Tuesday, 11.8.11 ON THE WEB: www.yankton.net 8 sports PRESS DAKOTAN SPORTS DEPARTMENT: [email protected] Twins Dismiss GM Smith, Return Ryan As Interim MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — When Jim spect and sensitivity to Bill Smith and his Pohlad and St. Peter both side-stepped grooming and choosing his eventual suc- Punto and Carlos Silva for Milton; and Pohlad came to what he called “a stom- family.” numerous questions about the specific cessor, but both he and Pohlad said they landing Francisco Liriano and Joe Nathan ach-churning” conclusion that general Widely recognized for their stability, reasons for the decision, saying it came hoped things went well enough where for A.J. Pierzynski. manager Bill Smith needed to be fired, the class and ability to make the most out of a down to “philosophical differences” in the Ryan would want to keep the job for a Smith’s decisions haven’t turned out as Minnesota Twins owner was making the medium-range payroll, this was a startling direction of the baseball operations. while. well, dealing Johan Santana, Matt Garza, kind of decision rarely seen in one of the move for the Twins despite the embarrass- Ryan stepped down from the position “I don’t know if it will be for one year or J.J. Hardy and Delmon Young for little pro- most loyal and patient organizations in ment and deep disappointment of the 2011 in 2007, citing burnout and growing in- 10 years,” Ryan said. “(I’m) going to see duction in return. Japanese shortstop baseball. season following two straight AL Central creasingly impatient with some aspects of how it goes and see exactly the direction Tsuyoshi Nishioka, the headliner acquisi- A 99-loss season is equally unique in titles. the job, including working with some and success and workload and all the tion last winter, was hurt for much of the these parts, so Pohlad swallowed hard, This is the first time since the franchise agents and, occasionally, dealing with the things that about 4 1/2 years ago we talked season and a bust at the plate and in the made the move and turned to one of the moved from Washington to Minnesota in media. about over at the Dome.” field. most trusted and revered figures in the or- 1961 that the Twins have fired a general Ryan remained in the organization on Ryan’s moves helped turn the Twins Pohlad added that the Twins will speak ganization to pick up the pieces. manager. Calvin Griffith was the owner and the scouting level and said he turned from one of the worst teams in baseball in with Smith about “an ongoing role within Terry Ryan reclaimed the job he had general manager until selling the team in down several inquiries from other teams the mid-90s to one of the best the next the organization.” Smith has been with the for 13 years on Monday, taking over for the 1984. Andy MacPhail became the full-time about taking over a front office again. On decade. They won four division titles over club since 1986. man he recommended to take his place successor, leaving for a prime job with the Monday, he said his “batteries are Ryan’s last five full seasons, without “This is going to be good for the Min- when Ryan stepped down four years ago. Chicago Cubs, and Ryan followed him. recharged” and he’s ready to get back to spending much money in free agency and nesota Twins organization,” Smith said in a “In the past week, it was clear to all of They’ve also had two managers — Tom work. instead drafting and developing their core phone interview. “It’s always tough when it us that a change in leadership was in the Kelly and Ron Gardenhire — since 1984. “I’m going to take this job head-on,” players. involves you, but at the same time I re- best interest of our organization,” Twins “We do this with a heavy heart,” Pohlad Ryan said. Shrewd trades were part of his success, spect the decision that the Pohlads had to President Dave St. Peter said. “We proceed said. “But we also do this knowing that it It appears to be an interim job in name too, fetching Cristian Guzman and Eric Mil- make. We have to do it with players all the with that change with a high level of re- is what’s best for the organization.” only. Ryan said he would have a role in ton for Chuck Knoblauch; getting Nick time, and it’s no fun.”

