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Joe Mauer has always been a big hit in Minnesota — from local prep sensation to six-time major league All-Star, a three-time batting champion and an AL MVP during a playoff season. Plus, fittingly, he and his wife are parents of twins.
The Twins, coming off an 83-79 season in Paul Molitor's first season as manager, open the 2016 regular season at Baltimore on Monday, April 4. A lot can happen between now and then, but here are seven things to keep an eye on in Spring Training.
The Minnesota Twins already have something to be thankful for at spring training: The pitching staff is relatively healthy. Minnesota had several pitchers see their seasons short-circuited by injuries last season.
What are professional athletes like when they're away from the playing field? Are they in the community and do they generally enjoy interacting with fans who spend big bucks to watch them play on a daily basis? Here are seven Minnesota athletes who by all accounts are also good dudes.
Following an 83-79 finish in manager Paul Molitor's first season, during which they stayed in the American League wild-card race until the second-to-last day on the schedule, the Twins have naturally returned for 2016 with higher hopes.
The concussion Joe Mauer sustained in August 2013 effectively ended his career as a catcher, and since transitioning to first base the Minnesota Twins icon has been in diminished state with the bat.
Your travel guide to visiting any of the MLB teams in the Florida Grapefruit League for this year's spring training
Outfielder Carlos Quentin and the Minnesota Twins have agreed to a minor league contract, giving the 33-year-old a chance to revive his career.
TwinsFest is usually a chance for fans and players get excited about the upcoming season. But for one Hall of Fame player, he was simply thankful to just be there.
Rod Carew is about four months removed from a massive heart attack that nearly killed him. The 70-year-old Hall of Fame infielder has to carry a battery-powered device with him everywhere he goes to keep his heart on track.
Minnesota Twins All-Star closer Glen Perkins has seen each of the last two seasons short-circuited in the second half by injuries to his neck and back. So Perkins went into the offseason looking to attack his preparation a little differently in hopes of helping his body endure the season's grind.
The Twins will have three new guest instructors at spring training, former players Rick Aguilera, LaTroy Hawkins and Torii Hunter. General manager Terry Ryan said Friday that Hawkins will arrive when camp opens Feb. 21, Hunter will start Feb. 26.
The Minnesota Twins have agreed with third baseman Trevor Plouffe on a $7.25 million, one-year contract to avoid arbitration. The Twins made the announcement on Monday. Plouffe hit .244 last season with 22 home runs and a career-high 86 RBIs.
Right-hander Kevin Jepsen have avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $5,312,500. The agreement, announced Friday, gives the pitcher a raise of more than $2 million from his earnings of $3,025,000 last year.
The Minnesota Twins say Hall of Famer Rod Carew is healthy enough to attend the team's annual fan festival next weekend.
The "Flex Plan" consists of 20 tickets that can be used in any increment for any games in 2016, excluding the home opener and a handful of Friday and Saturday games in the summer.
The Minnesota Twins have agreed to one-year contracts with infielders Eduardo Escobar and Eduardo Nunez, right-hander Casey Fien and lefty Tommy Milone, averting salary arbitration.
Left-hander Tommy Milone and the Minnesota Twins have agreed to a $4.5 million, one-year contract, a deal that avoids salary arbitration.
Travel guide for visitors who only have 48 hours to visit Minnesota's Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul
Minnesota doesn't seem to lack anything in having big sports stories over the course of a year, and 2015 was no exception. Here's a look back at the crazy year that was Minnesota sports.
The Minnesota Twins have agreed to minor league contracts with former outfielders Joe Benson and Darin Mastroianni, who are among 22 non-roster players invited to big league spring training.
Minnesota Twins games will be a little safer for fans sitting close to the action next season at Target Field. The Twins announced plans Wednesday to comply with Major League Baseball's Fan Safety Recommendations and add new protective netting at Target Field.
Calling all Twins fans! In just a few hours, tickets for TwinsFest will be available! Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning. They cost $20 for adults and $10 for kids 14 and younger.
The Minnesota Twins are expecting a sellout as tickets for their annual TwinsFest go on sale Tuesday morning. It's a chance for fans to experience baseball during the holiday season and get autographs from some of their favorite players.
The Twins' hope for more offensive power arrived Wednesday at a Target Field news conference. Byung Ho Park flashed a smile as he modeled a Twins jersey sporting his name and the No. 52.
The Twin Cities will be holding onto some clouds on and off on Friday, as temperatures hover slightly below average.
A plane crash in Winona, Minnesota, left one person dead Thursday evening.
Conservationists at the Minnesota Zoo say recovery efforts for one of North America's most endangered butterfly species are giving them renewed optimism about the species' future.
A dangerous social media trend is circulating online, and Minnesota health experts are warning parents it involves allergy medication.
