1991

The Last Men's Major Pro Championship

and the Minnesotans Who've Never Seen One.

Sunday October 27, 1991.

Future Hall of Famer and St. Paul native, Jack Morris, pitches 10 masterful innings in game 7 of the World Series at the Metrodome.  Of the 38 Atlanta Braves hitters he faced that night, he scattered 7 hits, gave up no runs, struck out 8 and walked only 2. 

In the bottom of the 10th inning, Twins leadoff batter Dan Gladden took the first pitch from the Braves’ Alejandro Pena, breaking his bat and looped it into short left center field.  The ball took a high bounce off the Metrodome turf, going over the glove of leaping left fielder Brian Hunter.  Backing him up was center fielder Ron Gant who corralled the ball and quickly attempted to relay it back to the infield.  Recognizing the opportunity to stretch his single into a double, Gladden hustled to second base, sliding in safe ahead of the throw.

The next Twins batter, Chuck Knoblauch, bunted Gladden over to third.  Pena then walked the Twins’ Kirby Puckett and Kent Hrbek to load the bases for a potential double play or force out.  The Braves moved in their outfielders to cut down a potential winning run at the plate.  With bases loaded and one out, the next batter, Gene Larkin, hit a fly ball over Brian Hunter’s head.  Dan Gladden walked in from third base, scoring the game’s only run - the World Series winning run.  It was Minnesota’s second World Series victory in 5 seasons.

Before those Twins’ World Series victories, the last major men’s professional championship in Minnesota was won by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1954 - their 5th championship in 6 seasons. 

In other words, it was 33 years between the Lakers last championship and the Twins first championship in 1987. 

The Lakers moved to LA in 1960, and their championships felt like they weren’t even ours anymore.

Because of that, there was an underlying sense of relief when the Twins won in 1987. 

Like, whew!  Finally! 

After 33 years of watching other teams win championships, Minnesota finally had a winner.  Our winner.   We felt like our time had arrived and we were a part of an exclusive club now. 

And then…. the Twins won it all again in 1991.  Our second major sports championship in 5 years!  

And it wasn’t just the Twins.  The North Stars had just been in the Stanley Cup Final a few months earlier.  Sure, they lost.  But we’d most likely be contending for The Cup again next year.  We also hosted the Superbowl early in 1992 as well as the NCAA Final Four. 

“Minnesota sports” was on top of the world!  Things could only get better from there, right? 

Fast forward to present day.  We’re approaching the 35th anniversary of that 1991 Twins World Series victory.  During those 35 years, no major Minnesota men’s professional sports team has won a title. 

Our Women’s teams, however, have done extremely well.  The Lynx have won four WNBA titles.  The Frost have won two PWHL championships and the Vixen just won the WFA championship this past July.

The failure of a MN men’s team to win in one of the big four major sports has become a point of frustration for fans during those 35 years.  It’s almost as if the inability to do so, is because of some otherworldly curse, voodoo or jilted sports God.

In 2016, filmmaker Andy Billman released a documentary called Believeland.  In the film, he summarized all the bad luck and hard times Cleveland Sports fans had suffered throughout the years.  The main argument of his film was that of all the cities that are home to at least three major sports franchises, Cleveland had waited the longest to win a championship.  Prior to the film, Cleveland’s last championship was in 1965.  Ironically, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA championship in 2016 shortly after the film’s release.  In other words, between 1965 and 2016 Cleveland fans had endured a combined 147 seasons of their major men’s teams without a championship. 

I’ll give you one guess which city/metropolitan area is next up on that “longest without a championship” list.  As you can see from the data below, we are currently at 132 combined seasons without a major men’s championship. 

According to MN.gov website, there are 5.8 to 5-9 million residents in Minnesota (5,891,109 to be exact)

According to “MN Compass”, a website that breaks down that attendance data by ethnicity, age, etc.,  there are 2,564,568 Minnesotans under the age of 35.  In other words, 43.5 % of Minnesotans are under the age of 35. 

That means, almost 50% of Minnesotans (I’m rounding up for editorial purposes) have NEVER seen one of our men’s major professional teams win a championship. 

Think about that!  Half of the people in this state were not alive when the Twins won the 1991 World Series – and that number is increasing every day.    

