The Minnesota Twins brought major league baseball to the Twin Cities after relocating from Washington D.C. in 1960. Players like Harmon Killebrew and Jim Kaat helped the Twins win their first World Series title in 1987. With players like Justin Morneau, the Twins have continued success, becoming division champions multiple times in the 2000s. The team looks forward to starting the 2010 season in a new outdoor ballpark in downtown Minneapolis.
2. Twin
Cities
sports
It’s no wonder why MInnesotans The Minnesota Twins brought major league
are sports-crazy; the Twin Cities area is home to baseball to the Twin Cities after Calvin Griffith
every major sport from basketball to soccer. No moved the Washington Senators to the area in
matter what time of year or how pleasant or nasty 1960. Players like Harmen “The Killer” Killebrew
the weather, fans will always be fired up and in a and pitcher Jim Kaat (both players top the Twins
frenzy; in return, the teams and players give 110 all-time list with most home runs and most career
percent on the playing field. Minnesota has been wins), showed that the Twins could shine by
home to the best of legends and famous fresh becoming the American League champs and
faces such as the late Kirby Puckett, hometown making it to their first World Series in 1965. But
hero Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins and what the Twins lacked in the 1970s, they made
Minnesota Vikings’ record-breaking running up for in stellar players. Tony Oliva and Rod Carew
back Adrian Peterson. We’ve also seen some of (who won his seventh American League batting
the greatest moments in sports history and have title in 1978) kept the Twins alive during the final
hosted nationally known events such as the Super years the team played at Met Stadium. With the
Bowl. With three professional arenas between the new Metrodome stadium in the 1980s came new
two downtowns and a slew of entertaining pre- young players like Kent Hrbek, Gary Gaetti, Frank
and post-game hangouts nearby, the Twin Cities Viola and fan-favorite Kirby Puckett to bring the
is a prime spot to get your game on. Twins their first World Series win in 1987.
new Venues have a horseshoe design, where
Future Twins stadium
fans walking on campus will be
Minnesota sports are about to able to look inside the stadium.
get even better, with two new The Minnesota Twins will start
OppOsite page phOtO COurtesy Of MinnesOta twins
sporting venues to be ready for their 2010 season in a new ball-
action in the next two years. The park located in the Warehouse
University of Minnesota Golden District of downtown Minneapolis.
Gophers football team will start The new ballpark will seat fans
their 2009 season at TCF Bank closer to the field than most other
Stadium. The new stadium, ballparks and “Knotholes” in the
located on the university’s cam- stadium will let fans take a peek at
pus, will seat 50,000 fans and will the game without buying a ticket.
Twin Cities | Guestguide 2009 83
5. Rashad McCants
Craig Smith
phOtOs ClOCkwise frOM tOp left: 2006 nbae; jiM gallOp, target Center; COurtesy Of nba phOtOs; 2006 nbae, dave sherMan nbae phOtOs; COurtesy Of nba phOtOs
Å After a slew of trades during the off-season, Rashad McCants has become a
Timberwolves veteran and leader in only his third year in the NBA. Å Forward
Craig Smith (a.k.a. Rhino) has been a dominating force for the Wolves. He
was named to the 2006-2007 All-Rookie Team by the NBA and ended the 2008
season among the league leaders in field-goal shooting.
Crunch
Minnesota
Timberwolves
T
he Minnesota Timberwolves have
lost a handful of familiar faces but
have also acquired the ripe talent
of eager new players. After the 2007
draft, rookie Corey Brewer joined fellow Å Crunch, the
Randy Foye
young players Randy Foye, Craig Smith Wolves’ daring
and Rashad McCants to form the new look mascot, entertains
fans throughout the
of the Wolves. Right before the season game with his wild
began they partnered with the Boston antics and stunts.
Celtics in a blockbuster trade that brought É By the end of his
them Al Jefferson who has anchored the rookie year in 2007,
Randy Foye was
team’s unity and leadership. But amidst named December’s
myriad changes on the court and behind T-Mobile Rookie
the scenes, the Wolves have embarked a of the Month and
played in the NBA
journey to rebuild the franchise by taking a All-Star Game as
step back and nurturing a young team that is part of the T-Mobile
anxious to prove its power on the court. Rookie Challenge in
Las Vegas.
86 Twin Cities | Guestguide 2009