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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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.
August 21, 2003 - The Minnesota Twins are just a 1/2 game behind the first place Kansas City Royals in the American League Central Division. Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Star Tribune’s LaVelle Neal about the chances that the Twins can take the lead.
September 4, 2003 - The Minnesota Twins find themselves in a tie for first place in the American League Central this morning after a remarkable victory at the Metrodome. The Twins beat the Anaheim Angels 6-5 on the strength of a wild play in the bottom of the ninth inning. MPR's Jim Bickal was at the game and he's in studio to recollect on memorable moment.
September 5, 2003 - MPR's Brandt Williams reports on lower attendance for home Twins games in 2003. Some baseball insiders are wondering where the fans are. Attendance at the Metrodome is behind 2002, and TV ratings are down significantly. Team officials say they're not worried about the numbers and say they expect crowds to increase as the season draws to a close.
September 16, 2003 - All Things Considered’s David Molpus interviews Gorden Wittenmyer, who covers the Twins for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, about big series against Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox. The Twins’ chief rival for the American League Central Division crown is in town for the first game of a three-game series.
September 18, 2003 - The Twins will be trying to sweep their three game series with the Chicago White Sox when the teams take the field in the Metrodome. With a 4-2 victory the previous night, the Twins fattened their Central Division lead over the White Sox to two-and-a-half games.
September 19, 2003 - MPR's William Wilcoxen reports on Minnesota Twins completion of a three game sweep of the Chicago White Sox with a 5-3 victory at the Metrodome. The win gives the Twins a three-and-a-half game lead over the White Sox in their race for the division title and a spot in the playoffs.
September 24, 2003 - The Minnesota Twins clinched the Central Division title and made the MLB playoffs for second straight year. The Twins 4-1 victory over Cleveland at the Metrodome, coupled with losses by Kansas City and Chicago, clinched the division title. After the Twins game ended, fans watched the end of the other games on the Metrodome scoreboard and then celebrated the title. LaVelle Neal, who covers the Twins for the Star Tribune, was there and joins Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer to describe the scene.
September 30, 2003 - It's been more than thirty years since the Minnesota Twins last made back-to-back appearances in the post season, but the Central Division champion Twins begin playoff action for the second time in as many years when they take the field in New York against the Eastern Division champion Yankees. It caps a season that saw the Twins go from high hopes to utter disappointment and back again.
September 30, 2003 - The Minnesota Twins used strong pitching and good fielding to take the first game of their playoff series with the New York Yankees. The Twins' 3-1 victory in New York was their first victory over the Yankees in more than two years, and it got them off to a good start in their best-of-five first round series. MPR's William Wilcoxen joins All Things Considered host David Molpus to share details.