Knowing that there are that many Minnesotan’s who have never experienced a MN men’s championship made me wonder if those people think differently than, say, an older, bitter, grizzled, fatalist MN sports fan?  In other words, someone like me.  Are they more positive and hopeful about our teams’ futures?  Or more negative?  

Do they believe the Twins can win a World Series, or do they roll their eyes every time Tom Pohlad speaks?

Are they ready to celebrate victory when the Vikings line up for a game winning field goal or are they covering their eyes, afraid to watch?

Do they think they think the game is in hand when the Wild have a two-goal lead? Or do they think it’s “the most dangerous lead in hockey”?

Do they think a 4th quarter Timberwolves lead is safe? Or……

Well, you get the idea. 

My gut tells me, the younger they are, the less sports disasters and heartbreaks they have seen, and thus, the more positive they may be. 

To explore my theory, I asked some people under the age of 35 to answer a few questions about their MN sports beliefs.  Some of the volunteers were coworkers and some were social media followers.  Clearly, it was not random or scientific.  It was most definitely NOT certified by the Price/Waterhouse accounting firm (the folks under 35 may not get that reference).  But I was hopeful that I might gain some insight into what (and how) younger MN sports fans think.

The Survey

Question 1:  Which Minnesota teams do you follow? 

9 Vikings

6 Twins

6 Wolves

5 Wild

4 Lynx

3 Gophers

2 Frost

1 Loons

1 Mavericks

1 Gemini

Question 2: How do you view Minnesota as a “sports town”.  Do you see it as Loserville USA, or something different?

Steve – Age 34, Crystal, MN

“When it comes to the 4 major men's teams - it's Loserville.  Obviously, the Lynx have had success as have the Gophers Hockey team.“

Ameer – Age 30, Lakeville, MN

“I view the Twin Cities as a vibrant and extremely passionate sports town. I don’t like to take pity so I won’t ever say Loser Ville.  We’re a very proud sports town that unfortunately because of our shortcomings is overlooked by national opinions.  When our teams are sizzling, we show out.”

Sergio – Age 32, Colorado Spring, CO

“I view die hard Minnesota fans as long-suffering, rightfully cynical yet annually optimistic, dedicated fans.  I am jealous of the fair-weather MN fans, as they are able to enjoy the wins without the heart-wrenching defeats that longtime fans know all too well. “

Ryan – Age 33, Mankato, MN

“I feel like Minnesota can be a great sports city. We've clearly had bad luck but you always see fans showing out for the teams in Minneapolis and St Paul. Especially with how the Wolves and Lynx have been playing the last few years, it's definitely swinging towards a basketball city”

Katie – Age 29, Farmington, MN.

“I see the men’s sports as the forever underdogs. There always seems to be one point in the season where our underdog story becomes national news and we start to have hope, then it is all quick cut down at the knees.

Josie – Age 26, St. Paul, MN

“I think MN sports are really exciting and we have the best fans even though we always lose.  I don't see us as Loserville, more so passionately choke-ville.”

Amanda – Age 32, Cannon Falls, MN

“I see it as Opportunityville, USA.  I think given the right combination of skills between ownership, coaches and players - there’s always opportunity to win.”

Jack - Age 29, St. Paul, MN

“I view Minnesota as somewhat of a fair-weather sports town.  Our natural passive aggressive nature as Minnesotans can cause us to be cruel at times, but on the same day fall back in love with them.” 

Charbel - Age 30, Inver Grove Heights, MN

“Loserville, USA, is harsh, I think.  Disastertown is a better descriptor.  There are plenty of good moments that pull us back in and make us so happy.  But you just know disaster and catastrophe are following shortly after.  No happy endings.” 

Question 3:  What is your worst MN sports memory?

5 votes - 2009 NFC Championship Game loss at New Orleans

Sergio: “It felt like it was ours to win, and that Favre pick (and the subsequent OT loss that changed the rules for future games) was agonizing. I only saw my dad cry three times, and this was one of them. Although all of the other notorious choke jobs are painful, this is the worst cause it was my coming-of-age moment as an optimistic 15-year-old.”

