The Sports Fan

Hot Tickets:
A division-winning team that boasts the defending batting champ (Joe Mauer), American League MVP (Justin Morneau), and Cy Young Award winner (Johan Santana) should be reason enough to make any Minnesota Twins game a hot ticket. The small-ball superstars face their division rivals, the  Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox, only once each at home after the All-Star break, making for two must-see series, no matter how the standings shake out (Metrodome, 34 Kirby Puckett Place, Mpls., 612-338-9467). The scrappy-but-successful-in-their-own-right St. Paul Saints might not have big names on their roster or felt sideburns to give away, but they have outdoor ball, a pig that delivers baseballs to the pitcher, and great promotional nights such as Pigs in Space, Bringin’ the Beards, and What About Bob, an homage to part-owner Bill Murray (Midway Stadium, 1771  Energy Park Dr., St. Paul, 651-644-6659).
Photo: St. Paul Saints

Dining Out:
Can’t make it to the big game? All that cheering leave you parched? Tucked across from pro sports factory Cretin–Derham Hall High School (Joe Mauer, Chris Wienke, et al.), Casper & Runyon’s Nook (492 Hamline Ave. S., St. Paul, 651-698-4347) has walls full of memorabilia from past and present Cretin players and plenty of TVs for watching the big game while chowing down on the best burger-and-fries basket in town—or at least that’s what the signage outside claims. For a more sophisticated sports scene, Brit’s Pub (1110 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-332-3908) is perfect for a pint amongst the colorful jerseys of Manchester and Liverpool football (soccer to us Yanks) fans or rowdy rugby players. After unleashing your inner hooligan, head to the rooftop for a rowdy game of lawn bowling.
Photo: Casper & Runyon's Nook

Must Do:
With approximately 500 golf courses covering this great state, nearly all of which are public, there’s little excuse not to hit the links. But if you want to perfect your swing by picking up a few tips from the pros, take in the 3M Championship, July 30–August 5, hosted by TPC of the Twin Cities (11444 Tournament Players Pkwy., Blaine, 763-795-0800), then make a tee time.  It used to be called Frisbee golf, but nowadays the correct term is “disc golf.” Either way, the Twin Cities has some of the finest courses for playing it in the country. St. Paul’s Highland Park  has a nifty course next to the golf course, and Kaposia Park in South St. Paul has hosted a number of state and national disc golf events. North Valley Park in Inver Grove Heights is another local hot spot, and the course in Bryant Lake Park in Eden Prairie is almost as beautiful as a regular golf course, with plenty of trees and well-maintained grass. (For information, go to dg.com or mfaonline.org.)
Photo: 3M Championship

Photo Op: In 1992, America’s second national pastime—shopping—fueled the effort to plop a 2.5-million-square-foot emblem of consumerist glory on top of what was Met Stadium, the pre-Dome home of the Twins and Vikings. To commemorate the accomplishments of players and teams past, a home-plate replica plaque located in the Mall of America gives wannabe ballplayers a shot at crossing (or, for the truly brave, sliding) into home.

Where to Stay:
For the true sports fan, The Grand Hotel Minneapolis (615 2nd Ave. S., 612-288-8888) is the place to stay in the Twin Cities. Not only is it a short sprint to a game at the Dome or the Target Center (where the Minnesota Lynx are in action all summer), it’s also the hotel of choice for NBA teams and select pros while in town and home to the Minneapolis Life Time Athletic Club. Guests are welcome to use the fine facilities, which include a lap pool, squash courts, and a fully equipped fitness center. If you’re in need of a new cap or jersey or just want to beef up your bobblehead collection, Nick’s Sports World (625 2nd Ave. S., Mpls., 612-371-0412), which started as a temporary store to cash in on the Twins’ 1987 World Series run, is right next door. 
Photo: Nick's Sports World