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 29, 1991 - Midmorning’s Paula Schroeder talks with MPR reporters Bill Catlin, Chris Roberts and Kate Moos as they describe the 1991 World Series Champion Minnesota Twins celebratory parade as it runs through St. Paul.
October 29, 1991 - Midmorning’s Paula Schroeder talks with MPR reporter Gary Eichten, who is at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome prior to celebration event of the 1991 World Series Champion Minnesota Twins. 63,000 people are expected to attend.
October 29, 1991 - MPR’s Mike Maus interviews John Keller, educator at Minnesota State University in Akita, Japan. Keller recalls the exuberance and reactions of students and faculty during Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, in which the Minnesota Twins won, 1-0.
October 29, 1991 - MPR’s Gary Eichten narrates an audio montage of the Minnesota Twins World Series celebration at Metrodome. Segment includes speaking clips of MLB announcer Bob Casey, Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson, Twins Manager Tom Kelly, and Minnesota Twins players.
October 29, 1991 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen reports that while residents in Stearns County are big baseball Twins fans, the distant Twin Cities parade celebration emitting form TV and radio do not bring the same enthusiam.
October 29, 1991 - MPR’s Tom Fudge reports on the Minnesota Twins parade that traversed downtown Minneapolis. There were large crowds and excitement, but no repeat of unexpected problems that affected the 1987 Twins celebratory parade.
October 29, 1991 - MPR’s Karen Boros describes the Capital Twins parade, which is smaller and more organized than the one that took place 1987, in part because there is a celebratory parade and event in Minneapolis this time.
October 29, 1991 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik presents a summary report on the Metrodome celebration of 1991 World Championship Minnesota Twins. Zdechlik interviews numerous attending fans about their thoughts and appreciation for the winning team.
October 29, 1991 - Midmorning’s Paula Schroeder hosts MPR Special Coverage of Twins victory parade. Program includes reports from start of parade in downtown St. Paul and preparation of Minneapolis parade and celebration event at Metrodome.
October 29, 1991 - Midday’s Bob Potter hosts MPR Special Coverage of Twins victory parade. Program includes reports from parade running through downtown St. Paul and preparation of Minneapolis parade and celebration event at Metrodome.