Ryan: “I honestly felt that year was the year for the Vikes. Then we found out about “Bountygate” and that made it even worse.”

3 votes - 2018 NFC Championship Game loss at Philadelphia

Amanda: “When we lost [NFC championship] several years ago to the Eagles. That was a bummer.” 

Jack: “[The 2018 NFC Championship] first drive lives in my head.”

Charbel: “Too many to count. But nothing comes close to the NFCCG vs the Eagles. Coming off the high of the miracle (Which shouldnt have ever happened had we not blown the lead. Mistake #1), Super Bowl at home. Vibes at a peak high. Ready to go the distance. Only to get kicked in the face over and over again. Case turned back into a pumpkin at midnight. Ensuing sadness all around. [Losing] to Philadelphia of all teams. Just peak all time disaster and sadness. That was the worst fall from grace that we had.“

2 votes - 2004 Western Conference Finals loss vs Lakers

Ameer: “I think [the Wolves] losing to an older and inferior Lakers team without having Sam Cassell or Troy Hudson able to play will always haunt me as I’m certain they would have won the title fully healthy.”

Other votes

1 vote – 2003 “The Cardinals have knocked the Vikings out of the playoffs!  Noooooooooo!”

1 vote – 2016 WNBA finals loss to Sparks

1 vote – 2025 Vikings playoff loss to Rams

1 vote – Twins losing to Yankees in 2009 & 2010 postseason

1 vote - Trading Karl Anthony Towns

Other comments

Katie: “The feeling of disappointment at every big loss.”

Josie: “There are many poor memories.”

Question 4:  What is your best MN sports memory?

4 votes - The Minneapolis miracle

Katie - “Being at US Bank for the Minneapolis Miracle! The energy was absolutely indescribable and there have been so many more last moment game winning moments like that since.”

Sergio- “I was playing blackjack at a table in Las Vegas, across from a Saints fan all game and with a dealer who used to deal to Daunte Culpepper. He was pretty dejected at halftime, but I told him that the Vikings would find a way to choke. I drowned my sorrows in beer as the inevitable played out, and froze in disbelief when Diggs caught that touchdown and ran it into the endzone. I didn't have the benefit of PA's call, or even the audio from the TV, so we both held up the game as we watched the replay in disbelief. When they confirmed the TD, I jumped up in elation and started high fiving all of the people cheering. I picked up a girl as I high fived her boyfriend, and nobody at the table was mad that I held up the hand for a good 5 minutes.”

2 Votes - Wolves beating Nuggets in Game 7

Charbel:  “Ant telling the attendants that we will be back for game 7 and then backing the talk.  [He] called his shot with that 3 at the end and put the dagger into the Nuggets aspirations, creatin one of the most fun rivalries.  I don’t remember the last time the city was that excited over something simultaneously. That was one of the coolest nights ever.”  

2 votes – 2009 Game 163 Twins beat Tigers to advance

Ryan:  “Base hit by Casilla scored Carlos Gomez for a 6-5 win and I have never felt or heard a stadium more loud than the Metrodome that day. Literally felt like an earthquake was happening.”

Jack: “What an incredible finish, Alexi Casilla still holds a special place in my heart.”

1 vote – 2023 ALWC Game 1 vs Toronto

Josie: “Royce Lewis hit two home runs, making it the first playoff win in 20+ years! Awesome crowd that night.”

1 vote – Vikings’ Isaiah Rodgers two pick sixes against Bengals 2025

Amanda: “The double pick 6 from Isaiah Rodgers this past week was exciting knowing that it had never historically been done and that the score delta itself achieved a record. Although recent, this has been my favorite memory so far. I couldn’t believe it”

1 vote – 2019 Gophers beating #5 Penn State

Charbel: “Bringing in a top 5 team to Minnesota, hype slowly building around us but doubt overshadowing. Winning that game was the best. I popped my hip out rushing the field and getting pushed down the stands. It was absolutely worth every minute of pain. I’m pretty sure I jumped on the back and dapped up every player that walked by me on that field and they returned the same energy. 50,000 of the happiest people on the planet were all on the same field at the same time that day.”

