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Tuesday, 30 July, 2002, 14:50 GMT 15:50 UK
My kind of town: Minneapolis

The teams:

Baseball: Minnesota Twins
American Football: Minnesota Vikings
Basketball: Minnesota Timberwolves
Ice Hockey: Minnesota Wild

The host state of this year's USPGA has a rich tradition in all sports.

The twin cities of Minneapolis and St Paul have had a full set of pro franchises since the Minnesota Wild brought ice hockey to the region in 2000.

Randy Moss carries the hopes of the Minnesota Vikings
Cool hands: Randy Moss

That outfit will need time to follow the shining example set by the local baseball interest.

World Series champions in 1987 and 1991, the Twins have rediscovered their winning touch this year and have a cushion at the top of the AL Central.

American football's Vikings often flatter to deceive, starting among the NFL favourites, but failing in the post-season, where they have lost four times in the Super Bowl.

Much is also expected of basketball's Timberwolves, who faltered in 2002, losing to the Mavericks at the first play-off hurdle.


Venue:

Minneapolis' Metrodome has seen it all.

Kirby Puckett was one of the most popular players in baseball
Ever-popular Kirby Puckett

The Twins ballpark has played host to two World Series, an All-Star Game, Super Bowl XXVI, and the NCAA Final Four Basketball Tournament in 1992.

But ask fans to single out one stadium hero and many will pick Kirby Puckett.

Built more in the mould of Babe Ruth than the classic athlete, this rotund Hall of Famer was at the forefront of both World Series wins.

Puckett batted .318 for his 12-year career and his obvious love for the game made him one of its best loved players across the country.


Legend:

It is sad that two of Minnesota's greatest NFL talents played in different decades.

Fran Tarkenton changed the way the quarterback position was played in the 1960s.

Cris Carter of the Minnesota Vikings
Carter: Second only to Jerry Rice

He ducked and weaved and took big risks when threatened by huge linebackers, before lofting a perfect pass down the field.

Tark led the Vikings to three Super Bowls and, although he failed to win any rings, finished his career with 47,000 passing yards and an incredible 342 touchdowns.

Cris Carter could have been his perfect target.

The second most successful wide receiver of all-time - 1,093 receptions rank him behind only Jerry Rice (see San Francisco) - Carter was the bane of every defence in the 1990s.


Man about town:

You have to be an exceptionally-gifted player to join the NBA straight from school.

Kevin Garnett goes for a big dunk
Garnett is a complete NBA star

When Kevin Garnett did so in 1995, he was the first kid to make the jump for two decades. Now he is the man who carries the basketball hopes of an entire state.

And he rarely disappoints.

KG is one of the best all-round talents in the NBA, appearing near the top of many statistical categories.

He is a 'long' 6ft 11in, who rebounds, shoots from range and has the awareness to set up better-placed team-mates.

With his help and a bit of luck the Timberwolves have what it takes to go deep into the play-offs.

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