The Wake

This year’s Pro-Alumni baseball game was played Saturday at the Metrodome. The game, in its 15th year, has featured two Hall of Famers, a combined 26 All-Star appearances and numerous other major league players throughout its history.

Year after year, Gopher alumni at the pro level have returned to the Metrodome to face off against the current Gopher squads. Rob Fornasiere, an assistant coach with the Gophers since 1992, said it all began when head coach John Anderson and he were looking for ways to reconnect with Gopher alumni.

“There’s a long tradition of baseball here at the university,” Fornasiere said. “And we wanted to make sure to stay connected with the many great alum that have played ball with the Gophers.”

In previous years the Gopher baseball program attempted to have a fall alumni game where anyone, not just alumni in the pros, could play. This game eventually was dropped due to lack of interest.

“Guys became more interested in playing golf than playing baseball in the fall as they got older,” Fornasiere said.

After the fall event was dropped, Fornasiere and Anderson realized there were many Gophers playing in the professional ranks. They approached their marquee alumni Paul Molitor and Terry Steinbach and inquired about starting a Pro-Alumni exhibition game, which had become fairly common at universities and colleges across the country at that time.

They agreed and the first Pro-Alumni game was held before the season began in February, 1992. “The only time when we could have it was when players were in baseball shape,” Fornasiere said. “That time was right before spring training and the Metrodome has allowed us to play a game in February before it begins. It’s been a godsend to us and it’s just a great event.”

In the past, Hall of Famers Dave Winfield and Molitor have participated in the event along with three-time All-Star Steinbach and two-time All-Star pitcher Denny Neagle.

This year’s alumni team was managed by Molitor, a two-time All-American with the Gophers and Greg Olson, a 1990 All-Star who some may remember as a member of the Atlanta Braves team who were defeated by the Minnesota Twins in the 1991 World Series.

The team featured recently retired Seattle Mariners All-Star catcher Dan Wilson, who was honored at the game, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Kerry Ligtenberg, Atlanta Braves pitcher Jim Brower and Anaheim Angles infielder Robb Quinlan.

It also consisted of top minor league players Jack Hannahan and Craig Molldrem in addition to recent signees Jake Elder, Matt Fornasiere and Matt Loberg.

This year’s Pro-Alumni contest saw the Varsity defeat the Pro-Alumni by a score of 8-5.

The 2006 Gopher team comprises 20 letter winners from last years team that advanced to a record fifth straight Big Ten tournament title game and has big expectations for the coming season.

“Our expectation is to contend for the Big Ten title, the kids feel that way every year,” Fornasiere said. “We certainly expect to be there. We’ve finished first or second in the league the last 17 out of 20 years.”

The team features St. Paul native John Gaub, who is picked as the preseason Big Ten pitcher of the year and as the top Big Ten draft pick. The Gophers also bring back St. Paul native Andy Hunter, who was voted preseason All-Big Ten honoree at first base and Dan Lyons, a shortstop transfer from Iowa Central CC who is listed as the second best newcomer to the Big Ten.

The Gophers open their season at Florida State Feb. 24-26.