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).
October 28, 1991 - MPR’s Mark Heistad interviews Bill Wareham about attending Game 7 of the 1991 World Series. Wareham recalls an incredibly tense game, with the Minnesota Twins defeating the Atlanta Braves 1-0 in bottom of the 10th inning. It was the first World Series-deciding game to go into extra innings since Game 4 of the 1939 Series.
October 28, 1991 - MPR’s Mark Heistad interviews Lois Sinn Lindquist, member of St. Paul Downtown Council, about celebrations for the Minnesota Twins, who won the 1991 World Series.
October 28, 1991 - MPR’s Mark Heistad interviews sports writer Jay Weiner about Game 7 of the 1991 World Series. The game ended in the bottom of the 10th inning, with the Minnesota Twins winning 1-0.
October 28, 1991 - MPR’s Mark Heistad talks with reporter Mark Zdechlik about what he witnessed outside Metrodome after Minnesota Twins World Series win. Zdechlik describes destruction and vandalism amongst the larger celebration.
October 28, 1991 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, which includes interview clips with Twins Manager Tom Kelly, winning pitcher Jack Morris, and winning pinch-hitter Gene Larkin.
October 28, 1991 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik reports on the post-game celebration (and chaos) outside the Metrodome after the Minnesota Twins won the 1991 World Series in 10th inning of Game 7.
October 28, 1991 - MPR’s Kate Smith reports on the many Minnesota Twins fans searching for 1991 World Series Championship apparel and memorabilia…sometimes in vain.
October 29, 1991 - Midmorning’s Paula Schroeder talks with MPR reporter Bill Catlin as he and fans await the start of 1991 World Series Champion Minnesota Twins celebratory parade in St. Paul.
October 29, 1991 - Midmorning’s Paula Schroeder talks with MPR reporters Bill Catlin and Chris Roberts about people gathering in the cold weather to watch the 1991 World Series Champion Minnesota Twins celebratory parade, which starts in St. Paul, then moves to Minneapolis.
October 29, 1991 - Midmorning’s Paula Schroeder interviews Delores Henderson, principal of Rondo Elementary Center, about drop in school’s student attendance due to the 1991 World Series Champion Minnesota Twins parade and celebrations.