The Twins drafted Morneau in 1999. You start to learn about all of the great players and the World Series, he said. "I wasn't good enough to make the section team, let alone the provincial team or the national team," Morneau said. Nathan is part of that electric crew that Minnesota fans loved, you know the one that never really made it past the first round of playoffs. 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. 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. His dad, who threw him countless hours of batting practice growing up. 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. As 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. Morneau enters the Twins Hall of Fame on Saturday after a career that was highlighted by winning the 2006 American League Most Valuable Player Award. You may have created an account with another Rogers Media Justin Ernest George Morneau (born May 15, 1981) is a Canadian former professional baseball first baseman. He asked for permission to use it and Walker happily obliged. Thats saying a lot from a guy who would pitch in front of thousands on the regular. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. In the corresponding move, the Twins plan to activate John Gant (abdominal strain) from the injured list on Saturday. "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.". His name was added to Baseball Canadas Wall of Excellence in 2010. Twins fans have been reunited with Morneau now that he has seemingly been the top analyst filling the shoes of Bert Blyleven. Tickets for the Twins Hall of Fame Breakfast are sold out. On that day, I couldn't imagine a day like this, to be inducted among the greatest players in franchise history.". One of the more pointed tributes came when Morneau shouted out Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins for paving the way for all Canadians. Is that really true? "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. You welcomed me as one of your own and I will be forever grateful. A no-brainer right here, Joe Nathan said about his teammate Justin Morneau making it into the Twins Hall. Back then, the Canadian's dream was to play in the NHL. 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. Hockey is the No. Justin Morneau came to Minnesota as a teenager 14 or 15 for a hockey tournament. The first baseman became a fan favorite not only for his production and partnership with longtime teammate Joe Mauer as the core of five division championship teams, but also for how quickly he established himself as a leading figure in his adopted Minnesota community. \"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.\"\n\nIn 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). 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. "I played one game of junior hockey as a 16-year-old.". Justin Morneau is honored for all that he has done on and off the field for the Minnesota Twins as he is inducted into the Twins' Hall of Fame in front of the franchise's legends More From This Game Minnesota Twins Justin Morneau Hall of Fame Induction milestone Republication or distribution of this content is He's still a part of the Twins organization, serving as a special assistant to baseball operations and an analyst on Bally Sports North for some games. " Every year, it seemed like, for a long run of time, six divisions and championships in nine years. All net proceeds from this event will benefit the Twins Community Fund. (Chris Young/CP). 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 . 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. Rookie Trevor Larnach has picked Morneau's brain about how to succeed in the majors. Twenty-five years later, Morneau is about to enter the franchises Hall of Fame after a 14-year big-league career that included 11 seasons with the Twins. 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. She joined the paper in December 2018 after spending nearly three years in Las Vegas covering sports for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. Gambling problem? Its a special group.". His 11-year career with the Twins encompassed 221 home runs, 860 RBIs and 289 doubles among 1,318 hits. Amazing. He is the host representative of an ice fishing tournament for United Heroes League on Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota. Now forever part of Canadian baseball history. The Twins were really, really good for a long time, and he was a big, big part of it.". Your existing password has not been changed. {* backButton *} Longtime Twins managers Tom Kelly and Ron Gardenhire were instrumental in turning Morneau from the raw catching prospect Minnesota drafted into the defensively sound first baseman who won two Silver Sluggers and a batting title. On August 31, 2013, Morneau was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates where he helped lead the club to its first postseason appearance since 1992. Hope to see you at the game! Lots of numbers retired up on the wall, lots of National Baseball Hall of Famers," Morneau said. "When we land here at the airport, I come here and it feels like home," he added. He hit 221 home runs throughout his 1,278 games for the Twins. Its a special group., Wayne Gretzky, right, chats with Justin Morneau ahead of a game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Minnesota Twins in 2012. If you do not yet have a Torstar account, you can create one now (it is free), Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 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. In 2008, he also became the first and still only Canadian to win the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game. Justin Morneau Twins Hall of Fame Induction (Saturday, Sept. 25; presented by Sheboygan Sausage Company). - YouTube Morneau became the 34th member of the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.. We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. 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. Hennepin County Youth Baseball/Softball Grant. 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. And when he recently asked his father, the elder Morneau replied that he always thought Justin would end up becoming a hockey player. Im glad you asked. 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. At 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. fans can have their picture taken with Ron Gardenhire, Corey Koskie, Ryan Doumit and Nick Punto. But in some ways, he does still show up on the field. Morneau will be inducted during a pre-game ceremony at . "Great first baseman when he played. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Morneau will be the 34th member of the Twins Hall of Fame when he is inducted during an on-field pre-game ceremony at Target Field before the Twins host the Chicago White Sox on May 23. At least, in spirit. 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. 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. This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. One (1) autograph per inductee per attendee. We all have so much respect for each other. When it started, I probably wouldn't have said that. The 2006 American League Most Valuable Player hit 30-or-more home runs three times for the Twins and recorded 100-or-more RBI in four seasons. Saturday, Morneau will be joined alongside his former teammates and loved ones to be the 34th player inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame. (Darren Calabrese/CP). The Twins elected Morneau to the Hall of Fame in January 2020 but postponed his May induction that year because of COVID-19. You can change your selection at any time. He was a teenager growing up in Canada. In the end, most of them did, enough that he lost count of how many would be in attendance. There isnt enough recent news in your lineup. "It's because of the people and the fans and the friends and the community and everything else. MINNEAPOLIS -- Growing up on the western coast of Canada, Justin Morneau was, of course, coaxed towards the national winter sport of hockey. 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. And if he somehow ended up in his secondary sport of baseball, playing for his favored Toronto Blue Jays was the goal. Morneau will have plenty of friends and family in attendance when he becomes the 34th person ever to be inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame. While one of those players, Joe Mauer, got his due when his number was retired last summer, it will be Justin Morneau 's time to celebrate when he is inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame on May . 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). The Twins drafted Morneau. Monday Morning Minnesota: Further Spring Jokes Edition, Twins open Spring Training by splitting a pair of, well, split-squad games. rights reserved. Max Kepler was out of the starting lineup with a non-COVID-related illness after being removed early from Thursday nights game for the same reason. Well give you the latest news when it becomes available, or feel free to add some more selections to your settings. account that can be used to sign in here. Justin Morneau remembered the first time he came to Minnesota at about 15 years old for a hockey tournament at the University of Minnesota. 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. In fact, the Twins success drafting and developing players allowed them to surround Morneau with plenty of other all-stars, overcome their small-market status and contend year-in and year-out. 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. "The Minnesota Twins are thrilled with the election of Justin Morneau . When I learned of fellow inductees, John Olerud, Duane Ward and Jacques Doucet, I was at a loss for words. I guess a lot more people are bored than I thought, Morneau said. It hasnt been worn again since. "You never dreamed for a moment like this," Morneau said Friday. He remains with the Twins as a Special Assistant to Baseball Operations, a position he has held since January 2018. That coat drive has collected over 40,000 coats from generous donors. 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 .
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