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 had 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.
Six Twins players have have had their numbers retired: Harmon Killebrew (3), Tony Oliva (6), Kent Hrbek (14), Bert Blyleven (28), Rod Carew (29), and Kirby Puckett (34).
August 27, 1975 - Jim Klobuchar discusses local professional sports teams, specifically the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins, as well as the benefits of a new stadium.
June 11, 1981 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten talks with local sports reporter Jay Weiner about potential Major League Baseball strike and its effect on Minnesota Twins.
June 25, 1981 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten interviews local sports commentator Jay Weiner about impact of MLB Baseball strike on the Minnesota Twins and their players.
June 5, 1982 - An interview with William Peter Kinsella, author of the novel "Shoeless Joe" which is partially set in Chissolm Minnesota, where "Moonlight Graham" is from - a man who played a half of an inning of professional baseball for the New York Giants before returning to Minnesota. Kinsella talks about the novel and his relationship with baseball.
April 25, 1984 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten interviews Tom Mee, media relations director for the Minnesota Twins, about bulk ticket sales buy-out, status of Minnesota Twins as an organization, owner Calvin Griffith’s possible sale of team, and public interest in team.
September 28, 1984 - MPR’s Gary Eichten provides commentary on the 1984 Minnesota Twins baseball season. While no pennant…the team has a new owner, Kirby Puckett on the roster, and gave fans a season of plucky play.
January 15, 1985 - MPR’s Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on efforts by banker Carl Pohlad, the new Minnesota Twins owner, to promote the baseball team across the state. The winter tour push is to get excitement for club and fans into the ballpark for the 1985 season.
April 28, 1986 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks Twins baseball with Minneapolis Star & Tribune sports commentator Howard Sinker. The two discuss the Metrodome roof sinking in during the 8th inning of April 27th game, the poor performance of the relief pitchers, and various other Twins players.
October 7, 1986 - MPR Journal’s Gary Eichten talks with sports commentator J.G. Preston about his thoughts on what Minnesota Twins should do in preparing for 1987 MLB season.
October 21, 1987 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews David Broder, journalist for The Washington Post. Broder laments the existence of Minnesota’s sports dome, and its detrimental effect on baseball.