1 vote - 2022 Christmas Eve Greg joseph 61 FG vs Giants as time expired

Sergio:  “Watching Greg Joseph making a career long 61 yard field goal [in person] as the clock expired against the Giants on Christmas Eve 2022. There was a palpable dread at the Bank, and the elation when he drained it was electric.”

5. Do you believe one of the Big 4 teams will win a championship in your lifetime?

Steve:  "I'd like to believe that but it's hard to keep that belief alive."

Ameer: "I have the utmost faith and confidence that one of MN’s men’s teams will win a championship in my lifetime."

Sergio:  "Yes. Not because of copium or a confidence in our teams, because statistics have to eventually play out in our favor... right?"

Ryan:  "Yes. I believe many of them are in that championship window now. It's just a matter of pulling it all together. 

Katie:  "I would like to think so." 

Josie:  "Yes."

Amanda:  "Yes."

Jack:  "Yes, mathematically speaking, we are bound to luck into one."

Charbel:  "Yes. Mathematically speaking it has to happen. I have what, 45 good years left in me maybe? 40 years? ONE HAS TO BE ABLE TO DO IT."

Question 6: Do you think Minnesota teams are cursed? 

Yes, we are cursed.

Sergio: “It sure fucking feels like it. If anything, it's a self-fulfilling prophecy/mental block. I don't actually believe in curses, but if anything could make me believe, it's our teams.”

Charbel: “Yes. Depends on the day how.  Some days I think its ancient burial grounds are cursing us. Some days I think God hates us. Some days I think it's all some simulation we live in to see how much patience can be tested for one group of people. Some days I truly believe it. Strictly because it’s not the fact that we haven’t won a championship (Men), But we haven’t even won a conference championship game to MAKE a championship. Straight up statistical improbability. No way this shit can actually keep happening.” 

Maybe

Steve:  “Vikings might be, other teams have either just been awful because big name players didn't want to come here, or bad drafts/free agency signing, or awful owners not wanting to spend money.”

Ryan: “I've dabbled with that thought. Especially the Vikes and the whole championship trophy thing before the switch over to the NFL.”  (He’s referring to the Ed Thorpe NFL championship trophy.  If you want to read about that, go to this link and scroll all the way down to the end.)

Katie: “I don't know if I would say they’re cursed.  But now I’m considering reaching out to a witch on etsy to see if we are cursed and have them break the curse.”

No, we are not cursed.

Ameer:  “I generally don’t believe in curses— everyone experiences rocky times and bad bounces. I do think that everything happens at its own time and we just need to be patient and prepared for when that time does come for our greatness in any avenue” 

Josie: “No. I think we just haven’t had the best matchups, and we don’t consistently make it to the playoffs. I think that can make it difficult since the playoffs come with a different level of intensity.

Amanda: “Not cursed, just haven’t had the perfect storm yet.” 

Jack: “I think in order for Minnesota to win, they need to do the impossible, this is very similar with many "cursed" teams 04 Red Sox, down 3-0 in the ALCS, 2016 Cavs, down 3-1, 2016 Cubs, down 3-1, 2026 Knicks, I think they had 3 massive 2nd half comebacks, we just need to break through the unbreakable wall and then ride the wave of momentum that comes with it, we were close with that with the Mpls Miracle”

Question 7: Why do you think our men’s teams can’t get over that hump? 

Steve:  “I think a lot of it comes down to big name players not wanting to come to cold, flyover country, and owners not wanting to pony up the dough for free agency signings.”

Ameer: “I think it’s a combination of bad luck’, bad personnel, management decisions and injuries. Each team has its own unique reason.”

Sergio: “The Twins are unwilling to spend. They had to face the Yankees in their prime, and rather than buffing the team to have a fighting chance, the Pohlad's were content with making the first round. The Wild had some albatross contracts and tough injury luck. The Timberwolves were a joke, but they are headed in the right direction. The Vikings are the most cursed of anyone. I wish I knew why they can't seem to make all the pieces align at the same time, but I don't.” 

Ryan: “Bad luck mostly. They always seem to get so close just for a simple mistake to happen that costs them a game. I'm really hoping it happens soon.”

Katie:  “I think it's a safe place for them. Like… its almost safer for them to lose earlier on.  As opposed to getting farther than years past – and lose anyway.

