Showdown in Chicago
By: Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 9/10/2003

Twins vs. White Sox could decide the Division

Here we go down the stretch — the Twins, White Sox and Royals, with 20 games left each in the regular season, are separated by just three games. It’s been a great pennant race to the finish line that is still too close to call.
Starting Monday night, September 8, in Chicago, the Twins, winners of five straight, play the White Sox in a huge four-game series. The Twins and White Sox are tied for first in the American League Central with identical 76-66 records,
Since the all-star break, the Twins have been the hottest team in the American League along with the Oakland A’s. Pitching will decide who wins this race, and right now the Twins are beginning to look like the team that ran away with this Division last year.
The Twins have seven games remaining with Chicago, including three here at the MetroDome next week. They are finished with Kansas City, and their other 13 games are against Cleveland and Detroit. Detroit has already lost over 100 games.
Chicago has been dominating just about everyone at home this year, where they are 46-25. The Twins will have to pitch good in Chicago; the White Sox have a great lineup with five players that have hit 20 or more homeruns, led by Frank Thomas with 38. Only Torii Hunter has hit 20 or more homeruns for the Twins.
This Division will likely be decided by who gets the best of whom this week. The Twins need to get at least a split this week and beat up on Cleveland and Detroit, because the White Sox still have three games left with Kansas City.

Big weekend for Cris Carter
Former Vikings star Cris Carter will be honored twice this weekend. The Vikings will retire his number 80 jersey Sunday night at the MetroDome and enter Carter into the Vikings ring of fame. After upsetting the Green Bay Packers 30-25 at historic Lambeau Field Sunday, the Vikings play their regular home season opener at 7:35 against the Chicago Bears.
Carter is the greatest receiver to ever play for the Vikings, making incredible catches his signature. He is certain to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in due time.
Carter is number one on the Vikings all-time receiver list for consecutive games, with at least one reception in 111 games; most receiving touchdowns in Vikings history with 110; and most career receiving yards with 12,383 over 13 years.
Carter, you might recall, played college ball at Ohio State; he will also be honored on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio, in ceremonies during the Ohio State vs. North Carolina State game. Ohio State University will enter Carter into the Ohio State Athletic Hall of Fame alongside other former Buckeye legends like Jack Nicklaus, Jesse Owens and Archie Griffith..

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. breaks
Pittsburgh record
Sophomore Pittsburgh star receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr. helped the number-10 ranked Pittsburgh Panthers (1-0) dominate Kent State 43-3 by scoring three touchdowns. Fitzgerald, who played his high school football at Holy Angels in Richfield, had six catches for 123 yards and touchdowns of 7, 11, and 54 yards, all in the second quarter.
Senior quarterback Rod Rutherford was benched for disciplinary reasons and did not start the game. He came off the bench with Pittsburgh trailing 3-0 and threw four touchdown passes, all in the second quarter.
Fitzgerald set a new school record by catching a touchdown pass for the seventh consecutive game. He said, “It’s an accomplishment I’m happy about. I’m happy that the coaching staff gave me the opportunity to break that record.” It was a truly proud moment for this reporter to have witnessed his son setting the school record.