Sporting the Twin Cities

-- Andrea Jackley

There’s nothing like thought-provoking sports television to liven up your day in the middle of winter. Professional football fans who tuned-in to Super Bowl XLI on Sunday, Feb. 4 probably got more than they bargained for. Many profound questions were asked, such as does performing a "manly" act of self-mutilation mean you’re not gay? Could therapy have saved the robot’s "life"? Are Doritos® really a turn-on?

Do some people have too much time on their hands?

Super Bowl XLI was loosely dubbed the "anti-gay Super Bowl" by some media outlets for an apparent barrage of controversial commercials. Winning Coach Tony Dungy, known for his strong Christian beliefs, has since been publicly criticized by groups like Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) for agreeing to speak as the guest-of-honor at the Indiana Family Institute’s (IFI) special event dinner in March. The IFI is a leading advocate for Indiana’s proposed Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

The Internet has been ablaze with amateur response; and national organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and GLAAD are at their wits end. Web sites have been altered and apologies have been demanded.

While all of this makes wonderful fodder for online chat forums, we have real sports news to talk about here in Minnesota.

The Twins
Pitchers and catchers reported Sunday, Feb. 18, which means it’s time for the boys of summer to start making some news once again. The Twins recently signed contracts with five of their six arbitration-eligible players, including outfielder Lew Ford, pitcher Juan Rincon, and third baseman Nick Punto. Also signed were the highly anticipated "M&M boys," first baseman and reigning American League MVP Justin Morneau, and catcher and AL batting champion Joe Mauer.

Morneau, who led the club in home runs (34) and RBIs (130) last year with a .321 batting average, was the first of the dynamic duo to sign. The deal, however, wasn’t exactly what either party, or fans, wanted to hear. The 25-year-old agreed to a one-year deal worth something between the $5 million he requested and the $4 million the ball club offered.

"I guess both sides would always be open for discussion," said General Manager Terry Ryan. "It just didn’t come to conclusion right now on a multi-year deal. We had good talks, extensive talks on a lot of different years or scenarios. We just couldn’t get together on what the dollars were, and that’s not unusual."

Mauer made headlines by signing a four-year deal for $33 million, the second largest guaranteed contract the franchise has ever offered next to Johan Santana’s $40 million in 2005.

"Believe me, this is a market deal," said Ryan.

"It’s a lot of money, any way you look at it," said Mauer. "I’m real happy with it."

Mauer’s all-star salary will start at $3.75 million in 2007, go up to $6.25 million in 2008, to $10.5 million in 2009, and then to $12.5 million in 2010. Included is a standard awards package that would pay the 23-year-old $100,000 if he were to achieve major league titles.

Last, but certainly not least, our beloved Michael Cuddyer is asking $4.25 million with the Twins countering at $3 million.

The Twins have made several additions to their team in the off season that have focused on pitching — their main concern after losing veteran-arm Brad Radke and young-talent Francisco Liriano. Infielder Jeff Cirillo is expected to bring depth and experience on the field, and right-handed pitcher Ramon Ortiz should be a big name in the rotation. Experienced right-handed pitcher Sidney Ponson, who has had a rocky couple of years but has promise, has been signed to a Minor League deal.

An early projected rotation, according to the Star Tribune, has Santana at the top, Boof Bonser, Ortiz, Carlos Silva and Glen Perkins. The bullpen is expected to include closer Joe Nathan, Jesse Crain and Dennys Reyes.

Gopher Sports
The Gopher football team has endured years of humiliation, and Jim Wacker. The administration’s coaching choices have been questionable at best, and with the recently abrupt firing of ego-inflated Coach Glen Mason and men’s basketball Coach Dan Monson—costing the University of Minnesota (U of M) millions of dollars in compensation packages—it seems reasonable that fans might have doubts.

And along comes Tim Brewster. The former Illinois tight end is touted as an expert recruiter. Brewster worked under Coach Mack Brown for 13 years at the University of North Carolina and the University of Texas, where he is credited with recruiting big names like Vince Young. U of M Athletic Director Joe Maturi claims he has heard nothing but good things about Brewster, and said that "kids love to play for him."

"As I researched the University of Minnesota, I became more and more excited," said Brewster about his new position. "You’re not going to be a great salesman if you don’t have a great product...This is going to be an easy sell."

OK, great. He’s recruited some guys at the college level, players like him a lot and he’s excited to work for the U of M. There are just a couple of things missing from Brewster’s resume — like head coaching experience outside of the high school setting or much NFL experience; Brewster has been the tight ends coach for the Denver Broncos the last two seasons, his only stint in the big leagues.

Despite his experiential shortcomings, the 46-year-old with big personality has some local gurus convinced.

Jim Souhan, sports writer for the Star Tribune, commented in his Jan. 16 column, "Here’s my gut feeling, based on Brewster’s reputation and testimonials: The Gophers hired the right kind of guy. Is he the right guy? There is no guarantee of that, nor would there have been if the Gophers had hired Larry Coker, Dan McCarney or Frank Solich."

According to a U of M online poll conducted the week of Jan. 12 by the U of M Alumni Association, 41 percent of people who answered believe Brewster is a good hire.

Brewster, like most new-hires, has made bold statements about his intentions for the team: "My expectations from day one is that we are going to win the Big Ten championship. We’re going to take the Gopher Nation to Pasadena."

In other Gopher news, the men’s hockey team is still ranked number one with junior forward Mike Howe and freshman forward Jay Barriball both earning WCHA Player of the Week honors after a two-game sweep at Alaska Anchorage. The Gopher women’s hockey team continues to boast well nationally, ranking eighth overall.

The Timberwolves
There is only one reason to mention Minnesota’s lackluster professional basketball team in this month’s column: Kevin Garnett’s abnormal single-game suspension for throwing a punch at Detroit’s Antonio McDyess. Garnett’s actions were certainly justifiable; McDyess had just shoved Mark "Mad Dog" Madsen to the floor with his forearm.

The Timberwolves sit in third place in the Northwest behind Denver and Utah, hovering just below .500 at 22-26. They are riding an all-too-common losing streak of four games.

The Wild
On a lighter note, the Wild have charged full-speed into the new year, picking up some of their own late winter slack. The "Slovakian Mafia" has pulled their team back into first from fourth place in the Western Northwest, with 66 points in 57 games.

Player to watch: Newcomer goalie Niklas Backstrom. Backstrom has filled-in since Manny Fernandez was hurt Jan. 20 and is 5-1 in six starts.