It's a Family Affair at Target Field

Opening Day at Target Field Friday is shaping up to be a true family affair for the Minnesota Twins

Among the events planned…the unveiling of a bronze statue celebrating Twins legend Tony Oliva. But as it turns out, the former outfielder isn’t the only Oliva getting into the act.

The National Anthem will be performed by Rick Oliva, Tony’s son. He’ll be joined by Maria Versalles…the daughter of former Twins shortstop and 1965 AL MVP Zoilo Versalles.

Also on the slate, an outfield sign counting up to 600 home runs for designated hitter Jim Thome…who enters the homestand against Oakland with with 589 career homers.

There will also be a sign counting down to the number of games remaining until former Twin (and current announcer) Bert Blyleven is inducted into the Hall of Fame this July.

The family of Blyleven’s fellow Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett (Kirby Jr. and Catherine Puckett) will be on hand to ceremonially open Gate 34.

The capper on the whole day was to be Harmon Killebrew, who is battling esophageal cancer, showing up in Minnesota to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. But, unfortunately, it was announced late Wednesday night that that won’t happen.

"Nita and I were truly looking forward to coming home to Minnesota to be part of the home opening festivities at Target Field," Killebrew said in a statement released by the team. "But it turns out the trip to Minnesota would unduly disrupt my treatment schedule, so we have reluctantly decided to remain in Arizona with a resolve to defeat this disease."

Filling in for the Hall of Famer is, drum roll please, Tony Oliva…who will toss the ceremonial first pitch to Killebrew's grandson Casey.

See…family affair!

Friday 5: Ed Herrmann

Major League Baseball has decided to make Opening Day a weekend-long event this season.

And so far...I kinda like it.

One guy that took part in his fair share of Opening Day festivities is former big league catcher Ed Herrmann

HOVG: You took part in a number of Opening Days and for six straight years (1971-1975) found yourself behind the dish and in the starting lineup. What’s the feeling of taking part in that first game of the season?

HERRMANN: Butterflies, adrenaline and finally the anxiety of starting the new season that you've been waiting for since the last day of the year before…at least until the first pitch and at bat. The anxiety never quits about what will happen for the rest of the season.

HOVG: Is hearing your name on the PA the same when it is in front of more than 30,000 at home at Comiskey Park as it is when the crowd is a third of that size and it is the middle of August?

HERRMANN: Actually, you really don't listen to the PA announcer. Your mind is working on the pitches that you will see and your ability to beat the pitcher at that at bat.

HOVG: Most of your Opening Day starts were on the road. What’s a better atmosphere as the visiting team…taking the field in front of 7000 in Kansas City or the close to 60,000 that you played in front of in Cleveland in 1975?

HERRMANN: It's always great to play in front of a lot of spectators. The atmosphere is better and you stay in the game a little easier because of the noise.

HOVG: Opening Day traditionally features the best pitchers and faced a number of them. How do you go from Spring Training to preparing to square off against the likes of Jim "Catfish" Hunter (1971) or Nolan Ryan (1974).

HERRMANN: In Spring Training, you are working on different aspects of your game to get you better. When the season starts, you revert back to what got you to the big leagues and to the opportunity to start. Facing "Catfish" was a lot harder than catching him as I did for the Yankees. Facing Nolan, I enjoyed the battle better than any pitcher I ever faced because he was so competitive and so was I.

HOVG: From supporting the children’s book A Glove of Their Own to helping raise money for your local American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life…anyone who follows you knows you’re super active in the community. What do you have going on next?

HERRMANN: Right now, in support of the American Cancer Society, my family and I are walking in the 24-hour Relay for Life on April 30 in San Marcos, California. To raise money for the event, our team "Strides of Hope" is holding a Facebook ON LINE Baseball Memorabilia Silent Auction ACS Fundraiser. I have autographed baseballs from Hall of Famers, photos, hats and books donated by the players and the writers specifically for this event. Anybody interested in helping, can friend me on Facebook. To find out more about the Relay, visit www.relayforlife.org/sanmarcosca and search for Ed Herrmann. Once this event is over, I have the Joe Niekro "Knuckle ball" Foundation to help with aneurysm awareness, "The Greatest Save" a national child safety education program, and charity golf tournaments in between.

Ed Herrmann played eleven seasons in the bigs and was selected to appear in the 1974 All-Star Game. In 922 big league games, he hit .240 with 80 career home runs. Since leaving the game, “Hoggy” has worked as a scout, tutor, coach and a manager of youth teams ranging in age from 13 through college.