Josie: “Match ups, injuries, and maybe coaching decisions to some extent.”

Amanda: “I think there’s just a sense of confidence mixed with uncertainty when these teams potentially make it to the playoffs.  It’s something we haven’t achieved in years, so to get there and be so close probably brings nervousness to these young athletes. Therefore, they have more potential to crack under pressure which is what we typically see from these teams.” 

Jack:  “Professional sports are very hard. The best do it for a reason. I do not believe we have had the best teams in my lifetime, maybe the 1998 Vikings?  But I just don't believe we have had teams that are mentally tough enough to push through the adversity that a postseason brings.”

Charbel: I think [the Wolves] can get over the hump. That reason (right now) is Anthony Edwards.  If anyone is going to do it, it’s him. If he doesn’t, we are doomed for eternity. If that guy can’t win us a championship, I don’t think anyone can.”

Question 8: Which team do you think is closest to winning a championship?

Steve:  “If you asked me this question 10 yrs ago my answer would be different but honestly the way they've looked the last few years, I think it might be the Wolves which is a wild thought. – 

Steve: (Second thought) “Wild are closest if Quinn extended. “

Ameer:  “Timberwolves will be the first. I don’t want to be wrong but I really do believe they will win the 2026 NBA title. Vikings aren’t far behind but have too many unknowns.“

Ameer:  (Second thought):  “I guess my opinion on the wolves has changed since my initial response to your question as I think they have peaked and am still grieving the loss of my favorite player. Really not sure about if LaMelo makes them better and they have no power forwards.”

Sergio: “Timberwolves, Vikings, Wild, St. Paul Saints in that order.”

Ryan: “I'd say the Wolves at this point. Vikings are a close second.”

Katie: “Probably the Timberwolves, but I hope it's the Vikings.”

Josie: “Wolves. I wish I could say the Vikings.”

Amanda: “The Vikings!”

Jack: “Timberwolves.”

Charbel: “The Timberwolves. Hands down. Anthony Edwards.”

Question 9: Which team do you think is the farthest away from winning a championship?

Steve:  “The Twins as long as the Pohlads are the owners. Sell the team!”

Ameer:  “The Twins, sadly,with their lack of infrastructure are probably the farthest away right now.

Sergio:  “Twins, hand down.”

Ryan: “Obviously the Twins.  But I feel like the Wild as well.  They can't get over that first round hump!” 

Katie: "The Twins. Every game I have gone to we have lost.”

Josie: “Twins.”

Amanda: “I’d have to say the Twins.”

Jack: “The Twins. I love them. But that team in LA has that trophy until the league changes and forces owners to actually spend. Not saying money equals [championships].  But I am saying our baseball department was a trainwreck the past 5 years. Need a better developmental system.”

Charbel: “The Twins. Until the team is sold, they have a 0% chance of winning. Impossible to win a championship with owners who don’t actually care about winning and care more about making money.”

Question 10:  Other thoughts or comments on the topic of MN sports dread? 

Steve:  “Fuck Norm even though I was too young to understand it in the moment.  The '98 NFC Championship game hurts but more so through memories of others and seeing the damn highlights over and over (I was 6 when it happened).

Ameer: “I love Minnesota Sports as well as the energy and joy these teams bring our community.”

Sergio: “I can only imagine the elation that I will feel when one of our teams finally makes it all the way. After all these years of hope/heartbreak/frustration/elation/rollercoaster, it will be a transcendent experience to win a championship. This is kind of morbid, but it's on brand for my dad and how he'd want to be remembered. He was dying of Stage IV cancer and I was saying what we both knew was my final goodbye. He was doped up on morphine and in and out of coherence, more towards loopy. I hugged him and said, "You're gonna have to pull some strings up there to get the Vikings a championship." He smirked, audibly scoffed, and said, "Fat chance!" with absolutely lucid clarity.” 

Ryan: “They better win one soon! My blood pressure can only take so much every year!!”

Katie: “I wish the women's teams got the credit they deserved from some people. As for the men's teams I hope they figure it out soon.”

Josie: “I think the passion we have here is pretty awesome given we don’t see many championships. As frustrating as it is, I love being a Minnesota sports fan!”

