Minnesota Twins Owner Carl Pohlad Dead at Age 93

With the Twins preparing to trade Johan Santana last winter, the Pohlads approved $151 million and 13 years in new contracts for Michael Cuddyer, Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan.

In this April 6, 1999, file photo, Carl Pohlad, owner of the Minnesota Twins, rides off the...

In this April 6, 1999, file photo, Carl Pohlad, owner of the Minnesota Twins, rides off the Metrodome field in a cart with his wife, Eloise, in Minneapolis. Carl Pohlad, a billionaire banker whose Twins won two World Series titles during nearly his nearly quarter-century as owner, died Monday, a baseball official said. He was 93. Eloise Pohlad died in November 2003. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)

(AP)

Former general manager Terry Ryan, whose ability to find affordable, productive players was made more difficult by the payroll limits, routinely praised Pohlad for his loyalty. Though the Twins were terrible during Ryan's first six seasons on the job, Pohlad stuck with him and watched Ryan become one of baseball's most respected GMs.

Managers Tom Kelly and Gardenhire also seemed to be big fans — and friends — of the owner.

"Whenever you needed something from the boss ... he'd get it done for you," Kelly said at a 2005 ceremony honoring Pohlad's induction into the team's Hall of Fame. "As a manager having the responsibility of entertaining the fans and putting on a good show, you couldn't ask for a better man to go to."

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