This is part nine in a series examining every Twins team that has made the playoffs. Whether the current version of the Twins is 20 games over .500 or stuck in last place, fans can always hold onto memories of successful teams past.

Previous articles in the series: 1965, 1969, 1970, 1987, 1991, 2002, 2003, 2004

The Twins had a disapointing season in 2005. Not only did they slump to 83-79 and lose the division crown for the first time since 2001, they watched the rival Chicago White Sox march through the playoffs and sweep the World Series. Two promising young hitters suffered prominent injuries, as Justin Morneau sustained a concussion early in the season and super-prospect Jason Kubel missed what would have been his rookie year with a severe knee injury. The Twins pitched well, but their hitters did not hold up their end of the bargain. As losses piled up, chaos descended on the clubhouse, culminating in a fistfight between Morneau and centerfielder Torii Hunter.

But 2006 was a new year. During the offseason, the Twins added some veteran hitters: sluggers Ruben Sierra, Tony Batista, and Rondell White, and top-of-the-order threat Luis Castillo. The Twins were healthy and talented, and they looked ready to destroy the competition in the AL Central.

So it was a complete surprise to many people when the Twins were well under .500 and 11.5 games out of first place by the end of May. But that wasn’t as surprising as what happened afterward: one of the greatest comebacks in Major League history. (more…)