Training camp officially begins today for Vikings

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The Minnesota Vikings open their 47th training camp this morning on the Minnesota State Mankato campus today. Around 90 players and 40 staff members reported to camp last night, the first practice get underway this morning at 10:30am with a walk-through session. The first full practice will be held this afternoon and is scheduled to begin at 2:45pm. The teams says fans looking for autographs should have the best luck during the morning walk-throughs. Training camp in Mankato runs through August 15th. The first preseason game is August 10th at San Francisco.

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The Minnesota Vikings announced yesterday (Thursday) that they have signed their first round draft pick Matt Kalil to a 4-year contract. The announcement came hours before Viking players were scheduled to report to the teams training camp facility in Mankato, Minn. The team did not release details of this years 4th overall draft pick Matt Kalil's contract but it is believed to be worth just under 20-million dollars guaranteed with an almost 13-million dollar signing bonus. Kalil was the second-highest drafted offensive lineman in Vikings' history behind Hall of Fame tackle Ron Yary, who was the top overall pick in 1968.

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The Minnesota Twins welcome the Cleveland Indians to town tonight to kick off a three game series with the Tribe at Target Field. The Twins are looking to snap a three game skid after getting swept by the White Sox in Chicago earlier this week. Minnesota's record has dropped to a season low 18 games under .500 at 40-58. Tonight the Twins are scheduled to send southpaw Scott Diamond to the mound against Indians right-hander Josh Tomlin. Diamond has been the Twins most reliable starter this season with an 8-4 record and a 3.16 earned run average. First pitch from Target Field is set for 7:10pm.

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The Minnesota Twins announced yesterday (Thursday) that they have placed right-handed relief pitcher Anthony Swarzak on the 15 day disabled list with a mild right rotator cuff strain. The Twins selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Luis Perdomo to take Swarzak's's spot in the bullpen. Perdomo has appeared in 37 games this season, pitching for both the Twins Double-A club New Britian and their Triple-A club Rochester. Perdomo is expected to be in uniform for Minnesota tonight when they face the Indians. To make room for Perdomo on the teams 40 man roster the Twins transferred Carl Pavano to the 60-day disable list.

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The Minnesota Timberwolves will tip off their 24th regular season schedule at home when they host the Sacramento Kings Friday November 2nd at Target Center. Minnesota will also play 14 national televised games this season the most since the 2005-2006 season. Notable games on the home schedule include games against the reigning Western Conference Champion Oklahoma City Thunder December 20th and March 29th. The Wolves welcome the reigning NBA champion Miami Heat on March 4th and the Boston Celtics to Target Center on April 1st.

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The Houston Rockets announced yesterday (Thursday) that they have signed Minneapolis native Royce White to a contract. White was selected by the Rockets with the 16th overall pick in this years NBA Draft. He was the only player in the country in 2011-12 to lead his team in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocks. White average 13.4 points, 93 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks per game during his lone season at Iowa State.

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Alexandria Native Tom Lehman shot a first round 4 under par in the opening round of the Senior British Open Championship yesterday (Thursday) at Turnberry Golf Club in Scotland. Lehman sits in a tie for third heading into the second round of play this morning trailing leader Bernhard Langer by 2 strokes. Lehman is looking for his 2nd major championship across the pond after he won the British Open Championship in 1997. Lehman is already on the course this morning after teeing off at 4am(CT).

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