I'm sure this thread will be locked when the real article is posted, so maybe it's best to save comments for that.

 

Meanwhile, enjoy.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/01/justin-morneau-to-join-twins-as-special-assistant.html

Good for him and I'm glad the FO brought him back to the org. One of my favorite Twins ever and from everything I've read, he's a truly nice guy.

I'm delighted by this news and I had hoped it was coming after there was some chatter of this idea toward the end of last season when Morneau didn't have any more offers as a player.  Ultimately disappointing for him to have to retire when he still felt he could play, but he had a good career with some elite seasons in Minnesota.  One of my favorite Twins players and a very down-to-earth guy.  Whenever I see Minnie and Paul shaking hands after a homerun, I imagine that's Morneau and Mauer near the on-deck circle.

 

Since Morneau was a quiet guy, there's not going to be much about him for off-the-field stories, but I will share one humorous moment I experienced with him.  It was spring training (around 2007?) in Fort Myers, and I went down early in the day near the batting cages below Hammond stadium to watch some players hitting off the tee (that day it was a young, clean-shaven Trevor Plouffe if I recall).  I walked over to a nearby practice field, where a few dozen others were standing, and Mauer was working with Gardenhire on pulling balls to deep right-center field (!). Right after they finished, Gardy walked by on the path out of the stadium with Morneau, and Gardy shouted "Hey everyone!  I'm giving Morny the day off!  Therefore, he has plenty of time to sign autographs for EVERYONE!"  Much swarming around the gentle giant ensued.  I got my navy blue Morneau jersey I was wearing at the time autographed.