When the Washington Senators moved to Minnesota and became the Twins before the 1961 season, Harmon Killebrew was there to give life to professional baseball in the region. He hit 475 of his 573 HRs with the Twins, leading them to an American League pennant in 1965 and was named the American League MVP in 1969. Killebrew had his number retired by the Twins in 1974, and was the first Twins player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.
4. Fran Tarkenton
Tarkenton led the Minnesota Vikings to appearances in Super Bowls VIII, IX, and XI, during his two stints as the Vikings quarterback (1961-'66, '72-'78). His ability to scramble while looking for receivers became his trademark and helped him to his four All-Pro selections.
At the end of the 1978 season Tarkenton retired as the NFL's all-time leader in: career passes attempted (6,467), career passes completed (3,686), career yards gained (47,003), career touchdown passes (342) and career rushing yards by a quarterback (2,548). His number 10 was retired by the Vikings, and in 1986 he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
3. Tom Kelly
Manager of the Minnesota Twins from 1986 - 2001, Kelly led the team to World Series Championships in 1987 and 1991. His 1,140 wins are the most by any Twins skipper. He was considered one of the best "in-game" managers during his tenure, and his teaching of the fundamentals is a big reason for the recent success of the young Twins team. He now serves as a Special Assistant to the Twins GM Terry Ryan, and was inducted into the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame on April 20th, 2002.
2. George Mikan
The first dominant big man in basketball, Mikan was also the games first true superstar. He led the Minneapolis Lakers to a NBL championship in 1948, a BAA championship in 1949, and NBA championships in 1950, '52, '53, and '54. A member of the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, he was also voted the Best Player of the First Half of the Century. Mikan was enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959.
1. Kirby Puckett
Regarded by many as the greatest Minnesota Twin of all- time, Puckett is loved and respected throughout the baseball world, not only for his talents, but also for the love and enthusiasm with which he played the game day in and day out. Puckett played his entire major league career with the Twins, starting May 8, 1984 when he became only the 9th player in history to record 4 hits in the first full game of a career, by going 4 for 5 against the California Angels. He retired 12 years later on July 12, 1996 due to irreversible damage in his right eye. In between, he appeared in 10 straight All-Star Games including being named the MVP of the 1993 All- Star Game in Baltimore. He won 6 Gold Gloves for his play in the outfield and led the Twins to World Championships in 1987 and 1991. After earning the ALCS MVP in the '91 playoffs, Puckett had his most memorable game in Game 6 of the World Series. After making a leaping catch off the wall earlier in the game, Puckett sent the Series to the 7th game with his game winning home run in the bottom of the 11th inning. He retired as the Twins leader in hits (2,304), doubles (414), total bases (3,453), at bats (7,244), and runs (1,071). His number 34 was retired by the Twins on May 25, 1997 and he was inducted in to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on August 5, 2001.
Honorable Mention (In no particular order)
- Neal Broten
- Kevin Garnett
- Tony Oliva
- Kent Hrbek
- Rod Carew
- Cris Carter
- Dave Winfield
- Alan Page
- Jim Marshall
- Randy Moss
- Bud Grant
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