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When #34 went off in Game 6 of the 1991 World Series, I was on the brink of turning 6 years old. Did I understand the significance of the events transpiring? Certainly not. At that particular moment, my
sports fandom was limited to kickball at recess and Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out on the NES.
But I knew the name Kirby Puckett because: A. What kid wouldn’t be fascinated by that moniker?; & B. He was the MN sports G.O.A.T. even before the pinnacle of his heroics. I have distinct memories of family members frantically waving Homer Hankies in front of our 19” tube TV, as well as my Dad excitedly relaying the previous night’s G6 events to me as I got ready for another day of kindergarten the next morning.
It’s amazing that the two greatest moments (as voted by you!) in Twins history came on back-to-back nights. Only the quickly-approaching Halloween Blizzard of MN lore could take the sheen off fans basking in the glow of North Star State sporting success.
The newbie: A colossal Killer clout.
The last out of the first title (1987)
- “Bouncing ball to Gaetti—throws to Hrbek—and the Twins are baseball’s world champions!”, per Herb Carneal. For the first time in franchise history, Minnesota was on top of the MLB heap.
Welcome home AL champs (1987)
- After defeating the Detroit Tigers to claim American League superiority in ‘87, MN returned to the Twin Cities to a full Metrodome crowd. Not for Game 1 of the subsequent World Series—but for a “welcome home” rally. Yes, that’s right—Twins fans turned out in force simply to show (and vocalize) their appreciation for the first AL champion Twins squad since 1965.
Game 163 (2009)
- For a certain cohort of Twins fans, this is the single greatest game in franchise history. Orlando Cabrera’s HR—Joe Nathan’s double play—Metrodome magic—clutch Casilla. This bonus baseball contest to clinch the AL Central had it all.
Last Day Division Title (2006)
- On 8/6/06, the Twins were 10.5 GB the Detroit Tigers for the AL Central top spot. Going into Game 162? Tied with the striped cats. After the Twins polished off the Chicago White Sox on the season’s final day, the entire Metrodome crowd stuck around to watch the Tigers lose to the Kansas City Royals on the Jumbotron scoreboard—triggering a celebration as massive as it was unlikely for the Smell ‘Em & Piranha Crew.
Killer Crushes #500 (1971)
- On August 10, 1971, Minnesota masher Harmon Killebrew took Mike Cuellar deep in the 1st inning at Metropolitan Stadium. That home run gained Harm admittance into the 500 Home Run Club—only the 10th occupant of that roundtable at the time. The clout cemented The Killer as an all-time slugger.
