On Tuesday morning, the Minnesota Twins formalized plans to retire Joe Mauer’s No. 7 jersey. It’ll take place on Saturday, June 15 — and not July 7, as many had hoped — against the Kansas City Royals.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m., though that is often pushed back for these sorts of things. The first 20,000 fans through the gates that day will receive a commemorative No. 7 cap in honor of Mauer’s storied career, which spanned 15 big-league seasons and started when he was taken No. 1 overall in the 2001 MLB draft.
Additionally, Mauer will serve as the Grand Marshal of the Winter Carnival Grand Day parade, which will take place in his hometown of St. Paul on Saturday, Jan. 26.
June 15 has also been dubbed “Joe Mauer Day,” as he’ll become the eighth player/manager to have their number retired by the club.
Further details will be released in the weeks and months to come, but the team did announce a four-pack of bobbleheads that will commemorate Mauer’s rise through the ranks of Minnesota baseball. Fans purchasing the package in advance will have tickets to all four games — but must be among the first 10,000 fans entering the gates at each game — and will also be guaranteed a statuette depicting is iconic “Well Played, Mauer” catch behind the screen at Target Field.
Here are the four bobbleheads to be given away, with their dates and what part of Mauer’s ascension they’ll depict:
- May 24 – Chicago White Sox: Mauer’s signature swing, with him wearing the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders jersey. Mauer hit .567 over his high school career with the Raiders, and struck out only one time.
- July 19 – Oakland A’s: Mauer’s MLB debut on April 5, 2004 where he went 2-for-3 against C.C. Sabathia and the Cleveland Indians.
- Aug. 24 – Detroit Tigers: Mauer’s incredible 2009 season, which started a month late but still resulted in an MVP, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger and a division title.
- Sept. 7 – Cleveland Indians: Mauer’s final game on Sept. 30, 2018, which was one of the most memorable in Twins history.
Tickets for the four-pack will be available starting Thursday, Jan. 17 at 10 a.m.
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