The History of the Minnesota Twins

The Early Days

The Minnesota Twins started as the Washington Senators. They played in Washington D.C. from 1901 to 1960. In 1961, the team moved to Minnesota. They got a new name: the Minnesota Twins. The name "Twins" comes from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Twins played their first games at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota.

When the team moved to Minnesota, they brought some good players with them. Harmon Killebrew was a power hitter who could hit baseballs really far. Bob Allison and Earl Battey were also important players for the early Twins teams.

Championship Success

The Twins won their first World Series championship in 1987. The team was led by players like Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, and Frank Viola. They beat the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. The Twins won all their home games at the Metrodome during that series.

In 1991, the Twins won another World Series. This time, they beat the Atlanta Braves in what many people call one of the most exciting World Series ever. Game 7 went into extra innings, and Gene Larkin hit the winning hit to make the Twins champions again.

Moving to Target Field

The Twins played at the Metrodome from 1982 to 2009. Then in 2010, they moved to Target Field. This new stadium is outdoors, so fans can watch baseball in the sunshine. Target Field is known as one of the nicest baseball parks in the country.

Famous Twins Players

Many great players have worn a Twins uniform:

• Harmon Killebrew hit 573 home runs in his career. His number 3 jersey is retired by the Twins.
• Rod Carew was an amazing hitter who won seven batting titles with the Twins.
• Kirby Puckett led the Twins to both World Series victories. He was known for his big smile and amazing catches in the outfield.
• Joe Mauer grew up in Minnesota and played his whole career with the Twins. He won three batting titles as a catcher, which is very rare.

Recent History

In the 2000s, the Twins had several successful seasons. They won their division many times with players like Justin Morneau, Johan Santana, and Joe Mauer.

More recently, players like Miguel Sano, Max Kepler, and Byron Buxton have become fan favorites. In 2019, the Twins set a record for most home runs by a team in one season.

The Twins Today

Today, the Minnesota Twins continue to be an important part of baseball. They have loyal fans who cheer them on at Target Field. The team works hard to be competitive in their division and make the playoffs.

The Twins also do a lot for their community. They run programs for kids and help make Minnesota a better place.

From their beginnings as the Washington Senators to today's modern team, the Minnesota Twins have a rich history that fans are proud of. They've had amazing players, exciting games, and championship seasons that people in Minnesota will always remember.