Minnesota Twins: The Complete Illustrated History [Hardcover]

Dennis Brackin (Author), Patrick Reusse (Author), Star Tribune (Photographer), Harmon Killebrew (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 12, 2010

Major League Baseball came to the Minnesota prairie in the spring of 1961, and in the fifty years since, the Minnesota Twins have held a cherished place in the hearts of sports fans throughout the region. With Hall of Famers like Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew, and Kirby Puckett and beloved characters from Billy Martin to Kent Hrbek to Joe Mauer, the history of the Twins encompasses highs and lows, heroes and goats, but always nonstop excitement. Minnesota Twins: The Complete Illustrated History provides an in-depth and entertaining look at the team, its players, its stadiums, and the memorable moments through the years. Illustrated with photos from the Star Tribune's archives, it is the ultimate celebration of a beloved franchise.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Every summer since 1961, the Minnesota Twins have brought countless thrills, and a few spills, to baseball fans throughout Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. From the much-anticipated debut at Metropolitan Stadium through the final days at the Metrodome, Minnesota Twins: The Complete Illustrated History takes you through each season of Twins baseball, profiling the teams, players, managers, and front-office personnel who have provided a half century of great moments and cherished memories.

Each generation has boasted its own lineup of diamond heroes—from Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Zoilo Versalles, and others in the team’s first decade to the stars of today (and tomorrow) in Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, and Michael Cuddyer. In between, the Twins have been graced by Hall of Famers Rod Carew and Kirby Puckett, superstar and hometown hero Kent Hrbek, and fan favorites from Bombo Rivera to Lew Ford. On the mound, Minnesota baseball fans have been awed by the dominating Camilo Pascual, the versatile Jim Kaat, the quirky Dave Boswell, the crafty Bert Blyleven, the menacing Jeff Reardon, the clutch Jack Morris, the loyal Brad Radke, and the untouchable Joe Nathan—not to mention Cy Young Award winners Jim Perry, Frank Viola, and Johan Santana. In the field, the Twins have had their fair share of slick-fielding defensemen: catcher Earl Battey, third baseman Gary Gaetti, first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, and the incomparable Torii Hunter, to name a few.

All these players and many more are part of the half century of Twins baseball vividly retold by Dennis Brackin and Patrick Reusse. They present the full, inside story of the team, beginning with the long and trying crusade to bring major league baseball to the Twin Cities; through the rapid rise from newbies in 1961 to American League champions in 1965; the struggles of the 1970s as the team stumbled through the new reality of free agency; the advent in the Metrodome and the journey from league laughingstock to two-time World Champions; and up to the successes of the new century, highlighted by five division titles, two Cy Young Awards, two MVP Awards, and three batting titles, among other accomplishments.

Minnesota Twins: The Complete Illustrated History is the ultimate tribute to a beloved Minnesota sports team, offering stories, photographs, and stats for fans of all ages.

 

From the Back Cover

From old Met Stadium to brand-new Target Field, celebrate fifty seasons of Minnesota Twins baseball with the stories, images, and stats that have captured the hearts and imaginations of generations of baseball fans. Harmon and Hrbek, Carew and Kirby, Tony-O and the M&M Boys, Pascual and Santana, Blyleven and Baker, and many many more are highlighted here with player profiles, boxscores of key games, year-by-year analysis, and behind-the-scenes stories—as told by your favorite sportswriters and photographers of the Star Tribune.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: MVP Books; First edition (March 12, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760336849
• ISBN-13: 978-0760336847
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #472,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brings back memories, April 10, 2010

By 

Brent T. Wood - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Minnesota Twins: The Complete Illustrated History (Hardcover)

As a Twins fan for over 40 years, I found this book to be a ride in the "way back machine" as it brought back some great memories. In addition this book also provides a behind the scenes look at the stories behind the stories. It is a good bet for any Twins fan.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Minnesota Twins History, May 1, 2010

By 

Barbi See "Barbi" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Minnesota Twins: The Complete Illustrated History (Hardcover)

The book was a gift and the person receiving it opened it and did not put it down. He read 25 pages right away and wanted to read more. But it was his Birthday party and he needed to be with us.

It was a great Book

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-put together history of the Twins, December 29, 2011

By 

Christian W. Miller - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Minnesota Twins: The Complete Illustrated History (Hardcover)

Gave this to my father this past year for Christmas. He is a huge Twins fan so he loved it. As soon as he opened the gift he started reading it and missed the rest of the family opening their presents. Has an awesome collection of pictures and stories. Received in a timely manner from the provider with no shipping damage. It is a very quality book and I would definitely recommend it to other Twins fans. As another reviewer put, it is the perfect bathroom reading, as it quickly found its way in there. Awesome purchase that made my father very happy.