More than a Uniform

I can’t be the only one that holds this sentiment.

No uniform will ever hold a place as near and dear to my heart as this jersey.

Number 7 on the back, scripted “Twins” on the front, years of hometown devotion in the heart. The uniform worn for the most perfect and most emotional baseball moment I have ever witnessed.

The uniform that Joe Mauer donned for the last game of his storied career. The uniform worn when our beloved Joe emerged from the dugout for the last time, to receive one last pitch at the position that he played as well as anyone ever has.

The famous quote goes “there’s no crying in baseball!”

However, I challenge you to find a dry eye in the crowd, on the field, or in the homes of Twins territory during that beautiful moment. Joe’s beautiful twin daughters, running out to greet him with a big hug at first base before the game. Joe, hitting a trademark Mauer double in his final at-bat. Joe, donning the tools of ignorance one last time, taking Minnesota back, before the injuries and the doubt, back to his MVP years playing in his hometown. One last trademark Joe post-game interview. I could write a thousand words and I would never properly capture the feelings around Minnesota during that last game. So here’s a video to take you back.

This game could not have gone more perfectly. I’ll never forget it. And that’s why this will always be my favorite Twins uniform. It became more than a jersey on that day.