Lancers’ Schmidt Revamped MMC Set For Season Named Preseason NAIA All-American Lancers Optimist As They Prep KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mount Marty College senior shortstop Jason Schmidt has been named a For Friday’s Season Opener preseason All-American by the Na- BY JEREMY HOECK junior college ranks. He averaged tional Association of Intercolle- [email protected] 5.9 points and 1.64 assists in his giate Athletics. Schmidt and Doane limited duty last season. pitcher Chance Brull were the only Though he tries to remain Eddie will start this season as Great Plains Athletic Conference cautiously optimistic, Jim Thor- an off-guard in the backcourt players selected. son’s enthusiasm is evident. with senior transfer Mitch Ackel- Schmidt earned With his program coming off son, who comes to MMC from honorable mention its first Great Plains Athletic Con- NCAA Division II Missouri-St. All-American hon- ference (GPAC) post-season win, Louis — where he played in 26 ors in 2011 after the Mount Marty College men’s games a year ago. being named the basketball coach was asked if the Referencing Eddie and Ackel- GPAC’s Player of the Year. He batted Lancers are ready to take the son, Thorson joked, “We needed .364 with team- next step in their progression. guard help and we definitely got highs of 13 home “At this point, I would say it.” runs and 53 RBI. yes,” he said Monday. “I think Another transfer, junior for- He also went 2-0 Schmidt we’re capable of doing that.” ward Scott Odekirk, also comes with three saves Doing so will be a relatively to Mount Marty from the junior and a 2.76 ERA as the Lancers’ new-look Lancers squad, which college level — Southwestern closer. opens its season Friday night at Oregon Community College. He For his career, Schmidt is bat- home against Ashford (Iowa). will be joined in the front court ting .396 with 23 home runs and Mount Marty returns just one by fellow reserves Austin Harms, 122 RBI. As a pitcher, he is 8-0 with starter, but brings back a key a junior who averaged 7.5 points 17 saves and a 2.62 ERA, a Mount player who was limited by in- in just 15 games, junior Jeff Marty record for saves. juries and two other senior trans- Larsen (who saw time in just 13 MMC, 19-27 a year ago, opens fers. games) and senior Tom Kahler the 2012 season on Feb. 18, facing Another significant change for (2.9 ppg, 2 rpg). Dallas Christian and Park Univer- the 2011-12 squad, Thorson said, “We needed some depth in sity in games to be played in Dal- is attitude. those spots, and even though we las, Texas. “Our attitude’s been really didn’t really bring in a lot of guys, good and the guys have worked we’ve got some strength there,” hard so far,” said the 17th-year Thorson said. coach, who guided the Lancers Other varsity reserves include to a 10-20 overall record last sea- Chevy Fischer (So.), Zach Wevik Jund Named son. (So.), Jordan Knippling (So.), “We’ve got people who can along with freshmen Tyler Payer score and defend the ball, and (Tripp-Delmont-Armour), Hayden Region Coach we’re just a little tougher all Barker and Matt Hilgers. around,” he added. “I’m encour- In all, the Lancers return 69 Of The Year aged by what I’ve seen so far.” percent of its scoring from a team Forward Spencer Yackley (Sr., that averaged 67.6 points per WATERTOWN — Dakota Valley’s 9.5 ppg) is the only starter back game. A pre-season exhibition Jason Jund has been named the Re- for Mount Marty, which gradu- with S.D. Tech, in which four gion 6 Coach of the Year by the ated two, lost one to transfer and MMC players scored in double South Dakota Football Coaches As- had another move back to a re- figures, should be a good indica- sociation. This award is chose by fellow serve role for this season. tion of the offense for the season, coaches in their region for their Yackley will be joined in the Thorson said. outstanding contributions and ef- frontcourt by sophomore for- “We’ll have pretty balanced forts in the area of football. The ward Jeff Viereck, who averaged scoring again,” he said. “I don’t presentation will be made during 8.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in 13 see any 20 or 30 point a game the Class 11B championship game games a year ago after getting in- type of players. I feel if we’re on Thursday in the DakotaDome. jured. Junior guard Joe Hieb (6.2 going to be good, that’s how it’s Jund, the current president of ppg) moves into a starting role going to be.” the South Dakota Football Coaches this season after what Thorson Though they were picked the Association, has coached for 16 called a “very strong finish” to finish 11th — last — in the GPAC, years, including the last seven at last season. the Lancers could have the Dakota Valley. He has also coached “We felt like those guys back pieces in place to make another at Aberdeen Central, and at two from last year should know the run at a post-season victory, Minnesota schools: Sleepy Eye St. system and should give us some Thorson said. Mary and Canby. This season his nice leadership,” Thorson said. “With all the new people, we Panthers squad went 6-4, elimi- “That was a pretty good nucleus have hopes that they’ll fill in the nated by state finalist West Central to build around. Then we set out, spots with the returners and we in the quarterfinals of the Class 11A recruiting wise, to fill in the can make something out of it,” he playoffs. gaps.” said. “Things have been going Kim Nelson, who coached Sioux Falls Roosevelt