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).
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.
September 28, 1984 - Minneapolis Star & Tribune’s sports commentator Howard Sinker provides commentary on the Twin’s chances for post season play evaporating after a heart-breaking game loss the night prior. The Twins are back two games for a division title and making the playoffs, with only three games left in the regular season.
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.
August 2, 1985 - Sports commentator Howard Sinker comments on the Minnesota Twins acquisition of star pitcher Bert Blyleven from the Cleveland Indians. The looming possibility of an MLB strike and new team manager Ray Miller is also discussed.
October 4, 1985 - Morning Edition’s Doug Hamilton talks with Minneapolis Star Tribune’s sports commentator about how the Minnesota Twins fared in the 1985 season…it wasn’t good.
October 5, 1985 - MPR’s Jim Bickal gets fans reactions as the 1985 MLB regular season…and the Twins, comes to a close. Some fans are not not surprised by team’s poor results, while others think the team is just one player away from competing for the World Series.
April 1, 1986 - MPR’s Jim Bickal profiles Mike Atkinson, a Minnetonka police detective…AND serious collector of all things Twins. Atkinson describes some of his harder to find bat acquisitions.
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.
September 12, 1986 - MPR’s Kate Moos interviews Minnesota Twins President Howard Fox about the firing of manager Ray Miller after a dismal 1986 season. Third base coach Tom Kelly will become interim manager.
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.