I went from the best job in the world to the second-best job in the world, he said. "I think it was the right move. Its unfortunate that our thing is happening on the same day, but its also pretty cool.. Hes excited for his five kids, especially the younger ones who dont remember his playing days, to have a chance to see him on the field again. "There's so many people that have your best interest," Morneau said. 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. MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MN The Minnesota Twins today announced details for this weekends four-game home series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Target Field, which includes Fan Appreciation Weekend presented by Caribou Coffee on September 23 and 24, Kids Appreciation Day presented by Target on September 26 and the long-awaited Justin Morneau Twins Hall of Fame induction on September 25 in a game presented by Sheboygan Sausage Company. Justin Morneau: one of the best to ever wear the Minnesota Twins uniform. The playing career would obviously have been sweeter with a championship, but to be fair, Morneau was part of the last Twins team to win a playoff game -- all the way back in 2004 -- and he noted that he just felt lucky to play alongside a Cy Young Award winner, Silver Slugger Award winners, Gold Glovers and All-Stars as he carved out his own piece of club history and represented an area that he still calls home. "I played one game of junior hockey as a 16-year-old.". The Canadian was a homegrown talent who was originally selected in the third round of the 1999 MLB Draft before he debuted with the big league club in 2003. We invite you to a special breakfast celebrating the induction of Ron Gardenhire, Dan Gladden, and Csar Tovar into the Twins Hall of Fame. In the hours leading up to Morneaus speech at Target Field, he just hoped it would go as well as Walkers did last month in Cooperstown. You think about the list of the greatest Twins in history and its very special and humbling.. password. You welcomed me as one of your own and I will be forever grateful. He was the guy who pretty much kept his mouth shut and just let his bat do the talking, Nathan said. Morneaus childhood field was named after Walker. "They said that I invited more former players and the longest guest list they've ever had for this thing," Morneau remarked. Sorry we could not verify that email address. COVID-19 postponed just about everything last year, including former Minnesota Twins' first baseman Justin Morneaus Twins Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Hopefully well laugh and well cry and well do a little bit of everything. At 4:15 p.m. there will be a plaque unveiling on Target Plaza. Morneau might still long for his playing days, the adrenaline and camaraderie that came with it. We didn't recognize that password reset code. 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. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. The New Westminster, B.C., native has also been very active in charitable endeavors. You look at Torii (Hunter) and (Joe) Mauer and Johan Santana and one of the best closers in the history of the game in Joe Nathan and you think about the teams we put on the field, Im just lucky I came along at the right time, Morneau said. "Camaraderie with teammates, leaving Spring Training with a goal of winning the World Series, all that stuff, it's hard to replicate," Morneau said. " Every year, it seemed like, for a long run of time, six divisions and championships in nine years. Fittingly, just as the ceremony was about to wrap up, Walker appeared on the video board with a message referencing the bat he gave Morneau. A pure hitter in every form, just like Walker was across 17 seasons for the Montreal Expos, Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals. He saw his father for the first time in nearly two years on Friday, enjoying a golf outing with him. To order copies of Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. 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. When it started, I probably wouldn't have said that. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. "You never dreamed for a moment like this," Morneau said 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. 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. Thats saying a lot from a guy who would pitch in front of thousands on the regular. He also spent time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies and Chicago White Sox. Use another He was elected to the hall in January 2020, but his planned induction was delayed by COVID-19. September 21, 2021 / 12:30 PM Throughout his career, Morneau also consistently answered the call for the Canadian national team. 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. {* backButton *} Perhaps it was best for everyone involved, then -- and certainly for the state of Minnesota -- that Morneau fully turned his attention towards baseball. He was the guy that lead by example. At the time, the New Westminster, B.C., native hoped to play in the NHL -- and had even taken a year off from his second-favourite sport, baseball, in the hopes of making his hockey dreams a reality. The Minnesota Twins announced Friday that former first baseman and MVP Justin Morneau will become the 34th member of the Twins Hall of Fame. And fast-forward another 25 years, he'd be joining the team's Hall of Fame. "You just dream for one day in the big leagues. 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. Items will NOT be supplied from the Twins for autographs. He's a person who taught me how to play first base, and we've been having a good relationship. They said that I invited more former players and the longest guest list theyve ever had for this thing, Morneau said. He stayed at the University of Minnesota and, with his time off, he attended a Twins game at the Metrodome . His name was added to Baseball Canadas Wall of Excellence in 2010. Morneau ended up doing that and a whole lot more. Dont get me wrong, I loved them anyway. He played parts of 11 seasons with the. Minnesota Twins News / Twinkie. Is that really true? He let his bat do the talking, former Twin Joe Nathan said. I took some batting practice in the Metrodome. 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MINNEAPOLIS -- The first time Justin Morneau saw the Minnesota Twins, he still thought he was going to play hockey. rights reserved. 