It has been a year of ups and downs for Ashley Berry, the mother of Jordan "Manny" Collins Jr., as she attempts to deal with the loss of her only child. One year after his death, she's focused on the good her son brought to the world.
Conservationists at the Minnesota Zoo say recovery efforts for one of North America's most endangered butterfly species are giving them renewed optimism about the species' future.
Dangerous living conditions are leading to demands that a public housing leader in Minneapolis be fired.
Minneapolis city leaders approved a five-month pause on new data center development Thursday, adding the state's largest city to a growing debate over the economic benefits and potential impacts of the rapidly expanding industry.
Back-to-back earthquakes rattled Venezuela Wednesday evening, killing nearly 190 people.
Fifteen people, most of them Minnesotans, were arrested and charged last week, accused of impeding Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
A plane crash in Winona, Minnesota, left one person dead Thursday evening.
A new report says nearly half of Minnesota hospitality and tourism businesses surveyed are seeing fewer customers and less income as the state heads into its most profitable season.
We have another action-packed weekend with events happening every day all across the state, including plenty of ways to celebrate Pride!
It's a lake cruise in the middle of town, and there's more than pelicans on the Pelican Breeze tour in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
Invasive species like zebra mussels or Eurasian watermilfoil are at a much higher risk of spreading this time of year from used boating equipment.
A 63-year-old man was killed in a single-vehicle crash Sunday morning in western Wisconsin.
A federal judge ruled ICE failed to show enough evidence to justify holding Salah Sarsour, a legal permanent resident detained for 80 days after speaking out in support of Palestinian rights.
Jim Troupis, Mike Roman, and Ken Chesebro entered not guilty pleas in Dane County Circuit Court on Tuesday to 11 felony forgery charges tied to a scheme to submit false electoral certificates to Congress after Trump lost Wisconsin in 2020.
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Hannah Dugan's obstruction of justice conviction will stand, rejecting her legal team's argument that a recent appeals court ruling should have invalidated the case.
A big birthday party is coming up this summer, one that every American can celebrate. And it could help the fireworks industry explode with record sales. WCCO explores how much Americans spend each year on fireworks.
What started as a small fundraiser following one of Joe's surgeries at Gillette Children's has grown into a community tradition that has raised nearly $100,000 for the hospital.
A trip to the video store was once a weekly ritual, and now one Minnesota movie lover is trying to bring that experience back.
Betty and Kermit Eastman, both 99, celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary on June 6 — a milestone so rare that on average only one couple in the U.S. reaches it each year.
Created by artist Lilyan Lauzon, the mini art vending machine at Inkwell Booksellers charges no fees to artists and returns the full $1 sale price to each creator.
On the Lake Harriet shoreline in Minneapolis Saturday evening, dozens of children picked up a fishing rod for the first time.
A judge on Thursday ordered the Justice Department to either release unredacted versions of several files on the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein or explain why it can't do so.
Minnesota Congressman Tom Emmer made the remarks at a Faith and Freedom Coalition town hall on Capitol Hill, drawing a sharp response from Rep. Ilhan Omar.
Two anti-ICE protesters charged with felonies in federal court tell their story to WCCO's Esme Murphy.
The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday voted to overturn a ban on adult bathhouses and sex venues that has been in place for 38 years.
Republican state Sen. Thomas Pischke of Dell Rapids turned himself in to the Minnehaha County Jail and was released on a promise to appear, facing two felony counts tied to forged signatures on Republican Party nomination forms.
Insurance experts say hail damage claims that once averaged $10,000–$15,000 now routinely reach $40,000–$60,000, even as many policies have shifted away from full replacement coverage.
Hundreds of workers, employed by Delaware North Company to serve food and drinks, say they are fighting for livable wages and healthcare benefits.
Target is tapping designer and TV personality Isaac Mizrahi for a newly created role as creative director at large as the discounter aims to reclaim its reputation for stylish clothing on a budget.
Target is voluntarily recalling two types of baby wipes due to concerns that the products may be contaminated with bacteria that may cause "serious and life-threatening infections," the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday.
The dream of a woman in Minnesota started with excitement, but quickly unraveled into loss after she said she fell victim to a scheme that targeted more than 30 Spanish speakers.
Vance Boelter, the man who pleaded guilty to assassinating former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, is set to be sentenced on federal charges later this summer.
Federal prosecutors say they've charged a Twin Cities man and his son in connection to an alleged income tax scheme.
An Oakdale, Minnesota, man faces criminal charges after authorities say his blood-alcohol count was three times the legal limit when he crashed into multiple Woodbury townhouses this past weekend, triggering a gas leak.
A judge sentenced a man convicted in connection with a federal crackdown involving dozens of members of a major gang in Minneapolis to more than 11 years in prison.
A Twin Cities woman who was facing a felony for assaulting federal agents during a tense operation last summer pleaded guilty on Tuesday.
A dangerous social media trend is circulating online, and Minnesota health experts are warning parents it involves allergy medication.
