Longtime Twins owner Carl Pohlad dies at 93

Jan 6, 2009 - 12:23 AM MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Carl Pohlad, the longtime owner of the Minnesota Twins, died on Monday at his home in Edina, Minnesota. He was 93.

Pohlad had owned the Twins since 1984 and oversaw a franchise won two World Series titles (1987, 1991).

An Iowa native, Pohlad saw his image take a major hit in 1997, when he reportedly was close to selling the Twins in a deal that would have re-located the team to the Charlotte area.

However, Pohlad helped secure the franchise's long-term future in Minnesota two years ago when he reached an agreement with the state to build a new stadium for the Twins.

"Since the day Carl Pohlad entered Major League Baseball, he made significant contributions to our game," Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said. "He has been a true leader in our sport for the past 25 years. His devotion to the Minnesota Twins, the Twin Cities and Major League Baseball was remarkable.

"In my long career, I have never met a more loyal and caring human being. We will miss Carl and all of baseball joins me in sending our deepest condolences to the Pohlad family for the loss of our friend and partner."

Pohlad, who also owned part of the Minnesota Vikings during the 1980s, was worth an estimated $3.8 billion, according to Forbes Magazine.

"Earlier today, our father, Carl Pohlad, passed away at his home in Edina. All of us, along with our wives, many of his grandchildren and caregivers were with him when he died, as we had been for many days," the Pohlad family said in a statement. "Carl was the leader of our family as well as the founder and leader of our family businesses. We've loved and respected him and are enormously proud of his accomplishments. And we will all miss him deeply.

"We greatly appreciate the support and prayers of our friends, colleagues and the community. We especially appreciate the support of our employees throughout the Pohlad family of companies at this difficult time. We want to assure everyone that we will continue Dad's work and his legacy - just as he would have wanted and as he has prepared us to do."