Like most things movie theaters have changed as we grow accustomed to the 21st Century. It used to be when you went to a theater there were short subjects and cartoons prior to the main feature. Instead to paying five dollars or more to see commercials that you can see at home for free, there might be a travelogue about an island, fondly ending with the sun sinking slowly in the west.

Similarly, we bid farewell to the 2004-2005 Minnesota Timberwolves. Only not so fondly. Though the Memphis Grizzlies tried to give away the last playoff spot, the Wolves were having none of it.

The Timberwolves eventually lost enough games to enable the Grizzlies to back into that last spot. It’s not that they were so good it’s that the Timberwolves were so bad.

When you’re a fan you try to make excuses for your team, but the more I thought about it, the less charitable I became about the Wolves. These guys make millions and with a little smarts should be set for life. Yet, except for a few exceptions and a few players, they couldn’t expend the energy to play defense for over a half. There is really no excuse. It’s time for Glen Taylor to shovel out The Target Center.

Minnesota’s football Gophers played their Spring game and the offense took it to the defense. Sounds like things are normal in Gopherland.

Speaking of the Gophers, both the men’s and women’s’ basketball teams are to be commended. The women’s program is becoming one of the best in the nation. Dan Monson’s men took a huge step in the same direction this season.

Did you see Janel McCarville was the first pick in the womens’ pro draft? It speaks well for the players and the coaches that they provided possibly the best picks in the last two drafts with Whalen and McCarville. It was fun to watch both basketball seasons unfold this winter.

Golf has come a long way in the past years, but still has a ways to go. The last bastion of political incorrectness, The Augusta National Golf Club, (home of the Masters), continues to bar women members. That will change before twenty years are out as the wealthy ol’ boys grow older and go to that great fairway in the sky.

The Minnesota Twins are doing as well as most expected. It appears the team is settling into a winning pattern and the future looks bright. Torii Hunter and Jacque Jones have been real power threats and should continue if their pitch selection holds up. Joe Mauer’s knee is doing well and although he is not hitting the cover off the ball, he’s catching well. Mauer has proven he is human, but we should remember, he’s only 22.

One concern may be the infield. They have been a little shaky at times. However Juan Castro has proven to be everything as advertised. Sorry for doubting you, Terry Ryan.

The Twins’ pitching has looked very good. Joe Mays has pitched like he did during his all-star year. Carlos Silva in his rehab assignment gave up one run. He seems to be stuck on allowing the opposing team one run per game. Not a bad rut to be in. The Twins called up Dave Gassner from the Minors to replace Silva. Gassner allowed Cleveland only two runs. But when Silva gets back, the Twins don’t have room for him and he’ll have to go back to the Minors. Talk about pitching

rich.

What Santana really means to the team and the chase for the pennant in the next column.

(Jon Laging writes a commentary on regional and state sports topics from his home in Preston.)