It’s that time of year again…my favorite tournament of the year the boys state basketball tournament. My love for this tournament probably goes back to 1975, my first tournament at the old Civic Center. I was following my soon to be high school team, Robbinsdale to state. I was an 8th grader at the time. Led by my neighbor and idle Tom Fix, the Robins were on an incredible winning streak that didn’t end until the state championship game (class AA) when they lost to Little Falls and some guy they called Frankie Alphabet. I even remember the final score 55-49.

From then on it was my dream to play in this tournament. That never happened (I was cut as a junior), Actually, Robbinsdale never returned to “The Dance” despite having some great teams (number 1 in the state in 1977, lost in region finals to Kennedy).

But Robbinsdale’s non-return to the tournament hasn’t made this tournament any less special for me. I’ve been calling them on the radio now since 1994 and have the pleasure of seeing and calling some of the grettest moments and players in state history…Kahlid El Amin’s buzzer beater, the great White Bear Lake/North games of the late 80’s,,,Blake Hoffarber’s miracle butt shot from 2005, and finally the return of Robbinsdale to the tournament two years ago as my sons’ soon to be school Cooper returned to the tournament for the first time since 1975, eventually losing to Hoffarber and Hopkins in the title game.Cooper is back this year and You’ll probably notice a little extra excitement in my voice for them (they have one of the top players in the state in jr. Rodney Williams.Williams played as a freshman two years ago when Cooper lost to Hopkins).

But even if Robbinsdale Cooper doesn’t win, this is still my favorite tournament and I’m sure more great memories are in store. I hope you’ll tune into the broadcasts on AM 660 for the day games and AM950 Saturday night…or go to www.660wbhr.com anytime!

One year ago we decided that Hopkins’ star Blake Hoffarber would be the perfect choice to put on the cover of our Spring 2007/Prep Sports issue of The Minnesota Score magazine. Boy were we right. I spent a couple days meeting, watching, interviewing and getting to know Hoffarber and his family. His uncle, Hopkins coach Ken Novak, and Blake’s grandfather Ken Sr all had nothing but good to say about Blake…When I was talking to Ken Sr, I suggested to him that his grandson reminded me of Joe Mauer….a calm, cool, professional demeanor and an absolute winner. This of course was was two years after he hit the miracle “butt shot” that helped Hopkins to a state championship in 2005. It also led to Hoffarber winning an ESPY for the play of the year in sports…a play that linked he and I as I had the pleasure of calling that game on the radio, a call that ESPN used during the ESPY presentation.
Friday night as I sat in my home office listening to the end of the Gophers/Indiana game I heard the announcers say that Hoffarber was stationed in one corner of the court for the final play of the game. All I could think of was the 2005 state tournhament. Moments later, I knew why. He did it again. Hoffarber should be every kids’s hero in Minnesota today.

The Class AA boys state hockey tournament went as scripted on Thursday with all four seeded teams posting wins. Top ranked and unbeaten Roseau was dominate against Blaine but looked like a different team in their 6-2 loss Friday night against Hill Murray. It would have been a great script to have Roseau taking on Edina in the finals, but we’ll have to settle for the Hornets taking on another of the “hated” private schools.

Which brings me to another point. I agree that there should be two tournaments, not one. But the second tournament shouldn’t have anything to do with enrollment. We should take a page out of the Illinois and Ohio high school playbooks and have a public school tournament and a private school tournament. The privates are dominating this tournament anyway so let’s give them their own tournament. That way everybody is on a level playing field. Private schools have been recruiting for years and despite high school league rule changes it will continue. They can offer “scholarships” and all the goodies they want to the “student athlete” and that’s fine. Except don’t expect to compete in the same tournament with public schools. Two tournaments, one public and one private. Then those miserable crowds that the privates draw to their games can be isolated.

Seeding
This is the second year that teams in the tournament were seeded and the plan seems to be working. Some coaches however were not happy with the fact that only the top four teams were seeded. Hogwash. This formula is as good as any, plus it leaves open the luck of the draw aspect which last year led to three opening day upsets.

The other topic of discussion was the usual two format debate. Why bother with the class A tournament? It does give 8 more teams a chance to play in this venue, however miserable first day attendance and the preponderance of private schools that dominate this tournament begs other questions. Perhaps a 16 team “sweet 16″ format should be considered, similar to what was done in basketball 10 years ago. If not that then at least create a Championship Saturday night like basketball and have the Class A and AA games run consecutively.

