Justin Morneau - Twins Hall of Famer Justin Morneau played 14 seasons in the major leagues, including 11 with the Twins from 2003-13. account that can be used to sign in here. You just dream for one day in the big leagues and to cap it all off in the end with something like this, its something surreal., This is a franchise with a long, proud history of some great players, he continued. Morneau will officially be inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame in an on-field ceremony prior to the Twins' home game against the White Sox on May 23. Thank you to the voters and the Hall for this incredible honour, and all that the Hall does for the game of baseball in Canada., Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, 386 Church St. S., PO Box 1838St. Morneau was elected in January 2020 by a 71-member committee consisting of local and national media, club officials, fans and past elected members, using rules similar to those necessary for election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. All net proceeds from this event will benefit the Twins Community Fund. The Twins will induct the former first baseman Saturday before their game against Toronto at Target Field. In all, Morneau played in parts of 14 big league seasons and he ranks in the top five among Canadian major leaguers in many all-time offensive statistical categories, including third in RBIs (985), third in hits (1,603), doubles (349) and total bases (2,739) and fourth in home runs (247). Bremer and Morneau now share a booth, as Morneau has taken on being a part-time analyst for Twins broadcasts in recent years. We use cookies to improve your experience. Justin Morneau is the lone 2020 inductee for the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame. Morneau still makes his home in the Twin Cities and remains a visible figure in the organization as a special assistant to baseball operations and a color analyst for the club's television broadcasts on FOX Sports North, a role in which he should take a more prominent position this season. The breakfast will include a program honoring Csar Tovar, Ron Gardenhire, and Dan Gladden. Even in retirement, Morneau seems to be following in his footsteps. I dont know how he held it together, but he was really good, Morneau said of Walkers speech. Sixteen members of the Twins Hall of Fame, along with dozens of Morneaus former teammates and coaches, are scheduled to be in attendance to celebrate the 2006 American League Most Valuable Player. He was the guy that lead by example. MINNEAPOLIS -- The first time Justin Morneau ever visited Minneapolis, he was a 14- or 15-year-old kid about to play in a hockey tournament. Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com, Conversations are opinions of our readers and are subject to the, Why Blue Jay Alek Manoah deserves some love in AL rookie of the year discussion, Josh Donaldson picks his MVP, plus the Rays Kevin Cash and Chris Robinson, The Blue Jays third-base job is Santiago Espinals to lose. M&M boys, Morneau and Mandelaro, to be inducted into Red Wings Hall of Fame. An overwhelming win from Royce Lewis takes us to the Twins 3rd prospect. On that day, Justin Morneau will be inducted as the 34th member of the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame in a pre-game ceremony.It was just a matter of time, really, as Morneau had an impressive career . I took some batting practice in the Metrodome. ST. PAUL -- Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan, members of the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame, are among the group of players who will be considered for the National Baseball Hall of Fame for the first . Vlad Sr. finished his career 2 for 3 against Pineda. "To be in a Hall of Fame that includes Rod Carew and Bert Blyleven, Harmon Killebrew, Kirby Puckett -- if you go down the list of the greatest Twins in history, to be amongst them is a very special, humbling honor.". At the time, he still thought he was going to be a hockey player. You just dream for one in the big leagues. ","type":"markdown"},{"__typename":"ExternalEmbed","data":{"__typename":"ExternalEmbedContent","html":", "To the fans: You supported me and you embraced me. Over the course of his career, Morneau was also named the winner of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fames Tip ONeill Award, as top Canadian player, three times (2006, 2008, 2014). To be in a Hall of Fame that includes Rod Carew and Bert Blyleven, Harmon Killebrew, Kirby Puckett if you go down the list of the greatest Twins in history, to be amongst them is a very special, humbling honor.. Morneau now 40 and living on a farm in Medina with wife Krista, their five children and various animals played with the Twins from 2003-13. I've tried to find new challenges, tried to find new things. Nathan got his moment of Twins HOF glory back in 2019. Morneau grew up playing hockey and even took time away from baseball to commit to hockey as a teenager. It was Justin Morneau Day at Target Field on Saturday, as the four-time all-star was inducted into the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame. ** First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. on Thursday, September 23; 7:10 p.m. on Friday, September 24; 6:10 p.m. on Saturday, September 25 and 1:10 p.m. on Sunday, September 26. The ceremony will be held ahead of Saturday nights game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Target