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).
September 29, 1987 - A collection of interviews with Minnesota Twins players after the team beat the Texas Rangers, and in doing so, clinching the pennant in AL West.
October 5, 1987 - MPR’s Jim Bickal reports on fan reactions as the Twins return home to prepare for playoff baseball. The team ended the MLB regular season with a 85-77 record.
October 6, 1987 - As the Minnesota Twins prepare for the 1987 MLB playoffs, MPR’s Bill Catlin looks into perceived reasons behind the team’s winning ways…which include a conspiracy theory and a superstition.
October 8, 1987 - MPR’s Jim Bickal provides a summary of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, where the Minnesota Twins faced off and defeated the Detroit Tigers 8-5.
October 12, 1987 - MPR’s Jim Bickal provides a summary of Game 5 of the American League Championship Series, where the Minnesota Twins beat the Detroit Tigers, 5-3.
October 12, 1987 - MPR Journal host Gary Eichten talks with MPR’s Jim Bickal from the locker room of the American League Champion Minnesota Twins. There is a lot of celebration on winning American League pennant…and champagne.
October 13, 1987 - MPR’s Mike Mulcahy reports on American League pennant celebration at the Metrodome as fans reacted loudly to the AL Champion Minnesota Twins taking the field as part of event. The Twins now go onto the MLB World Series.
October 16, 1987 - MPR’s Jim Bickal reports on how the American League Minnesota Twins and National League St. Louis Cardinals are preparing for play in the Major League World Series. Items of focus include noises, odd structure of dome, and teams playing against each other for the very first time.
October 16, 1987 - MPR’s Mike Mulcahy reports on the local excitement…and opportunity that is brewing as the Minnesota Twins prepare to play in 1987 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
October 16, 1987 - MPR’s Jim Bickal looks at a rarity in baseball…a pitcher that is good at the plate holding a bat. Bickal breaks down the concept of the designated hitter role. Twins pitchers must prepare to bat in 1987 Worlds Series, since the National League hosted games in St. Louis have no DH hitter.