| Minnesota Twins Best Return to the Field |
| By Sally Haase September 6, 2010 MINNEAPOLIS, MN--To wrap up their fiftieth season celebration weekend the Minnesota Twins played a legends game. The game featured 38 former players and managers to play a three inning game. Team Minnie, managed by Tom Kelly featured seven players from the world champion teams of 1987 and 1991. Jim Perry, Rod Carew, and Tony Oliva assisted Kelly in coaching of team Minnie. The most interesting member of Team Minnie was current Texas Ranger manager Ron Washington; most of the Rangers were on the top step of the visitor’s dugout to watch their manager play ball again. The Rangers players were roaring with laughter when Team Paul pitcher Bert Blyleven threw at Washington on his very first pitch to him, after being warned Blyleven then threw the ball behind Washington. Blyleven was not ejected and the fun continued. Team Paul was managed by the only Twins player to manage and broadcast for the Twins, Frank Quilici. His team consisted of Harmon Killebrew, Jack Morris, Brad Radke, Paul Molitor, and Al Newman. Team Minnie was too much to handle for Team Paul, Team Minnie won the game five to one. For the fans at Target Field and the fans watching at home it was a sight to behold, 38 men who are now fathers some now grandfathers playing like a bunch of kids in a pick up game at the local ball field. Some look like they could still play today, (Scott Leuis made a wonderful sliding grab of a ground ball to second) others like Jeff Reardon wanted to play but because of various injuries and ailments were unable to play. Former first baseman and hometown Twin Kent Hrbek had the most memorable moment of the game. Chasing after a foul pop up, Hrbek decided he needed to slide to make the catch. As he went into his slide, his right knee dug so deep into the ground that he created a massive divot in the grass, stopping him cold. Hrbek, with his trademark sense of humor looked into the dugout, mouth agape and looked down at the divot. Hrbek was not a favorite with the grounds crew after the game. It was a wonderful game to watch for Twins fans young and old, and a great way to celebrate fifty years of playing in the twin cities. |
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