to the Class 11AA Enter Will Eddie and Mitch pretty good with that so far, so final, will also be honored. Other re- Ackelson. we’ll see how it plays out.” JAMES D. CIMBUREK/P&D gion coaches of the year include Though not a transfer this Following Friday night’s home Shaun Wanner of Groton Area, Chad year, Eddie — a 6-foot-2 senior game with Ashford, an NAIA Na- Mount Marty's Spencer Yackley shoots over the top of a Concordia defender during their Great Plains Ath- Stadem of Flandreau, Michael guard — played in only 11 games tional Tournament team a year letic Conference men's basketball game last season. MMC, which added several players to a squad that Postma of Huron, Bruce Bresee of for the Lancers last season after ago, Mount Marty will host got its first home playoff game and first conference tournament win since joining the GPAC, begins its Spearfish, Kent VanOverschelde of venturing to Yankton from the Clarke (Iowa) at 4 p.m. Saturday. 2011-12 campaign Friday against Ashford. Mitchell and Russ Bailey of Custer. Penn State Sex Scandal Engulfing Revered Paterno BY MARK SCOLFORO AND MARC LEVY the surrounding town of State College, what’s contained in the presentment, The grand jury report said McQueary volving Mr. Sandusky.” Associated Press some were even asking whether the 84- and that this is an ongoing investiga- was in the locker room that night to put “If this is true we were all fooled, year-old coach should step down after tion,” Kelly said. away some new sneakers when he heard along with scores of professionals HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Time and 46 seasons on the sidelines. State police Commissioner Frank “rhythmic, slapping sounds” and looked trained in such things, and we grieve for again, questions about an alleged cover- Two Penn State officials, Senior Vice Noonan said that although Paterno may into the showers. the victims and their families,” said Pa- up of a sex abuse scandal at Penn State, President Gary Schultz and Athletic Di- have met his legal requirement to report He reportedly saw a naked boy, terno, who has not spoken publicly circled back to one name: Joe Paterno. rector Tim Curley, surrendered on suspected abuse by Sandusky, “some- about 10 years old, with his hands about the matter. His weekly news con- Major college football’s oldest, win- charges that they failed to alert police to body has to question about what I against the wall as Sandusky subjected ference is Tuesday. ningest and perhaps most revered the complaint about Sandusky. would consider the moral requirements him to anal sex. McQueary left immedi- The indictment also cited a 1998 inci- coach, was engulfed Monday in a grow- Schultz and Curley are also charged for a human being that knows of sexual ately and first contacted his father be- dent in which an 11-year-old boy’s ing furor involving former defensive co- with lying to the state grand jury that in- things that are taking place with a fore calling Paterno the next morning mother called university police to com- ordinator and one-time heir apparent dicted Sandusky. Both stepped down child.” and then meeting at Paterno’s home. plain after learning that her son had Jerry Sandusky, who was indicted on from their posts Sunday, Curley taking a He added: “I think you have the Exactly what was said during that showered with Sandusky. A state Depart- charges of sexually abusing eight boys temporary leave and Schultz retiring. moral responsibility, anyone. Not meeting is unclear from the grand jury ment of Public Welfare investigator told over 15 years. They appeared Monday in a Harrisburg whether you’re a football coach or a uni- record, which states that Paterno called the grand jury that Sandusky said he The Pennsylvania state police com- courtroom, where a judge set bail at versity president or the guy sweeping Curley the next day to tell him Mc- showered naked with the youth and missioner said Paterno fulfilled his legal $75,000. They weren’t required to enter the building. I think you have a moral re- Queary had seen Sandusky “in the Lasch hugged him, “admitted that it was requirement when he relayed to univer- pleas. sponsibility to call us.” Building showers fondling or doing wrong,” and promised not to shower sity administrators that a graduate as- Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda At a news conference, Noonan and something of a sexual nature to a young with any child again. sistant had seen Sandusky attacking a Kelly said Paterno is not a target of the Kelly were peppered with questions boy.” Kelly would not say whether Paterno young boy in the team’s locker room investigation into how the school han- about whether Paterno was given details Paterno released a statement Sunday or the university president knew of that shower in 2002. But the commissioner dled the accusations. But she refused to about what graduate assistant Mike Mc- in which he said he was not told “the investigation. also questioned whether Paterno had a say the same for the university presi- Queary — now the team’s wide re- very specific actions” contained in the “All I can say is that investigation was moral responsibility to do more. dent, Graham Spanier. ceivers coach — saw on the night of grand jury report, but that McQueary On the Happy Valley campus and in “All I can say is again, I’m limited to March 1, 2002. had seen “something inappropriate in- PATERNO | PAGE 9 Mount Marty vs. Dakota State SP:RPHQ‡1RY‡/DGGLH(&LPSO$UHQD‡:WK6W‡