Synopses & Reviews
Here’s the inside history of Minnesota sports as only Sid Hartman can tell it!
From the glory years of the original Millers, Saints, Lakers, and North Stars to today’s Gophers, Twins, Vikings, Wolves, and Wild, Hartman recounts the top sports stories that have given Minnesotans something to cheer about, from “Killer” and Kirby to KG.
Legendary StarTribune sportswriter Sid Hartman has been on the front lines of Minnesota sports for more than six decades. Now, Sid collects the big stories and locker-room scoops to chronicle the state’s sporting highs—and lows.
More than 200 action-packed photographs from the StarTribune’s award-winning photographers bring the legends to life.
All the stars are here—from Harmon Killebrew to Joe Mauer, Fran Tarkenton to Randy Moss, George Mikan to Kevin Garnett, and more. Here are the champs and the chumps, the victories and the controversies that enthrall sports fans in the Gopher state.
Synopsis
Legendary StarTribune sportswriter Sid Hartman draws on his six decades in the thick of Minnesota sports action to give readers a vivid picture of the many thrilling moments throughout the years. From George Mikan’s Minneapolis Lakers to the NFC championships of the Minnesota Vikings, from legendary local sports icons such as Bernie Bierman, Harmon Killebrew, and Fran Tarkenton to latter-day celebrities like Kevin Garnett and Randy Moss, from Gopher hockey to the legendary Minnesota Twins' World Series Championships, from the North Stars to the Wild - here are the stories and people that have defined Minnesota sports. Observed with Hartman's unique blend of insight, acumen, and wit that have delighted and enlightened—and occasionally outraged—Minnesota’s legions of sports fans, this collection of Minnesota moments and eras is the ultimate edition for any true sports fan from the land of 10,000 lakes. Features photos from the archives of the StarTribune throughout the book.
Synopsis
Legendary StarTribune sportswriter Sid Hartman draws on his six decades in the thick of Minnesota sports action to give readers a vivid picture of the many thrilling moments throughout the years. From George Mikan's Minneapolis Lakers to the NFC championships of the Minnesota Vikings, from legendary local sports icons such as Bernie Bierman, Harmon Killebrew, and Fran Tarkenton to latter-day celebrities like Kevin Garnett and Randy Moss, from Gopher hockey to the legendary Minnesota Twins' World Series Championships, from the North Stars to the Wild - here are the stories and people that have defined Minnesota sports. Observed with Hartman's unique blend of insight, acumen, and wit that have delighted and enlightened--and occasionally outraged--Minnesota's legions of sports fans, this collection of Minnesota moments and eras is the ultimate edition for any true sports fan from the land of 10,000 lakes. Features photos from the archives of the StarTribune throughout the book.
Synopsis
Sid Hartman is a legend. As a StarTribune sportswriter, he’s been at the heart of Minnesota sports for more than six decades. He calls them as he sees them, pulls no punches, and often comes up with the inside scoop from his close, personal friends.
Now, Sid collects the biggest stories that have defined Minnesota sports for the last sixty years and beyond. Relive George Mikan’s unstoppable Lakers dynasty, Harmon Killebrew’s home run blasts, and the Vikings’ Super Bowl heartbreaks. Marvel in Randy Moss’ improbable catches, Kevin Garnett’s slam-dunks, and Johan Santana’s blazing fastball. From the glory years of the original Millers, Saints, Lakers, and North Stars to today’s Gophers, Twins, Vikings, Wolves, and Wild, it’s all here—and told as never before!
More than 200 action-packed photographs from the StarTribune’s award-winning photographers bring the great moments to life.
About the Author
Sid Hartman is the dean of Twin Cities sports columnists. His first column appeared in the Minneapolis Daily Times in September 1945. Since then, he's written about virtually every significant sports event and personality in Minnesota. In addition to his regular column in the Star Tribune, he hosts a daily sports-talk program on WCCO radio.Sid Hartman is the dean of Twin Cities sports columnists. His first column appeared in the Minneapolis Daily Times in September 1945. Since then, he's written about virtually every significant sports event and personality in Minnesota. In addition to his regular column in the Star Tribune, he hosts a daily sports-talk program on WCCO radio.
Table of Contents
Contents
Introduction by Joel Rippel
1 Basketball
Lakers in the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes
The Rise and Fall of the NBA’s First Dynasty
The NBA Returns to Minnesota
From “Da Kid” to “Big Ticket”
Gophers Basketball
The Final Four That Never Was
Chris Voelz and the Growth of Gophers Women’s Basketball
High School Basketball
2 Baseball
Minor Leagues, Major Players
The Twin Cities Go Big League
A Pennant for the Cities
On Top of the World
Rising from the Ashes
The Stadium Debates
Gophers Baseball
3 Football
The Greatest Gophers Team
Rose Bowl Bound
Glen Mason Brings Stability to the Program
Luring the Vikings
Super Bowl Dreams
Blockbuster Deals . . . and Disappointment
Vikings Ownership Disputes
4 Hockey
Mariucci and the Emergence of Gophers Hockey
Herb Brooks
The Return of the Title Years
North Stars Rising
The Cup Runneth Empty
Wild Times
High School Hockey in the State of Hockey