Graphin’ With Kevin

Wow!  What a day today!  A couple months ago I read where tickets went on sale for the Twins Hall of Fame Breakfast and asked Cami if she wanted to go.  Of course she said she did so I purchased a pair of tickets (Caden did not want to go).  I did not know what to expect but since Johan Santana was being inducted this year, I thought it would be cool.  Plus, there was an autograph event as part of it so I thought I would give it a shot.  This event blew away any thoughts I had going into it this morning.  Cami was unable to attend with me since she was invited to a friend’s cabin for the weekend and Caden had to work so Caden’s buddy Noah pinch hit for them.  Noah and I were assigned table 12 to sit at.  We got our food and sat down to eat.  There was an empty seat at the table next to me and before I knew what was going on, Brad Radke sat down in that seat!  He was assigned to our table!  We chatted with him for a bit while we ate.  What a really, really, really cool guy.  And sincerely nice too!
All the Hall of Famers in attendance were called up to the stage and were asked to speak about their career or what it meant to be a Minnesota Twin.  John Gordon did a great job emceeing the event.  After each person spoke, Johan Santana was introduced.  Everyone clapped for him and gave him a standing ovation.  It was pretty cool.
on how he got the call from Rod Carew that he was inducted into the Twins HOF and what it was like being a teammate with his friends.  There were a lot of former players there for him too.  It was neat to see his family and friends in attendance as well.
After Johan spoke, people lined up for autographs.  It was hot and the line was long but I felt like a little kid getting these guys’ autographs.  Noah was kind enough to get autographs for me as well.  It was neat going through the line and seeing the players interact, etc with the fans and each other.  Noah got a crazy photo of Bert Blyleven trying to bunt signed and Bert made a comment that he never figured out how to bunt.  I got Bert to sign Lanny Frattare’s scorecard from 04.26.1978 when Bert threw an eleven inning complete game 1-0 shutout.  He thought that was cool and took a moment to look over the names.  I said his plate appearances were on the other side of the scorecard and he checked it out.  He struckout swinging his first two at bats and looking the third at bat.  He laughed that at least he went down swinging!  And, he said, the strikeout pitch on the last strikeout was an outside pitch.  “I remember!”  It was pretty funny.  When it was done I organized my items and headed home.  The list of items I got signed today were:
Tony Oliva:  OMLB & Signature Card
Kent Hrbek:  07.05.1982 Sports Illustrated & 8″x10″ photo of the final out of the 1987 World Series
Jim Kaat:  4″x5″ Team Photo & Wire Photo from 1965 World Series
Bert Blyleven:  8″x10″ photo of him attempting to bunt while with the Pirates & Lanny Frattare’s 04.26.1978 scorecard
Tom Kelly:  1987 Topps card & #10 Metrodome Seatback
Brad Radke:  Four baseball cards
Greg Gagne:  2 Signature cards
Jim Perry:  OMLB with 1970 AL Cy Young & Signature card
Torii Hunter:  Completed my 2002 ESPN magazine & Completed larger photo of Rosario and Buxton and Torii jumping in the outfield after a win
Micheal Cuddyer:  2 baseball cards
Johan Santana: 3 baseball cards:  2006 Classic Duos already signed by Liriano, 2006 Team Leaders already signed by Justin Morneau, and my favorite, 2008 Classic Combos already signed by Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.  It looks awesome!
It was a phenomenal event that really exceeded my expectations.  Big time thanks to Noah for his help.  I hope he enjoyed everything as much as I did!  I cannot wait until next year and will hopefully include the kids!