Minnesota Sports Ties

Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins

Minnesota has a proud tradition of successful sports stars. Here are a few of our hometown heroes:

  • Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins All-Star Catcher, Born in Saint Paul, MN
  • Cole Aldridge, Won National Championship with Kansas Jayhawks in 2008, from Bloomington, MN
  • Lane Kiffin, Head Football Coach at the University of Tennessee, Born in Bloomington, MN
  • Sydney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins Rookie of the Year Center, Attended Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep School in Faribault, MN
  • Erik Johnson, NHL’s # 1 overall Draft Pick in 2006, from Bloomington
  • Marion Barber III, Pro Bowl Running Back for the Dallas Cowboys, Born in Plymouth, MN
  • Matt Birk, Pro Bowl NFL Center, Born in Saint Paul
  • Tony Dungy, Super Bowl Winning Coach for the Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Gophers Football Alum
  • Bronko Nagurski, All-Pro Fullback for the Chicago Bears, Born in International Falls, MN
  • Dave Winfield, MLB Star, Born in Saint Paul
  • Kevin McHale, Hall of Fame Basketball player for the Celtics, Born in Hibbing, MN
  • Patty Berg, One of the LPGA’s founders and greatest players, from Roseau, MN
  • Paul Molitor, One of MLB’s all-time hits leaders, Born in Saint Paul
  • Joel Przybilla, Portland Trailblazer’s Center, from Monticello, MN
  • Kent Hrbek, MN Twins Legend won the World Series in ’87 & ’91, from Bloomington
  • Herb Brooks Foundation, Miracle on Ice Coach, from Saint Paul
  • 1980 Men’s US Olympic Hockey Team, Won the Gold Medal in Dramatic Fashion, Trained at Bloomington Ice Gardens
  • Tom Lehman, Won British Open in 1996, from Alexandria
  • Bruce Smith, Led Gophers to back-to-back national titles in ’40 & ’41, only Minnesotan to win Heisman Trophy, in 1941, from Faribault, MN