vikings from Red McCombs. One thing is for sure: someone needs to.

McCombs has had the team up for sale since 2002, and his spending habits have reflected it. For the Vikings, the salary cap isn't an issue. Minimum salary requirements maybe, but not a cap. Rumors have swirled for months about prospective buyers. First it was Glen Taylor, owner of the Timberwolves, then Reggie Fowler, and entrepreneur from Arizona. Now, Emmitt and others?

The number one option among the three is Taylor. As the Wolves owner, Taylor has shown a willingness to spend money on his investment. His top priority was to secure Kevin Garnett with a long-term deal. It paid off when K.G. became the first league MVP in franchise history. But Taylor didn't stop there. He brought in Sam Cassell and Latrel Sprewell, giving the Wolves the "MV-3". That paid off with the team's first trip to the Western Conference Finals. If Taylor owned the Vikes, I would expect the same approach.

Emmitt would be my second choice. With his three Super Bowl rings, which he was an important part of attaining, Smith has to have an understanding of what it takes to win the big one. A large part of that is talent. With the money he has accumulated as a player, one would hope he could deal with the demands players make, and filter through the overpaid and the underrated.

Although I know nothing about the Arizona businessman, anything would be better than a Texas businessman. Taylor, Emmitt or Fowler. I don't care. Let's all just hope we won't be seeing any more Red.

Twins Respect Their Elders

2005-02-01T10:31:00.000-06:00

For Opening Day, 2005, just like Opening Day 1999 and every one in between, Brad Radke will get the nod as starting pitcher for the Twins. This after a solid season in which his 11-8 record doesn't tell the story of how well the righty from Eau Claire pitched. And after Johan Santana became a 20-game winner and swept the Cy Young voting. The question is, is starting Radke the right call?

It took me a while to make up my mind on this one because I have an immense amount of respect for Radke, I like the fact that he's from the Midwest and I tend to lean right on matters of baseball...meaning I'm a traditionalist who doesn't like change. Besides, Radke has been more steady and consistent than any Twins pitcher over the past decade. He takes the ball, is all business and gives his team a chance to win each and every time out. Assuming he fights through his typically rough first inning. He is a leader on the team, respected throughout the clubhouse and has earned the title of a "crafty veteran." Still, Johan should get the Opening Day nod.

Santana emerged as the best pitcher in the American League, if not the Major Leagues, with his unprecedented second half. Granted, I never saw Sandy Kofax, Walter Johnson or Cy Young, but I've never witnessed such complete domination of major league hitters on such a regular basis. It's possible Santana will turn out to be a one-hit-wonder. It's also possible he could become a Hall of Famer.

My problem with giving Radke the starting nod is the same problem I have with some people who seem to have a tough time thinking Barry Bonds is winning too many MVPs. There are other good players out there, and they deserve to be MVP some too, is the unspoken belief some have. But in the grand scheme of baseball history, all that does is taint the accomplishments of super stars. When we look back at how many awards Babe Ruth won, do we think, "They should have spread that around some. There were other good players then." No, we think, "He must have been one of the best players of all time."

The point is, if we get the chance to witness one of the best players of all time, we need to recognize him as such. Everyone gets what they deserve, what they earn. That way, looking back, we can see who was the best, second best and so on.

With last year's performance, Johan Santana earned an Opening Day start. I would love to see Radke earn next year's nod. It's not like this is a huge scandal. Santana doesn't seem to care and he'll get a nationally televised start against the White Sox for his second start. But what if Santana goes on to have a Hall of Fame career and years from now, someone looks back and sees he started nine games on Opening Day? It should have been ten. Is it a big deal? No. It just comes down to getting what you deserve. And Brad Radke doesn't deserve to start the opener. Johan Santana has earned that right.

Sosa Is After The Fans' Hearts Again

2005-01-31T16:00:00.000-06:00

So what if he corked his bat? So what if steroid rumors swirled around his name? So what if he left the dugout Randy Moss style? Sammy Sosa is still one of the most lovable characters in baseball.

