Among the many amazing storylines to follow during this incredible Minnesota Twins postseason run, something involvong Pablo Lopez has taken center stage on more than one occasion.
Lopez pitched an absolute gem in Game 2 on Sunday in Houston, shutting the Astros down by shutting them out through seven innings of work. It was the type of ace performance that Twins fans have dreamed about but never thought they'd ever see -- let alone see it in October.
It was his second start of the postseason, as Lopez pitched Game 1 of the streak-snapping AL Wild Card in last week. He had already pitched his way into the hearts of Twins fans, but it could be argued that he's been the heart and soul of the postseason run so far both on and off the mound.
Lopez showed up to his Game 1 start wearing the uniform of his childhood hero, Twins legend Johan Santana. More than once the comparrison has been made between the two pitchers, as it seems Lopez has officially taken the torch from Santana to become the franchise's next ace.
The love affair apparently goes both ways, which is something we found out ahead of Game 3 on Tuesday in the absolute coolest possible way.
Watch Johan Santana throw out first pitch of Game 3 in a Pablo Lopez jersey
Johan was on hand at Target Field to throw out the ceremonial first pitch ahead of Game 3. In one of the coolest plot twists yet this October, he took off his jacket to reveal that he was wearing a Pablo Lopez jersey.
As you'd expect Target Field erupted.
When Pablo López went out to deliver the baseball for the ceremonial first pitch, Johan Santana, his childhood hero, was wearing his jersey.
— Betsy Helfand (@betsyhelfand) October 10, 2023
Awesome moment. pic.twitter.com/39B2uS89K2
Johan Santana threw the first pitch to Joe Mauer in a Pablo López jersey.
— 10,000 Takes (@10k_Takes) October 10, 2023
This simply rules. #WeBelieveinTC
pic.twitter.com/zSOb7wWUzJ
Pablo López showed up to Game 1 of the Wildcard wearing a Johan Santana jersey. Santana takes off his jacket when throwing the first pitch to reveal he's wearing a López jersey 🥹 pic.twitter.com/yNfdWZ3gYa
— Melissa Berman (@Melissa_Berman) October 10, 2023
Johan was paying the tribute back to Pablo for showing up in his jersey ahead of Game 1. Lopez hasn't been shy about how much he idolized the Twins legend while growing up in Venezuela and wanted to follow in his footsteps.
Pablo validated Twins fans after Game 2, sending a message on national television about how the team belongs in the postseason. That validation was paid back ahead of Game 3 when Pablo litreally got to live out a childhood dream and watch his idol throw out a pitch wearing his jersey.
It doesn't get any cooler than that.