Minnesota Twins Eccentricity & Ephemera: A Twinkie Town Definitive List (Round 10)

Our first home

Rounds 1-9 Results:

1. Herb Carneal
2. Tom Kelly
3. The Metrodome
4. Jack Morris
5. Win Twins Theme
6. Dick Bremer
7. Bob Casey
8. Target Field
9. Metropolitan Stadium

There’s just something about your first home. It may not be the greatest plot or structure, but it is often where the heart resides. Such is the case with Metropolitan Stadium—home to the Minnesota Twins from 1961-1981. It’s where folks—like my father—caught their first glimpse of Tony, the Killer & Carew and fell in love with baseball under Minnesota’s glorious blue summer skies.

Next: Here come da Judge—and his name’s not Aaron.

photo by: Juan DeLeon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Paul Molitor

• Despite a long, Hall of Fame career elsewhere, the St. Paul-born, Gopher-playing Molitor didn’t play for his hometown major league squad until 39 years of age (1996-1998). Even then, his .341 BA campaign in ‘96 was remarkable! After assuming various coaching roles in the Twins organization from 2005-2014, Molly assumed the top dugout perch from 2015-2018. Even after being let go, Molitor remained—and remains—active as a roving instructor.

The Star Tribune Sports Section

• Gather ‘round, children, and let me tell you of a time before the internet. In the hardscrabble analog age of human existence, following your local sporting nine was not a moment-by-moment affair. Instead, a rolled-up newsprint assemblage that magically appeared on your doorstep to meet the rising sun was often your best bet for baseball news. No shade to east Twin Cities suburbanites who received the Pioneer Press, but the west-side’s Star Tribune had unassailable sports coverage that provided beat opinions and box scores to pore over for hours.

Dan Gladden

• In five seasons with the Twins, Dan Gladden accumulated 5.8 WAR—not exactly the stuff of legends. Yet, legend he is in these parts. His hustle and speed were key components of two championships and he was clutch in both—a grand slam in ’87 & a 10^th inning double in G7 ‘91 that sparked the winning rally. Dazzle’s “colorful” commentary aside John Gordon, Corey Provus and others in the radio booth is unique, to say the least.

Little Big League

• When the Baby Boomers starting getting nostalgic in the 1990s, baseball was on the tip of their cinematic tongues. In 1994, an art-imitating-life story of the woebegone Twins hit theaters. Filmed at the Metrodome and featuring the vocal talents of John Gordon’s “Wally Holland”, Little Big League and its adolescent Billy Heywood gave young Twins fans a dream scenario. Whether teaching us math or exploring baseball’s brand of humor, Little Big League remains an all-time classic in these parts.

Judge Harry Crump

• After the 2001 MLB season, owners voted 28-2 in favor of eliminating two teams. The erstwhile Montreal Expos were a clear choice, and our Minnesota Twins were volunteered for the chopping block by owner Carl Pohlad. For a few tense months, it truly felt like Twins baseball might get snuffed out. But much like a stern-but-fair landlord, Hennepin County District Court Judge Harry Crump stepped in and ruled the Twins had to stay in MN to honor their lease to the publicly funded Metrodome. It is perhaps only slight hyperbole to credit Judge Crump for baseball’s continued existence in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.