After 14 years of eligibility, and finally being elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame this past winter, it was finally time for Bert Blyleven to get circled.

The longtime Twins pitcher and current television broadcaster gave his Hall of Fame induction speech Sunday and took his rightful place among baseball’s all time greatest players.

From the time I began to follow baseball, I always felt that Bert belonged in the Hall of Fame and would someday get there. His numbers speak for themselves.

Blyleven has 287 career wins as well as over 3700 strikeouts, both of which are immense accomplishments when compared with how the game has changed today. With more and more emphasis put on pitch counts as well as bullpens, it becomes harder and harder for starters to control their fate. Blyleven frequently finished games that he started; out of 685 games that he started he completed 242 of them, often finishing seasons with more complete games by himself than most teams today have in an entire season.

It is always a treat to see a great pitcher pitch or hear stories that they tell from their many seasons, and Bert is certainly full of them. Having his number retired by the Twins — surrounded by a circle, of course — is a fitting end to an outstanding career and the Hall of Fame is certainly adding a class act to its collection of the greats.

Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven sure does have a nice ring to it.

The Connecticut Huskies defeated the Butler Bulldogs to win the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament by a score of 53-41 at Reliant Stadium on April 4, 2011 in Houston, Texas. Take a look at some game highlights.

When you are watching the NCAA Tournament this month, expect to see many shots of cheerleaders, particularly during timeouts. And why not? These young (mostly) ladies are athletes in their own right, and add a lot to the ambiance. Here’s a preview of the cheerleading squads that will be represented this March.

The conditions were less than balmy, but the 2011 St. Cloud Polar Plunge was a huge success. Over 500 plungers raised more than $70,000 for the Special Olympics of Minnesota. 1390 The Fan photographer Megan Honstrom was in attendance, snapping pictures before jumping in herself.

Take a rookie driver, put him in arguably the most celebrated race of the NASCAR season and give him the checkered flag in a dramatic “anyone’s race” finish and you have Trevor Bayne.  For his part, the 20-year-old Baynes says his victory still hasn’t sunk in.  Take a look at some of the memorable moments from the Daytona 500, including Dierks Bentley and Brad Paisley‘s pre-race singing.

Hundreds of Central Minnesotans sampled 40 different soups and chilis in the 2011 Cold Spring Jaycees’ Soup & Chili Bowl at the Cold Spring Brewery Distribution Center.

Organizers say more than 2,000 people attended the contest and helped raise money for the food shelf and paralyzed Cold Spring resident Roger Illies.

Soup Division Winner:
Alan Faust with “Al’s Texas Chili Cheese Soup”

Chili Division Winner:
Pat Preimesberger with “Preim Time Northern Chili”

Northern 1st Place Prize:
Dan Gillen of Main Street Cafe in Litchfield won the Northern 1st Place Prize of $350 for having Northern beer in his product.

The Minnesota Twins brought their Winter Caravan to St. Cloud’s Historic Paramount Theatre on January 26th, 2011. Representing the Twins were Twins President Dave St. Peter, Assistant General Manager Rob Antony, former Twin Jack Morris, prospects Kyle Gibson and Joe Benson and broadcaster Kris Atteberry.

The streak has ended for the NFL’s Ironman. Brett Favre’s shoulder injury forced him to sit on the sidelines last night as the Giants trampled the Vikings, 21-3 in Detroit.  But in honor of #4′s 20 year career—and amazing games-started streak—here’s a look at Brett Favre with the Packers, the Jets and the Vikings.

It was their 100th meeting on the field.  A meeting better left forgotten.