After the strike of '94, it was Sosa, along with Mark McGwire, who put baseball back into the minds and hearts of the American people. The two of them hit longer, more majestic home runs more frequently than anyone had ever seen before. They were two good people, never trash talking or bickering, but embracing and cheering one another. When Big Mac hit 70, Sosa's 66 was delegated to the runner-up position. But he was classy in defeat, and people loved him for that as well.

Now Sosa has done it again. In a league where players demand more money not because they need it, but because they don't want to be insulted by accepting less money than inferior players, Sosa has agreed not to demand that the Orioles extend his contract before the trade is complete. Granted, it's a small step. But it shows that there are some rational players still out there. Many wouldn't have agreed to the trade because they would lose out on guaranteed money. Sosa, it appears, sees the bigger picture.

Before you go feeling sorry for him, realize that Sammy will still make more than $17 this season alone, and hasn't waived his $4.5 million buy-out for the option year of the contract. Still, the media tends to focus solely on controversial news as a way to entice viewers/readers/listeners, and it's nice to focus on something good for once.

So hats off to Sammy Sosa. The man with the twinkling smile who plays for the love of the game...And 17 mil.

Honkers Vendetta Is All-Consuming

2005-01-30T22:36:00.000-06:00

For several years, the 2006 Minnesota Amateur baseball tournament has been scheduled for Rochester, Minnesota. Everything was set, there were no problems. Then the Rochester Honkers got involved.

The fact that they are involved is nothing more than a fluke. Due to an error made by a lawyer, the Honkers suddenly have the "legal right" to the concession stands at Mayo Field during the state tournament. This isn't the way anyone intended it to be, but because this lawyer tried to simplify the language, he accidentaly kept the word "amateur" out of the contract, thus giving the greedy Honkers their legal rights.

Morally the rights still belong to the Royals. Ethically the Honkers have no right to any money that comes from the state amateur tournament. Just legally. And even that is the result of an admitted accident.

Adding insult to injury, the Honkers go to the local press crying like they have been victimized in some way. They say they want a "fair" outcome. They say they want an agreement that will "benefit both sides." No offense, Litz and Kim, but you don't deserve to be benefitted by this tournament. You aren't supposed to have anything to do with it. You aren't supposed to get any money from it. So the only fair outcome is that you give back the rights that aren't supposed to be yours and quit thinking of yourself as the martyr. You have your gig, we have ours. Let it stay that way.

It comes down to greed and a fight.

Greed is what drives the Honkers to try to get the money. It's no different from watching a fifty dollar bill fall from the pocket of a man walking in front of you, picking it up and showing it to him and saying, "This is mine. I found it on the ground." You know it's not really yours. You know the other man earned it, not you. Still, and just because you can, you say something like, "I think the fair option here would be to make sure we come to an agreement that benefits both sides. How about you get 25 bucks and I get 25 bucks.

Here is my message to the Rochester Honkers. It's not your 25 bucks, so give it back.

The other aspect is the fight. The Royals have no part in this fight, they are simply caught in the middle. The fight is between the Honkers and the city of Rochester. The Honkers were taken advantage of when Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan came to town. The concessions were taken from them. It was legal, but neither moral nor ethical. Now the Honkers are on the other side of things. This time they have the undeserved power. And they are using it in an attempt to hurt the city. But Rochester baseball is the only one suffering.

The Honkers are a great organization. But they rarely take local talent and bully the local teams. They are not good for baseball in southeastern Minnesota. They are proving that now by threatening to make it impossible for the state tournament to come to town.

Amateur baseball in Minnesota is stronger than almost anywhere in the nation. It is made of young men and old with one thing in common: a love for the game. They have other jobs, responsibilities and obligations. They make immense sacrifices to play the game they love. Dan Litzinger and Kim Archer, I ask you this favor. Don't make those sacrifices be in vain. Don't spit in the face of those who love the game. Don't let your greed and vendetta against the city hurt the Rochester Royals.

