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.
May 23, 2005 - Major League Baseball has asked Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire to make sure his players are on their best behavior in this week's series against the Cleveland Indians. MPR’s Tom Crann gets insights about situation from former Twins star pitcher Bert Blyleven.
June 14, 2005 - Baseball fans who attend games at the Metrodome in Minneapolis have a choice of programs. In addition to the official program, published by the Twins, there is another independently-produced option with a very different editorial perspective. Despite a distinct marketing disadvantage, the publishers of Gameday have cultivated a loyal customer base. MPR’s Jim Bickal takes a look…and a read.
June 23, 2005 - It's hot and muggy in the Twin Cities, the kind of day when many people long for air conditioning…and that got us thinking. MPR went to one of the largest air-conditioned buildings in the state, the Metrodome, to see what Twins fans thought about the idea of an outdoor stadium on a very steamy Minnesota day.
June 24, 2005 - The Minnesota Twins broke a four game losing streak by defeating the Detroit Tigers 6-2 at the Metrodome. Pitcher Carlos Silva threw a complete game and didn't walk any Tiger batters. The Twins got ahead of the Tigers early with a four-run rally in the first inning, and unlike the last few games, they didn't let the Tigers come back.
July 15, 2005 - MPR's Brandt Williams reports on the Minnesota Twins loss in the first game of the second half of the season, falling to the Los Angeles Angels 3-2 at the Metrodome. The loss puts the Twins 10 games behind the division leading Chicago White Sox.
July 29, 2005 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann talks with baseball analyst Gordon Wittenmyer about what is, and IS NOT, working for the Twins when they take the field. The team finds themselves far back in pennant race, now hoping for a chance at wild card.
August 8, 2005 - David Zingler, writer for the MPR baseball blog Bleacher Bums, tells Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer what happened to the Minnesota Twins, who are in jeopardy of missing the baseball playoffs for the first time in 3 years.
August 9, 2005 - Roy Smalley, former player of the Minnesota Twins, remembers his uncle and manager Gene Mauch, who died at the age of 79. Muach managed the Minnesota Twins from 1976-1980.
August 25, 2005 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports that The Minnesota Twins took a step backward in their quest for a wild card playoff spot by losing 2-1 to the Chicago White Sox in 10 innings at the Metrodome. The loss puts them three and a half games behind the New York Yankees and Oakland. Twins players and fans were disappointed by the loss but are not ready to give up the chase.
September 30, 2005 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports that the Minnesota Twins 2005 season ends during upcoming weekend game at the Metrodome. For the first time in three years, the team will not finish at the top of their division or go to the playoffs. Instead, Twins players and many fans will spend this fall and winter pondering what went wrong and what the team will have to do to make a stronger showing next season.