Net Dugout.com: Minnesota Timberwolves Free Agency Preview

This article is featured on Net Dugout.com and takes a look at how active the Minnesota Timberwolves might be when NBA free agency starts on Thursday.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/bard30/will-the-timberwolves-make-a-splash-in-free-agency/

Net Dugout.com-Twins Take Back AL Central Lead

This article is featured at Net Dugout.com and takes a look at Minnesota Twins' CF Denard Span's record-tying performance on Tuesday night against the Detroit Tigers as the Twins took back the AL Central lead with an 11-4 win.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/bard30/span-a-triple-threat-as-twins-take-back-division-lead/

Net Dugout.com: The Twins Fall Out Of First Place In AL Central

This article is featured at Net Dugout.com and takes a look at Monday night's series opener between the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers. 

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/bard30/the-twins-drop-out-of-first-place/

Net Dugout.com-The Minnesota Wild's 2010 Draft Class

This article is featured at Net Dugout.com and takes a look at the Minnesota Wild's 2010 NHL Draft class.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/bard30/the-minnesota-wilds-draft-class-of-2010/

Net Dugout.com-Minnesotans In The NHL Draft

This article is featured on Net Dugout.com and takes a look at some Minnesotans who were chosen in last weekend's NHL Draft.  

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/bard30/minnesota-ties-in-the-nhl-draft/

Net Dugout.com: The Milwaukee Bucks Acquire Chris Douglas-Roberts

This article is featured at Net Dugout.com and takes a look at the Milwaukee Bucks acquisition of F/G Chris Douglas Roberts from the New Jersey Nets on Friday.

Net Dugout.com: The Minnesota Wild's 1st Round Pick

This article is featured at Net Dugout.com and takes a brief look at the Minnesota Wild's first round pick in Friday night's NHL Entry Draft, forward Mikael Grandlund from Finland.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/bard30/the-wild-select-forward-mikael-granlund-9-overall/

Fantasy Daddy.com-Fantasy Baseball-"Buy And Sell"

This article is featured at Fantasy Daddy.com and is my weekly "Buy And Sell" fantasy baseball column.  Look for it every Friday.

http://www.fantasydaddy.com/baseball/204-fantasy-baseball-buy-and-sell.html

Net Dugout: Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Draft Recap

This article is featured on Net Dugout.com and takes a look at how the Minnesota Timberwolves did in Thursday night's NBA Draft.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/bard30/minnesota-timberwolves-draft-night-recap/

Net Dugout.com: Milwaukee Bucks NBA Draft Recap

This article is featured on Net Dugout.com and takes a look at the Milwaukee Bucks' results from Thursday night's NBA Draft.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/bard30/milwaukee-bucks-draft-night-recap/

Net Dugout.com- Twins/Brewers Recap

This article is featured at Net Dugout.com and takes a look at the Milwaukee Brewers' three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins this week.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/bard30/the-brewers-sweep-the-twins/

Sports Buff.com Fantasy Baseball-"How I See It" Column

This is featured on Sports Buff.com and is my weekly "How I See It" fantasy baseball column for the site.  Look for it late in the week each week.

http://www.sportsbuff.com/FantasyArticle.asp?articleid=103385

Net Dugout.com: The Milwaukee Bucks Acquire Corey Maggette

This article is featured at Net Dugout.com and takes a look at the Milwaukee Bucks' acquisition of F Corey Maggette from the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/bard30/corey-maggette-now-a-milwaukee-buck/

Net Dugout.com- Twins/Brewers Preview

This article is featured on Net Dugout.com and takes a look at the three-game set, starting Tuesday night, between the Minnesota Twins and the Milwaukee Brewers.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/bard30/twins-brewers-border-battle-resumes/

Net Dugout.com: NBA Draft Prospect-Kansas Center Cole Aldrich

This article is featured on Net Dugout.com and takes a look at Kansas center (and Bloomington (MN) Jefferson high school product) Cole Aldrich's NBA Draft prospects, with the Minnesota Timbewolves as a focal point.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/bard30/could-the-timberwolves-target-a-local-product-in-the-draft/

Net Dugout.com-Fausto Carmona: Trade Target For The Twins?

