Three keys to the Twins' turnaround from 1998 to 2001:

The Knoblauch trade: In 1998, Ryan traded Chuck Knoblauch to the Yankees for Cristian Guzman, Eric Milton, Daniel Mota and Brian Buchanan. Knoblauch (right) had grown tired of losing with the Twins and asked to be traded, so Ryan wasn't dealing from a position of strength. But Guzman and Milton became key pieces for the Twins, and in 2002, Buchanan was dealt to the Padres for shortstop Jason Bartlett.

The Radke re-signing: Brad Radke was a pending free agent in 2001 but agreed to stay with the Twins with a four-year, $36 million contract extension. Radke (right) might not have been a true ace in the Justin Verlander mold, but he gave the Twins an anchor for their starting pitching staff from 1995 through 2006.

Player development: Among the players drafted and developed through the Twins farm system were Radke, Torii Hunter, Jacque Jones, Matt Lawton, A.J. Pierzynski, Doug Mientkiewicz, Corey Koskie, Michael Cuddyer, Matthew LeCroy, Eddie Guardado, LaTroy Hawkins and J.C. Romero. Luis Rivas and Juan Rincon were signed in Venezuela and developed in the Twins system.

JOE CHRISTENSEN