For the first time in his career, Jorge Polanco played a game at Target Field wearing an opposing team's uniform.
The Minnesota Twins traded Polanco back in January, ending months of speculation about whether or not he'd be dealt and where to. It seemed like a certainty that he'd be traded during the winter, both due to the log-jam that had been created in the infield and the team's need to add at other positions.
Polanco was ultimately dealt to Seattle for four players, including Top 100 prospect Gabriel Gonzalez and reliever Justin Topa. Even though a potential trade had been on the horizon for a few months, Twins fans never got to say goodbye to someone who meant so much to them.
On Monday they got that chance.
Twins fans welcomed Jorge Polanco back to Target Field for first time since trade to Mariners
Polanco hit third on Monday, but even before he stepped into the batter's box for the first time in a uniform other than a Twins one, he was being showered with tributes.
Before the game started, the Twins ran a video tribute for Polanco that included highlights and photos from his career in Minnesota. Even though the crowd hadn't totally made its way through the gate, the cheer that swept through Target Field was undeniable.
Captured most of the 90-second Jorge Polanco tribute video as he returns to Target Field. #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/sNFJG7Bvjq
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) May 6, 2024
That was even more the case in the top of the first inning when Polanco came up to bat. He was greeted with the type of standing ovation you'd expect someone as beloved as he is among Twins fans would receive.
It was gesture from Twins fans was reciprocated, as Polanco tipped his cap to the crowd at Target Field. In an extra classy move, Christian Vazquez used a mound visit to buy Polanco more time to share the moment with fans in attendance.
The Twins even played Polanco's old walk-up song as an added tribute.
Jorge Polanco gets a nice ovation here in Minnesota.#TridentsUp #JorgePolanco pic.twitter.com/HmLXNJLw2P
— Circling Seattle Sports (@CirclingSports) May 6, 2024
Nobody wanted Polanco to get traded, certainly not Twins fans, but it simply became a case of too many infielders in the kitchen. Polanco getting traded helped free up room in the lineup for Edouard Julien to be an everyday player, and freed up space for Brooks Lee to eventually get called up.
The hardest part about the trade was that Twins fans never got to say goodbye to him. Everyone got that chance on Monday and it was a bittersweet moment that nobody, including Polanco, will soon forget.