Barry Zito Released...

...from hospital after car accident.

Alright, alright...I can't take credit for that one.  I actually saw it this morning posted by Gar Ryness (aka "Batting Stance Guy") and the first half actually got me.

Then I read the rest.

Here's the story...courtesy of the Thirty Mile Zone:

Opening Day is off to a rough start for Barry Zito -- the San Francisco Giants pitcher got into a car accident last night in West Hollywood and landed in the hospital.  According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Zito was driving on Sunset Boulevard when he got into a 2-car accident. Zito was checked out at Cedars-Sinai Hospital and released.

Authorities say it appears Zito was not at fault in the wreck.

The big question isn't who was or wasn't at fault...but, rather, what was the 2002 American League Cy Young Award winner doing out carousing in the middle of the night on Opening Day Eve.

Tim Lincecum takes the mound tonight for the World Series champs against the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Zito is expected to be on the hill Sunday.

Wednesday with Monty...a closer's thoughts about Opening Day

A few months ago, I wondered if we were living in the “age of the closer” and to be honest…I still kinda do.

This off season saw a number of top flight closers change uniforms. Most notably, Francisco Rodriguez packed up his 2008 league leading 62 saves and made the cross country trek from Los Angeles to New York.

With “K-Rod” gone, Brian Fuentes fled Colorado to fill the void in Los Angeles. 2005 Rookie of the Year Huston Street went from Oakland to Colorado as part of the Matt Holliday deal and, well…you see where this is going.

All in all, more than a third of Major League teams have a new closer in place for the 2009 season.

One team that stuck with their hot hand was the Kansas City Royals, with Joakim Soria looking to, again, be one of the top closers in the American League. Soria’s 42 saves last year were the most by a Royal since Jeff Montgomery tied a franchise record with 45 in 1993.

In preparation of Opening Day, I had a chance to talk with Montgomery about some of his memories.

In six Opening Day appearances,
“Monty” was 0-1 with two saves. In 8 2/3 innings, he only gave up one earned run (a Mike Bordick single that plated Carney Lansford in 1992) and struck out 8.

Three of Montgomery’s Opening Day games were at home, the other three were on the road. So I asked him, was it easier throwing off the mound at Kauffman on Opening Day or in Oakland or Baltimore?

MONTY: (It) didn’t matter. Could have been Mars and I wouldn’t have known the difference.

HOVG: Of the Hall of Famers and future Hall members you faced, who was the toughest Opening Day hitter...Cal Ripken, Jr., Rickey Henderson, Rafael Palmeiro, Harold Baines or Roberto Alomar?

MONTY: Harold Baines.

For the record, Montgomery also named Baines as his “toughest out” when we spoke in November. Baines was 6 for 20 against Montgomery and led all opposing hitters with three home runs against the hurler.

HOVG: You also took on Albert Belle (got him to pop out) and Eric Davis (struck him out looking)...was there a batter in particular that made you nervous when he stepped up to the plate?

MONTY: All of them.

It’s worth mentioning that hitters batting .230 against Montgomery on Opening Day.

HOVG: Do your two Opening Day saves mean any more to you than the 302 other saves you picked up in your career?

MONTY: No.

HOVG: After Chris Sabo reached on an error on Opening Day in 1994, you struck out Mark McLemore, Jeffrey Hammonds and Brady Anderson...all swinging. Is it safe to say that that is one of your fondest Opening Day memories?

MONTY: Not really as I forgot about it. I remember going to the KISS concert afterwards.

HOVG: If striking out the side in Baltimore wasn’t your most memorable moment...what was?

MONTY: My first opening day in 1989 is the one I remember most. Can’t remember if we won or lost but I will never forget the electricity in the air.

HOVG: Is hearing your name on the PA the same when it is in front of close to 40,000 at home in Kansas City on Opening Day as it is when the crowd is a third of that size and it is the middle of August?

MONTY: (There’s) no difference. Opening Day was always special. All of the preparation, hype, the fact that Spring Training was finally over, and being back at home made it one of the best days of the year. Too bad the rest of the games on the schedule were not filled with the same level of excitement as Opening Day.

After being postponed on Monday, the Royals lost their Opening Day contest against the White Sox 4-2. The band KISS is currently touring South America.

***Jeff Montgomery played thirteen seasons in the Majors…twelve of them with the Kansas City Royals. He is a three time All-Star, a member of the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame and their all-time leader in games pitched, games finished and saves. “Monty” resides in the Kansas City area and lends his expertise to Sports Radio 810 WHB-AM.***