2011: The Year In Local Sports

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The Gopher men's basketball team was dealt a devastating blow in its Thanksgiving tournament in Florida when Preseason All-Big 10 forward Trevor Mbakwe went down with a season-ending knee injury.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves answers questions from the media at his introductory press conference on June 21, 2011 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves is introduced to the media by David Kahn, President of Basketball Operations on June 21, 2011 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves poses for portraits on June 21, 2011 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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As a member of the Minnesota Twins, Jim Thome hit his 600th career home run on August 15 at Comerica Park against the Detroit Tigers. It was one of two homers for Thome that night.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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Jim Thome celebrates with his Minnesota Twins teammates after hitting his 600th career home run on August 15 against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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The Minnesota Twins parted ways with outfielder Jason Kubel in December. Kubel left in free agency and signed a 2-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks worth about $15 million.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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In the craziness of NFL free agency after the end of the lockout, the Minnesota Vikings signed veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb. The move didn't work as McNabb went 1-5 as a starter and was benched for first round draft choice Christian Ponder.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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A general view of the new roof of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings on August 27, 2011 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The roof was repaired less than a year after it collapsed due to heavy snowfall, forcing the Vikings to play their final two home games in Detroit and at the University of Minnesota.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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The Minnesota Twins and fan favorite Michael Cuddyer parted ways this offseason. In free agency, Cuddyer signed a 3-year deal with the Colorado Rockies worth about $31 million.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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It was a rough season for Chris Cook of the Minnesota Vikings, who struggled early on and was then arrested for domestic assault after he allegedly strangled his girlfriend. He was suspended and has not played since the incident.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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The Minnesota Twins had a disappointing 2011 season filled with injuries and inconsistent play, resulting in a 99-loss season that put them last in the American League Central Division after the Twins had won the last two division titles.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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Rick Adelman new Head Coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves is introduced to the media by David Kahn, President of Basketball Operations on September 28, 2011 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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It was a roller-coaster first season for Jerry Kill with the University of Minnesota football program. The Gophers finished 3-9, won two Big 10 Conference games and had one of their most dramatic games in a loss to New Mexico State, when Kill had a seizure on the sidelines late in the game.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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In the first season of his rebuilding project, Jerry Kill went 3-9 as the Gopher football team's head coach.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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The Minnesota Lynx toast to their 73-67 win over the Atlanta Dream in Game Three of the 2011 WNBA Finals at Philips Arena on October 7, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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Maya Moore #23 of the Minnesota Lynx celebrates after winning Game Three of the 2011 WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Philips Arena on October 7, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 7: Head coach Cheryl Reeve, Candice Wiggins and the rest of the Minnesota Lynx celebrate in the locker room against Atlanta Dream after winning Game Three of the 2011 WNBA Finals at Philips Arena on October 7, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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Head coach Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx sprays champagne while celebrating their 73-67 win over the Atlanta Dream in Game Three of the 2011 WNBA Finals at Philips Arena on October 7, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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Lindsay Whalen #13 of the Minnesota Lynx shoots a free throw against the Atlanta Dream in Game Three of the 2011 WNBA Finals at Philips Arena on October 7, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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The Minnesota Lynx celebrate with the WNBA Trophy after they defeated the Atlanta Dream during Game Three of the 2011 WNBA Finals at Philips Arena on October 7, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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2011 WNBA Champions Minnesota Lynx players, coaches, staff and ownership are honored with a Championship Parade through downtown Minneapolis and a Championship Rally at Target Center on October 11, 2011 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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The 2011 WNBA Champions Minnesota Lynx celebrate at the conclusion of a Championship Rally at Target Center on October 11, 2011 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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The Minnesota Vikings selected quarterback Christian Ponder in this year's NFL Draft with their 12th overall pick. He became the team's starter after Donovan McNabb struggled to a 1-5 start.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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Leslie Frazier went 3-3 as the Vikings interim head coach last season and was named the head coach shortly after the season. This year has been a disappointment as the Vikings are 3-12 with two games to play.

2011: The Year In Local Sports

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One of the few highlights of this year's Gopher football season was the team's victory over Iowa at TCF Bank Stadium. It was the first Big 10 victory for Jerry Kill and it let the Gophers keep the coveted Floyd of Rosedal trophy for another year.