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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Minnesota rallies, holds on to beat Seattle 6-5 (AP)

Knowing how many steps must happen in perfect order to throw out a runner from the outfield, Minnesota's Denard Span wasn't the least bit surprised to see Tug Hulett being sent toward home. Fortunately for the slumping Twins, Span was perfect. "I can see why so many third-base coaches send runners," Span said.

Twins Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Jason Kubel circled the bases and was accepting congratulations in the dugout on Sunday when umpires overruled the original call and informed him his home run was actually just a foul ball.

The Twins didn't put up much of a fuss, since they believed the ball had drifted foul, too. But if the play had taken place four days later, the matter could have been settled without any doubt.

That's part of the reason why Minnesota's players and its manager are nearly unanimous in their approval of baseball's decision to implement instant replay beginning with some of Thursday's games.

"Those are the toughest calls to make," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "I don't want it to go into plays at the plate or at second base, we don't need all that.

Mariners stun Twins again with 3-2 victory (AP)

That Minnesota Twins' joyride that landed them in the thick of a pennant race is starting to grind -- just when it needs to soar. Seattle's Jose Lopez drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning and Roy Corcoran got his first career save in the Mariners' 3-2 victory Tuesday night, the Twins' fourth consecutive loss.

Twins blow chance to move into 1st-place tie (AP)

What's this, celebrating and suds in ... Seattle? Adrian Beltre homered in the bottom of the 11th inning, got a thorough pounding at home plate by his victory-starved teammates and then a beer shower after the Seattle Mariners kept the Minnesota Twins out of first place in the AL Central with a 4-2 win on Monday night.