Field after COVID-19 postponed it for more than a year. That was about as good as it gets for a mid-market franchise. Marys, ON N4X [email protected], Registered Charitable Organization 106843477RR0001. The Twins elected Morneau to the Hall of Fame in January 2020 but postponed his May induction that year because of COVID-19. Morneau will officially be inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame in an on-field ceremony prior to the Twins' home game against the White Sox on May 23. The 14-year major league veteran will be the 34th member and will have plenty of former teammates and Twins greats there to support him. To be honest, Im pretty impressed with how he does, Nathan said. And if he somehow ended up in his secondary sport of baseball, playing for his favored Toronto Blue Jays was the goal. I get to talk about baseball now, so thats something that I never really thought would come along and did. Select additional sports and leagues youre interested in from the list below. The man who ran the local batting cage and let Morneau hit for free so he could get enough reps. Morneau has also supported the United Heroes League, an organization that provides sports equipment and registration fees for children in military families. This is inside Gate 29. The sluggers both grew up in British Columbia: Walker in Maple Ridge, Morneau in nearby New Westminster. The Twins Hall of Fame was created in 2000. Sorry we could not verify that email address. He stayed at the University of Minnesota and, with his time off, he attended a Twins game at the. Morneaus childhood field was named after Walker. By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media. Its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share a moment like this in a stadium full of people with so many people that helped you get there., One chance to say thank you to the people who helped. As part of his efforts for that cause, he hosted an annual casino night that raised over a $1 million for the arthritis foundation and helped send kids to Camp Cambria, a camp for kids with arthritis. While his career ended without a coveted World Series ring, Morneau still has plenty of good memories to cherish, even joking the Twins "did win a playoff game" in his tenure. Neither can the Twins. Teams around the division get their first glimpse of a roadmap to 2023 success. So, when Justin was in his early teens, he found himself in the Twin Cities for a hockey tournament, sitting in left field at the Metrodome, watching one of those struggling Minnesota teams of the mid-1990s, without a hint of the idea that in a half-decade, he'd be drafted by that very team. And then you get to cap it all off in the end with something like this. to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about You never dreamed for a moment like this. Membership is permanently displayed in the Hall of Fame Gallery on the Target Field Suite Level, as well as on Target Plaza and in the Minor League Clubhouse at the CenturyLink Sports Complex in Fort Myers, Fla. A full listing of Twins Hall of Fame inductees follows: Name, Pos./Role (Year Inducted) Name, Pos./Role (Year Inducted), Harmon Killebrew, first baseman (2000) Jim Rantz, pitcher & front office (2007), Tony Oliva, outfielder (2000) Rick Aguilera, right-handed pitcher (2008), Rod Carew, second baseman (2000) Brad Radke, right-handed pitcher (2009), Kent Hrbek, first baseman (2000) George Brophy, front office (2009), Kirby Puckett, outfielder (2000) Greg Gagne, shortstop (2010), Calvin Griffith, president & principal owner (2000) Jim Perry, right-handed pitcher (2011), Herb Carneal, radio broadcaster (2001) Camilo Pascual, right-handed pitcher (2012), Jim Kaat, left-handed pitcher (2001) Eddie Guardado, left-handed pitcher (2013), Bert Blyleven, right-handed pitcher (2002) Tom Mee, media relations (2013), Tom Kelly, manager (2002) John Gordon, radio broadcaster (2016), Bob Allison, outfielder (2003) Torii Hunter, outfielder (2016), Bob Casey, public address announcer (2003) Andy MacPhail, general manager (2017), Earl Battey, catcher (2004) Michael Cuddyer, outfielder (2017), Carl R. Pohlad, owner (2005) Johan Santana, left-handed pitcher (2018), Frank Viola, left-handed pitcher (2005) Joe Nathan, right-handed pitcher (2019), Zoilo Versalles, shortstop (2006) Jerry Bell, team president (2019), Gary Gaetti, third baseman (2007) Justin Morneau, first baseman (2021*), *Morneau was elected in 2020; however, his induction was postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19. Baldelli said its possible Kepler might not start on Saturday, either, as the Twins give him time to recuperate. Items will NOT be supplied from the Twins for autographs. And he proved plenty good enough at that throughout a 14-year Major League career that he earned the honor of becoming the 34th member of the Twins Hall of Fame, as announced by the club on Friday. I never would have imagined playing for the Minnesota Twins, Morneau recalled. Tickets for all four Twins-Blue Jays games September 23-26 are available and can be purchased at twinsbaseball.com**, by using the MLB Ballpark app, by calling 612-33-TWINS or 800-33-TWINS, or in-person at the Target Field Ticket Office. So many people that helped you get there.". This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. Autograph restrictions subject to change. pic.twitter.com/RV8u9LBMWI, Congratulations to the 34th