Bremer Is One of the Best

2005-01-29T07:28:00.000-06:00

Once in a while, you hear someone calling the play-by-play on television or the radio that stops you in your tracks. Wherever you are, your ears force you to tilt your head and listen. Harry Carry had it. Ray Christianson had it. And one of today's best voices on the air it that of Dick Bremer.

The television voice of the Minnesota Twins blends conversation with excitement seamlessly, creating the perfect level of drama for each baseball game. He's not overboard, like so many are today (i.e. Kevin Harlan), nor is he drab, like the Westwood One radio crew that called the AFC championship football game. The radio voice of the Twins, John Gordon, also has a rich voice and a knowledge of the game. And his "Touch 'em all, Kirby Puckett" will ring through the Metrodome forever. But even he, with his explosions of excitement in completely random places, could learn a thing or two from Bremer.

Although I'm a big fan of Paul Allan as well, the radio voice of the Vikings tries a little too hard to make the listener think he knows the x's and o's of the game. As a result, he's often contradicted by his coworkers in the studio. Bremer is almost never contradicted, because he sticks to the job he is most qualified for.

I'm not going to say Bremer is the best play-by-play announcer in the nation. Jon Miller holds that distinction in my opinion. But having a guy like Bremer around makes the Twins season just a touch more enjoyable. Since Victory Sports won't block the early-season games this year, Bremer's hypnotic chords will sing through thousands of houses across the region. Even though it's only January, I can't wait for it to start. Play ball!

Mientkiewicz Shows His True Colors

2005-01-28T16:55:00.000-06:00

I often tell people that when I first saw Doug Mientkiewicz play first base for Florida State in the college world series, I instantly fell in love with his high-socks, no-batting-gloves style of play. But it only took one interview with him to have that image shattered. Dougy Baseball's behavior concerning the Red Sox World Series championship baseball reiterates the point I try to make.

For the clinching out of the World Series, Keith Faulke tossed the ball to Mientkiewicz. It ended the Red Sox 86-year championship drought. After catching the ball, Mientkiewicz was sure to hang on to that ball--a good move because of its significance. But then he did something really stupid. He refused to give it to the team when they asked for it.

Why Mientkiewicz thinks he has any right to that ball is beyond me. He caught it for the last out, that's it. Maybe if David Ortiz or Pedro Martinez had wanted to keep it I could at least understand their thinking. They had a lot to do with the Sox winning the series. But Mientkiewicz? He wasn't even a regular in the line-up. He's such a liability at the plate that the only time he saw the playing field was pre-game batting practice and as an occasional late-inning defensive replacement. And he thinks he deserves it?

Obviously, I don't think anyone is dense enough to believe that. Which leaves only the possibility that Mientkiewicz thinks he has legal rights to the ball because it was in his glove when the last out was recorded. And he's adopted the childish thinking along the lines of "If I don't get my way, I'll sue you" or "Finders keepers, losers weepers." Not only does he have no rational, mature thinking about the situation, but he has no legal grounds either.

You can't just take whatever you want. He didn't supply the ball, major league baseball did. The league owns the ball. If it goes into the stands, it is out of play and the fan who catches it can keep it. But when it's in the field of play, it belongs to the league. Not Mientkiewicz, not even the Red Sox. The league. If Bud Selig, as much as I despise the guy, wants to take it from the Sox to display it in Cooperstown, he would have every right to do that.
The league owns it. The Red Sox are second in line. One of the superstars on the team is next. Mientkiewicz? He's not even on the chart. He shouldn't be compensated for giving it back. After the way he's acted, he shouldn't even be thanked. Dougy Baseball needs to get in touch with reality and simply give the ball to its rightful owner....Major League Baseball.

Suit Up, T.O.

2005-01-27T15:29:00.000-06:00

In December, Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens had surgery on his injured ankle. The doctor put in plates, screws...the whole works. He has since warned Owens not to try to play in the Super Bowl, refusing to give him medical clearance. If T.O. does try to play, he could seriously damage the ankle in a moment that could only be compared to Roy Hobbs in The Natural. So what should Owens do? Play, of course.

