Homework question: The faces of Twin Cities sports
Posted on February 1st, 2007 – 12:43 PMBy Michael Rand
A little more than two years ago, this market had:
Randy Moss; Daunte Culpepper; Kevin Garnett; Torii Hunter. You could make an argument that they were the four most visible athletes here – the “faces” of our pro sports market. The first two faces are obviously gone. The third could in two weeks or sometime during the offseason via trade. The fourth might only have a year left here based on his contract. So the question: If you had to rank the “faces” of this market as we stand, in 2007, and you subtracted those four names, what would your list look like? Here’s our top three, and it’s telling:
1. Johan Santana: This year’s Cy Young pushed him over the top, though he’s still somehow a little under-appreciated.
2. Joe Mauer: He’s from St. Paul, you know.
3. Justin Morneau: MVP, can’t argue with that.
Marian Gaborik hasn’t done enough and isn’t “k
nown” enough. Take KG out of the equation, and who is the face of the Timberwolves? Ricky Davis? Randy Foye? Whoever they got in return? And look at the Vikings. Is there any one player with whom people identify? Many of their highest-paid players are on the offensive line. Kevin Williams? Steve Hutchinson? Antoine Winfield? Are any of them really the “faces” of the team — players a fan can latch onto?
Your thoughts, please.
21 Responses to "Homework question: The faces of Twin Cities sports"
Pat Williams if only because whenever I look bad in the gym mirror, I think of ol’ Pat. Can you imagine that man in the shower AAaaahhhhh! I’m blind !
I think for the Twins, it is unargueably Joe Mauer for all the obvious reasons. He is not the biggest contributor to the team however with Minnesotan’s hometown obsession, there is no possibility of him being surpassed.
I think Matt Birk has to be included in any talk about the Vikings for simply his length of stay.
To take it a step further, look at local coaches:
Recent: Gardenhire, Green, Saunders, Lemaire, Mason, Monson.
Today: Gardenhire, Childress, Wittman, Lemaire, Brewster, Molinari.
More than 50% of U.S. sports fans could have ticked off that first list back then. Today’s list would be closer to 5%.
Backwards K, excellent point … I had similar thoughts. Which is probably why I think it’s an excellent point.
You also see that all of these names, coaches and players, have left when the teams have not been successful. That’s why the Twins names are the only staple on the list.
The only one who remains with the same amount of disappointment is KG. Is this because he is such an exceptional player in the NBA, or is this an example that it is overdue that KG makes his MSP exit as well?
1. the whiz
2. the bird whisperer
3. everyone else.
The Wild have never really had a “public face,” and that’s always been how they have wanted it. (rotating captaincy, etc)
The Wolves have no other face than KG. When we had Spree and Cassell for a bit, they were known, but nobody else–same with Wally.
This year Childress has really tried to make himself into the one and only public face of the Vikings (for better or for worse). Matt Birk is about the best known one right now, because he’s been around longest of the O-Line, and he’s been a star. That’s about it though…
I’ll third the Vikings rep as being Birk. He’s got a pretty good local media and commercial presense and is another “hometown hero”
It seems like this town is much more enamored with coaches than individual athletes and in some cases GMs. Players seem to get off the hook for a lack of results, but management is “our” fall guy everytime.
It’s really sad that Hosea Crittenden would be about #5 on the list if he still had eligibility left.
I guess the Minnesota sports scene is in a rebuilding mode right now for Idols.
Jermaine Wiggins. For holding out the promise that Everyman can make it in the NFL, Wiggins who despite his breathtaking speed can still somehow find an opening in a defensive seam, ignored by one and all unbelieving defenders. Let’s hear it for the common man, Jermaine Wiggins who will be gone next year anyway.
KG is one of the five greatest Minnesota athletes of all time.
Only Mauer, Morneau, Santana, and Gaborik have a chance of someday saying that. Which is why those are the first four that come to mind as the “faces” of their respective franchises.
What all five have in common (besides loads and loads of talent) is the fact that they started here and made their name here. To be the “face” of a franchise, that’s a requirement - it’s the difference between Kent Hrbek and Dan Gladden. Hrbek is one of the defining players in Twins history, and Gladden is not, even though Gladden was on both World Series teams and is now the Twins radio guy.
I would say:
1. Joe Mauer. He’s a local boy!
2. Matt Birk. He’s a local boy!
3. Mark Parrish. He’s a local boy!
4. Wyatt Smith. He’s a local boy!
5. Mitch Ohnstad. Give the Ripknees some love! What’s a Ripknee? Who the heck knows!
John S. - I think that’s a really good point. When the Vikings underperformed this year, the on the field performace was mentioned but was not the main focus.
The same goes for the other teams in town, including the Twins. When the Twins struggled in the first part of the season, it was Terry Ryan’s signing of Rondell White and Tony Batista. Not the players that were on the field
Isn’t it time for someone in the media to do a JayWalking/Person-in-the-street piece on what the hell is a Ripknee? Is it a torn ACL? Maybe it’s a tropical sea monkey. I just don’t know. If I did, I might go to one of their games.
How has no one suggested Fred Smoot as the face of the Vikings? I’d bet more than 50% of people nationwide know about him!
I agree with what you said, Mike.
It’s hard to dispute your three picks.
Where I read new articles?
Where I see gallery?
How much does it cost links on your blog (Blogroll)?
Thanks for sharing
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