Joe Mauer received several standing ovations when the Twins celebrated his induction to the National Baseball Hall of Fame before Saturday night’s game, but the loudest cheer might have been when Paul Molitor was in front of the microphone.
Twins announce plans to install Joe Mauer statue outside Target Field during 2025 season
The Twins honored catching great Joe Mauer on Saturday evening after his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame last month.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
August 4, 2024 at 2:33AM
“Let me finish with this,” Molitor said. “I am proud to make this announcement: The Twins organization and Twins fans everywhere, we are thrilled to announce that we will honor Joe’s legacy during the 2025 season by installing a Joe Mauer statue outside of Target Field.”
Mauer will join Rod Carew, Harmon Killebrew, Kirby Puckett, Carl and Eloise Pohlad, Tony Oliva, Kent Hrbek and Tom Kelly with a bronze statue at the ballpark. The Twins have not announced the date of the unveiling.
Fellow St. Paul natives Molitor and Jack Morris were a part of Mauer’s ceremony Saturday, while Dave Winfield sent a video message. The three St. Paul Hall of Famers had a joint ceremonial first pitch with Mauer throwing to former teammate Caleb Thielbar.
“Tonight, I want to thank all of you — the incredible fans of this game who have been here with me since Day One,” Mauer said to the crowd Saturday. “I have always been proud to be from Minnesota and proud to play for this team, but the love that I have felt these past few months and seeing so many Minnesota Twins out in New York for my induction has only deepened my appreciation for this fanbase and my sense of pride in being a Minnesotan.”
Gerrit Cole gave up his opt-out right on Monday and will remain with the New York Yankees under a contract that runs through 2028 rather than become a free agent.
