The background: The Twins failed to win more than 84 games in a season from 1977 through 1986, bottoming out at 60-102 in 1982.
Kent Hrbek
Key players: Kent Hrbek, Gary Gaetti, Randy Bush, Tim Laudner, Tom Brunansky and Frank Viola were rookies in '82 who were on the 1987 World Series championship team. A key addition came in 1984 with future Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett.
Kirby Puckett
Breakthrough: The young Twins were in a pennant race in 1984 before fading to 81-81. That experience ended up paying dividends, however.
Fans celebrate
The end result: The greatest era in Twins history included the team's only two World Series championships, in 1987 and 1991.
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Sports
Meet six exceptional high school athletes who happen to be football players
One is a Division I-level point guard. One is a small-class sprint champion. All are easy to spot when their athletic ability shows on the football field.
Sports
Podcast: Can the Lynx extend their dream season and win another WNBA title?
On Friday's Daily Delivery podcast, host Michael Rand talked with Minnesota Star Tribune WNBA writer Kent Youngblood ahead of the Lynx playoff opener on Sunday at Target Center. Plus thoughts on the Twins, Vikings, Shohei Ohtani and fantasy football.
Sports
Reusse: Minnesota townball keeps on keepin' on ... with another Hall of Fame induction
A simple tradition has been going strong for decades, even when the cynical me thought it would decline in popularity.
Lynx
Everything you need to know about the Lynx and the WNBA playoffs
The Lynx will have the second seed and play Phoenix in the first round starting Sunday at Target Center.
Gophers
Gophers vs. Hawkeyes in their earliest meeting ever. Who has the edge? Randy Johnson's preview.
The Hawkeyes had won eight straight in this historic series before a controversial finish last season in Iowa City. To keep Floyd of Rosedale, the Gophers will need to overcome Iowa's stifling run defense.