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).
July 16, 1991 - Tom Kelly, Minnesota Twins manager, gives updates on the status of Twins pitching staff.
August 12, 1991 - A psychologist tells MPR’s Gary Eichten that he thinks the Minnesota Twins psyche is in good shape going into the final part of 1991 MLB season.
August 31, 1991 - From MPR Minnesota State Fair booth, guest host Gary Eichten talks about the pennant race with Twins General Manager Andy McPhail. This is followed with commentary from Howard Sinker, Star Tribune reporter and editor, who answers listener questions about baseball
October 9, 1991 - Sports commentator Howard Sinker breaks down the Twins loss of Game 2 in the 1991 American League Championship Series. The Toronto Blue Jays beat the Minnesota Twins 5-2.
October 11, 1991 - Minnesota sports commentator Howard Sinker looks at what’s ahead for Game 3 of 1991 American League Championship Series. The Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays are tied 1-1 in the series.
October 14, 1991 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on Minnesota Twins winning American League pennant, beating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 5 of American League Championship Series. The Minnesota Twins now go onto the 1991 World Series and face the winner of National League Championship Series.
October 16, 1991 - With the Minnesota Twins in a post-season run, Tom Mee, the Twins media relations director, looks back on Twins history and highlights the best Twins team over the decades.
October 16, 1991 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten interviews Calvin Griffith, the former and first owner of the Minnesota Twins, on his thoughts on the 1991 Twins team compared to past winning teams. In Griffith’s mind, the best Twins team was from the 1967 season.
October 18, 1991 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews sports commentator Howard Sinker, who provides insight into 1991 World Series match-up of American League’s Minnesota Twins and National League’s Atlanta Braves. The series opens on October 19th at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.
October 18, 1991 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on the various preparations of the Minnesota Twins as they get ready for the 1991 World Series, after winning the American League Championship. The Twins opponent will be the National League Champion Atlanta Braves.