The week got off to an objectively terrible start as far as new dumps go. Byron Buxton was scratched from the Minnesota Twins lineup, which was followed by word that three pitchers would be hitting the IL, including Anthony DeSclafani who might need season-ending surgery.
On top of that the Twins announced their fourth round of Spring Training roster cuts, which included the end of Jose Miranda's potential journey back to the MLB roster (for now).
Tuesday got off on a much better foot. Instead of bringing Twins fans down with soul crushing injury news, the team announced what the plans will be when baseball finally returns to Target Field next month.
Twins Opening Day 2024 festivities: Everything happening at Target Field
It's not techincally Opening Day, but we're still calling it that since it's the first home game of the season for the Twins. Actual Opening Day is a few days earlier, with the Twins getting the season started in Kansas City against the Royals.
On Tuesday the Twins officially revealed the plans for Opening Day festivities. Here's everything that has been announced as part of the festivities so far:
- Breakfast on the Plaza
- Twins Beanie giveaway
- Dick Bremer celebration
- Honoring Burnsville & Dakota County first responders
- Flyover
- Starting the Joe Mauer "Countdown to Cooperstown"
- Gates open at 1:00 pm CT
- First pitch at 3:10 pm CT
Among the highlights are celebrations for Dick Bremer and Joe Mauer, as well as free breakfast and our first giveaway.
The Twins will also be honoring first responders from Burnsville and Dakota County following the horrific mass shooting back in February that took the life of two police officers and a firefighter. The expectation is that officers Paul Elmstrand, Matthew Ruge, and firefighter Adam Finseth with their surviving colleagues on hand at the stadium.
Joe Mauer's celebration is really the first of what will be many throughout the season. He's getting inducted into Cooperstown in July and will be properly honored in August with the team giving away a replica of his Hall of Fame plaque to fans.
Bremer's celebration will be the culmination of four decades with the team, and comes after he was replaced in the television booth by Cory Provus and moved to another role within the organization.
Gates will open a few hours before first pitch, and here's to hoping the cold April weather holds off for at least a day to give Twins baseball a warm welcome.
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