member of the Twins Hall of Fame Justin Morneau! "High school coaches are here, and the guy who owned the batting cage I used to go to, let me hit for free," Morneau said, adding the Twins told him his guest list was the longest they'd ever had. "You always make me feel happy to be a Minnesota Twin." \n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","type":"rich","width":550},"type":"oembed"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Five division championships, an American League Most Valuable Player Award, four consecutive All-Star selections, two Silver Slugger Awards and a Home Run Derby title later as part of a 14-year playing career spanning four teams, Morneau's personal accolades and contributions to one of the most successful eras of Twins baseball were cemented on Saturday with his induction to the club's Hall of Fame in a pregame ceremony before the Twins' matchup against the Blue Jays, the team Morneau supported as a child.\n\n\"This is a franchise with a long, proud history and great players. Tickets for the Twins Hall of Fame Breakfast are sold out. And hes looking forward to sharing it all with friends, former teammates and mentors from throughout his life and playing career. And fast-forward another 25 years, he'd be joining the team's Hall of Fame. This is a franchise with a long, proud history and great players, lots of numbers retired up on the wall, lots of National Baseball Hall of Famers, Morneau said. After being drafted as a catcher in the third round of the 1999 MLB Draft, Morneau converted to first base and anchored the position for 11 seasons in Minnesota, appearing in the second-most games there in club history behind only Kent Hrbek.\n\nAs is always the case for these Hall of Fame inductions, Morneau and the Twins put out a call, far and wide, for those of personal and professional significance to Morneau throughout his baseball journey, from high school coaches to the man who owned the batting cage where Morneau used to take swings, letting the future slugger hit for free. He finished his Twins career hitting .278 (1,318-for-4,749) with 289 doubles, 16 triples, 221 home runs, 860 RBI, 669 runs scored and 501 walks in 1,278 games. more of the story, Buxton homers, Ober turns in strong outing as Twins beat Toronto 3-1, Reusse: Blue Jays Berrios might still be the Twins pitcher of the year, Toronto's Jose Berrios faces former Twins teammates at Target Field, As Thielbar grows older, Twins lefthander gets better, Reusse: Following Plouffe's journey into sports podcasting, Kirilloff 'close' to resuming normal baseball schedule after wrist surgery, Something new for Gray and Twins: pitcher calling his pitches, Souhan: Gardenhire, Watkins families felt wrath of Hurricane Ian. Joe Nathan joined the two in the booth Friday. 1 of 4 Every year, the Minnesota Twins elect a class to the Twins Hall of Fame, from the first year they started the process in 2000 up until the present. Morneau will be inducted during a pre-game ceremony at . Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Twins broadcaster Dick Bremer said Morneau will forever embody that era. Five division championships, an American League Most Valuable Player Award, four consecutive All-Star selections, two Silver Slugger Awards and a Home Run Derby title later as part of a 14-year playing career spanning four teams, Morneau's personal accolades and contributions to one of the most successful eras of Twins baseball were cemented on Saturday with his induction to the club's Hall of Fame in a pregame ceremony before the Twins' matchup against the Blue Jays, the team Morneau supported as a child. (Darren Calabrese/CP). Twins Hall of Fame Breakfast presented by Coordinated Business Systems is happening on Saturday, August 20! Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and teams. Premier Baseball League and the Canadian Junior National Team before being selected by the Minnesota Twins in the third round of the 1999 MLB draft. "You never dreamed for a moment like this," Morneau said Friday. I faced the Vladdy Daddy and the Vladdy Junior. He was named to four American League All-Star teams, won two Silver Slugger Awards and won the AL MVP Award in 2006. Date: Saturday, August 20Time: 9:00-11:00 a.m. CTLocation: Delta SKY360 Club, Target FieldPrice: $125 (Sold Out), Buffet breakfastQ&A session with Ron Gardenhire, Dan Gladden, and other Twins HOFsAutographs by Ron Gardenhire and Dan Gladden. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. He's the 34th member, and will have an . Each year in Minneapolis, he spearheads a winter coat drive for the Salvation Army. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Morneau is the 34th player to enter the Twins Hall of Fame. He loved both hockey and baseball, but he even skipped a year of baseball when he was 8 years old. He actually hadnt seen his dad since December of 2019 because of Canadas strict COVID-19 travel restrictions, so with his parents being in town finally, this makes it even more special. This, for me, is a great thing in my career and in my life, Pineda said. "Not good enough," Morneau said. I was very happy when he made his way to the broadcast booth. Hennepin County Youth Baseball/Softball Grant. He was honored for his longtime service to the Twin Cities on Thursday, when he earned the Kirby Puckett Alumni Community Service Award at the club's annual Diamond Awards benefit show. He suited up for part of one more season with the Rockies before playing his final big league campaign with the Chicago White Sox in 2016. For most pitchers, Pineda included, both are a challenge. "I played one game of junior hockey as a 16-year-old.". "There's really nothing that can ever replace the challenge of trying to get ready for a 162-game season and trying to face the best in the world every night," Morneau said. It starts with little things like that and then it kind of all adds up, and you realize that it gets passed along.". He went on to become the 2006 American League MVP, a two-time silver slugger winner, the 2014 National League batting champion and winner of the 2008 home run derby, something no Canada had ever done before, and no one has since. The Twins inducted a little-known maple syrup farmer into their team Hall of Fame on Saturday night. It hasnt been worn again since. The mission of the Twins Community Fund is to enrich local and regional communities by providing resources for the healthy development of children and families through an association with baseball, softball, and the Minnesota Twins. In hindsight, it sure is a good thing that he didn't pick hockey. His Hall of Fame plaque will be unveiled at 4:15 p.m. Before the game, a ceremony emceed by Dick Bremer and attended by several other Twins Hall of Famers will take place. You may have created an account with another Rogers Media I had fields to play on, I had safe schools to go, I had opportunities and I had friends Im so proud to say Im from New Westminster.. The Twins Hall of Fame, which honors players, managers, coaches and off-field personnel who have contributed to the organizations growth and success since Major League Baseball came to Minnesota in 1961, was created as part of the clubs 40th Season Celebration in 2000. He stayed at the University of Minnesota and, with his time off, he attended a Twins game at the Metrodome, sitting in left field. Morneau on Saturday will be inducted into the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame David Berding / USA TODAY Sports Justin Morneau came to Minnesota as a teenager 14 or 15 for a hockey tournament. The 71-member committee annually considers player personnel for induction into the Twins Hall of Fame; however, with Morneaus planned induction date of May 23, 2020 postponed to September 2021 due to COVID-19, there was not an election process this past offseason. You welcomed me as one of your own and I will be forever grateful. In fact, Morneau began his stint with the Twins a year after they made it to the ALCS against the Angels. Guests will not receive autographs on the Sports Illustrated Gladden & Olson magazine. You think about the list of the greatest Twins in history and its very special and humbling.. You can change your selections at any time. Morneau was my second-favorite Twin all time. There isnt enough recent news in your lineup. I think we all can predict a long speech from Justin because he is a guy who cant leave anyone out and needs to give credit where credit is due. I guess a lot more people are more bored than that.". The 40-year-old spent 14 years in the majors. But Im thankful for them and where I was born. Hes earned it the hard way, The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star He was elected to the hall in January 2020, but his planned induction was delayed by COVID-19. Morneau joked that the Twins gave him a hard time for inviting more guests than anyone ever had before. In recent years, Morneau has served as a part-time analyst on Twins' broadcasts for Fox Sports North and as an analyst on the Sportsnet Central panel for the . The former Twins closer said he likes Justins style in the press box. The familiar faces from Twins history that arrived en masse to officially usher in Morneau as the 34th member of the club's Hall of Fame were, of course, led by longtime skipper Ron Gardenhire and a who's who of that late Metrodome era of Minnesota baseball, including Johan Santana, Joe Nathan, Michael Cuddyer, Torii Hunter and Nick Punto, all of whom Morneau thanked by name. "Justins brilliant career -- defined by an American League Most Valuable Player Award as well as his leadership role on the field and in the community -- makes him one of the greatest players of his generation. "Great first baseman when he played. Current first baseman Miguel Sano recalls many moments with Morneau in Fort Myers, Fla., for spring training since Sano signed with the Twins in 2009. Minnesota Twins News / Twinkie. The New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada native was drafted by the Twins in the third round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft and ranks second on the Twins all-time list in games played at first base (1,124), third in home runs, sixth in RBI, and eighth in hits and walks. And when he recently asked his father, the elder Morneau replied that he always thought Justin would end up becoming a hockey player. "But then I realized that I could make a visit to the children's hospital and put a smile on a kid's face when they're going through a tough time. After suiting up for the Junior National Team in 1999, he competed for the senior squad at the IBAF Baseball World Cup in 2001, at an Olympic Qualifier in 2003 and in all four World Baseball Classics. After being drafted as a catcher in the third round of the 1999 MLB Draft, Morneau converted to first base and anchored