It has been ingrained in the minds of coaches, players and fans that an athlete should always listen to the doctors orders. He should keep his future firmly in mind and not take any chances. In almost every instance, this is solid advice. But not this time.

Owens is 31-years old. He's been in the NFL for 9 years and is known as one of the top three or four receivers in the game. He has nearly 10,000 yards of career receiving yards and is approaching 100 touchdown catches. He has accomplished all there is to accomplish. Except for one thing. He's never won a Super Bowl.

When an athlete gets to the twilight of his career, the way he looks at things has to change along with his age. Owens no longer has anything to be cautious about. There is no reason for him to be on the sidelines if he can help his team, no matter what the risk to his ankle. If it were his heart that could fail, things would be dramatically different. But it's not. It's his ankle. He can tear it to shreds and live a perfectly happy and productive life before dying in his sleep at 105-years old. But if he sits this one out, he will likely never have another chance at a Super Bowl.

This isn't just another game. This is the goal of every football player from the day he first picks up the pigskin. In my opinion, it's worth the price of a 31-year old ankle.

The Illini Are For Real

2005-01-26T13:18:00.000-06:00

After winning 38 straight games on their home court, the Wisconsin Badgers finally lost at the Kohl Center. The 75-65 loss to Illinois ends the longest home winning streak in the nation. It also brings to light just how impressive this Illinois squad is.

The top ranked Illini improved to 20-0 after last night's victory. There are only a handful of teams in the history of college basketball that have started a season with more wins. But there is more to this Illinois team than a perfect record. This accumulation of talent has what it takes to ride it out. After seeing them last night, they are my pick to be this year's national champs.

I would never claim to make a pick like that with any level of certainty. After all, it isn't called March Madness for nothing. But no team can match up with Illinois' explosive talent at every position. Luther Head, James Augustine and Dee Brown are the stars, and they will carry the club through most games. But like every winning team, the element that puts the Illini on a different level is intangible. If ever there is a time that the star players don't come through--whether it be an off night, foul trouble or injuries--someone on the bench will step it up. Last night it was Jack Ingram. The 6'10'' senior came off the bench and drilled two 3-pointers down the stretch to wrap up the "W". He averages four points per game and had hit two 3-pointers all season entering the contest. But for teams that possess that something extra, similar things happen all the time.

Also, the Illini have been through the close contests. Blowouts are great, but in March, when things will inevitably get tense, a team needs to have close-game experience. Illinois has won six of their 20 games by 15 points or less. They have won their last two by five and ten points respectively, and trailed late in both games.

This team has everything it takes to run the table. If I were a betting man, I'd put my money on the Illini.

The Return of Tiger Woods

2005-01-25T13:16:00.000-06:00

This past weekend, Tiger Woods won the Buick Invitational. The golfing world seems to think he is on the way back. They say his "slump" is over. Although Tiger never admitted his inability to win was actually a slump, I'm sure he's still happy to be out of it.

This is the guy that won seven of 11 majors at one point. He ruled the golfing world. No one even held a candle to what this guy could do. But then somewhere along the line, Tiger changed coaches. He made "improvements" to his swing. Suddenly, he wasn't the golfer he used to be. And then the unthinkable happened. Vijay Singh unseated Tiger as the world's number one golfer.

People began to talk like Tiger was done. He was a flash in the pan. A very bright flash that lasted for quite some time, but still a flash. But what about now? Will he find the form that brought him 27 tour wins including seven majors from 1999 to 2002? Or will he fall back into the average play that only won him 12.1 million dollars over the past two years?
A lot depends on his new swing.

Changing a swing, especially after becoming the world's best with it, is a dangerous endeavor. You never really know if it's going to pay off or not. You have to stick with it through the learning curve and buy into it enough that you don't quit before you have the chance to really see it work. But the risk is that it will never work, and you have given up everything you had.