Take a shot, Joe
by Bill Hubbell

“We pretty much had to try to make him hit home runs.” I said, “Joe, everybody else pops up once in awhile. Take a shot.” - Cretin Derham-Hall Coach Jim O’Neill, Spring, 2001

That quote was from an article in USA Today that named Joe Mauer its national high school baseball Player of The Year in 2001. Mauer had also been named USA Today’s national Player of The Year in football, the first and still only prep to receive both honors.

With his coach’s advice in his ear, Mauer proceeded to tie a national
high school record with home runs in seven consecutive games. As we
begin the 2008 Major League Baseball season, it just might be time for
someone to get in Mauer’s ear again. I’m not about to tip a sacred cow,
but I certainly think it’s time we prodded it a little.

Torii Hunter is gone. Johan Santana is gone. Two years away from moving
to the new stadium and this year’s Twins are now firmly in the hands of the M&M boys. It is certainly time for the boys to become men.

They’ll be joined in the 3-4-5-6 positions in the batting order by
Michael Cuddyer and newcomer Delmon Young, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound former No.1 pick acquired in the Matt Garza/Jason Bartlett deal. The
Twins pretty much know what they’ll be getting numbers-wise from Morneau
(big to very big) and Cuddyer (medium big to big). It’s what they get
from Mauer and Young that will shape the type of season the Twins have
offensively.

My guess is that Young will hit 25 or more home runs, knock in at least
100, and bat close to .300. He’ll strike out a boatload of times as he
further learns the strike zone and big league pitching. Like Torii
Hunter before him, he’ll become a better, more disciplined hitter by
watching Joe Mauer bat. My biggest hope for the 2008 season is that
Mauer likewise learns and becomes a better hitter by watching Young.

Delmon Young swung the bat 1,484 times in the 2007 season, the second
most by any big-leaguer in the last decade. By my unofficial count, last
year Joe Mauer swung the bat 17 times.

Honestly, how is it even possible that someone who is 6 feet 5, 220 pounds, and has a perfect swing can hit seven home runs in a season? Ian Kinsler, Juan Uribe and Johnny Peralta all hit over 20 homers last year. Dan Uggla hit over 30. Joe Mauer has more athletic ability in his pinky finger than
that group combined.

My first Mauer sighting came while watching the 2000 Prep Bowl. I was
vaguely paying attention until Mauer threw to a 25 yard out pattern. From there the legend only grew, Mauer tore through his high school athletic career like a real life Chip Hilton. National Player of the Year in football and baseball and All-State in basketball.

When it came to baseball, highly respected prep-analyst Tom Lemming said of Mauer: “I’d put him with Ken Griffey Jr. as the two most talented baseball seniors I’ve ever seen.”

Drafted No.1 overall by his hometown Twins and the love affair between state and player had begun. The rise to the majors was swift and well-earned. Three and a half seasons in and we have a batting title and
an All-Star appearance. Injuries have gauged out parts of two seasons.
We’ve seen very good numbers. We’ve seen flashes of super-duper stardom.
But last year we also saw 7 HR’s and 60 RBI’s from somebody with a perfect swing.

Mauer has a brilliant batting eye and uncanny plate discipline. That’s no longer enough, we need more than that. Barry Bonds has a brilliant batting eye and great discipline, but Barry Bonds also hit 72 homers in a season. I’m not suggesting Joe become a steroid freak, I’m just suggesting that he swing a little more.

The time has come to make the leap to greatness. I’ve seen far too many first pitch gut-shots offered up by pitchers who know Mauer won’t swing at the first pitch. I’ve seen too many non-aggressive at-bats in scoring situations. A walk is as good as a hit, but you know what? You’re our best player—get a hit! The Twins don’t need Joe Mauer to work pitchers for walks and extend pitch counts, they need him to become a superstar. He’s obviously capable and it’s time for Joe Mauer to remember the advice of his high school baseball coach: “Everybody else pops up once in awhile. Take a shot.”

MN Score Radio’s Coverage of the 2008 boys State Hockey Tournament continues all weekend long on AM 660 WBHR and AM 950 KTNF. You can also listen online by going to 660WBHR.com