Category: Topps Twins Project

Today was the annual Twins Hall of Fame breakfast where we celebrated the induction of Joe Nathan and Jerry Bell into the Twins team Hall of Fame. I went to this even last year and enjoyed it so much I decided to go again. Last year the kids could not make it so I brought Caden’s buddy Noah. We had a great time and Noah wanted to go again this year and said he would get me the autographs if I got the ticket so I did. The four of us had a great time. Torii and TK were really funny. Joe Nathan was extremely happy to be included in the HOF. After the breakfast and speeches were completed, there was an autograph event. They were pretty strict at the one autograph per person and since I had four people, I did ok. I brought items for all the people in the Twins HOF not knowing who would be there for the autographs. I was caught off guard last year but not this year! I also helped out a buddy from Washington with some autographs of the guys I did not need. Tom Kelly saw my 1987 Twins Report showing all the front office guys and himself and made a comment of a motley crew and they all looked like they should be in a police lineup. Brad Radke shook my hand and when I mentioned I sat next to him at last year’s breakfast he said he remembered me. I doubt it but it was still cool. When I asked Michael Cuddyer to sign my ticket from his debut game, I asked him if I recall correctly that Bob Casey announced him as ‘Michael Cudd-yer’ rather than ‘Cud-dyer’ and he laughed and said “Probably!” Joe Nathan signed my 300th Save ticket and I asked him “Wasn’t that last pitch a little outside?” He laughed and said “Nope! It was a strike all the way!” It was pretty neat. Here is what I got with the help of Caden, Cami, and Noah…
Tom Kelly- Metrodome #10 Seatback, Oversize card for 1,000th Win, Twins Report magazine from 1987, 1987 Topps (for Greg)
Brad Radke- 1997 Topps, 2003 Topps (for Greg), 2004 Topps (for Greg), 2000 Victory (for Greg)
Michael Cuddyer- 2 ML Debut ticket with “MLB Debut” inscription, 2003 Topps already signed by Michael Restovich, 2012 A&G (for Greg)
Torii Hunter- Cami finished her photo already signed by Buxton and Rosario, 2016 Topps variation, 2019 A&G, 2003 UD Vintage (for Greg)
Johan Santana- 2008 Topps Heritage, 2009 Topps Strikeout Leaders, 2006 Topps Strikeout Leaders, 2006 Topps
Joe Nathan- 2 300th Save tickets/ 1 with “300th Save”, 2015 A&G (for Greg), 1999 Revolution (for Greg)
John Gordon- Legendary Voices card with “Touch ’em all!”
It was a fun few hours and I cannot wait for next year’s event!