In 1969 Minnesota Twins capture the division title under the stormy leadership of first-year manager Billy Martin. Killebrew provide the offensive power and won the AL most precious player (MVP) award. Rod Carew captured the first of his seven batting titles, Oliva led the AL in hits and doubles, and pitchers Dave Boswell and Jim Perry each won 20 games. In spite of solid hitting and pitching by the Twins, the Baltimore Orioles swept the AL Championship Series (ALCS). Minnesota Twins returned to the playoffs in 1970 behind Perry, whose 24-12 win-loss record earned him the Cy Young Award, but the Minnesota Twins were once again swept in the ALCS by the Orioles.

Minnesota ’s third base coach, Tom Kelly, came manager in 1986 and turned the Twins into World Series champions in 1987. Outfielders Tom Brunansky and Kirby Puckett, first baseman Kent Hrbek, and third baseman Gary Gaetti each strike at least 28 home runs that year, while Frank Viola, Bert Blyleven, and reliever Jeff Reardon led a strong pitching staff. Minnesota Twins upset the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS and went on to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. Kelly was named AL manager of the year.

Although Minnesota Twins finished last in 1990, pitchers Scott Erickson and Jack Morris helped turn the team around in 1991, captivating the Twins to another AL pennant. Kelly again earned top managing honors as Minnesota Twins defeated the Atlanta Braves in the 1991 World Series. Though, the Twins struggled during most of the remainder of the 1990s.

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Baseball Today (AP)

Twins Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Left-hander Brian Duensing didn't see his call up coming. In fact, when his phone rang Thursday morning, good news was not at all on his mind.

Duensing had driven from Rochester, N.Y., to Buffalo, N.Y., on Wednesday night to avoid an early-morning bus ride for the Class AAA Red Wings' game against Buffalo on Thursday. So when his phone rang, Duensing said he thought he might be in trouble for going on ahead of the team. Not so much.

Duensing was in the bullpen for Friday's game against Detroit, and Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that once Duensing, who was a starter for Rochester, gets used to the quick warmups required for relief work, he'll be used in a variety of ways.

"We've got all kinds of options," Gardenhire said.

Three-run 16th gives Tigers victory over Twins (AP)

Placido Polanco might have been the grittiest player on a night where several were in contention after 16 innings. The Detroit Tigers second basemen fouled a ball off his protective cup in the 14th inning, only to follow it up on the next pitch with an RBI single. He hit another run-scoring single in the 16th inning that put his team up for good in an 11-9 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday...

Twins' Slowey placed on DL with strained wrist (AP) Minnesota Twins right-hander Kevin Slowey was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained wrist following his start against the Detroit Tigers on Friday night. Slowey, who was trying to become the majors' first 11-game winner, gave up a season-worst six runs on five hits in three innings in Minnesota's 11-9 loss in 16 innings.