July 15, 1996 - Midday features a special Talk of Minnesota call-in program about number 34, the now-retired Minnesota Twin, Kirby Puckett. Program includes Puckett press conference and listener comments in the creation of an audio thank you letter to “Puck.”
August 13, 1996 - MPR’s sports commentator Howard Sinker discusses the faltering Minnesota Twins. Despite being in striking distance for the playoffs and having excellent play from individuals such as Paul Molitor, Sinker sees the team lacking the extra piece that would put them squarely into postseason play. Sinker is state news editor for the Star Tribune.
August 19, 1996 - This hour of Midmorning features Voices of Minnesota segments with David Lanegran, an urban geographer; a Minnesota Twins update, including interviews with players Frank Rodriguez, Scott Stahoviak, and Paul Molitor; and an Odd Jobs piece on mussel transport.
August 28, 1996 - Local sports commentator Howard Sinker discusses the excellent play of veteran Paul Molitor and Twins chances of making MLB playoffs.
November 5, 1996 - St. Paul native Toni Stone, the first woman to play on a men's professional baseball team, died on November 2nd, 1996 at a nursing home near Oakland, California. She was 75 years old. In 1990, Stone came back to St. Paul to talk to a group of students during Women's History Month. MPR’s Bill Wareham was there and presents this audio from an original 1990 broadcast as a remembrance.
November 8, 1996 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik reports on the Minnesota Twins and its allies looking to push lawmakers at the Minnesota State Capitol for a news stadium, the team going so far as to give a year’s notice as a warning on future of team in the state.
December 4, 1996 - The Minnesota Twins say their financial losses continued to mount in 1996, reinforcing the need for a new ballpark. Team officials revealed their latest figures while renewing their pitch for a stadium before the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission.
January 1, 1997 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger visits Mille Lacs, and reports on the perplexing nature of ice fishing.
January 2, 1997 - Midday discusses the year in sports with Minnesota Public Radio sports analyst Howard Sinker. Sinker and MPR’s Gary Eichten review the events of the past year, and look ahead to the rest of the year. Topics include the battle over stadium public financing for Minnesota Twins and/or Minnesota Vikings.
January 9, 1997 - Midday looks at the proposal for a new Twins ballpark and the surrounding financial details with guests Gene Merriam, Minnesota Senate Finance Committee Chairman; and MPR reporter Bill Wareham. Program also includes short interviews with key individuals on proposal and listener call-in questions.