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 8, 1999 - On this hour of Midday, a discussion about Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad signing a letter of intent to sell the team, pending approval of a new ballpark in downtown St. Paul. If the deal goes through, sports moguls Glen Taylor and Robert Naegele will head up the new ownership group.
October 21, 1999 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen profiles Calvin Griffith, former owner of the Minnesota, who passed away on October 20th, 1999. Report presents various remembrances from players and family.
October 21, 1999 - MPR’s Bob Potter talks with Jay Weiner, sports commentator and sportswriter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, about his memories of former Minnesota Twins owner Calvin Griffith.
November 3, 1999 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports that St. Paul residents overwhelmingly rejected a sales tax increase to pay for a new Minnesota Twins ballpark in the city's downtown. After a summer of sometimes contentious debate, voters defeated the proposal 58% to 42%.
March 30, 2000 - On this Midday, Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson talks about charges his administration was improperly involved in the threat to move the Twins and gain a new ballpark. Program also includes a talk with Twins President Jerry Bell.
April 3, 2000 - Local sports analyst Howard Sinker talks about the Minnesota Twins beginning their 40th season, in the midst of fan apathy and a decreasing interest in baseball, according to a Minnesota Poll.
July 3, 2000 - MPR’s Lorna Benson talks with Kevin Hennessy, an analyst for Total Sports Publications, about the Minnesota Twins signing starting pitcher Brad Radke to a new four-year contract worth a reported $36 million. The deal will keep the right-hander with the club through 2004. Radke joined the Twins in 1995. He would have been eligible for free agency at the end of this season.
September 26, 2000 - Baseball analyst Kevin Hennessy shares his thoughts about rumors that Minnesota Twins Manager Tom Kelly may not continue in his role next year. Hennessy sees hope in the team’s roster and near future. He thinks Kelly is a strong manger to have for any upswing.
November 15, 2000 - MPR's William Wilcoxen reports on Minnesotans for Major League Baseball and New Ballpark Incorporated, two local committees looking at various aspects of the long-running ballpark discussion. The groups expect to issue reports by the end of the year.
January 9, 2001 - MPR sports commentor Jay Weiner discusses results of a stadium advisory panel created by the Minnesota Twins that say Twins owner Carl Pohlad should contribute $150 million toward a new outdoor baseball stadium. A draft report obtained by the Star Tribune from Minnesotans for Major League Baseball says that amount would cover about the half of the cost. The other half would be financed through taxes as opposed to a "direct public subsidy."