Minnesota Twins

Named after the Twin Cities region of Minneapolis and St. Paul, the Minnesota Twins joined the American League at the start of the 1961 season. Although some fans might view the Twins as a relatively recent addition to Major League Baseball, the franchise dates back to the 1890s, albeit not in the Twin Cities. The modern-day Twins franchise was born in Kansas City, where it was known as the Blues between 1894 and 1900. The club then made news by moving to Washington, D.C., where it was known as the Nationals and Senators until the end of the 1960 campaign. The Washington Nationals of today honor their club with their name.

Ballpark / Stadium – Target Field

After spending 1982 to 2009 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, the Twins moved into Target Field prior to the start of the 2010 Major League Baseball season. The open-air stadium, which ESPN The Magazine ranked as providing the best stadium experience in 2010, has an official capacity of 39,021. Its features include the fireplace on the left field roof deck, gate numbers recognizing former Twins, the enormous Golden Glove statue outside the park and the adjacent Target Plaza.

World Series Championships

The Twins franchise has won three World Series championships, although only two since moving to the Twin Cities. These titles came in 1987 and 1991; while still in Washington, the club claimed the 1924 World Series. The franchise has won six American League Pennants and 10 division titles in its time in the West and Central divisions.

Minnesota Twins Roster

Four members of the Baseball Hall of Fame were enshrined wearing their Twins cap. These players, Bert Blyleven, Rod Carew, Harmon Killebrew and Kirby Puckett, join Washington Senators hall of famers Goose Goslin, Bucky Harris, Walter Johnson and Sam Rice. Other former Twins in Cooperstown but who wear the cap of a different team are Steve Carlton, Paul Molitor and Dave Winfield. Recent stars on the Twins roster have included Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Johan Santana.

Spring Training

The Twins play the home games on their Spring Training schedule at Hammond Stadium in South Fort Myers, FL. The park has been the Twins Spring Training home since it opened in 1991. Known for its waterfall and surrounding street names that recognize past Twins greats, Hammond Stadium seats 7,500 and is one of many fields on the site, which is known as the Lee County Sports Complex. The Twins Minor League Baseball affiliates are the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, Double-A New Britain Rock Cats, Advanced-A Fort Myers Miracle, Class-A Cedar Rapids Kernels and rookie league Elizabethton Twins, Gulf Coast League Twins and Dominican Summer League Twins.

The Ballpark Guide hasn’t visited the Minnesota Twins yet, but hopes to in the near future. If you’re excited to read a fan guide to Target Field, check out the many ways you can support The Ballpark Guide on future baseball road trips.