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).
Please note: Most content related to this topic that is contemporary or created after 2005 can be found on our main content page of MPR News.
October 11, 2004 - All Things Considered’s David Molpus interviews Terry Ryan, general manager for the Minnesota Twins, about what lies ahead for the team after ending their 2004 postseason with a loss to New York Yankees in American League Division Series.
November 11, 2004 - MPR's Brandt Williams reports that Minnesota Twins pitcher Johan Santana has been named the 2004 American League Cy Young award winner. The honor is given each year by the Baseball Writers association of America to the most statistically dominant pitchers in both Major League Baseball divisions. Santana, a 25-year-old left hander, recorded the most strikeouts of any pitcher in the American league, the lowest earned run average and the second highest number of victories.
December 8, 2004 - LaVelle Neal, who follows the Twins year-round for the Star Tribune, discusses the Minnesota Twins signing of ace pitcher Brad Radke to a two-year $18 million contract. The 32-year-old right hander has been a fixture in the Twins rotation since 1995. He recorded the best earned run average of his career last season.
December 21, 2004 - The Minnesota Twins have reached one-year contract agreements with five players including a $5 million deal with right fielder Jacque Jones. The Twins offered arbitration to four other players, including Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana. General Manager Terry Ryan takes a few questions from MPR Morning Edition producer Jim Bickal.
December 23, 2004 - MPR’s Jim Bickal reports that Joe Mauer faces a much greater risk of developing arthritis at some point in his career after a left knee injury in the second game of his rookie season last year. The Minnesota Twins catcher is back home in St. Paul for the holidays after spending several months in Florida for rehabilitation.
February 18, 2005 - Gordon Wittenmyer, baseball writer for the Pioneer Press, gives his assessment of the big pitching staff signings and where the team stands with position players going into 2005 Major League Baseball season.
March 28, 2005 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Minnesota Twins President Dave St. Peters about his recollections of Bob Casey, who died at the age of 79. Casey was the only stadium announcer the Minnesota Twins have ever had in their 44 year history. St. Peters says Casey's style as an announcer was unique, exciting and fun.
April 8, 2005 - The Minnesota Twins first home game of the 2005 season is the Twins' fourth straight opening day sell-out. The Twins are the odds on favorites to repeat as the American League Central Division champs and some sportswriters are predicting the team will make it all the way to the World Series. However, up until now, the Twins on-field success hasn't translated into bigger attendance numbers.
April 25, 2005 - MPR's Brandt Williams reports that the Minnesota Twins and Hennepin County have agreed to a funding plan for a new baseball stadium in downtown Minneapolis. The plan for the $360 million facility will include private funding from Twins owner Carl Pohlad and public money from the county in the form of a sales tax increase.
April 26, 2005 - Julian Loscalzo, a longtime Twins fan who led the failed effort to save Metropolitan Stadium, discusses what is it about outdoor baseball that you find so attractive. Loscalzo also gives his “grade” on Minnesota Twins and Hennepin County having formally announced their agreement to finance a new baseball stadium.