Minnesota's Mt. Rushmore of Sports
ESPN reviewed the submissions and discussions on your state/region's conversation page. The four figures on Minnesota's Sports Rushmore are below:
Harmon Killebrew (Minnesota Twins) - The 10-time All-Star led the AL in home runs six times while with Twins.
Kirby Puckett (Minnesota Twins) - He spent his entire 12-year career with the Twins and was an integral member of the 1987 and 1991 World Series championship teams.
Herb Brooks (St. Paul, Minnesota Gophers) - The head coach of the 1980 Miracle on Ice team, Brooks won three National Titles as the coach of the University of Minnesota.
Bud Grant - The winningest coach in Vikings history, Grant played three sports at the University of Minnesota. He's in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Other standouts (even more nominees in conversation)
Neal Broten (Roseau, Minnesota Gophers, Minnesota North Stars) - Led Minnesota to 1979 NCAA Championship; also played on 1980 Olympic team
Rod Carew (Minnesota Twins) - Made All-Star team in all 12 seasons with Twins
Carl Eller (Minnesota Gophers, Minnesota Vikings) - Hall-of-Famer played on all four Vikings Super Bowl teams
John Gagliardi (St. Johns) - Head football coach at St. Johns (D-III school) since 1953; winningest coach in NCAA history
Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves) - Timberwolves career leader in nearly every statistical category
John Mayasich (Eveleth, Minnesota Gophers) - Gophers' all-time leading scorer (144 goals); Crediting with inventing the slapshot
Kevin McHale (Hibbing, Minnesota Gophers, Minnesota Timberwolves) - Basketball Hall-of-Famer and current Timberwolves head coach
George Mikan (Minneapolis Lakers) - NBA's first "big man"; Won 7 BAA and NBA championships (5 in NBA with Lakers)
Paul Molitor (Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, Minnesota Twins) - Collected 3,000th hit with Twins in 1995
Jack Morris (St. Paul, Minnesota Twins) - St. Paul native, led Twins to 1991 World Series title
Bronko Nagurski (Minnesota Gophers) - Consensus All-American defensive tackle in 1929; Hall-of-Fame running back for Bears
Alan Page (Minnesota Vikings) - Hall-of-Famer played in four Super Bowls with Vikings; current Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court
Bruce Smith (Minnesota Gophers) - 1941 Heisman Trophy winner led Minnesota to National Titles in 1940 and 1941
Fran Tarkenton (Minnesota Vikings) - Hall-of-Famer led Vikings to three Super Bowls
Dave Winfield (St. Paul, Minnesota Gophers, Minnesota Twins) - Baseball Hall-of-Famer played baseball and basketball at Minnesota; drafted by Vikings
Other potential nominees: Kent Hrbek, John Mariucci


