Bob Rainey, a sports reporter and weekend anchor at WCCO-TV, died Saturday morning after battling colon cancer.
Rainey, who was 46, joined the station in February 2004 after having worked as a sports reporter and anchor in Nashville for seven years. A graduate of Xavier University in Cincinnati, Rainey started in the television business in 1985 and also had stops in Kentucky and Philadelphia.
Longtime WCCO sports anchor Mark Rosen, who hired Rainey, said working in the Twin Cities was a "professional dream" for Rainey because he got to cover the Vikings. Rainey had been a lifelong fan of the team. "He always talked about covering the Vikings," Rosen said. "That's what he lived for for work."
Rainey hadn't been on the air for several months as he fought the disease. He elected to keep his battle private and thus his absence was not explained by the station.
"Bob had a very private way of handling this horrible disease," Rosen said. "He decided this is the way he wanted to go. It was difficult for us to try to say, 'There are so many people who admire you, like you and enjoy you who would come to your support.' But we weren't walking in his shoes."
JUDD ZULGAD
Favorite, long shot win state-bred stakes races
A.J. Bakes won the $60,000 Minnesota Oaks and Cubfanbudman won the $60,000 Minnesota Derby at Canterbury Park.
A.J. Bakes, ridden by Scott Stevens, ran away from the Minnesota Oaks field of fellow Minnesota-bred three-year-olds. A.J. Bakes drew off to win by 9 1/2 lengths and paid $7.20 to win.
In the Minnesota Derby, Cubfanbudman, ridden by Jose Betancourt, scored a huge upset, winning at odds of 19-1.
University's Katayama holds lead in State Open
Yu Katayama of University Golf Course shot a 3-under-par 69 and held the 36-hole lead at 7-under-par 137 after the second round of the Minnesota State Open Championship at Bunker Hills Golf Course in Coon Rapids.
Defending champion Kane Hanson of Detroit Country Club shot a second-round 70 and was alone in second place at 138, and Cameron White of University was third at 139.
Etc.
• Brenan Herrera hit a three-run double, and the Wichita Wingnuts handed Saints starter Charlie Ruud his second loss of the season with a 5-2 victory at Midway Stadium.
• Jake Shields of San Francisco beat Nick (The Goat) Thompson of Robbinsdale by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:03 of the first round in Stockton, Calif., to become the first Elite XC welterweight champion.
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