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 had 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.
Six Twins players have have had their numbers retired: Harmon Killebrew (3), Tony Oliva (6), Kent Hrbek (14), Bert Blyleven (28), Rod Carew (29), and Kirby Puckett (34).
August 27, 1975 - Jim Klobuchar discusses local professional sports teams, specifically the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins, and the benefits of a new stadium.
June 5, 1982 - An interview with William Peter Kinsella, author of the novel "Shoeless Joe" which is partially set in Chissolm Minnesota, where "Moonlight Graham" is from - a man who played a half of an inning of professional baseball for the New York Giants before returning to Minnesota. Kinsella talks about the novel and his relationship with baseball.
October 21, 1987 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews David Broder, journalist for The Washington Post. Broder laments the existence of Minnesota’s sports dome, and its detrimental effect on baseball.
October 14, 1991 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on Minnesota Twins winning American League pennant, beating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 5 of American League Championship Series. The Minnesota Twins now go onto the 1991 World Series and face the winner of National League Championship Series.
October 18, 1991 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews sports commentator Howard Sinker, who provides insight into 1991 World Series match-up of American League’s Minnesota Twins and National League’s Atlanta Braves. The series opens on October 19th at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.
October 18, 1991 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on the various preparations of the Minnesota Twins as they get ready for the 1991 World Series, after winning the American League Championship. The Twins opponent will be the National League Champion Atlanta Braves.
October 19, 1991 - On this Weekend Edition report, MPR’s Bill Wareham highlights the Atlanta Braves. For many Braves players, this will be the first experience playing in the Metrodome and dealing with its unique oddities as a ballpark. The Braves will represent the National League in the 1991 World Series against the American League’s Minnesota Twins.
October 21, 1991 - MPR’s Bill Wareham provides a recap of Game 2 of the 1991 World Series. The Minnesota Twins beat the Atlanta Braves 3-2. Segment includes interview clips of Twins Manager Tom Kelly and players from both teams.
October 22, 1991 - MPR’s Mark Heistad interviews Mike Tiering, an Atlanta sportswriter, about the 1991 World Series and the intense enthusiasm for the Atlanta Braves. Tiering discusses the Atlanta losses in first two games and prediction on Game 3.
October 22, 1991 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews sports commentator Howard Sinker to get his take on the first two games of 1991 World Series and match-ups between Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves in Game 3. The Twins lead series is tied 2-0.