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).
August 13, 1987 - MPR’s Bill Catlin gets fans, ball players, and a sociologist’s reactions on the rare experience of the Minnesota Twins being in American League Pennant race.
August 31, 1987 - MPR’s Kate Moos reports that Minnesota Twins are lining up for tickets of the remaining regular season as excitement for the team has increased dramatically this year, with Twins holding a lead in division.
September 23, 1987 - MPR’s Jim Bickal gives a regular season game summary of Twins home game against the Texas Rangers. The Twins have put together the best home record in MLB, recording 53-23 at the dome thus far.
September 25, 1987 - MPR’s Jim Bickal looks at what is behind the Minnesota Twins success during the 1987 MLB season.
September 25, 1987 - MPR’s Jim Bickal visits the giant marshmallow, a.k.a. the Metrodome, to record some of the sights and sounds that come with a ticket to the ballgame. Bickal interviews some of the individuals responsible for them.
September 25, 1987 - An interview with Calvin Griffith, former owner of the Minnesota Twins. Griffith reflects on what held back the team in past years from gaining a two-million annual attendance and how he is cheering on the 1987 team as they go for pennant. The team sold-out for the first time in it’s history during Fan Appreciation game.
September 28, 1987 - MPR’s Jim Bickal provides a breakdown of Minnesota Twins game that had the largest regular season crowd in Metrodome history. Fans watched as the team won game as they battle to win pennant in AL West.
September 29, 1987 - A collection of interviews with Minnesota Twins players after the team beat the Texas Rangers, and in doing so, clinching the pennant in AL West.
October 5, 1987 - MPR’s Jim Bickal reports on fan reactions as the Twins return home to prepare for playoff baseball. The team ended the MLB regular season with a 85-77 record.
October 6, 1987 - As the Minnesota Twins prepare for the 1987 MLB playoffs, MPR’s Bill Catlin looks into perceived reasons behind the team’s winning ways…which include a conspiracy theory and a superstition.