the position for 11 seasons in Minnesota, appearing in the second-most games there in club history behind only Kent Hrbek. Confirming what we already knew, that he made a lot Canadians proud, himself included. Vlad Jr. is 2 for 5 against Pineda with a home run, as well as a walk. September 21, 2021 / 12:30 PM Next, select your favourite teams and leagues and well show you their latest news and scores in the My Favourites section of the home page. "I figured about half the people would say yes and show up. The 40-year-olds name can be found near the top of almost every major stat involving Canadians. He figured no more than half would choose to show up. "To come through and be drafted by this organization -- I remember the day I came and hit was about a week after the Draft, and Corey Koskie kind of took me under his wing. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Thats saying a lot from a guy who would pitch in front of thousands on the regular. Great hitter, power hitter," Sano said, recalling how he watched Morneau win the 2008 Home Run Derby. September 24, 2021 - 10:04 PM. He is the host representative of an ice fishing tournament for United Heroes League on Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota. Monday Morning Minnesota: Further Spring Jokes Edition, Twins open Spring Training by splitting a pair of, well, split-squad games. Twins fans have been reunited with Morneau now that he has seemingly been the top analyst filling the shoes of Bert Blyleven. Its a pretty special group, he said. Two guys from B.C., who both dreamt of playing in the NHL, permanently enshrined by their organizations on the same day. Your existing password has not been changed. By He loved both hockey and baseball, but he even skipped a year of baseball when he was 8 years old. We invite you to a special breakfast celebrating the induction of Ron Gardenhire, Dan Gladden, and Csar Tovar into the Twins Hall of Fame. Twins starting pitcher Michael Pineda is one of just 32 pitchers who can boast that they faced both Vladimir Guerrero and his son, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Its a fact that says more about a pitchers longevity than anything. It's almost surreal. Morneau ranks second in Twins history in games played at first base (1,124) and ranks third in home runs, sixth in RBIs and eighth in hits and walks. "The Minnesota Twins are thrilled with the election of Justin Morneau . " It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share a moment like this in a stadium full of people. Of course he did. Morneau, who was inducted officially into the Twins' Hall of Fame in September, was the American League Most Valuable Player in 2006, a four-time All-Star and a two-time Silver Slugger. He thanked Baseball Canada for the opportunities while growing up and said it was an honour every time he represented the country on the national stage, something he did at the World Cup and four World Baseball Classics. It was funny because he said a lot of the things that I was planning on saying. "I mean, you think of the teams we put on the field," Morneau said. Full speech: Justin Morneau inducted into Twins Hall of Fame 5,632 views Sep 25, 2021 99 Dislike Share Save Bally Sports North 19.4K subscribers The 34th member of the Twins Hall of. I went from the best job in the world to the second-best job in the world, he said. It brings out nerves and an uncomfortable feeling that you have never felt for sure, Joe Nathan said about the speech he had to give, and Justin will give Saturday. My buddy Joe Nathan agrees. Morneau might still long for his playing days, the adrenaline and camaraderie that came with it. Were such a close group, and we can go years without seeing each other but its like we saw each other yesterday. Justin Morneau came to Minnesota as a teenager 14 or 15 for a hockey tournament . ". Not exactly a baseball hotbed, Morneau said of his hometown during the speech. Morneaus guest list for Saturdays ceremony extends well beyond his teammates to his high school coach, the owner of the batting cage he used to hit at for free and, of course, his parents, neither one of whom he has seen in more than a year. Morneau ended up doing that and a whole lot more. He was a teenager growing up in Canada. The Minnesota Twins organization is proud to celebrate and thank Twins Territory with Fan Appreciation Weekend presented by Caribou Coffee (Thursday and Friday) and Kids Appreciation Day presented by Target (Sunday). - YouTube Morneau became the 34th member of the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.. He joins Kent Hrbek as the only first basemen to earn the honor, as voted on by 71 members of local and national media, club officials, fans and previously elected members. On that day, I couldn't imagine a day like this, to be inducted among the greatest players in franchise history.". 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One of the more pointed tributes came when Morneau shouted out Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins for paving the way for all Canadians. Justin Morneau: one of the best to ever wear the Minnesota Twins uniform. Speaking before Fridays game behind home plate at Target Field, Morneau expressed gratitude for the opportunities earned and relationships developed over the course of the two-plus decades hes been linked to the Twins franchise.

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