RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
Metropolitan Stadium (often referred to as "the Met", "Met Stadium", or now "the Old Met" to distinguish from the Metrodome) was an outdoor sports stadium in the north central United States, located in Bloomington, Minnesota, a suburb south of Minneapolis.
The Minneapolis Millers minor league baseball team was the original tenant from 1956 to 1960, but Metropolitan Stadium was best known as the home of the American League's Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL); both played at the "Met" for 21 seasons, from 1961 through 1981. The Minnesota Kicks of the North American Soccer League (NASL) also played there from 1976 to 1981.
The 1971 season saw contrasting fortunes for the Los Angeles Angels and the Minnesota Twins in Major League Baseball. The Angels, led by manager Lefty Phillips, finished with a disappointing 76-86 record, landing them fourth in the American League West division. Despite the efforts of slugger Tony Conigliaro and pitcher Clyde Wright, the team struggled to find consistency and fell short of playoff contention.
In contrast, the Twins, under manager Bill Rigney, enjoyed a successful campaign, finishing with an 85-77 record, placing them second in the American League West. The team showcased a strong offense, spearheaded by the likes of Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, and Rod Carew. However, their efforts were overshadowed by the dominant Oakland Athletics, who claimed the division title. While the Twins missed out on the postseason, their solid performance laid the foundation for future success.
On April 12, 1966, the defending American League champion Minnesota Twins hosted the Kansas City...
1966 Kansas City Athletics vs Minnesota Twins - Radio Broadcast / On April 12, 1966, the defending American League champion Minnesota Twins hosted the Kansas City Athletics at Metropolitan Stadium. Jim “Mudcat” Grant, coming off a 21-win season in 1965, took the mound for Minnesota in his first start of the year. Kansas City countered with 20-year-old right-hander Catfish Hunter, making his season debut after a strong rookie campaign. The Twins were looking to maintain momentum after a World Series appearance the previous fall, while the Athletics, still in their final years in Kansas City, were continuing to build around young talent like Hunter and Ken Harrelson. This matchup came in the opening days of a season that would feature strong performances across the league from stars such as Frank Robinson and Sandy Koufax.
The game moved at a steady pace and was marked by efficient pitching from both starters. Minnesota opened the scoring in the third when Bernie Allen advanced to third on an error and scored on a single from Sandy Valdespino. Kansas City quickly responded in the fourth with a triple from Larry Hershberger and a groundout by Billy Bryan that tied the game. From there, both Grant and Hunter limited scoring threats, with Grant inducing two double plays and retiring 16 of the final 20 batters he faced. Hunter also held his own into the ninth, but a leadoff walk and a wild pitch set up Valdespino’s game-winning hit, ending a low-hit contest decided by execution and control.
Minnesota secured a 2–1 victory behind a complete game from Jim Grant and a timely hit by Sandy Valdespino. The win helped set the tone for a season in which the Twins would remain in contention, finishing second in the American League behind the Baltimore Orioles. Kansas City would again finish near the bottom of the standings, though Hunter continued to develop into a future Hall of Famer. The Twins, under manager Sam Mele, relied heavily on consistent pitching and a solid defensive core during their strong 1966 campaign.
