JIM PETERSEN
Lynx assistant coach and TV play-by-play announcer for the Timberwolves
Age: 50
Roots: Grew up in St. Louis Park, played basketball at the University of Minnesota before an eight-year NBA career that included stops in Houston, Sacramento and Golden State.
First local sports memory: "My first Vikings game," he said. "Going to see Gary Cuozzo in a preseason game against San Francisco. It was Cuozzo and Norm Snead for the Vikings, John Brodie for the 49ers. First game at the Met."
Favorite sports memory: Watching the Gophers basketball team lose a double-overtime game to Purdue at Williams Arena in 1976. "Mychal [Thompson], Flip [Saunders], Osborne Lockhart, Ray Williams," he said. "Jules Perlt on the mic. It was my first time in the Barn. It was awesome."
Toughest sports memory: 1998 NFC title game.
First to break playoff drought? Wolves.
KENT HRBEK
Twins Hall of Fame member, first baseman on two World Series championship teams
Age: 52
Roots: Grew up in Bloomington, attended Kennedy High School. Drafted by the Twins in 1978, Hrbek made his major league debut in 1981.