By Larry Fitzgerald
Originally posted 3/24/2010
MILWAUKEE, WI — Back in December 2000, I remember like it was yesterday going to St. Thomas Academy to see a high school basketball game, St. Paul vs.
Minneapolis, between two private schools — Cretin-Derham Hall and the Academy of Holy Angels.
Cretin had a talented team that year led by, yes, Joe Mauer, and Holy Angels had one of their best teams with Larry Fitzgerald, Jr., Andy Hannon, Jason Borboom and Steven King. What a game — Cretin won 65-64.
I shared the story recently while speaking at the Dads/Sons Banquet in Richfield. I was reminded of that day talking to the group about our local talent and shared the story because that was Larry, Jr.’s very last high school game. He transferred on to Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
The following summer, Joe Mauer was taken number-one overall in the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft. Twins General Manager Terry Ryan did the honors, selecting the home town star.
Over the weekend, the Twins proved they can step up like the big boys, the so-called larger market teams — New York, Boston, Los Angeles and Chicago — re-signing Mauer to the richest contract in franchise history, a thundering eight-year $184 million deal with a full no-trade clause.
Mauer, 26, led the majors in hitting last year with a .365 season average. He also had 30 doubles, 28 home runs and 96 RBI’s in just 138 games. Last season Mauer became only the 12th player and first since 1980 (George Brett) in baseball history and the first catcher ever to lead the league in on-base percentage (.444), slugging percentage (.587), and batting average (.365).
Mauer is a three-time batting (Silver Slugger) champion, three-time All-Star, twice a Gold Glove winner, and he became the second Twins player in the last four years to be American League MVP. He also led the Twins to the American League Central Division Championship.
On top of that, he’s a good young man and a shining example of the great talent pool we have in our community. The Twins did the right thing. Mauer has missed a few games in his young career; however, when he plays, he produces and delivers value.
His new contract extends from 2011 to 2018. The Twins and Mauer will play their first regular-season game at new Target Field on Monday, April 12, vs. the Boston Red Sox.
Tubby Smith Staying!
Gophers Men’s Basketball Coach Tubby Smith is going nowhere. Smith set the record straight Friday in Milwaukee shortly after his team lost to Xavier 65-54 in the West Regional of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Jordan Crawford led Xavier with 28 points in the win over the Gophers and then on to the Sweet Sixteen after beating Pittsburgh Sunday. The deeper Crawford and Xavier go in the NCAA’s, the bigger his legend grows. He made a name for himself previously by transferring from Indiana University and being on a YouTube video dunking on NBA All-Star Cleveland’s LeBron James.
The Gophers had a chance, tied at half 26-26 despite holding Xaxier to an incredible 21 percent shooting in the first half while blocking 10 shots, five from Colton Iverson.
Smith was high on Crawford: “Players like him are rare,” Smith said. “That’s why he’s Player of the Year in the Atlantic Ten and All-American. He’s 6’-4” and jumps over people. He’s got the total package, puts it on the floor well, passes, has good basketball IQ and understands how to play the game.”
Asked if he had been offered the Oregon position or another job, Smith said, “No, I haven’t. Obviously that’s just talk, because I’m pleased with what we’ve accomplished here. I’m pleased with where we are in the program. I’m very looking forward to coming back to Minnesota.”
Back-to-back trips to the NCAA establish that Smith has turned the corner in Minnesota.
Larry Fitzgerald Jr. to host local football camp.
Joe Mauer’s buddy and Arizona Cardinals All-Pro star Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. will hold his annual football camp for middle and high school football players entering grades 7-12 that are interested in an intense, non-contact skills camp providing individual instruction and maximum repetitions for each player.
The Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. camp, with several former and current NFL players and top local high school coaches, will be held at Academy of Holy Angels Star Dome June 21-23, 8:30 am to noon.
The last two years in the NBA, the team that first reached 50 wins went on to win the NBA Championship. Boston was first in 2008 and won the title. In 2009, the Los Angeles Lakers were first and won the title. In 2010, the Cleveland Cavaliers are the first to win 50 games…
<i>Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:20 am, and on WDGY-AM 740 Monday & Saturday mornings at 7:50 am and Fridays at 3:50 pm; he also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Larry welcomes reader responses to lfitzgerald@spokesman-recorder.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.</I>
