1987 - 1991 Twins

Ok, maybe I didn't do a great job defining the criteria

Today, we’ll look at a team that nobody ever considered a dynasty, but whose championships fit the criteria.

Categories

Rings

The Twins won the World Series in 1987 and 1991, barely qualifying for the series.

Not only that, but they won both World Series in seven games, with the home team winning each game, including the Twins in the unique environment of the Metrodome (4/20)

Non-Championship Years

The Twins did not reach the postseason in any other year between 1971 and 2001, and did not have any particularly strong years where they barely made it. (0/10)

Peak Performance

The 1991 team went 95-67, beat the Blue Jays in the ALCS in 5 games, and won a classic World Series against the Braves in 7 games. (3/10)

Star Power

Pretty much the only players in common between the two teams were Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, and Dan Gladden. The 1987 team also featured Gary Gaetti, Tom Brunansky, Frank Viola, and Frank Tanana. The 1991 team had several returning Minnesotan Hall of Famers in Paul Molitor, Dave Winfield, and Jack Morris, as well as a young Chuck Knoblauch.(4/10)

Coaching / Innovation

Tom Kelly was considered a good manager, but it may be a bit tautological from winning the two World Series. I can’t think of anything particularly innovative this team did. (5/10)

Legacy

Before these championships, the Twins were bottom-dwellers in the AL West. They have generally been in the mix in the AL Central since, and build a new stadium. (5/10

The Competition

The Twin’s championship bookended the A’s Bash Brothers run in AL West. The Tigers team they beat in the 1987 ALCS was a one-off, but the Blue Jays team they beat in 1991 would win the next two World Series.

Their World Series opponents, the Cardinals and Braves, will not appear in this column, but won other World Series, and were probably the best teams of their eras. (4/5)

Achilles Heel

Since this wasn’t really a continuous team, it’s hard to point to a common weakness. (3/5)

Bias Check

I like this team at the time. Today, I’m slightly annoyed that my criteria included them and I have to write about them even though they’re clearly not a dynasty. (0)

Summary

28 points, easily the lowest total so far. Probably shouldn’t have been included in this column, though I struggle to come up with an objective rule that would exlcude them but not some worthier teams.