Retired Numbers
The Metrodome's upper deck in center and right fields was partly covered by a curtain containing banners of various titles won, and retired numbers. There was no acknowledgment of the Twins' prior championships in Washington and several Senator Hall of Famers, such as Walter Johnson, played in the days prior to numbers being used on uniforms. Killebrew did play seven seasons as a Senator, including two full seasons as a regular prior to the move to Minnesota in 1961.
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Harmon Killebrew OF-1B-3B: 1954–60 (WAS) |
Tony Oliva OF: 1962–76 (MIN) |
Error: Image is invalid or non-existent. Tom Kelly MGR: 1986–2001 (MIN) |
Kent Hrbek 1B: 1981–94 (MIN) |
Bert Blyleven P: 1970–1976 (MIN) |
Rod Carew 1B-2B: 1967–78 (MIN) |
Kirby Puckett OF: 1984–95 (MIN) |
Jackie Robinson Retired by |
In the Metrodome, the numbers ran in that order from left to right. In Target Field, they run from right to left, presumably to allow space for additional numbers in the future.
The retired numbers also serve as entry points at Target Field, The center field gate is Gate No. 3, honoring Killebrew, the left field gate is Gate No. 6 honoring Oliva, the home plate gate is Gate No. 14 for Hrbek, the right field gate serves as Gate No. 29 in tribute to Carew, and the plaza gate is known as Gate No. 34, honoring Puckett.
The numbers that have been retired hang within Target Field in front of the tower that serves as the Twins' executive offices in left field foul territory. The championships banners have been replaced by small pennants that fly on masts at the back of the left field upper deck. Those pennants, along with the flags flying in the plaza behind right field, serve as a visual cue for the players, suggesting the wind direction and speed.
Jackie Robinson's number, 42, was retired by Major League Baseball on April 15, 1997 and formally honored by the Twins on May 23, 1997. Robinson's number was positioned to the left of the Twins numbers in both venues.
Tom Kelly's number 10 was retired during a pre-game ceremony on September 8, 2012.
| Player | Jersey | Date retired |
|---|---|---|
| Harmon Killebrew | 3 | May 4, 1975 |
| Rod Carew | 29 | July 19, 1987 |
| Tony Oliva | 6 | July 14, 1991 |
| Kent Hrbek | 14 | August 13, 1995 |
| Jackie Robinson | 42 | April 15, 1997 |
| Kirby Puckett | 34 | May 25, 1997 |
| Bert Blyleven | 28 | July 16, 2011 |
| Tom Kelly | 10 | September 8, 2012 |
Read more about this topic: Minnesota Twins
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