| Fargo-Moorhead Twins | |
| Allyears: | 1908, 1914–1917, 1922, 1933–1942, 1946–1960 |
| Misc: | Fargo, North Dakota Moorhead, Minnesota |
| Past Class Level: | Class-D (1908, 1914–1917, 1922, 1933–1942, 1946–1960) |
| Past League: | Red River Valley League (1897) Northern League (1908, 1914–1917) Dakota League (1922) Northern League (1933–1942, 1946–1960) |
| Pastmajorleague: |
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| Pastnames: | Fargo Divorcees/Fargo Red Stockings(1897) Moorhead Barmaids (1897 Fargo Browns (1908) Fargo-Moorhead Graingrowers (1914–1917) Fargo Athletics (1922) Fargo-Moorhead Twins (1933–1942, 1946–1960) |
| Pastparks: | Moorhead Ballpark (1933–1935) Barnett Field (1936–1960) |
| Leaguechamps: | 6 (1915, 1917, 1934, 1953, 1954, 1958) |
The Fargo-Moorhead Twins were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1933 to 1942 and from 1946 to 1960, representing the neighboring cities of Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota. The Twins won six league championships during their seasons of play. Earlier minor league teams had also represented the cities. Baseball Hall of Fame members Dizzy Dean (1941) and Lloyd Waner (1947) are Fargo-Moorhead Twins alumni, as is 2x AL Most Valuable Player Roger Maris.
The Fargo-Moorhead Twins played in the Northern League from 1933–1942 and 1946–1960. The Twins were an affiliate of the Cleveland Indians (1934–1940, 1953–1957), Pittsburgh Pirates (1947–1948) and New York Yankees (1958–1960).[1] [2]
The preceding Fargo-Moorhead area teams were the 1897 Red River Valley League members Fargo Red Stockings and Moorhead Barmaids, who were the first area minor league franchises. Fargo (1902–1905), the Fargo Browns (1908) and Fargo-Moorehead Graingrowers (1914–1917) all played as members of the Northern League and the 1922 Fargo Athletics played in the 1922 Dakota League.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [1]
On May 6, 1953, the Fargo-Moorhead Twins defeated Sioux Falls in their Opening Day game by a score of 12-3. A record crowd of 10,123 fans came to Barnett Field. In the game, Roger Maris got his first professional baseball hit. That season, Twins player Frank Gravino would hit 52 home runs. The Twins would host the Northern League All-Star game and defeat the Northern League All-Stars by a score of 8-4. The Twins finished with a record of 86-39 (improving from their record of 44-80 in 1952) and bested Duluth to win the Northern League championship. Roger Maris would be selected as the 1953 Northern League Rookie of the Year.[7]
Fargo-Moorhead won Northern League Championships in 1915, 1917, 1934, 1953, 1954, 1958, claiming six overall titles.[2] [1]
Baseball would return to Fargo Moorhead in 1996 when the Fargo Moorhead Redhawks joined the new Northern League.
From 1936-1960, the Fargo-Moorhead Twins played their home games at Barnett Field in Fargo, North Dakota. It was located at 19th Avenue and Broadway and was torn down in 1963 to build North High School.[8]
Prior to Barnett Field, in 1933–1935, Fargo-Moorhead played home games at Moorhead Ballpark in Moorhead, Minnesota.[9] [10]
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 30-75 | 8th | Alvin Theis / Ralph Williams | |
| 1934 | 64-53 | 1st | League Champs | |
| 1935 | 72-39 | 2nd | Lost League Finals | |
| 1936 | 59-61 | 5th | Did not qualify | |
| 1937 | 70-41 | 2nd | Lost League Finals | |
| 1938 | 60-56 | 5th | Did not qualify | |
| 1939 | 66-48 | 3rd | Jack Knight / Chester Bujaci | Lost in 1st round |
| 1940 | 50-67 | 6th | Did not qualify | |
| 1941 | 48-69 | 6th | Wes Griffin / Mike Blazo | Did not qualify |
| 1942 | 54-68 | 7th | Did not qualify | |
| 1946 | 63-41 | 2nd | Lost League Finals | |
| 1947 | 70-49 | 3rd | Lost in 1st round | |
| 1948 | 41-85 | 8th | Did not qualify | |
| 1949 | 56-70 | 7th | Did not qualify | |
| 1950 | 49-77 | 8th | Did not qualify | |
| 1951 | 59-65 | 6th | Emil Gall | Did not qualify |
| 1952 | 44-80 | 7th | Did not qualify | |
| 1953 | 86-39 | 1st | Zeke Bonura / Santo Luberto | League Champs |
| 1954 | 85-55 | 1st | League Champs | |
| 1955 | 61-64 | 5th | Did not qualify | |
| 1956 | 49-74 | 8th | Did not qualify | |
| 1957 | 65-57 | 4th | Did not qualify | |
| 1958 | 72-51 | 2nd | League Champs | |
| 1959 | 64-59 | 3rd | Lost in 1st round | |
| 1960 | 58-66 | 6th | Did not qualify | |