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Minnesota Twins
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.
558 Collection Items
- The Return of Hunter - Torii signs with Twins, says it'll be his last Major League stop
The Minnesota Twins rehired Torii Hunter on a one-year contract worth 10.5 million dollars. Hunter, who played in the outfield for the Twins for 11 seasons, says he's glad to be back. He says he's ready to help the struggling team win it all next season.
- Paul Molitor, new Twins manager, says he'll turn Twins into a winner
MPR’s Curtis Gilbert reports on Paul Molitor being introduced as the new Minnesota Twins manager. In his first news conference as a manager, Paul Molitor insisted he can pull the Minnesota Twins out of the team's four-season slump.
- Gardenhire out, coaching staff let go as Twins finish with 92 losses
MPR’s Matt Sepic reports on the dismissal of Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire, as well as the entire coaching staff. The action came after four straight seasons of the team losing more than 90 games each of those year. Despite a rough four years, Gardenhire leaves the Twins having a winning record overall and six titles in his 13 seasons as team manager.
- Howard Sinker comments on a fourth consecutive dismal Twins season
Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer gets sports commentator Howard Sinker’s take on yet another disappointing Minnesota Twins season, losing 90 or more games for the fourth season in a row. Sinker says there is blame to go around and sees personal changes on the horizon.
- Twins Perkins and Suzuki close a busy All-Star week with an AL win
MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, played at Target Field for the first time. The American League All-Stars beat the National League last night 5-3, with a little help from Twins Glen Perkins and Kurt Suzuki.
- Target Field has smallest Opening Day crowd in it's history as Twins ballpark
The Oakland Athletics beat the home team Minnesota Twins 8-3 at Target Field. The loss was the team's third straight home opening loss…and it happened in front of the smallest Opening Day crowd since Target Field opened in 2010.
- Preparing for Twins home opener includes a lot of odd jobs
MPR’s Matt Sepic wanders Target Field to get an idea of what it takes to prepare for a Minnesota Twins home opener. He finds everything from bunting, grass, to the scoreboard being attended to.
- Forget a Twins home opener...try a "cold" opener
In their earliest ever home opener, chilly was the word of the day at Target Field as the Minnesota Twins battled against the Detroit Tigers. Temperatures were in the 30s, and fans were layered in extra attire in the stands. The game also had a chilly result, as the Twins lost 4-2.
- Howard Sinker talks Twins baseball draft
Howard Sinker, digital sports editor for Star-Tribune.com, gives an appraisal of the potential picks for the Minnesota Twins in the Major League Baseball Draft. In 2011, only one major league team finished with a worse record than Minnesota and because of that year's dismal performance, the Twins will have the second overall pick in the amateur player draft.
- Kent Hrbek statue to be unveiled at Target Field
Kent Hrbek joins Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer to discuss the unveiling of a Kent Hrbek bronze statue outside Target Field in Minneapolis. Hrbek will join Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Rod Carew, and Kirby Puckett as the only players to be immortalized in bronze outside the ballpark.