What the 1991 “Worst to First” Twins Can Teach the 2026 Team
Normally, I cringe at articles or social media posts that take nostalgic strolls down memory lane when things aren't looking good for the Twins. I've always felt that they distract from figuring out the current issues by covering them up with feel-good recollections of yesteryear. Yet, I find myself looking back in history today not to find a warm and fuzzy story from past triumphs but rather to examine the 1990 Twins' dismal season and what changes they made to get back to the World Series the following year.You see, the 1990 Twins weren't all that different from our 2025 club in many ways and it got me thinking - what can the 2026 team learn from the 1991 team to get back into contention? We'll begin by examining the facts and a bit of history, of course.
How Bad Were the 1990 Twins?
The 1990 ballclub wasn't the worst in MLB, but they were the lowest of the low in the AL West that season. I was only four or five at the time, but I have distinct memories of my father saying "they're stinking up the field!" or something to that effect. Several of the 1987 World Series heroes were either no longer with the team or had hit slumps in their own careers.Kent Hrbek and Gary Gaetti were experiencing down years in 1990, as was franchise cornerstone Kirby Puckett - though he still managed to bat .298 with 12 home runs and 80 RBI in 146 games - not a bad "off" season.Puckett didn't have enough help around him in the middle of the lineup and power remained inconsistent for the team, with the team hitting just 100 home runs for the 1990 campaign.
With the departure of Tom Brunansky in 1988, right field and DH became a platoon situation with no consistent production. The rotation of Jim Dwyer, Gene Larkin, and Carmelo Castillo couldn't replace the pop Brunansky had and it became a weak spot in the offense.
The pitching staff was a major weakness with an overall ERA north of 4.00 - with only one starter under 3.00 in rookie Scott Erickson. The post-Frank Viola trade left a void beginning in 1989, leaving unproven starters to fill the gap. Rick Aguilera was the only consistent arm out of the bullpen as the team's closer. The team's chemistry just wasn't what it had been in years prior and game attendance was starting to wane. Even then, signs of life had begun to shine through after the 1990 season.
A few key pieces were already in place to begin the 1991 campaign. Aguilera had solidified himself as a reliable closer despite the bad year for the teamand starter Scott Erickson had proven that he belonged at the major league level. The Twins front office began to address needs for the next season by bringing in some offensive help in DH slugger Chili Davis and a veteran presence for the pitching staff -starting pitcher Jack Morris.
Worst To First
When the 1991 season opened, over 240 last-place teams had preceded the Twins in MLB history and none of them rose to first place the following year, so to say that the World Series was on anyone's radar would be a stretch. Ironically, 1991 would see two worst-to-first rises in the Twins and the Braves...but we're here to talk about the World Series winner today, not the "also ran" Atlanta club. Sorry, tongue in cheek for my Braves fans out there. Two words: Ron Gant. If you know, you know...Alright, I'll be fair, the Braves also had a phenomenal seasonand I don't want to diminish that. Any worst-to-first is exciting, but we won, and that is that! Back to the actual story...
With the offseason signings of Davis and Morris, the free agency splash for the Twins was done for 1991. Neither Davis nor Morris were coming off of careeryears, so fans were understandably reserved in their reaction to the signings. In fact, Jack Morris was looking to rebound from an 18-loss season the year before - seemingly a far cry from his reputation as the winningest pitcher of the 1980s. The Twins began the season in slow fashion, causing some to wonder what had actually changed but as the games rolled by, the Twins ripped off a 15-game winning streak in June.This rocketed them into first place, a position they wouldn't let go of in the highly competitive AL West. For those who are curious, the last-place team that year would go 81-81. Imagine being .500 and being in last place in your division - sorry to the then California Angels.
In 1991, the Twins would finish with a record of 95-67 - tops in the American League. As Twins Territory knows, they would go on to defeat the Atlanta Braves 4-3 in the World Series. That World Series gave us memories like Kirby Puckett's Game 6 walk-off homerun and a Jack Morris vs. John Smoltz showdown in Game 7 where Morris pitched a 10-inning complete game shutout to win the championship. We pause for just a moment for nostalgia to watch a great moment in Twins history - "Touch 'em all, Kirby Puckett!" I'm not crying, you are.
What Changed from 1990 to 1991?
So, what was the major catalyst for this historic turnaround for the Twins? The amazing (and frustrating) thing is it wasn't just one adjustment or addition that was made - it was a perfect storm of several things coming together at the right time. Here are some of the major factors that helped the Twins go from worst to first in 1991:
Breakout Performances
In 1990, much of the Twins roster was homegrown, young talent with a handful of veterans to lean on. Sound familiar? The young prospects weren't contributing yet in 1990, not at a consistent level anyway. By 1991, rookie Chuck Knoblauch burst onto the scene, swiping 25 bases and batting .281 on his way to winning Rookie of the Year. Young pitchers matured at the major league level with Scott Erickson (20-8, 3.18 ERA) building on his 1990 success and Kevin Tapani (16-9, 2.99) continuing to grow as a starter. Jack Morris anchored the starting rotation with a rebound season where he tallied 18 wins and was voted to the 1991 All-Star Game.
Free agent acquisition Chili Davis set a new career high with home runs that year (29) while driving in 95 RBI - a career best that he'd never again surpass. Kirby Puckett returned to his classic form, batting .319 while collecting 29 doubles, 15 home runs, and 89 RBI while on his way to another All-Star game and Gold Glove. The Twins batted .280 as a club in 1991 - best in all of MLB. They also led the majors with the least amount of strikeouts with 747 as a team. The worst? The Detroit Tigers with 1,185.
