Twins owner Carl Pohlad, a billionaire financier who became best known after purchasing the Twins in 1984, passed away Monday. He was 93 years old.
Pohlad acquired the Twins from the team's original owner, Calvin Griffith, for $38 million in 1984 and was at the helm during the club's World Series championships in '87 and '91. At the time he purchased the ballclub, Pohlad was widely credited for saving baseball in Minnesota.
A working-poor son of the Great Depression, Carl Pohlad rose from humble beginnings to become one of America's wealthiest people, heading a family-owned network of banking, bottling, real estate and other companies. Forbes magazine wrote in September that Pohlad was worth around $3.8 billion, making him the 102nd richest person in America.
"Carl was the leader of our family as well as the founder and leader of our family businesses," Pohlad's three sons, Jim, Bob and Bill said in a statement. "We've loved and respected him and are enormously proud of his accomplishments. And we will all miss him deeply."
During his nearly quarter-century as the owner of the Twins, Carl Pohlad and his family remained committed to philanthropic efforts in the Twins Cities. They donated millions of dollars and devoted countless hours to the community through the Twins Community Fund and the Carl and Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation. The club's annual award for community service is named after Carl Pohlad.
Kelly Thesier is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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