2002 – The Minnesota Supreme Court refuses to consider an appeal of an injunction that forces the Twins to fulfill their Metrodome lease this year. The decision puts an end for this season any possibility of contraction in major league baseball.
In the midst of the franchise’s uncertain future due to its possible contraction as a major league team, Ron Gardenhire is named to replace Tom Kelly as the Minnesota manager. The 44 year-old Twins coach, who will remain as the team’s skipper for 13 seasons, is given a two-year pact to pilot the team.
“The welfare, recreation, prestige, prosperity, trade and commerce of the people of the community are at stake. The Twins brought the community together with Homer Hankies and Bobblehead dolls. The Twins are one of the few professional sports teams in town where a family can afford to take their children to enjoy a hot dog and peanuts and a stadium. The vital public interest, or trust, of the Twins substantially outweighs any private interest.” – HARRY SEYMOUR CRUMP, Hennepin County District Judge ruling that thwarts the baseball owners’ plan to eliminate two major league teams next season. In a four-page decision, Hennepin County District Judge Harry Seymour Crump rules the Twins must continue to play the home portion of their games at the Metrodome next season and prohibits Twins owner Carl Pohlad from selling the team unless the new owner also agrees to play next season’s games in the team’s current ballpark. The lower court decision, which is likely to be appealed, is the result of MLB’s decision to contract two teams, one of which is likely to be Minnesota.
“We had hoped that we were in a new era, one that would see a much better relationship between players and owners. Today’s announcement is a severe blow to such hopes.” – DONALD FEHR, the Players Association executive director commenting on MLB’s plan to contract two teams. Denying it’s a negotiating ploy, major league owners give commissioner Bud Selig the authority to “begin the process” of eliminating two ‘to be announced’ teams by a 28-2 vote. Donald Fehr, the Players Association executive director, calls the action of possibly eliminating the Expos, Twins, or Marlins most imprudent and unfortunate, and the worst manner in which to begin the process of negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement.
On June 25, 2000, After starting in the bottom of the first with leadoff home run, Darin Erstad ends the game in the bottom of the 11th inning with a walk-off home run, giving the Angels a 7-6 victory over Minnesota at Edison Field. Erstad homers off Mark Redman in the first and…
test On September 11, 1999, The Twins defeat the Angels, 7 – 0, as Eric Milton hurls the 3rd no-hitter of the season. The young lefthander fans 13 and allows just two walks in his masterpiece. There are just 11,222 fans to see the game, the third smallest crowd to witness a no-hitter in the…
On May 17, 1998, David Wells pitches the 13th perfect game in modern major league history as the Yankees beat Minnesota, 4 – 0. Wells, whose “perfecto” is the first by a Yankees pitcher since Don Larsen in the 1956 World Series, also sets an American League record by retiring 37 batters in a row, dating back to his start on May 12th against Kansas City. Minnesota shortstop Pat Meares flies out…
test On September 16, 1996, 40-year-old Paul Molitor of the Minnesota Twins hits A 5th-inning triple off Royals pitcher Jose Rosado giving Molitor 3000 hits. He will become the first major leaguer to accomplish this milestone in a season in which he collects 200 hits. Molitor, the 21st player to reach the exclusive hit club, becomes the first player to…
On July 12, 1996, longtime Minnesota Twins star and future Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett announces his retirement due to glaucoma in his right eye. Over a 12-year career, the popular Puckett batted .318 with 207 home runs and 1,085 RBIs. He also helped the Twins to World Championships in 1987 and 1991.
1996 – Greg Myers and Paul Molitor each have five RBI as the Minnesota Twins set a team record for runs and rout the Detroit Tigers, 24 – 11. It is the highest run total against the Tigers in 84 years, matching the mark set in a 24 – 2 loss to the Philadelphia Athletics on May 18, 1912, in a game in which Detroit did not have its regulars due to a players’ strike.
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