The Free Press, Mankato, MN--Columns http://www.mankato-freepress.com en-us Copyright CNHI All Rights Reserved. 5 Mon, 12 May 2008 01:51:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_133014917.html Love it or Livan it: Evaluating Hernandez http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_133014917.html Here we are, more than 50 innings into Livan Hernandez’s workload, and the man is 5-1 with a 3.83 ERA. Which raises the question: Is this legit, or is it a mirage? Sun, 11 May 2008 01:22:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_132012124.html Taking aim at toms on fishing opener http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_132012124.html It is said that on the opening day of the Minnesota fishing season, a million anglers wet a line. This year, let’s make it 999,999. Fri, 09 May 2008 02:20:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_130021907.html Things I’ll miss (and not miss) about the NCC http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_130021907.html The North Central Conference, the once-proud Division II conference will soon be a collection of memories, most of which are pretty good. Thu, 08 May 2008 00:30:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_129002848.html Mankato native eyes fastpitch history http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_129002848.html On SaturdayMankato native Erin Goettlicher will etch her name into women’s fastpitch history when she leads her Glory team in a game against Team USA. Tue, 06 May 2008 01:16:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_127011642.html Former Mav Backes takes game to world stage http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_127011642.html David Backes is in Canada for the International Ice Hockey Federation men’s world championships as a member of the United States national team. Mon, 05 May 2008 00:52:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_126004859.html In defense of Mauer’s offense http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_126004859.html Joe Mauer isn’t the problem in the Twins lineup. He’s not even a problem. If the Twins had nine guys who hit like Joe Mauer, they’d be at the top of the AL runs scored stats, not at the bottom, because they’d make far fewer outs. Fri, 02 May 2008 02:53:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_123025305.html Can new MSU coach connect with fan base? http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_123025305.html Maybe Todd Hoffner will be the one to energize the Minnesota State football fans. It’s been tried before, without much success. Thu, 01 May 2008 01:44:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_122014346.html Sportsmanship alive and well http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_122014346.html Sometimes, things that happen during sporting competitions transcend the game itself. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:15:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_120011455.html Kalinski is king of long games http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_120011455.html Mon, 28 Apr 2008 01:01:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_119005914.html The reinvention of Francisco Liriano http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_119005914.html Francisco Liriano spent last summer rehabbing his reconstructed elbow. He’ll spend this summer reinventing himself as a pitcher. Sun, 27 Apr 2008 01:42:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_118014147.html Tragic incident could have easily been avoided http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_118014147.html There is a temptation to characterize the incident as a terrible accident. And while allowing that no parent would intentionally shoot a child, to term it as accidental would be an attempt to soften the edges on such an egregious hunting transgression. Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:39:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_116013908.html QB makes sense with Vikes’ second rounder http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_116013908.html Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:54:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_115015403.html Allen trade good for Vikes, not draft day http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_115015403.html Trading for defensive end Jared Allen has changed the Vikings approach to Saturday's draft. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:36:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_113003325.html Vikings should take tackle with first pick http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_113003325.html Bolstering the offensive line should be the Vikings’ next order of business. Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:46:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_112004429.html Liriano is not the pitcher he once was http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columns/local_story_112004429.html We’re greedy. We want the pre-injury Liriano, the dazzling wunderkind, and we want him now.