Minnesota Twins: COVID-19, BLM Tributes make Home Opener one to remember

George Floyd

Floyd was a Minneapolis resident who was killed when Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. Three other officers were compliant as two sat on his body and one prevented citizens from intervening. The fatal incident occurred near a Cup Foods approximately four miles away from Target Field. After the incident, the Twins ownership showed their support for Floyd by donating money for an initiative challenging systemic racism.

On Tuesday, the Twins unveiled a “Justice for George Floyd” banner in their outfield that will be on display all season at Target Field. In addition, the Twins played a video of athletes around the MLB speaking out against systemic racism and how Floyd suffered for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.

After the Floyd video tribute, Sounds of Blackness performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

In bottom of the fifth inning, at 8:46 pm the Twins and Cardinals gave a moment of silence for Floyd.

“Associated with the tragic death of George Floyd, the Minnesota Twins want to take this time to observe a moment of silence to both honor his memory and remind us all that we are here together. One team, one territory, united for change,” the public announcer said ahead of the moment of silence.

Manger Rocco Baldelli spoke of the experience postgame.

“Everyone felt something in that moment,” Baldelli said of the tribute to Floyd. “It’s very special and it is not something you do very often and we should. But it definitely draws your attention to something other than baseball for a minute and it was right time to do so.”

COVID-19 First Responders

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted millions world wide as there has been over 17 million Coronavirus cases globally as of Wednesday. Throughout the pandemic, frontline “essential” workers have put their lives at risk to continue to serve the public. The Twins payed homage to frontline doctors and nurses who are out risking their lives in attempt to treat folks infected by the virus.

“We tip our caps to all the heroes working on the front lines of COVID-19, especially these local heroes who threw tonight’s first pitch. Thank YOU!” the Twins tweeted Tuesday along with the video tribute.

In the tribute video the Twins Derek Falvey, president of baseball operations, along with manger Baldelli and a number of Twins players thanked the frontline workers.

”You guys are the real heroes,” Nelson Cruz said.

Nine frontline workers were recognized and threw the first pitch in the video tribute.

“Civilian heros doing extraordinary things without an offseason or a seventh inning stretch. They didn’t sign up for this but they also did not back down. Risking their lives away from their families so you can stay home with yours,” the narrator said in the tribute introducing the nine frontline worker. “Heros did not arrive to Twins territory when the games stopped playing, they were here all along helping, healing, caring.

”Tonight we tip our hats to these heros and all of our essential teammates who, without fanfare, show dedication, sacrifice and passion, so baseball can we return and we can all be safe at home.”

Black Lives Matter Tribute

The Twins displayed a “Black Lives Matter Unite for Change” banner in their outfield. During the National Anthem several members of the Twins took a knee, a silent protest against police brutality and racism that was initiated by the NFL’s Colin Kaepernick in 2016.

Baldelli along with centerfielder Byron Buxton and pitchers Sergio Romo, Trevor May and Taylor Rogers were among several who took a knee during the home opener.

Around the MLB, others players have participated in the silent protest including Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts. During the MLB’s 2020 season opener, both the Washington Nationals and New York Yankees kneeled together during the National Anthem.