Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team that plays in the American League (AL) Central division of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Twins play their home games at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Twins began as the Washington Senators, an original member of the American League in 1901. During the team’s 60 years in Washington, D.C., it had little success, winning only three AL pennants and frequently finishing at the bottom of the standings. With Walter Johnson, one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, Washington won the World Series in 1924. The team reached the World Series again in 1925 and 1933, but lost each time. Senators stars included Hall of Famers Joe Cronin, Goose Goslin, Heinie Manush, and Sam Rice.
After 15 consecutive losing seasons, the Senators moved to Minnesota in 1961 and were renamed the Twins after the “twin cities” of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Playing at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, a suburb of Minneapolis, the Twins quickly grew into a strong ball club. The team reached the World Series in 1965, and the playoffs in 1969 and 1970. Twins stars of that era included Zoilo Versalles and Hall of Famers Rod Carew, Jim Kaat, Harmon Killebrew, and Tony Oliva.
The Twins moved into the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis in 1982. After a long period of mediocrity, the Twins won the 1987 World Series over the St. Louis Cardinals. That Twins team featured Hall of Famers Bert Blyleven and Kirby Puckett and key players Tom Brunansky, Kent Hrbek, and Frank Viola. Minnesota won the World Series again in 1991, defeating the Atlanta Braves. After several down years, the Twins made the playoffs six times in nine seasons (2002-2010), but never reached the World Series. The Twins moved into Target Field in 2010. Recent Twins stars have included second baseman Brian Dozier, first baseman Justin Morneau, catcher Joe Mauer, and pitcher Johan Santana.
For Washington and Minnesota World Series results, see Baseball (table: The World Series).