When you're in the position Tiger Woods found himself in three years ago, changing anything is a terrible decision, much less his entire swing. It was a risk, a gamble. And it didn't pay off. But maybe this Buick Invitational victory is the start of something new. Maybe five years from now we'll be talking about how brilliant and brave he was to make those changes.

Maybe. But I don't think so. If you are the best, stay the best. Don't be stupid. Don't change a thing.

Another Chance For Black Quarterbacks

2005-01-24T08:50:00.000-06:00

When the play-by-play crew during the NFC championship game said only one African-American quarterback had won a Super Bowl ring, I just about spilled my beer. I honestly couldn't believe my ears. What an amazing statistic. I wouldn't have thought twice about it if this were 1964, but today? With all the amazing black quarterbacks out there, only one has ever won a Super Bowl? They play this thing every year right?

I decided to do some research on the topic and found that, unbelievably, Doug Williams of the 1987 Washington Redskins is the only black quarterback to win a Super Bowl. I vaguely remember watching that game. As a nine-year old, the significance of the event was completely lost on me, but I do remember the announcers making a big deal of it. I imagine they would have laughed in your face if you had told them it wouldn't happen again for the next 18 years...at least.

Think about all the great black quarterbacks today. Daunte Culpepper, the second-best in the game, Michael Vick, the most exciting player in football, and Donavan McNabb, who will now take a shot at becoming the second black quarterback to win a ring (as a side note, at least three other black quarterbacks have Super Bowl rings, they just didn't play in the game). They are everywhere.

Or maybe it just feels that way because we have a black quarterback here in Minnesota. Every time we watch a game on Sunday, it's Daunte Culpepper under center. He's been here for six years and before that, Randall Cunningham took us to the NFC championship game, throwing for more than 3,700 yards and 34 touchdowns that season. So it just seems like there should be as many black quarterbacks winning Super Bowls as white ones.

But the fact remains, Doug Williams is in exclusive company. You better believe Donavan McNabb knows this. And he has every intention of joining the club.

Look For A Falcons, Pats Super Bowl

2005-01-23T08:26:00.000-06:00

I'm not usually one to make predictions, nor am I generally a fan of those who make them often. I've always felt there is a reason you play the games and it doesn't matter what anyone is saying about anyone's else's chances until after the game is over. I'm especially annoyed by the phrase, "They have no chance." Come on. Everyone has a chance. Even if it's one in a million, there's always a chance.

Especially when you get to games like today's NFL conference championship games. The four teams still playing are all great teams. They have beaten great teams to get here and two of them will beat another great team today. So, although you may have a strong belief that one team or another will emerge victorious today, at least have the common sense to admit that you could be wrong.

That being said, here is my prediction.

In the NFC, look for a flashback to 1998. Our very own Minnesota Vikings were 15-1 in the regular season and the team to beat in the conference championship game. But somehow everyone overlooked a solid Atlanta team. Although no one is ignoring Michael Vick this season, the team is once again a second thought. But you combine a tough defense with the DVD factor (Dunn, Vick, Duckett), divide that by an injured T.O and the lack of a soft defensive secondary for the no-name Eagles receivers, and you get yet another "oh so close" season for the Eagles. I take Atlanta by 7.

In the AFC, the Patriots will start to get the respect and recognition they deserve after today. Brady will play another mistake-free game, leading the Pats to roughly 28 points against a pretty good Steeler defense. Big Ben Roethlisberger has had a fast start to what will be a great career, but another costly interception or two will seal the deal for the Patriots. I take New England by 3.

I also have thoughts on what will happen with Super Bowl XXXIX, but maybe we'll just see how this prediction stuff goes for me this week before things get too out of hand. Remember, I could be wrong.

The Legend of Tink Larson

2005-01-22T06:21:00.000-06:00

If you look closely on the front page of Friday's Post Bulletin, you might find a small, simple section titled "Tink Larson returns to coaching this spring." It goes on to say that Larson is the 12th winningest coach in Minnesota High School baseball history with a record of 400-265 and that he will be taking over for Todd Mann, who is also the school's athletic director. There's nothing wrong with the article. It's all factually accurate and fair. But it's grossly incomplete. To compensate for what it lacks, I'll share with you the Legend of Tink Larson. I don't know it all, but I know enough. Here is what I know.

