In 1961, Minnesota gained its first professional sports team when the Washington Senators moved to Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington and became the Minnesota Twins. The team enjoyed relatively quick success, winning the American League pennant in 1965 behind the hitting of Tony Oliva and Harmon Killebrew, and the pitching of Mudcat Grant and Jim Kaat. The Twins lost the World Series that year to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The team didn't make another trip to the World Series until 1987, when they became Word Series champions…a feat the Twins repeated in 1991.
By 1987, the Twins moved into the Metrodome in Minneapolis. The team's move to that domed stadium was controversial, as would be its move to Target Field in 2010. Both projects were preceded by years of debate and controversy over whether public investments in stadiums were worthwhile.
Nine Twins players have have had their numbers retired: Harmon Killebrew (3), Tony Oliva (6), Joe Mauer (7) Kent Hrbek (14), Bert Blyleven (28), Rod Carew (29), Kirby Puckett (34), and Jim Katt (36).
August 27, 1975 - Jim Klobuchar discusses local professional sports teams, specifically the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins, as well as the benefits of a new stadium.
May 16, 1977 - MPR’s John Merli reports that Minnesota Vikings General Manager Mike Lynn and Twins President Calvin Griffith were among the large crowd of onlookers who packed into the governor's reception room to watch the signing of one of the most controversial bills to pass through the legislature.
July 19, 1977 - Dick Cullum, Minneapolis Tribune sportswriter, comments on why fans still come to a Minnesota Twins game, despite having disappointing seasons since the late 1960s. Cullum also shares his personal ballpark recollections.
April 15, 1978 - MPR’s Neal St. Anthony presents an opening day profile of the 1978 Minnesota Twins. Includes audio clips on days of old and an interview about current players with pitching coach Camilo Pascual (a former Minnesota Twins pitcher…and eventual Minnesota Twin Hall of Famer).
July 10, 1978 - An interview with Calvin Griffith, owner of the Minnesota Twins. Griffith recounts his love for the game of baseball, his youth, the team…and his car.
March 14, 1979 - MPR’s Bob Potter and Dale Connelly report from the stadium hearing held by the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission. Topics include various financial and lease negotiations with the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings regarding a new downtown stadium.
August 11, 1979 - MPR’s Dale Connelly visits Metropolitan Stadium during a Minnesota Twins ballgame to get fan reactions to the idea of seeing MLB baseball in the future dome stadium. Like the strike zone, opinions are all over the place.
April 22, 1980 - MPR’s Dale Connelly breaks down the numbers, sights, and sounds of Minnesota Twins 1980 home opener.
April 22, 1980 - MPR’s Dale Connelly presents a collage of home opener sounds and fan commentary at Metropolitan Stadium, as the Minnesota Twins take the field for 1980 MLB season.
June 11, 1981 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten talks with local sports reporter Jay Weiner about potential Major League Baseball strike and its effect on Minnesota Twins.