Even if many fans of baseball are just a little familiar with Minnesota Twin’s history and tend to actually think of the team as one of the expansion teams, probably since the start of their playing history didn’t begin until 1961. Even though they did not start playing for Minneapolis until then, the franchise was actually one of American League’s first eight teams. They originated not near the Twin Cities in Minnesota, but in the Washington, D.C. area, where they were formerly named the Washington Senators, next into the Nationals where the country kept referring to them as Washington Senators, but then the team’s owners decided to officially take on the nickname of the Senators a few years later. Also the Senators name never did appear on their jerseys until 1958, only two years before the team made it’s move over to Minnesota.

Expansion was Finally Granted

Minneapolis was trying for years to obtain an Major League Baseball franchise and that request finally got granted in 1960. The MLB decided that in 1960 it would expand their league in order to reach out to new markets. And since Minnesota’s team had a very rich tradition in the amateur baseball area it made them an attractive choice to bring into the MLB. The Senator’s owners however thought this an opportunity for the Washington team and sought permission from the League to relocate the team back to D.C., which would allow Washington D.C. the opportunity to create the new expansion team. The League then agreed and Griffith took his team and relocated to Minnesota in Bloomington, right before the start of the ’61 season. During that same timeframe, D.C. was seeing the creation of the Washington team, once again called the Senators.

A Successful Warm Welcome

Not many expansion teams received a high level of excitement as well as support from their fans upon arrival. Minnesota had an advantage with this new team arriving in their state since they already had lots of talent that they were brining with them. Which helped spare this new franchise having to slowly and steadily rise up in the Major League ranks, there were already well on their way up. As a matter of fact, the Twins managed, in 1962, in achieving 91 victories, making that number of highest the franchise achieved since the good old glory days during the ’30s. In 1965 they took that number even higher to 102 wins, with the Pennant of the Amer. League that year and only losing to Los Angeles that year in the World Series in the seventh game.

The Twins, would however, go on and win two (2) World Series in ’87 and ’91, making that three (3) franchise titles, the 1st being the old Washington teams win in 1924). They’ve also remained a consistent home place for the American League hits leaders, helping them to remain competitive through the years. Recently the franchise once again considered relocation, needing a newer stadium that would provide them with more amenities.

Author Bio: Ivan Jamison is a big sports fan. You can check out his Minnesota Twins Watch or his St. Louis Cardinals Watch or his New York Yankees Watch

Category: Sports
Keywords: Minnesota Twins