Jack: “Honestly, I love MN Sports. This is our party.  We were all invited when we were born here. Is it fun? At times it is.  No better feeling in the world. It's like junk food -  it’s great for a while, but you know at some point it is going to absolutely ruin your heart. Regardless, ever since 2020 I have learned to be grateful for sports. You never know when you could lose them.  Its entertainment  “It’s supposed to have ups and downs.  Ours is just more of a comedy-drama film rather than an action-adventure.” 

Charbel:  “It’s going to happen. One day. I don’t know when. But it will.”

Opportunityville, USA

It’s safe to say that those who participated have a good sense of sports knowledge and moreso, Minnesota sports history. 

I think it’s also true that the consensus is generally positive and hopeful about MN sports. That’s probably a good thing because our MN sports teams need all the positivity they can get. 

I don’t think it’s a stretch to assume that younger folks are going to be more positive about any topic let alone sports. That doesn’t mean there aren’t older folks who are positive, or younger folks who think our teams are doomed.  It’s just a generalization that is probably true for the majority of people under the age of 35.

Not only are the younger fans generally more positive, most of them believe they will witness one of our big four men’s teams win a championship in their lifetime.  The Wolves were the favorite to be the first. 

 “Its going to happen. One day. I don’t know when. But it will.”

I found it interesting though, that none of them seemed overly positive.  We all know some fans who unrealistically think a team is winning a championship at the beginning of EVERY season regardless of how good or bad the team is.  They are the “true believers”.  They see no evil, hear no evil, and can’t find a loss on the entire schedule. 

The comments from my survey group, however, showed that younger fans can be positive, but also realistic.  The Twins sweeping the “farthest away from winning a championship” question is a perfect example. 

I also detected that maybe some of the respondents were inching toward leaning toward the other side of the spectrum.  For example:

“I don't see us as Loserville, more so passionately choke-ville.”

“It's like junk food - it’s great for a while, but you know at some point it is going to absolutely ruin your heart.”

Those quotes were from two of the MOST positive people in the survey.  I’ve known Jack (junk food quote) since he was in elementary school.  He’s one of the most positive Minnesota sports fans I’ve ever met.  There was a time where I would have labeled him as overly positive fan - especially about the Twins.  His quote suggests that his opinions have changed a bit over time. 

That makes sense.  It’s easy to understand how fans can become hardened and more negative as they experience repeated sports heartbreak.  Especially in Minnesota. In a darkly humorous way, maybe the role of us older fans should be offering support for the younger fans if their hope ever wavers and they need a safe space.  Sort of like Dr Rick from the TV commercials.  If you don’t know who Dr. Rick is, he coaches young adults who are slowly turning into their parents. 

Charbel is another participant that I’ve known since he was young.  Admittedly, I have unnecessarily poked at Charbel about his positivity in the past.  I asked him a private question about that. 

He said, “It’s all sports banter. Mostly heat of the moment type of stuff going back and forth. Sometimes your bitterness gets old cause it feels like you are incapable of happiness lol.  But I think at the end of the day, if one team goes the distance, all of that will be for naught cause everyone in this state will be happy.”

Charbel’s response hit home and really made me think about how I view this topic. 

Maybe the real lesson here is that being a Minnesota sports fan is a journey and everyone has to experience it on their own – the good and the bad.

Lastly, there was one comment that truly warmed my heart and renewed my faith in the next generation of Minnesota sports fans.  

“Fuck Norm!”

The younger generations get a lot of heat in today’s society. 

But from a Minnesota sports lens? 

It appears that the kids are alright. 

*****A huge THANK YOU to all the participants, not only for helping with this but also for their patience.  It’s been over a year since I started it, and I had some life events derail the work for a while.   It actually worked out, because it gave me a chance to ask them if any of their opinions changed over the past year - especially after watching Darnold win a Super Bowl with Seattle and the Wild and Wolves get bounced from the playoffs again.

Sources

https://mn.gov/admin/demography/data-by-topic/population-data/our-estimates/

https://www.mncompass.org/profiles/state/minnesota/age

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GlY7PoDs8E

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN199110270.shtml

Believeland Quote:  Believeland - Andy Billman - ESPN Films - 2016