The Minnesota Twins History dates back to their founding in 1901 as the Washington Senators before moving to Minnesota in 1961. Since then, the team has built a rich legacy in Minnesota Twins Baseball, winning multiple championships, producing Hall of Famers, and becoming a cornerstone of Major League Baseball for fans across the Midwest.
Established
1901
City
Washington D.C. – Minneapolis
League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1901 – 1999 / American League
Team History
1961 – Present / Minnesota Twins
1901 – 1960 / Washington Nationals/Senators
Nickname
Twins – For many sports fans, the Minnesota Twins are a beloved team with a long and storied history. But did you know that the team’s nickname has an interesting origin story?
The Twins were founded in Minneapolis in 1901 as part of the American League. At first, they were known simply as “the Millers” after their original home field Miller Park. The name was changed to “Twins” in 1961 when they moved to Metropolitan Stadium and began playing at Met Stadium and Miller Park during some seasons. This double-duty arrangement gave them their new moniker: The Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St Paul).
Minnesota Twins Origin
The club has been associated with two colors: navy blue and red for home games; gray or black for away games (with occasional variations). In 1987 these colors became official when then-owner Calvin Griffith announced them along with his decision to rename his franchise from "Washington Senators" back to "Minnesota Twins." Since then, these have become ingrained into every fan's perception of being a Minnesota Twin!
While there is no definitive answer on why exactly this nickname came about—some say it's because Minneapolis was originally called St. Anthony Falls before being renamed—it certainly adds an extra layer of charm to one of our favorite teams! Whether you're watching your favorite players take on rivals like Chicago White Sox or Cleveland Indians at Target Field or just enjoying some good old-fashioned baseball nostalgia while flipping through classic cards featuring Harmon Killebrew or Kirby Puckett – knowing where your team got its start makes rooting for them all that more special!
Championship
World Series 2
1991, 1987, 1924
Stadium
2010 – Present / Target Field
1982 – 2009 / Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
1961 – 1981 / Metropolitan Stadium
*Washington D.C.*
1911 – 1960 / Griffith Stadium
1911 – 1920 / National Park
1903 – 1910 / National Park
1901 – 1902 / American League Park
Owner
2009 – Present / Jim Pohlad
1984 – 2009 / Carl Pohlad
1955 – 1984 / Calvin Griffith
1920 – 1955 / Clark Griffith
1912 – 1920 / Benjamin Minor
1904 – 1912 / Thomas C. Noyes
1901 – 1903 / Ban Johnson & Fred Postal
- 1961
- 1982
- 1987
- 1991
- 2010
-
The Move to Minnesota
The Twins were eagerly greeted in Minnesota when they arrived in 1961. They brought a nucleus of talented players: Harmon Killebrew, Bob Allison, Camilo Pascual, Zoilo Versalles, Jim Kaat, Earl Battey, and Lenny Green. The Twins won 91 games in 1962, the most by the franchise since 1933. The Twins won 102 games and the American League Pennant in 1965, ... -
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome – Twins
In 1982, the Twins moved into the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, which they shared with the Minnesota Vikings, but the team continued to struggle. The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, was a domed sports stadium located in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the ... -
World Series Winner 1987
The 1987 World Series was played by the Minnesota Twins and the St. Louis Cardinals. Minnesota was victorious in a World Series that was both the first to be played indoors, as well as the first in which the home team won every game. This happened again in 1991 (also a Twins championship) over the Atlanta Braves and in 2001 ... -
World Series Winner 1991
The 1991 World Series pitted the Minnesota Twins (95–67) of the American League against the Atlanta Braves (94–68) of the National League. The Minnesota Twins won in seven games. ESPN selected it as the “Greatest of All Time” in their “World Series 100th Anniversary” countdown, with five of its games being decided by a single run, four games decided in ... -
Target Field
In response to the threatened loss of the Twins, the Minnesota private and public sector negotiated and approved a financing package for a replacement stadium a baseball-only outdoor, natural turf ballpark in the Warehouse District of downtown Minneapolis owned by a new entity known as the Minnesota Ballpark Authority. Target Field was constructed at a cost of $544.4 million (including ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Minnesota Twins History
The Minnesota Twins History began in 1901 when the team entered the American League as the Washington Senators. After moving to Minnesota in 1961, the club became the Twins and quickly built a loyal fan base. Since then, Minnesota Twins Baseball has grown into one of the Midwest’s most recognized sports traditions, creating unforgettable memories for generations.
Over the decades, Minnesota Twins History has featured some of the game’s biggest stars. Hall of Famers such as Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew, and Kirby Puckett left a lasting mark on the franchise. Legendary manager Tom Kelly also shaped Minnesota Twins Baseball by leading the team to success with his steady leadership and remarkable 1,125 career wins during his tenure.
Twins Achievements
Achievements have defined the Minnesota Twins History since arriving in Minneapolis. The team has won three World Series titles (1987, 1991, and 2020), six American League pennants, and 10 division championships. These milestones demonstrate the enduring power of Minnesota Twins Baseball and its ability to produce championship-caliber teams through the years.
More recently, under managers Ron Gardenhire, Paul Molitor, and Rocco Baldelli, the team has earned multiple postseason appearances. Baldelli guided a new core featuring players like Nelson Cruz and Byron Buxton, energizing fans with back-to-back playoff runs. With young talent developing and a rich past to build on, the Minnesota Twins History continues to inspire and shape the future of Minnesota Twins Baseball in the Twin Cities and beyond.
Sports Fan Products
From Killebrew to Puckett: The Ultimate Minnesota Twins Mount Rushmore
The video "From Killebrew to Puckett: The Ultimate Minnesota Twins Mount Rushmore" celebrates the rich history of the Minnesota Twins by spotlighting legends and all-time greats who have defined the franchise. Featuring iconic names like Harmon Killebrew, Kirby Puckett, Rod Carew, Joe Mauer, and Jim Kaat
Retired Number
3 / Harmon Killebrew
6 / Tony Oliva
7 / Joe Mauer
10 / Tom Kelly
14 / Kent Hrbek
28 / Bert Blyleven
29 / Rod Carew
34 / Kirby Puckett
42 / Jackie Robinson
*Blue is this team’s history