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 16, 2001 - MPR’s Tom Scheck shares details on Hennepin County District Judge Harry Crump ruling that the Minnesota Twins must play baseball in the Metrodome next season. In an order filed, Crump ruled in favor of the injunction request filed in prior week by the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission.
November 16, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Minneapolis businessman Harvey MacKay about a group of state business leaders that will meet with Governor Jesse Ventura to discuss the future of the Minnesota Twins. The group is working on a proposal to buy the team from owner Carl Pohlad. They're also exploring ways to get a new ballpark.
November 19, 2001 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on public event at the Metrodome to support the future of the Minnesota Twins. At a rally coordinated by the grass roots organization "Keep the Twins at Home," fans expressed support for Major League Baseball in the state. The Twins are one of a handful of teams considered top candidates to be eliminated through baseball's contraction plans.
November 19, 2001 - Twins fans are breathing a cautious sigh of relief following a court order barring Major League Baseball from eliminating the Twins before the end of 2002, when the team's Metrodome lease runs out. Both the Twins and Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig say they plan to appeal the ruling. Former Twins slugger Kirby Puckett, now an executive vice president with the ballclub, says he's waiting for something a bit more concrete than the injunction, but he says there's no doubt the ruling helps baseball fans.
November 20, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo talks with All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson about what came out of a first meeting of a tri-partisan task force looking at various ballpark proposals, including one for the Minnesota Twins. Khoo breaks down some of the testimony at meeting.
November 21, 2001 - Former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Sandy Keith comments on the Minnesota Twins appeal and is asked if the case deserves to have an accelerated review by the Minnesota Supreme Court?
November 27, 2001 - MPR’s Tom Scheck provides a debrief on Major League Baseball owners meeting in Chicago, where MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said both he and the owners still plan to eliminate two teams before next season. The Minnesota Twins are widely considered a top prospect for elimination, but Selig acknowledges there may be obstacles along the way.
November 29, 2001 - Major League Baseball owners say they plan to move ahead with contraction and the fate of the Minnesota Twins is still unclear. The Twins are a big story in the Twin Cities, but we wondered how the baseball saga is playing in Fargo. Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson hit the streets to find out.
November 29, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on new task force that will discuss various plans in building a new stadium for the Minnesota Twins. Financing options will be the main point of the meeting.
November 30, 2001 - All Thing’s Considered’s Lorna Benson interviews Minnesota Twins third baseman Corey Koskie about the the effect of the unknown has on him and his family's financial security. The idea that Major League Baseball could contract the team weighs heavy on players.