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 - Midday’s Bob Potter hosts MPR Special Coverage of Twins victory celebrations. Program includes reports on parade sites in St. Paul and Minneapolis and preparation of Minneapolis celebration event at Metrodome. Potter also talks with Gary Eichten and Howard Sinker, who are awaiting start of celebration event at Metrodome, about the series and answer listener questions.
October 29, 1991 - MPR Special Coverage on the Minnesota Twins celebration rally at the Hubert H. Metrodome. Gary Eichten, Howard Sinker, and Bill Wareham give a ‘play by play’ of the event. Program includes numerous interviews and speeches.
October 29, 1991 - On this Midday program, MPR’s Bob Potter reports on the Twins parade celebrating the team’s 1991 World Series win. Program includes Gary Eichten and Howard Sinker at the Metrodome, who answer listener questions.
October 29, 1991 - MPR’s Mark Heistad interviews Derek Olson, a 6th grade schoolteacher, about channeling the energy of his students from watching the 1991 World Series into the actual class curriculum.
October 31, 1991 - Audio from 1991 World Series Champion Minnesota Twins visit to the White House. Segment includes speeches by President Bush and Twins owner, Carl Pohlad.
October 31, 1991 - President of the United States George H.W. Bush speaks at White House event to celebrate the 1991 World Series Champion Minnesota Twins.
November 1, 1991 - MPR’s Tom Fudge traverses through the snow in St. Paul to get numerous individuals reactions on the large snowstorm that has hit city. Interviews include a shoveling local resident; a stuck bus driver; a happy skier; a busy liquor store owner; and Ron Gardenhire, Minnesota Twins third base coach, who just wants to go home to Kansas but can’t get his car out of the snow.
November 2, 1991 - Weekend Edition host Jim Wishner talks with sports commentator Jay Weiner about various sports items in relation to the snow, including the Twins World Series win, Winter Olympics, and the roof of Metrodome (hmmmmmmm..)
January 30, 1992 - Sports commentator Howard Sinker provides his thoughts on the status of Twins team for the 1992 MLB season. Sinker breaks down players and positions after a World Series championship win in 1991.
March 17, 1992 - Sports commentator Howard Sinker looks at the Detroit Tigers trading pitcher John Smiley to the Minnesota Twins.