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 25, 1991 - MPR’s Paula Schroeder interviews students at Akita University about what it’s like to watch 1991 World Series while studying in Japan.
October 25, 1991 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports from Atlanta’s Fulton County Stadium on Game 5 results of 1991 World Series. The Atlanta Braves won game 14-5, and leads series against Minnesota Twins 3-2.
October 26, 1991 - Weekend Edition host Jim Wishner talks with sports commentator Jay Weiner about how the 1991 World Series between the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves may conclude.
October 28, 1991 - MPR’s Mark Heistad talks with reporter Bill Wareham about covering the 1991 World Series. Wareham describes an exhilarating…and exhausting couple weeks. He reflects on many highlights of the seven-game series.
October 28, 1991 - MPR’s Paula Schroeder interviews Susan Catton, a former Minnesotan who now lives in the South and is an Atlana Braves fan. Catton shares her thoughts about her team’s loss and mixed feelings on Twins win.
October 28, 1991 - Midmorning’s Paula Schroeder and reporter Robin Gehl share their thoughts about Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, which ended with the Minnesota Twins defeating the Atlanta Braves 1-0 in extra innings.
October 28, 1991 - Sports commentator Howard Sinker shares his thoughts on the extraordinary nature of the 1991 World Series, in particular the climatic Game 7. MPR’s Gary Eichten and Sinker discuss notable plays and players from series.
October 28, 1991 - MPR’s Tom Fudge reports on the various preparations for Minnesota Twins victory parade as the 1991 World Series Champions. Plans include improvements based on lessons learned from the Twins’ 1987 victory parade.
October 28, 1991 - MPR’s Bill Wareham recaps Game 7 of the Major League Baseball's 1991 World Series. The game ended with the Minnesota Twins winning in the bottom of the 10th inning. Segment includes interview clips of Minnesota Twins pitcher Jack Morris and pitch-hitter Gene Larkin.
October 28, 1991 - A day after Minnesota Twins Game 7 victory and team becoming the 1991 World Series champions, MPR’s Tom Fudge interviews numerous individuals outside Metrodome about their reactions to the win.