A few notes ... • So far the Twins have re-signed four Red Wings free agents — infielders Gil Valezquez, Glenn Williams and Tommy Watkins, and LHP Jason Miller. I'm most excited about the inking of Watkins, who was a surprise spark plug in 2006. The retention of Williams will also bring some veteran leadership to the clubhouse. Wings PR director Chuck Hinkel expects that more will be signed in the upcoming days and weeks. • Speaking of r-esigning ... the RazorSharks have inked a deal that will bring them back to WHTK this season. The local AM sports station will broadcast all 18 'Sharks home games in 2006-07. Gene Battaglia will once again handle the play-by-play, with SU great Roosevelt Bouie doing analysis and behind-the-scenes stuff. • At 7-0, St. John Fisher is currently ranked No. 14 in the d3football.com Top 25. Other ranked area teams include Cortland State (No. 13, 6-0, program motto: "Aww crap, we're named after an apple"), (Hobart (No. 18, 5-0, program motto: "We're not just a failed D-1 lacrosse school anymore") and Ithaca (No. 22, 5-1, program motto: "We're not just Cornell's wimpy little brother"). • A final farewell to Peter Norman, the Australian runner who shared the 200-meters medal podium with Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, is in order. Smith and Carlos famously raised their gloved fists to represent the growing black power movement in American sports — suggested reading: "The Revolt of the Black Athlete," by Harry Edwards — and Norman, in a show of support, wore a human-rights badge while receiving his silver medal. Norman died a couple weeks ago, and Carlos and Smith served as pallbearers at the Australian's funeral. Norman's support for Carlos and Smith — both of whom quickly became reviled in America — was a brave statement in a world that never has fully grasped the challenges facing black athletes across the globe.

 

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