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).
February 4, 1994 - MPR’s Bob Potter completes a phone interview with Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad about his public announcement of interest to sell the team. Pohlad states the struggle of making money on a small market Major League Baseball team.
February 5, 1994 - Jay Weiner, Weekend Edition’s sports commentator and sportswriter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, comments on what is behind the public announcement by Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad that he is interested in selling team.
April 4, 1994 - Andy MacPhail, general manager of the Minnesota Twins, comments on what is needed for the 1994 Twins season to be successful.
April 4, 1994 - Baseball analyst and commentator Gary Gillette gives an assessment how the Minnesota Twins 1994 Major League Baseball season will play out. Gillette considers it a rebuilding year for the team.
April 28, 1994 - MPR’s Robin Gehl reports that Minnesota Twins pitcher Scott Erickson pitched a no-hitter against the Milwaukee Brewers…a first for a Twins pitcher in the Metrodome, and a feat not completed in a game by a Twin in 27 years.
April 30, 1994 - Local author Lawrence Sutin provides commentary on the Minnesota Twins. Despite the dismal start to 1994 Major League Baseball season, Sutin sees joy in what the future may hold in the years ahead and an appreciation of the game and a retiring veteran player.
May 18, 1994 - Sports commentator Howard Sinker gives his take on the surprising play of the Minnesota Twins in May with a run of wins. Trading players is also mentioned.
June 15, 1994 - Local sports commentator talks about Twin’s good stretch, the looming MLB strike, and minor leagues interest.
July 6, 1994 - MPR’s Robin Gehl comments on the struggling bullpen and bats of Minnesota Twins, as the team falls nine games back from the leader in American League Central.
July 18, 1994 - MPR’s John Biewen reports on Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad’s push for change in deal with Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission. The Twins organization says it is losing money, much of it due to business structure of Major League Baseball, which puts a greater strain on small market teams.