The Minnesota Twins have a weekend full of events celebrating the 1991 World Series Championship team. Everyone from Kent Hrbek to Chili Davis to Junior Ortiz and more will join in the fun.
One of the important pieces of that '91 team, Brian Harper, joined The Morning News with Adam Carter on Friday morning. Harper says that there was one stretch in the season that was important for their success.
"I think it was during the 16-game winning streak we had right in the middle of May. We kinda started out a little slow, in fact, I believe the first road trip we started out with only a couple of wins. There was talk of TK (manager Tom Kelly) getting fired and all kinds of stuff. Then we got a couple of wins at home and we went on a nice streak where we won 15, 16 games in a row and it was like 'hey, we're pretty good here.'"
Harper says that the team's chemistry was very important to the team's success, but he said there was another key factor in how far the team went in 1991. Pitcher Jack Morris.
"As a catcher, you're a little bit of a psychologist. You have to work a little bit different with each pitcher. I worked a lot different with Kevin Tapani than I did with Jack (Morris). Jack was the kind of guy who you almost had to calm down a little bit because, and I say this in a good way, he pitched angry, mean on the mound."
There is a story that floats around that in game 7 of the '91 World Series, Manager Tom Kelly tried to take Morris out of the game after the ninth inning, but the pitcher refused to leave the game. Harper confirmed the validity of the story and how Morris refused to exit the game.
"He (Kelly) came up to Jack and said 'hey, great game Jack. I've got Aggie (pitcher Rick Aguilera) warming up in the 'pen and we're going to bring him in next inning' and Jack says 'I'm not coming out of the game.' I'm sitting back going 'oh, this is going to be very interesting.'"
Harper continued the legendary story, "TK says 'it's 120 pitches on three days rest. Jack, unbelievable job.' They went back and forth and Jack said 'TK, I'm not coming out of the game.' TK, in his wisdom, went up to Dick Such, our Pitching Coach, and saw them pow-wowing and I was sitting there thinking this was going to be really interesting. TK walked up to Jack and patted him on the back and said 'go get'em, big guy.'"
The Twins have a weekend full of events planned to celebrate the '91 team. Here is the full schedule of appearances, autograph opportunities and ceremonies.
Friday, August 13 vs. Tampa Bay Rays presented by Minnesota Lottery (7:10 p.m.)
The reunion weekend kicks off with photo opportunities and a celebration of 1991 players and fans alike. (Please note that players and times for photo opportunities are subject to change.)
Pregame Photo Opportunity (6:15 to 6:45 p.m.): Fans have an opportunity to get their photo taken with Game 7 batterymates Jack Morris and Brian Harper, along with fan favorite Junior Ortiz, inside Gate 29. Twins Season Ticket Holders have an exclusive photo session at the Digital Clubhouse with two members of the 1991 starting rotation (Scott Erickson and Kevin Tapani), bullpen standout Carl Willis and closer Rick Aguilera.In-game Photo Opportunity: The 1991 World Series trophy will be on display for fans to take photos with throughout the weekend in Truly On Deck (except for during Saturday’s pregame ceremony).Take Me Out to the Ballgame: A special group of fans who have been Twins Season Ticket Holders since 1991 will lead the crowd in “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the 7th-inning stretch.Friday Night Fireworks presented by Securian Financial: The fifth in a summer-long series of postgame Friday night fireworks, presented by Securian Financial, will be set to the top songs from 1991.
Saturday, August 14 vs. Tampa Bay Rays (6:10 p.m.)
On this, the 30th anniversary of the best Fall Classic ever played, the Twins will honor their fabled 1991 World Series Champions prior to the game. (Please note that players and times for photo opportunities are subject to change.)
Pregame Photo Opportunity (4:45 to 5:15 p.m.): Fans have an opportunity to have their photo taken with 1991 alumni Greg Gagne, Scott Leius, Al Newman and Mike Pagliarulo inside Gate 29. Twins Season Ticket Holders have an exclusive photo session at the Digital Clubhouse with Randy Bush, Chili Davis and Game 7 walk-off heroes Dan Gladden (series-winning run) and Gene Larkin (series-winning hit). Pregame Ceremony (5:50 p.m.): An on-field, pregame ceremony will celebrate the 1991 World Series Champion Minnesota Twins through highlights, unique reflections and never-before-seen footage introduced by John Gordon; a brief roundtable with Chili Davis, Kent Hrbek and Andy MacPhail, hosted by Dick Bremer; and a special ceremonial first pitch.In-game Photo Opportunity: The 1991 World Series trophy will be on display for fans to take photos with throughout the weekend in Truly On Deck (except for during Saturday’s pregame ceremony).The ’91 Collection by DJ Skee: Renowned Minnesota artist DJ Skee – who attended Games 1, 6 and 7 of the 1991 World Series as a child – is dropping an exclusive collection available only at Target Field on August 14. “The ’91 Collection” features limited edition pieces with World Series, Minneapolis and Twins-inspired art designed by Skee; for more information, please visit twinsbaseball.com/91collection.
Sunday, August 15 vs. Tampa Bay Rays presented by U.S. Bank (1:10 p.m.)
The Twins will wrap up this special weekend by celebrating the 30th anniversary and ongoing impact of the Minnesota Twins Community Fund.
Giveaway – T.C. Build-A-Bear presented by U.S. Bank: The first 5,000 kids 12-and-under will receive a special T.C. Build-A-Bear presented by U.S. Bank.30th Anniversary of the Minnesota Twins Community Fund: Launched in 1991 following the club’s World Series championship with revenue from Homer Hanky sales and other championship events, the Minnesota Twins Community Fund is also celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2021. In the three decades since, more than $22 million has been given to support youth programs across Twins Territory, with hundreds of thousands of children benefitting from Community Fund initiatives. Prior to the game, the Twins will honor 30 years – and counting – of the Community Fund and its impact on enriching local and regional communities.Kids Day presented by Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare: Every Sunday, kids’ meals are half price – just $4 – thanks to Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. Postgame, all kids 12-and-younger can run the bases on the field.Bullseye Fan Zone, Presented by Target: For the first time since 2019, Target’s Bullseye Fan Zone is back! Located on Schneiderman’s Lawn at Gate 34, the Bullseye Fan Zone features family-friendly interactives, including a mascot race, a pop fly competition and a to-go kit with a custom, DIY kids project.