Roster Clarity/Identity
1990 had left the team generally unsettled, especially as far as the pitching staff. With former ace Viola long gone, the 1990 Twins had no identity as a pitching staff and no true leader. Morris' signing with the Twins gave them a proven veteran to lead the staff that had been erratic the year before. Erickson and Tapani both settled in, cementing a strong 1-2-3 punch at the front of the rotation. As previously mentioned, Rick Aguilera became the club's established closer but prior to 1990, he had been a starter with mixed results. His move to the bullpen anchored 1990 and his success propelled him forward in 1991 to the All-Star game and 42 saves. Relievers Carl Willis, Steve Bedrosian, and Mark Guthrie settled into setup roles - everyone had their duties set.
Field-wise, with Gaetti's decline and departure in 1990, Mike Pagliarulo was acquired to solidify third base - which opened up the DH spot in the heart of the lineup for Chili Davis. 1987starting catcher Tim Laudner retired in 1989, leading to shared duties between minor league free agent Brian Harper and Junior Ortiz. As we have witnessed in recent seasons with the current Twins, platooning catchers isn't always the answer. In 1991, Harper won the starting job outright and brought stability to the backstop position.
Chuck Knoblauch was set as the everyday second baseman, ending a carousel rotation at the position with Greg Gagne at shortstop and Hrbek anchoring at first base. The outfield of Shane Mack, Kirby Puckett, and Dan Gladden remained intact for the large majority of the year. Gladden, known for his sparkplug leadership, struggled in 1990. His identity as a leadoff hitter wavered as he went through injuries or hitting droughts. His plate discipline became an issue and his overall power had dropped. In 1991, he regained his reputation as a gritty ballplayer and he reestablished himself as the Twins' leadoff man. He also gave fans what is quite possibly one of the best plate collision photos of all time in the World Series. See above.
Momentum and Chemistry
The right pieces at the right time - it is nearly impossible to script.The 1990 Twins had no consistency on the field or in the clubhouse. Personalities and leaders were not mixing well or had departed. Maintaining a winning streak was not possible with the shaky pitching staff. The 1990 team was young and inexperienced for the most part, with the exception of the small veteran core. The 1991 team, with their added veteran personnel, brought accountability and leadership, was able to not only maintain a winning culture but a winning streak- one that stretched to 15 games at one point.
The front office did its part to put this team together. Andy McPhail, the general manager at the time, made some bold free agency signings (already covered above) in key spots to fix deficiencies. The acquisitions were smart and well-timed. Reconstructing the team rather than tearing it apart was instrumental in its success in 1991.
What the 2026 Twins Can Learn From the 1991 Ballclub
The 1991 turnaround wasn't magic by any stretch, but a combination of many things coming together at the right time. It wasn't just key free agency signings, though that did help. It wasn't simply that the young players suddenly figured out how to produce - again, that was also helpful. So, what can the 2026 team take away or learn from the 1991 turnaround?
1. Mix of Veterans and Youth
The 1991 team had a nice balance of experience and young players. At the moment, the 2026 team looks to be a little on the green side.Some younger players like Royce Lewis, Brooks Lee, and breakout Luke Keaschall are likely going to have to serve as veteran voices to even younger prospects unless the front office makes some moves this offseason. Byron Buxton is the veteran on the field for now with Pablo Lopez anchoring the rotation with Joe Ryan. These guys could probably use another player or two with more MLB service time to balance the scales a bit more. Balance is key. We have good young talent; the Twins should pick up a veteran or two for 2026.
2. Risk of Overreliance on One or Two Stars
Connected to point #1, this is a model that many modern franchises use now - unless you're the Dodgers or Yankees and can afford anyone you want. Many clubs have one or two "big name" players that they hitch their hopes to. The issue with this is, and we've seen it happen here in Minnesota, is that when that star gets hurt or struggles, the team goes down with it. The 1991 team had a wide swath of contributors, which helped them succeed. Buxton was healthy most of 2025, but I'd hate to see the team pin all their hopes on him with no other help in the wings. The whole team must be prepared and firing on all cylinders come spring - they can't rely on Buxton to save them by himself.
3. Establish an Identity
If the 1991 team had nothing else, they had an identity. The '90 team did not, nor did the 2025 Twins. No defining moments except for one 13-game winning streak that preluded a precipitous fall through the basement floor of the AL Central. Who will the 2026 Twins be? Will they come out of the gate still searching for who they are, seeming to give up on games once they perceive them as out of reach? Or, as in 1991, will they pursue wins with dogged perseverance? Will they play scrappy, unyielding baseball and recreate a winning culture in Minnesota?
Establishing an identity as a team also means players' roles need to be set. Will the front office make any moves to help the franchise as the 1991 FO did or will they continue the status quo? Will they continue to shuffle the lineup and positions or will everyone have a defined role and duty? While metrics may play a role in the shuffle, consistency and knowing what is expected of you go a long way toward success. Of the three lessons to be learned from 1991, the team identity is the one I pinpoint as most important - and the one I worry about the most.
1991 to 2026: What the Current Twins Ballclub Can Learn From the Historic World Series Turnaround
The 1991 Minnesota Twins are living proof of what can happen when a franchise's identity, personnel, and leadership align. While not magic, their rise from worst to first was no accident. It was the result of methodically addressing issues, balancing the scales of youth and veterans, and functioning well as a whole team for an entire season. It can be done!
The 2025 Twins have shown some flashes of the same potential with the maturing young talent, cornerstone pieces like Buxton, Lopez, and Ryan still with the team, and the prospect of a new approach once a new manager is hired. History has shown us that this is possible (yes, even for the Braves, too!), but the question remains as to whether or not the next generation of Twins players can turn the lessons of the team's past into momentum for the future.