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 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. Former Toronto Blue Jays first baseman John Olerud and 2006 AL MVP Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins headline the four-man class that will be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame . The Twins will induct the former first baseman Saturday before their game against Toronto at Target Field. His 11-year career with the Twins encompassed 221 home runs, 860 RBIs and 289 doubles among 1,318 hits. "[He's] a link to what was one of the best periods of baseball Twins fans have ever had," Bremer said. You may have created an account with another Rogers Media 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. Of course he did. According to Stubhub tickets start at $6. Born in New Westminster, B.C., in 1981, Justin Morneau honed his skills with the North Delta Blue Jays of the B.C. The Twins inducted a little-known maple syrup farmer into their team Hall of Fame on Saturday night. 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. Would you like to create an account so you can see these Favourites on your other devices too? Each year in Minneapolis, he spearheads a winter coat drive for the Salvation Army. Anyone can read Conversations, but to contribute, you should be a registered Torstar account holder. Nov. 22Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan, members of the Twins Hall of Fame, are among the group of players who will be considered for the National Baseball Hall of Fame for the first time this winter. Now, the 40-year-old works Twins broadcasts for Bally Sports North and has also contributed as an analyst on Sportsnet -- a challenge he enjoys even if its completely different than the one he navigated as a player with the Twins, Rockies, Pirates and White Sox. All net proceeds from this event will benefit the Twins Community Fund. In addition to earning the 2006 AL MVP Award for which he edged out Derek Jeter and David Ortiz, Morneau owns the third-most home runs in club history (221) and ranks ninth in games played for the Twins (1,278). That coat drive has collected over 40,000 coats from generous donors. Morneau is the 34th player to enter the Twins Hall of Fame. The breakfast will include a program honoring Csar Tovar, Ron Gardenhire, and Dan Gladden. Justin Morneau discussed his career with the Minnesota Twins Sideline To Stage 87 subscribers Subscribe Like Share 21 views 6 months ago Justin Morneau spoke about being inductees into. 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. Teams around the division get their first glimpse of a roadmap to 2023 success. At 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 220 pounds (100 kg), Morneau was drafted as a catcher by the Twins in 1999. 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. Of course he did. "I figured about half the people would say yes and show up. Sep. 25Justin Morneau came to Minnesota as a teenager 14 or 15 for a hockey tournament. 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. I never would have imagined playing for the Minnesota Twins, Morneau recalled. Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and teams. 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. 1 spot, lacrosse is the No. Morneau will be enjoying the company of his family (five kids,) friends, coaches and mentors Saturday, along with all of Twins territory. One (1) autograph per inductee per attendee. Twenty-five years later, Morneau is about to enter the franchise's Hall of Fame after a 14-year big-league career that included 11 seasons with the Twins. 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. 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. (approx 1 - 2 per week). His rankings on the #MNTwins all-time list: 1,278 games (9th)1,318 hits (8th) 221 home runs (3rd) 860 RBI (6th)289 doubles (6th) pic.twitter.com/JUjfZ6yH3B. Minus Torii and Cuddy. It was a close group. To be honest, Im pretty impressed with how he does, Nathan said. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Bremer said Morneau brings that insider look to broadcasts, translating his deep knowledge of the game to viewers and sharing with them parts they wouldn't otherwise see. But in some ways, he does still show up on the field. But Im thankful for them and where I was born. Following that season, Morneau signed with the Colorado Rockies and proceeded to bat .319 and win the National League batting title to become just the second Canadian (along with Walker) to accomplish that feat. When submitting content, please abide by our . When I heard the news that I would be enshrined in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame I was honoured, said Morneau. Not exactly a baseball hotbed, Morneau said of his hometown during the speech. And he jas attacked this new career with the same hard-working mentality and study he employed as a player. He was a teenager growing up in Canada. 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. 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). In an essay for TSN prior to Walker's induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Morneau relayed the story of coming up through the minors and one day getting to his locker to find a present from . Select additional sports and leagues youre interested in from the list below. The 40-year-olds name can be found near the top of almost every major stat involving Canadians. account that can be used to sign in here. Former Minnesota Twins star Justin Morneau will be inducted into the team's Hall of Fame Saturday ahead of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays. He was a dominant lefty who you couldnt not like. Additionally, 2021 marks Morneaus third season as an analyst for select Twins television broadcasts on Bally Sports North. ", Justin Morneau is in good company. At the time, he still thought he was going to be a hockey player. MINNEAPOLISLarry Walker helped inspire an entire generation of baseball players from Canada, so it seems fitting that on the same day his number was retired by the Colorado Rockies one of the guys who grew up idolizing him was having a ceremony of his own. MINNEAPOLIS -- The first time Justin Morneau saw the Minnesota Twins, he still thought he was going to play hockey. He was an American League MVP (2006), a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2006 and 2008) and a four-time All-Star (2007-10). Confirming what we already knew, that he made a lot Canadians proud, himself included. Its a special group.". Tickets for the Twins Hall of Fame Breakfast are sold out. And, of course, a special place in the ceremony was reserved for Joe Mauer, the other half of the "M&M Boys," who introduced Morneau to begin the hour-long ceremony, which featured a video of Morneau's Twins highlights, a message from the Canadian ambassador to the United States and even a recorded video from fellow Canadian and Hall of Famer Larry Walker.