This article is featured at Net Dugout.com and takes a look at Cleveland Indians' starting pitcher Fausto Carmona as a possible trade target for the Minnesota Twins.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/bard30/indians-p-fausto-carmona-trade-target-for-the-twins/

Fantasy Daddy.com-Fantasy Baseball-"Buy And Sell"

This article is featured on Fantasy Daddy.com and is my weekly "Buy And Sell" fantasy baseball column featured for the site.  Look for it every Friday.

http://www.fantasydaddy.com/baseball/203-fantasy-baseball-buy-and-sell.html

Sports Buff.com Fantasy Baseball-"How I See It" Column

This article is featured at Sports Buff.com and is my weekly "How I See It" fantasy baseball column.  Look for it, as always, late in the week each week.

http://www.sportsbuff.com/FantasyArticle.asp?articleid=103376

Net Dugout.com: NBA Draft Prospect Profile-Georgia Tech's Derrick Favors

This article is featured at Net Dugout.com and takes a look at Georgia Tech forward Derrick Favors, who is a top prospect for the upcoming NBA Draft, and how he may fit in with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/bard30/will-the-timberwolves-have-to-trade-up-to-bring-favors/

Net Dugout.com: What Will The Milwaukee Bucks Do At #15?

This article is featured at Net Dugout.com and takes a look at some potential options for the Milwaukee Bucks, who have the #15 overall pick in next week's NBA Draft.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/bard30/the-milwaukee-bucks-at-15-who-will-it-be/

Net Dugout.com:Houston P Brett Myers-Trade Target For The Twins?

This article is featured today on Net Dugout.com and takes a look at Houston Astros' pitcher Brett Myers as a potential trade target for the Minnesota Twins.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/bard30/houstons-brett-myers-a-trade-target-for-the-twins/

NBA Draft Prospect Evaluation: Syracuse's Wesley Johnson

This article is featured at Net Dugout.com and takes a look at Syracuse forward Wesley Johnson, an NBA Draft prospect, and how he may fit with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/bard30/syracuses-wesley-johnson-a-perfect-fit-for-the-timberwolves//

Net Dugout.com-Weekend Recap

This article is featured on Net Dugout.com and highlights a few notable happenings in the "North Region" from this past weekend.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/13/north-region-weekend-recap/

NBA Draft Prospect Evaluation: Kentucky's Demarcus Cousins

This article is featured on Net Dugout.com and takes a look at how Kentucky forward Demarcus Cousins and how he may fit with the Minnesota Timberwolves if they choose him with the #4 overal pick in the 2010 NBA Draft on June 24.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/14/nba-draft-prospect-profile-kentucky/

Net Dugout.com-Twins/Braves Series Preview

This article is featured today on Net Dugout.com and is a preview of this weekend's series between the Minnesota Twins and the Atlanta Braves. 

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/11/twins-welcome-the-braves-in-rematch-of-91-world-series/

Fantasy Daddy.com-Fantasy Baseball-"Buy And Sell"

This article is featured today on Fantasy Daddy.com and is my weekly "Buy And Sell" fantasy baseball column.  Look for it every Friday.

http://www.fantasydaddy.com/baseball/201-fantasy-baseball-buy-and-sell.html

Sports Buff.com Fantasy Baseball-"How I See It" Column

This article is featured on Sports Buff.com  and is this week's edition of my weekly "How I See It" fantasy baseball column for the site.  Check it out every week, near the end of the week.

http://www.sportsbuff.com/FantasyArticle.asp?articleid=103368

Net Dugout.com-Green Bay Packers Notes

This is article is featured today on Net Dugout.com and takes a look at some Green Bay Packers news from the last few days.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/10/green-bay-packers-notes/

Net Dugout.com-2010 MLB Draft First Round Pick Profiles

These two articles are featured on Net Dugout.com and take a look at the two first round picks made in Monday night's first round of the 2010 MLB First Year Player Draft.  At #21 overall, the Minnesota Twins selected Alex Wimmers, a right-handed pitcher from Ohio State University; while the Milwaukee Brewers selected right-handed pitcher Dylan Covey, a California high schooler, at #14 overall.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/07/minnesota-twins-2010-first-round-draft-pick-profile-alex-wimmers/

