News
Former Twins greats on hand to greet fans
Molitor, Morris among players to take pictures with faithful
By Tyler Mason / MLB.com
10/03/09 7:10 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS -- On Saturday, Twins fans were able to think back to some of the greatest Metrodome memories, while making some new ones in the process. As part of Fan Appreciation Weekend, a handful of former Twins players were in the dome's concourse before the game, taking pictures with fans who lined up just to catch a glimpse of some of their favorites. "It's great. It's fabulous," said fan Judy McCalliom. "You get to get up close and personal so you can actually meet them." "It really helps me relive a lot of my memories," said Craig Nordquist after getting his picture taken with former pitcher Brad Radke. "I just got to see Brad Radke again for the first time since he retired. Getting to see [Paul] Molitor brings back a lot of memories, seeing him when I first became a Twins fan." Lines grew long and the Metrodome's concourse became congested, but that didn't seem to deter fans. "We waited for Dan [Gladden] and Jack [Morris] for about 25 minutes," McCalliom said, "but that was worth the wait." Players from both the 1987 and 1991 World Series championship teams were in attendance, as were other Twins greats that have at one point called the Metrodome home. Seemingly, everyone had a certain player they wanted to take a picture with. "Tom Brunansky," McCalliom said. "And I did." "We were just at Paul Molitor, Jack Morris and Dan Gladden," said Jackie Harrison, who drove from Omaha, Neb., for the final weekend at the Metrodome. "That was fun. I want to go back and get Kent Hrbek." As fun as it might be for fans to meet some of their heroes, the players recognized it as a unique opportunity as well. "It's great. The fans, it's got to be outstanding for them," said former Twins infielder Ron Coomer. "It's a great happening," Radke said. "A lot of older guys are back. It's just great for the fans and to interact for the fans. Should be a great weekend." Making the weekend even better for fans was the fact that the games they came to see were big ones, as the Twins continue to chase the Tigers for the American League Central crown right down to the last day. "It makes it that much better that we're actually fighting for a playoff spot, too," Nordquist said. "A lot of fans turned out for the final games," said Patrick Harrison of Omaha. "We came up a couple months ago and the crowd wasn't as big. Now, it's a packed house."Tyler Mason is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
