Advertisement

Former Twins manager Tom Kelly is finally getting a Target Field statue

Liz Roscher
·Staff writer
FILE - In this April 14, 2012, file photo, former Minnesota Twins manager Tom Kelly holds up hands with two World Series rings during a ceremony to unveil a statue of Twins' great Kent Hrbek prior to a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Target Field in Minneapolis. Kelly had an offseason scare with a minor stroke, but he is well enough to return as a guest instructor at spring training where he's a valuable resource for first-time manager Paul Molitor. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)
Tom Kelly at the unveiling of Kent Hrbek’s statue outside Target Field in 2012. (AP Photo)

Every franchise needs to recognize its own history, to pay tribute to the players and managers who made it the organization it is today. The Minnesota Twins were having a hard time doing that with Tom Kelly, who managed the Twins to their only two World Series championships (in 1987 and 1991). But according to Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Times, Kelly has finally allowed the Twins to immortalize him with a statue outside of Target Field.

So why wasn’t Kelly, 66, on board with the idea of a statue of himself gracing the outside of beautiful Target Field? He explained it to the Pioneer Times.

“We had a few of these discussions a couple years ago about this stuff,” Kelly, 66, said after Friday’s announcement at TwinsFest. “I just have a hard time because I believe the game showcases the players. Push comes to shove, the players get it done, one way or another.”

That’s exactly what a good manager is supposed to say. But thankfully, after speaking with Twins president Dave St. Peter, Kelly has realized his place in Twins history, and wants to allow fans to celebrate those accomplishments.

“I understand his point of view about the history of the organization, which I respect immensely,” Kelly said, “He feels it’s important in the history of the Twins organization, that I may be a small part of that, and I understand that. He wants me to do this, and I’m going to do it because I’m one of those guys.”

Here’s a video of Kelly talking about his decision to let the Twins make a statue of him.

There are five statues of legendary Twins players outside of Target Field right now: Rod Carew, Kent Hrbek, Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva and Kirby Puckett. Kelly will be the first non-player. In his statue, Kelly will be leaning against a fungo bat and wearing a pinstriped uniform with “Minnesota” emblazoned across the front, and a small “M” on his baseball cap.

Here’s an insanely awesome Tom Kelly factoid: Kelly had made the trip to Twins spring training for 47 consecutive years, but will be breaking that incredible streak this year. He’s had some health problems lately, and his knee issues make it hard to climb stairs.

“My mind says you can’t do it anymore, but my heart wants to go,” he said.

Something tells me that his heart will be there, even if his body isn’t.

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:

– – – – – –

Liz Roscher is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at lizroscher@yahoo.com or follow her on twitter! Follow @lizroscher