The Legend of Tink Larson started long ago, well before I was ever born. My dad used to relay stories of Tink's greatness on the diamond when he was just a high schooler playing in Kasson. As with any good legend, Tink's began because he was the best at what he did. He dominated the competition. But that's where many great legends end. Tink's is just beginning.

At some point, Larson moved to Waseca and made it his home. He developed their baseball program into what it is today. Yes, he has 400 high school wins under his belt, but that says nothing about the fact that he coached the town's VFW, American Legion and amateur teams too. In the same year. And those are only the ones I know for sure. Think of the time Tink spent at the ball park coaching four teams. Four hundred wins? That's nothing. That's not even the tip of the iceberg. The guy probably has a 1,500 if you count them all up.

With all the time that would take, it's not surprising that Tink adopted the field like a son (by the way, his real son Mike is a major league scout.) He spent countless hours manicuring the outfield, grooming the infield to perfection. There's even a rumor floating around that when his dog died, Tink buried it behind home plate. The dog was aptly named Killebrew.

Somehow, Tink finds time to be everywhere that baseball is. More than once when I was playing baseball at Iowa State, I saw him standing by the dugout during batting practice. He couldn't get there early enough, or stay late enough, for his liking. Any year the Rochester Royals amateur baseball team makes the state tournament and Waseca is eliminated, the Royals use Tink as a "draft pick" just to have him and his experience in the dugout.

But every legend has a truly mystical aspect. Some story that people will hear years down the road and brush off as exaggeration. Tink's mystical story is that to this day, he still plays ball.

I don't know how old Tink is, nor do I want to wager a guess. But he's older than my father, and my dad is 57. Tink doesn't play every day. He's not even a regular substitute. But when his amateur team is short on players, don't expect them to forfeit. Expect Tink Larson at first base. And he's not an easy out at the plate. He might be an old man of 60, but the kid can still hit.

Add all this up, and you get a legend. The Legend of Tink Larson. And it will live on. Through stories told over beers while the lights still illuminate baseball fields in the hours after a game. One of those fields will undoubtedly be the ball park in Waseca. It already has a sign over the entrance that reads, "Tink Larson Field."

Will Loney Be Better Then Linehan?

2005-01-21T13:17:00.000-06:00

The Vikings offensive coordinator position is proof positive that you "don't know what you've got 'til it's gone." For the entire second half of the season, and especially the last few games, Scott Linehan was second-guessed and criticized for every mistake he made...and "mistake" is a relative term.

If Randy Moss would have rolled right and thrown a touchdown to Marcus Robinson, Linehan would have been praised for his offensive brilliance. But as it is, Moss tossed the ill-advised pass that was picked off in the end zone, and Linehan's lynching was on.

A fake field goal here, a poorly timed end-around there, and next thing you know, Linehan was on the chopping block. He was the reason our offense was struggling. Our defense flat-out stunk, but the offense should be carrying the load. There was one problem...Scott Linehan.

And then he left. He signed a three-year deal with the Miami Dolphins that nearly tripled his salary. And after he was gone, Vikings fans suddenly realized that this guy was the best offensive coordinator in the league. He's a future head coach in the NFL and man oh man, did we screw up by letting him go.

What?

Where did this change of heart come from? I have one hyphenated word for you: group-think. Some pack of fans, probably a talk radio personality or two, decided they disagreed with some calls Linehan made. These fans started the lyching process and once everyone else got wind of their beliefs, it quickly became law.

Had rational heads prevailed, Linehan would have been respected for the solid offensive coordinator that he is right from the start. He probably still would have shipped off to Miami--and who can blame him--but at least Vikings fans wouldn't be acting like the Republican's portrait of John Kerry.

The lesson here is simple. Watch football. Eat popcorn. Drink your beverage of choice. And most importantly, think for yourself.