It’s a dark and rainy day. It looks just as dreary as the Minnesota sports scene until recently. The Twins finished with the second worst record in the major leagues after being favored to win the Central Division by many analysts, including Sports Illustrated. They not only finished last, they looked terrible doing it. Hometown favorite, well-paid Joe Mauer didn’t play up to expectations and didn’t look like it bothered him much. Justin Morneau was hurt badly and it didn’t appear he would reach his previous ability and might not be able to play a full season again. The starting pitching staff was on and off the disabled list. Very seldom do you see a team sink so far so fast.
The Timberwolves were letting coach Kurt Rambis twist slowly in the wind and basketball chief David Kahn was impressing no one. They appeared to be a lackluster team with little hope for the future.
Jerry Kill’s football Gophers were not playing well, losing to North Dakota State by two touchdowns. It didn’t look good for the new coach.
Tubby Smith’s basketball Gophers got off to a good start only to have reality catch up with them, not make the NCAA Tournament and sneak into the NIT, a tournament for not-so-good teams and underachievers.
The Minnesota Vikings were only one year away from almost going to the Super Bowl and decided to stick with the veterans and compete for the title. That was a mistake. They wound up last in the NFC North, never really threatened and along the way were outclassed by the Green Bay Packers.
But as a sportswriter once said, "The tide rolls in and the tide rolls out" and things change, including sports teams.
The Twins have had a good spring. Mauer appears to be his old self and may be ready to take on a leadership role. Morneau is doing as well as can be expected. Francisco Liriano has had some encouraging moments. Both Joe Benson and Brain Dozier may be ready for the bigs and if they are, what a boost for the Twins. If the team gets off to a fast start, watch out!
Our Gopher football team finished strong and if we can give Coach Kill some time, they may again contend in the Big Ten. You would think they might, given the new stadium and support the coach has garnered.
Tubby Smith’s basketball team has turned around and is playing good ball in the NIT. That’s not to be confused with winning NCAA games, but still it is better than losing against other tournament teams. There are other encouraging reasons that the Gophers can hang onto for next year. It looks like Tubby has found a point guard in Andre Hollins. Joe Coleman is making his jumpers and Elliot Eliason is giving the Gophers a Big Ten center. Then too, the reserves are playing well.
The Timberwolves were known as a soft, selfish, no-defense team. Under the direction of new coach Rick Edelman, they have overcome their problems and are playing good ball. At the beginning of the season the team needed a point guard, center and shooting guard. They gained two out of three with Ricky Rubio and Nikola Pekovic, who provided a passing point guard, defense and a true NBA center’s presence in the middle. In addition, Kevin Love has matured into one of the top 10 players in the league. Just wait ‘til next year when the team has Rubio back and another year under their belt.
All in all, the Minnesota sports future looks brighter.
