Minneapolis Millers facts for kids

The Minneapolis Millers were a professional minor league baseball team from Minneapolis, Minnesota. They played for many years, from 1884 until 1960. The Millers were known for their exciting games and for being a stepping stone for many future baseball stars. They played their home games at Athletic Park and later at Nicollet Park and Metropolitan Stadium.

Quick facts for kids Minneapolis Millers 1884–1960 (1884, 1886–1891, 1894–1960) Minneapolis
Cap insignia
Class-level
Current	Triple-A (1946–1960) Double-A (1908–1945) Class A (1902–1907)
Minor league affiliations
League	American Association (1902–1960) Western League (1901) American League (1900) Western League (1894–1899) Western Association (1888–1891) Northwestern League (1884, 1886–1887)
Major league affiliations
Current	Boston Red Sox (1958–1960) New York Giants (1946–1957) Boston Red Sox (1936–1938)
Minor league titles
Class titles (2)	1955 1958
League titles (10)	1896 1910 1911 1912 1915 1932 1935 1955 1958 1959
Team data
Nickname	Minneapolis Millers
Ballpark	Metropolitan Stadium Nicollet Park Athletic Park

The Millers' Baseball Journey

Nicollet Park, a historic home of the Minneapolis Millers.

The Minneapolis Millers name was used by several different baseball teams. The first Millers team started in 1884. Over time, different leagues formed and changed. The most famous Millers team played in the American Association from 1902 to 1960.

This team was very successful. They won many championships, called "pennants." They won nine pennants during their 59 years in the American Association.

Home Fields of the Millers

The Millers played in a few different stadiums. For many years, their home was Nicollet Park. This park was a beloved place for baseball fans. It was located at 31st and Nicollet Avenue.

In 1956, the team moved to Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington. They played there until 1960. Today, a bank stands where Nicollet Park used to be.

Famous Players Who Were Millers

Many baseball legends played for the Minneapolis Millers before they became huge stars in the major leagues. Imagine watching these future Hall of Famers play right in Minneapolis!

Some of the most famous players included:

• Ted Williams, one of the greatest hitters ever.
• Willie Mays, a fantastic all-around player.
• Carl Yastrzemski, another incredible hitter.

These players spent time with the Millers, honing their skills before moving on to play for teams like the Boston Red Sox and New York Giants.

Rivalry with the St. Paul Saints

The Millers had a big rivalry with their cross-town neighbors, the St. Paul Saints. Their games were always exciting! On holidays, they sometimes played "streetcar double-headers." This meant they would play one game in Minneapolis and then travel by streetcar to St. Paul to play another game on the same day. It was a fun tradition for fans.

Junior World Series Appearances

The Millers also played in the Junior World Series four times. This was a special championship series. It pitted the best team from the American Association against the best team from the International League.

• In 1932, the Millers lost to the Newark Bears.
• In 1955, the Millers won the series against the Rochester Red Wings. This was a special win, as it was the last game ever played at Nicollet Park!
• In 1958, the Millers swept the Montreal Royals, winning 4 games to 0.
• Their last appearance was in 1959, when they lost to the Havana Sugar Kings.

The End of an Era

The Minneapolis Millers team stopped playing after the 1960 season. This was because a major league team, the Minnesota Twins, moved to Minnesota in 1961. The Twins became the new home team for baseball fans in the area.

Over their many years, the Millers had a great record. They won 4,800 games and lost 4,365. Their pitchers threw seven no-hitters (games where the opposing team gets no hits!). Millers batters also led the league in home runs 21 times and RBIs (runs batted in) nine times.

Notable Players

Many famous baseball players, managers, and coaches played for the Minneapolis Millers during their careers. Here are some of them:

Moe Berg played for the Millers in 1924.