(Chris Young/CP). 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. The New Westminster, B.C., native has also been very active in charitable endeavors. 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. Justin Morneau ready for Twins Hall of Fame induction Obviously, I went from the best job in the world to the second-best job in the world.". Don't miss out - sign up for our newsletters! Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. Lots of National Baseball Hall of Famers, so to be in a Hall of Fame with Rod Carew, Bert Blyleven, Harmon Killebrew and Kirby Puckett? One of the more pointed tributes came when Morneau shouted out Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins for paving the way for all Canadians. 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. This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. "It was hard for me to do that when I first came up, because I only thought of myself as a baseball player and not as a role model, not as someone who wanted to be in the spotlight," Morneau said. Even in retirement, Morneau seems to be following in his footsteps. There were mixed reviews of him from the start, in my opinion, but I think many people are now quite fond of his analysis. 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. - YouTube Morneau became the 34th member of the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.. 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. Guests will not receive autographs on the Sports Illustrated Gladden & Olson magazine. Monday Morning Minnesota: Further Spring Jokes Edition, Twins open Spring Training by splitting a pair of, well, split-squad games. Morneaus career will forever be intertwined with Walkers even though the two never played on the same big-league team. In 2008, he also became the first and still only Canadian to win the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game. Back in 1999, it would have taken a particularly optimistic observer to believe that the Canadian catcher selected in the third round would go on to hit 247 career home runs in the big leagues while batting .281/.348/.481. You welcomed me as one of your own and I will be forever grateful. {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *}, Comment and participate in our online community. 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. 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. Former Twins Justin Morneau, Joe Nathan among those on Hall of Fame ballot Justin Ernest George Morneau (born May 15, 1981) is a Canadian former professional baseball first baseman. COVID-19 postponed just about everything last year, including former Minnesota Twins' first baseman Justin Morneaus Twins Hall of Fame induction ceremony. There are a few memories that stood out for Justin Morneau during the portions of two seasons he played for the . "This is a franchise with a long, proud history and great players. He was elected to the hall in January 2020, but his planned induction was delayed by COVID-19. 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 . And then I learned the game the way I believe it should be played.. His 11-year career with the Twins encompassed 221 home runs, 860 RBIs and 289 doubles among 1,318 hits. Things we lost in the pandemic (Pt. Manager Rocco Baldelli said rookie starter Joe Ryan has left the team to fly back to California to deal with a family-related matter. He was a dominant lefty who you couldnt not like. So, which Vlad is harder to face? Justin Morneau: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights | Yardbarker She joined the paper in December 2018 after spending nearly three years in Las Vegas covering sports for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Guerrero retired after the 2011 season and has since been inducted into the Hall of Fame and Guerrero Jr., the Blue Jays star, debuted in 2019 and is an American League Most Valuable Player candidate. A pure hitter in every form, just like Walker was across 17 seasons for the Montreal Expos, Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals. Morneau joked that the Twins gave him a hard time for inviting more guests than anyone ever had before. Anyone can read Conversations, but to contribute, you should be a registered Torstar account holder. Full speech: Justin Morneau inducted into Twins Hall of Fame "But once that's gone, I think what I'm left with is relationships and those guys. 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. MINNEAPOLIS -- The first time Justin Morneau saw the Minnesota Twins, he still thought he was going to play hockey. This is, for me, wow. 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. Gambling problem? Nathan got his moment of Twins HOF glory back in 2019. Lots of numbers retired up on the wall, lots of National Baseball Hall of Famers,\" Morneau said. 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. At the time, he still thought he was going to be a hockey player. All Forgot your Hall of Fame Breakfast | Twins Community Fund | Minnesota Twins - MLB.com In an essay for TSN prior to Walkers 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 one of his idols: a signed bat from Walker with the inscription To Justin, make Canada proud.. 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. This is inside Gate 29. 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). Select as many teams as you like from the leagues below. On August 31, 2013, Morneau was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates where he helped lead the club to its first postseason appearance since 1992. You can go years without seeing each other, but its like we saw each other yesterday. *Sixteen current Twins Hall of Famers and dozens of former Twins will be at Saturdays game in honor of Justin. Twins fans have been reunited with Morneau now that he has seemingly been the top analyst filling the shoes of Bert Blyleven. The man who ran the local batting cage and let Morneau hit for free so he could get enough reps. ** 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. "I was just thankful that I got drafted by the Minnesota Twins and that I was able to grow up in this organization, because I spent some time in other organizations, and I always say that I'm thankful that I was a Minnesota Twin," Morneau said. And that's why they're carving out a permanent home for him at Target Field alongside their other legends. Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. He was a teenager growing up in Canada. Use another 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. 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 . They said that I invited more former players and the longest guest list theyve ever had for this thing, Morneau said. On the crying or not crying poll, I say he will cry. "Great first baseman when he played. To be honest, I never thought he would be the guy filling in up here. 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. 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. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Vlad Sr. finished his career 2 for 3 against Pineda. Hope to see you at the game! There isnt enough recent news in your lineup. 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). Justin Morneau Twins Hall of Fame Induction (Saturday, Sept. 25; presented by Sheboygan Sausage Company). Please contact us. The sluggers both grew up in British Columbia: Walker in Maple Ridge, Morneau in nearby New Westminster. For that, the former junior national team member had a long list of names to go through. Wow should I wear my Doumit shirt? MINNEAPOLIS -- The first time Justin Morneau saw the Minnesota Twins, he still thought he was going to play hockey. My buddy Joe Nathan agrees. 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 . 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. You start to learn about all of the great players and the World Series, he said. I imagine it will start around 5:45 p.m. Dick Bremer will be emcee, Joe Mauer will introduce Morneau. Former Twins first baseman Justin Morneau has been elected to the club's Hall of Fame. We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. 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. Heres the list: Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew, Tony Oliva, Kent Hrbek, Kirby Puckett, Calvin Griffith, Herb Carneal, Jim Kaat, Bert Blyleven, Tom Kelly, Bob Allison, Bob Casey, Earl Battey, Frank Viola, Carl Pohlad, Zoilo Versalles, Gary Gaetti, Jim Rantz, Rick Aguilera, Brad Radke, George Brophy, Greg Gagne, Jim Perry, Camilo Pascual, Eddie Guardado, Tom Mee, John Gordon, Torii Hunter, Michael Cuddyer, Andy MacPhail, Johan Santana, Jerry Bell, Joe Nathan and now Justin Morneau. Teams around the division get their first glimpse of a roadmap to 2023 success. And then you get to cap it all off in the end with something like this. 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.