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).
November 24, 1986 - MPR’s Jim Bickal reports that interim Minnesota Twins Manager Tom Kelly has been named permanent manager. Announcement also included two new managerial positions in organization.
November 25, 1986 - MPR’s reports that the Minnesota Twins have a new team manager in Tom Kelly, Ralph Houk as vice president of baseball, and Bob Gephardt as director of major league personnel.
December 17, 1986 - MPR’s Jim Bickal reports that the Minnesota Twins have decided against signing starter pitcher Jack Morris to a multi-year contract.
April 6, 1987 - MPR’s Jim Bickal takes a look at what the 1987 MLB baseball season may hold for the Minnesota Twins. The team has new uniforms, a new manager in Tom Kelly, and field replacement to a less spongy turf.
April 7, 1987 - Howard Sinker, sports commentator for the Minneapolis Star & Tribune, provides a promising outlook that a potentially “good” Minnesota Twins team will take the field during 1987 MLB season. Topics include new manager in Tom Kelly and quality of player roster.
April 8, 1987 - MPR’s Jim Bickal gets fan reactions to the Minnesota Twins new uniforms and new dome turf. One is a winner; the other a mixed bag.
May 22, 1987 - A profile of a baseball clinic for kids (6 to16) run by the Minnesota Twins. Report includes numerous interviews, including instructor Glenn Gostick, clinic founder Angelo Giuliani, and a former clinic child attendee, Twin first baseman Kent Hrbek.
June 17, 1987 - MPR’s Bill Catlin presents a profile of Herb Carneal, long-time Twins announcer. In his 30+ plus years of broadcasting, Carneal still hopes for a chance to call a championship season.
July 14, 1987 - MPR’s Jim Bickal hosts a Morning Edition panel discussion about the Minnesota Twins at mid-season. The Twins find themselves in first place of the division at the MLB All-Star Break.
August 10, 1987 - As Minnesota pitchers Bert Blyleven, Joe Niekro, and Steve Carlton find themselves aging on and off the field, MPR’s Jim Bickal gets comments from physical therapist and older Major League Baseball players about how one can continue quality play on the mound.