The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday voted to overturn a ban on adult bathhouses and sex venues that has been in place for 38 years.
Emily Pearson has a rare genetic disorder that causes severe, painful reactions to sunlight.
Jenn Glass has been taking a GLP-1 since last November. The 53-year-old mother of three has already lost more than 30 pounds, but she's focused on something beyond the number on the scale.
It's a gruesome problem impacting livestock in southern states and veterinarians worry it could come to Minnesota.
We have another action-packed weekend with events happening every day all across the state, including plenty of ways to celebrate Pride!
Legendary musician Lionel Richie had to cut his performance short Wednesday night in St. Paul, Minnesota, leaving fans with many questions.
A trip to the video store was once a weekly ritual, and now one Minnesota movie lover is trying to bring that experience back.
Clive Davis helped shape the careers of music stars including Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen and Whitney Houston.
Created by artist Lilyan Lauzon, the mini art vending machine at Inkwell Booksellers charges no fees to artists and returns the full $1 sale price to each creator.
No foul was initially called after Alyssa Thomas' fist made contact with Caitlin Clark's throat during a game between the Phoenix Mercury and Indiana Fever on Wednesday.
A Minnesota Timberwolves fan favorite is reportedly heading out the door.
Mookie Betts backed Shohei Ohtani with his 300th career home run, three hits and slick defense, as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Minnesota Twins 4-3 for a three-game sweep.
Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel has been recommended for arthroscopic elbow surgery after a recent setback in his injury recovery.
Natasha Howard had 21 points and a season-high 15 rebounds, Olivia Miles scored 10 of her 21 points in the fourth quarter, and the Minnesota Lynx rallied from a 12-point deficit to beat the Washington Mystics 78-76.
Fifteen people, most of them Minnesotans, were arrested and charged last week, accused of impeding Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
Two anti-ICE protesters charged with felonies in federal court tell their story to WCCO's Esme Murphy.
Early voting for the Aug. 11 primary starts this Friday, and one of the most-watched races in Minnesota is the very tight contest for governor on the Republican side.
After disputes about ballots and concerns about voting totals, businessman Kendall Qualls won the endorsement.
Minnesota's endorsing conventions are over, and the story of the weekend is the upset of House Speaker Lisa Demuth in the GOP governor's race.
It's a lake cruise in the middle of town, and there's more than pelicans on the Pelican Breeze tour in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
Currie, Minnesota, is truly small-town America. The population hovers at just over 200. But on the northern outskirts, you'll happen upon a place with plenty of bells and whistles: End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum
School's out, summer's here, and if you're heading to the lake on Highway 10, you may just stumble upon hidden treasure.
Nearly 40 years ago, a building was sent over piece by piece from Norway to a farm in Chippewa County, Minnesota. It's one of the only stabburs in the United States.
Minneiska, Minnesota, is a small river town on Highway 61 near the Mississippi River, but at one point it was home to a castle.
Water beckons Minnesotans this time of year, especially our lakes. But something in it can turn us away, even if other animals and organisms need it.
The latest data shows it's at 331.2 million barrels of oil.
Fifteen Minnesotans charged for conspiracy to impede or injure federal agents are part of what President Trump considers a terrorist group, prosecutors said.
A big birthday party is coming up this summer, one that every American can celebrate. And it could help the fireworks industry explode with record sales. WCCO explores how much Americans spend each year on fireworks.
Minnesotans weathered the third air quality alert triggered by ozone of the year Monday. If two more happen, it will tie the yearly record.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Tuesday night.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
From food shelves to school programs, our team is proud to serve where it matters most.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
The Twin Cities will be holding onto some clouds on and off on Friday, as temperatures hover slightly below average.
In Minnesota, weather can be all over the place. Here at WCCO, we want to give you what you need to prepare for what's happening next.
The Twin Cities will be holding on to some cloud cover throughout the day, with temps hovering below average.
Conditions in the Twin Cities will be mostly cloudy for throughout the late morning and afternoon, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer. Temperatures will be around 77 degrees by 5 p.m.
Temperatures around the Twin Cities will climb to 80 degrees on Friday and conditions will be warmer on Saturday and Sunday, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
The lone pilot of a plane died on Thursday evening after a plane crash in Winona.
The Twin Cities will be holding on to some cloud cover throughout the day, with temps hovering below average.
Conditions in the Twin Cities will be mostly cloudy for throughout the late morning and afternoon, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer. Temperatures will be around 77 degrees by 5 p.m.
The Poweshiek skipperling butterfly is making a comeback. It had nearly vanished from North America before a partnership involving the Minnesota Zoo helped pull it back from the brink. Photojournalist Ray Campos and reporter Adam Duxter show the next chapter in their story.
Doctors say a social media trend involves something many families already have in their medicine cabinet: Benadryl. Ubah Ali explains the challenge sending teens to the hospital.