Previous articles in the series: 1965, 1969, 1970

Willie McGee slapped a sharp grounder to the left side of the infield. Third baseman Gary Gaetti cut in front of shortstop Greg Gagne, scooped up the ball, took a few quick steps toward first base, and then fired the ball across the diamond. Kent Hrbek caught it and leaped joyously into the air.

After 26 long years, the Minnesota Twins finally earned a World Series trophy.

In 49 of America’s 50 states, if you mention the year 1987, people might think of Ronald Reagan – either for his popular presidency or for the Iran Contra scandal, which dominated the news that year. Maybe they’ll think of the Iran-Iraq War, which entered its seventh year in ’87, or of Margaret Thatcher, who won a third term as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Trivia buffs might tell you that 1987 was when The Simpsons first appeared as a short on The Tracy Ullman Show. And movie lovers will think of such classic films as Ernest Goes to Camp, Fatal Attraction, and Wall Street. For many, 1987 was notable for a disaster on the real Wall Street: the October 19^th Black Monday stock market crash.

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And then there’s the ‘Dancing Twins’ video:

Whitest dance moves ever. Not quite as awkward, but perhaps more inspiring, video of the welcome home celebration after the ’91 team captured the AL Pennant. It’s kind of blurry and shaky, but it’s got some good stuff from Kent Hrbek and Kirby Puckett:

And finally, video of the 1987 World Series parade shot by a fan:

If this season doesn’t end with my drunk, disorderly ass being hauled off in a squad car after setting fire to another squad car, I will be very disappointed.