April 4, 2003 - The Minnesota Twins begin their home season against the Toronto Blue Jays and team officials say they expect a sold-out crowd at the Metrodome. Some Twins boosters had hoped to be laying the groundwork to replace the Dome by this time, but a ballpark bill passed in last session failed to produce a workable solution. So far in 2003, lawmakers have remained relatively mute on stadium legislation.
April 21, 2003 - All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson checks in with MPR’s William Wilcoxen about the Minnesota Wild and Minnesota Timberwolves during their respective playoff runs. Basketball's Timberwolves lost the opening game of their series with the Los Angeles Lakers. In hockey, the Wild surprised the favored Colorado Avalanche in game five and will host game six in that best of seven series in Saint Paul.
May 8, 2003 - All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson chats with MPR’s William Wilcoxen about the Minnesota Wild as they prepare for game seven of the second round playoff series with the Vancouver Canucks. If they win game seven in Vancouver, the Wild would become the first team ever to come back from a three games to one deficit in two straight playoff series.
May 26, 2003 - The Memorial Day weekend is the traditional start for the summer tourist season. Tourism contributes nearly $10 billion to Minnesota's economy. Resorts and other tourist-oriented businesses are hoping for a summer season that will compensate for several years of struggle. Many Minnesotans will head to the water for a long weekend of fishing.
June 18, 2003 - Tracy Ringolsby, sports columnist for Rocky Mountain News, recently published an article looking at the Twins attendance figures and says The Twins should be contracted. That doesn't sit well with Minnesota Twins’ Dave St. Peter, who sees the numbers differently.
June 27, 2003 - With his smallish stature, knobby knees, and slightly crooked forelegs, he looked more like a cow pony than a thoroughbred. But looks aren't everything; his quality, an admirer once wrote, "was mostly in his heart." Gary Eichten talks with Laura Hillenbrand, about the story of the horse who became a cultural icon in Seabiscuit: An American Legend. Program contains pledge drive segments.
June 27, 2003 - We continue to talk with Laura Hillenbrand, author of Seabiscut: An American Legend. Program contains pledge drive segments.
July 15, 2003 - LaVelle Neal, who covers the Twins for the Star Tribune, comments on the state of play for Minnesota Twins after All-Star Break. The team has lost eight games in a row and Manager Ron Gardenhire has his work cut out for him.
July 17, 2003 - MPR's Eugene Cha interviews 77-year-old Minnie Miñoso at Midway Stadium to look back on his career. He says many factors went into his longevity. The night prior, Miñoso batted leadoff for the St. Paul Saints and drew a walk in the first inning, then being replaced by a pinch runner. The appearance made Miñoso the first baseball player to play in a pro game in seven different decades.
August 13, 2003 - On this Midday, a remembrance of former U.S. Olympic hockey coach Herb Brooks, who died in a rollover accident in Forest Lake. Interviews featured include Lou Nanne, Kathleen Ridder, Glen Sonmor, Wendell Anderson, and John Harrington. Program also includes call-in commentary.