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).
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November 6, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports that while Major League Baseball owners are meeting in Chicago and may be considering folding the Twins along with the Montreal Expos, some in the Twin Cities are promising a fight. The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission says the team has a binding agreement to play at the Metrodome next season. Governor Ventura says he'd support gambling revenues to pay for a new stadium.
November 6, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on Governor Jesse Ventura’s stance against public funding on a new stadium for Minnesota Twins. His view and actions have drawn criticism from some voters and fellow politicians.
November 7, 2001 - Midday presents an update on the future of the Minnesota Twins and professional baseball in Minnesota with a discussion with Jay Weiner, Star Tribune sportswriter and MPR sport analyst; and Bill Lester, executive director of the Sports Facilities Commission; and attorney Michael Ciresi.
November 7, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on political debate over Major League Baseball’s potential owner vote to contract two teams from the league…one being the Minnesota Twins.
November 7, 2001 - MPR's Tom Scheck reports on results of Major League Baseball owner meeting, where a vote took place to contract teams in the league. Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig says baseball's owners overwhelmingly voted to continue the process of contracting two teams before the 2002 season starts.
November 8, 2001 - MPR's Andrew Haeg reports that Minnesotans continue to ponder life without the Minnesota Twins. The team is a prime candidate for elimination if Major League Baseball carries through its intended plan to contract the league. If the Twins are shut down, businesses will lose customers….and local community organizations will lose an important benefactor.
November 12, 2001 - Major League Baseball owners vote to eliminate two teams before the beginning of next season prompted many listeners to call Morning Edition’s comment line. Host Cathy Wurzer presents a snippet of the commentaries left within the in-box.
November 13, 2001 - If Major League Baseball goes through with plans to eliminate the Minnesota Twins and the Montreal Expos, it will mark a historic moment for the game. This would be the first league contraction in 100 years and the end of one of the charter members of the American League. MPR’s Jim Bickal interviews Bill James, one of the country's leading authorities on the history of baseball and author of the book The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract.
November 13, 2001 - All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson interviews Fay Vincent, Major League Baseball's former commissioner, who weighs in on MLB’s owner vote to contract two teams.
November 15, 2001 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports that Hennepin County District Judge Harry Crump says he'll announce soon whether he'll require the Twins to play baseball in the Metrodome next year (2002). Crump heard arguments from the the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, the Attorney General's office, and the Minnesota Twins.