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/07/milwaukee-brewers-2010-first-round-draft-pick-profiledylan-covey/

Net Dugout.com: Packers' Players Investigated In Alleged Sexual Assault

This article is featured on Net Dugout.com and takes a brief look at Saturday's news that seven Green Bay Packers players have been interviewed in connection with an alleged sexual assault case in Lake Delton, WI.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/05/breaking-news-seven-green-bay-packers-interviewed-in-sexual-assualt-case/

Sports Buff.com Fantasy Baseball-"How I See It" Column

This article is featured on Sports Buff.com and is my weekly "How I See It" fantasy baseball column.  Look for it at the end of each week. 

http://www.sportsbuff.com/FantasyArticle.asp?articleid=103361

Fantasy Daddy.com-Fantasy Baseball "Buy And Sell"

This article is featured at Fantasy Daddy.com and is my weekly "Buy And Sell" fantasy baseball column.  Look for it every Friday.

http://www.fantasydaddy.com/baseball/199-fantasy-baseballbuy-and-sell.html

Net Dugout.com-Tom Lehman Wins Senior PGA Championship

This article is featured on Net Dugout.com and takes a quick look at Tom Lehman's victory in last weekend's Senior PGA Championship.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/03/native-minnesotan-tom-lehman-captures-senior-pga-championship/

Net Dugout.com- Twins' Roster Shuffle

This article is featured at Net Dugout.com and takes a look at the recent roster shuffling the Twins have had to do. 

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/06/03/the-twins-undergo-roster-lineup-shuffle/

Ken Griffey Jr. Retires

On Wednesday, Ken Griffey Jr. announced his retirement from major league baseball. 

He played 22 major league seasons, and was a virtual instant-success upon arriving to the big leagues in 1989 at the age of 19.   In his second season, he would hit 22 home runs, the first of his 15 seasons with at least 20 home runs.

Griffey Jr. was the #1 overall pick by the Mariners in 1987 out of Moeller High School in Cincinnati.  He would spend his first 11 seasons in Seattle before returning home after being traded to the Reds prior to the 2000 season.  Injuries plagued him during his time in Cincinnati, as he only played in more than 140 games twice in eight full seasons there.  He split the 2008 season between the Reds and the Chicago White Sox before returning to Seattle for the 2009 season.

Griffey was hitting .184 in 98 at-bats with the Mariners this season, and had not seen much playing time lately.  Not to mention the controversy over his unavailability when needed to pinch-hit in a game earlier this season. 

Griffey finished his career with 630 home runs, good for fifth on the all-time list.  He was a 13-time All-Star, won 10 Gold Gloves and won the 1997 American League MVP when he hit 56 home runs and drove in 147 for Seattle. 

Perhaps the most refreshing part of Griffey's career is we got to watch a slugger whose career came during the "Steroid Era" age naturally, as most athletes in other sports do.  He managed to avoid any ties to performance-enhancing drugs, and did not experience a physical transformation or power spike in his late-30's, ala Barry Bonds.   "The Kid" wasn't a kid anymore, and his skills eroded as such. 

But one is left to wonder "what might have been?" with Griffey as well.  During a three-year stretch from 2002-2004 with the Reds, he played in a total of 206 games and hit a total of 41 home runs.  He was age 32, 33, and 34 during those seasons, so one could argue those were the seasons that could be considered the end of his prime as a hitter.  It's easy to imagine, at least in my opinion, Griffey reaching 700 home runs or more if he had been healthy during these three seasons. 

Needless to say, Griffey will be a unanimous first-ballot Hall of Famer when he becomes eligible.  

Net Dugout.com- Twins/Rangers Recap 5/28-5/30

This article is featured at Net Dugout.com and takes a look at the Minnesota Twins/ Texas Rangers from the holiday weekend.

http://netdugout.com/north/2010/05/31/twins-rangers-series-recap/