Twins History

2000 was the Twins 4tth straight 90-loss season in a row with a 69-93 record. At the plate, Matt Lawton after hitting .305 made his first All-Star team. With a .300 batting average Corey Koskie proved his batting skills once again. Jacque Jones hit .285 with 19 home runs and shortstop Christian Guzman led the Majors with 20 triples. On the mound, veteran LaTroy accumulated 14 saves and finished with a career-best 3.39 ERA. In 2001, the Twins entered the season with baseball's lowest payroll. In the first half of the season, the Twins hovered at or near 1st Place, and as soon the All-star break took place, the Twins were eliminated from the race for the Central Division Title. They were locked in a tight engaged in tight chase with the Cleveland Indians for a playoff berth before finally finishing the in second place with an 85-77 record. Center fielder Torii Hunter hit a team leading 27 home runs and earned his first AL Gold Glove Award. First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz also earned a Gold Glove for batting .306. Pitcher Joe Mays earned a spot on the AL All-Star team along with pitcher Eric Milton and shortstop Cristian Guzman. The Twins started the 2002 season under new Manager Ron Gardenhire and went on to clinch their first division title in 11 years with an impresive record of 94-67. In the ALCS, the Twins faced Anaheim Angels.

But the Twins were shutdown to give Anaheim its first American League title. In 2003, the Twins were adamant to win their second straight division title. Undoubtedly, they played consistently and ruled the division with a record of, but in the ALDS, New York Yankees won the three games and claimed the series in four games. Center fielder Torii Hunter earned his third consecutive AL Gold Glove Award. The same season, few longtime veteran players retired from the team. In 2004, the Twins fetched their third consecutive league/division championship with a record of 92-70. Justin Morneau. Morneau anchored the offensive front and hit 19 homers in 74 games. Meanwhile Johan Santana in the second half posted a 13-0 record with a 1.82 ERA and went on to win the AL Cy Young award. In the playoffs the Twins rematched with the New York Yankees who took the series in 4 games for the 2nd straight year. The Twins share a heated rivalry with the Chicago White Sox. The team originated in Kansas City, Missouri in 1894, and moved to Washington, D.C. in 1901 when the Western League changed into American League, and played there through the 1960 season. The Blues were champions of the Western League in 1898. The franchise won the World Series in 1924 as Senators. The team played its games at Griffith Stadium, sharing it with the Homestead Grays of the Negro Leagues. In 1961, AL officials unwillingly permitted Washington Senators owner Calvin Griffith to reposition his team to Minneapolis.

Sam Mele was hired as the team’s new manager in 1961 and in 1965 guided the Twins to the AL pennant powered by the play of superstar first baseman Harmon Killebrew along with sluggers Tony Oliva and Zoilo Versalles. Minnesota however succumbed to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. The team continued to fetch winning records through 1971. In 1969, the Twins won the division title under the leadership of first-year manager Billy Martin, but were swept by the Baltimore Orioles in the ALCS. Killebrew once again became the offensive power of the team and won the AL most valuable player (MVP) award. In 1970, the Twins returned to the playoffs behind Perry, whose 24-12 win-loss record earned him the Cy Young Award. The Twins were once again bested by the Baltimore Orioles in the ALCS. Until 1981, the Twins played their home games in Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington until 1981. In 1982, the Twins moved into the Metrodome, an indoor stadium located in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota near the Mississippi River.

The "Old Met" is now occupied by the Mall of America. The Twins first won the World Series in 1987 under manager Tom Kelly. The Twins faced the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. Due to a Grand Slam from Kent Hrbek, a decisive Game 7 was forced. In Game 7, the Twins ace Jeff Reardon, retired all 3 batters he faced and the Twins captured their first World Championship. The club won another Series title in 1991, once again under manager Tom Kelly, after finishing the previous season in last place. The Twins became the first team ever to go from last place one season to first the next. In the World Series the Twins were matched against the Atlanta Braves. The 1991 World Series was also a best-of-seven series. The Twins after defeating the Atlanta Braves became World Champions for the 2nd time in 5 years. Jack Morris was awarded the MVP trophy for his outstanding pitching skills. After the 1992 season, the Twins fell into the cellar registering consecutive losing seasons through 2000. The logo of the team is the word "TWINS" written in a red calligraphy. The script is placed over a baseball. Above Twins also on the baseball Minnesota is written and underlined in Navy. The knotted letters "TC" on team’s uniform stands for the Twin Cities. The mascot of the team is T.C. Bear, introduced in 2001