2018–2019 Community Report THERE’S NO I in SUNFLOWER SEEDS
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2018–2019 Community Report THERE’S NO I IN SUNFLOWER SEEDS. When nine individuals step onto the field with a shared sense of passion, hustle, heart, and fun, something pretty amazing happens. They become one team. They learn to win as a team, lose as a team, and eat extraordinary amounts of sunflower seeds as a team. That’s why, for the past 28 years, the Twins Community Fund has been dedicated to getting more kids in the game. Because just like nine players can make a team, the passion, hustle, heart, and fun they’ll find in baseball can make for one pretty awesome kid. Those are the principles of the Twins Tradition—a mission defined by four words: passion, heart, hustle, and fun. PAGE 2 DEAR FRIENDS, — Since 1961, the Minnesota Twins Baseball Club has been a prominent part of the sports landscape in the Twin Cities, the state of Minnesota, and the Upper Midwest. Throughout those five-plus decades, the Twins have been committed to playing competitive baseball, providing affordable family entertainment, and making our community a better place to live. Those are the principles of the Twins Tradition – a mission defined by four words: passion, heart, hustle, and fun. As we commence a new baseball season, it is my distinct honor Beyond efforts to grow our game, the Twins remain equally driven to share the 2019 Minnesota Twins Community Report. Please to enhance our community via partnerships with hundreds of take a moment to review this publication, which provides a local nonprofits, recognition of our veterans and active-duty “scorecard,” so to speak, of the Twins community outreach soldiers, a focus on environmental sustainability, and a over the past year and its impact on so many people and commitment to inclusion. neighborhoods across Twins Territory. Moving forward, the Twins organization embraces the opportunity As you review this report, please take note of the ballclub’s to do more and to reach higher. The franchise enjoys a special obvious connection to children. Baseball, after all, remains a kid’s relationship with its fans, and therefore accepts an obligation to game. With that understanding, the Twins and Twins Community give back. It’s with those understandings in mind that we provide Fund are more committed than ever to engaging kids in new, this Community Report with hopes that we can collectively build impactful ways. Moreover, it remains our focus to promote the on these results for seasons to come. overall growth of America’s pastime by ensuring that every youngster living in Twins Territory has the opportunity to play the I look forward to seeing you at the ballpark soon. games of baseball or softball. Win, Twins!!! Dave St. Peter President and Chief Executive Officer Introductions 2 2 Letter from Dave St. Peter 4 Table of Contents 8 Twins Community Outreach 8 Player and Alumni Outreach 10 Twins Winter Caravan PAGE 12 2018 Hope Week 4 14 Community Awards 16 Puerto Rico Series 12 18 Employee Volunteerism 22 Honoring Service 24 Community Engagement 26 Learning Through Baseball 28 Nonprofit Support 30 The Greenest Ballpark in America 16 TABLE OF CONTENTS Twins Community Fund Grant Programs 34 34 Play Ball Minnesota 36 Twins RBI 38 TwinsCare 40 36 PAGE Contact Us 5 2019 MTCF Board of Directors 44 Staff Contacts 45 38 Fundraiser Calendar 46 How to Support 47 Thank you to the Twins Community 40 Fund Cornerstone Partners WITH BATTING STANCES AND WINDUPS, THE GOOFIEST ONES ARE OFTEN THE BEST. NOT UNLIKE TEAMMATES. Twins Community Outreach Player and Alumni Outreach Giving back to the community has been at the foundation of the Twins organization since the team's arrival in Minnesota in 1961. Players and alumni take that PAGE commitment to heart, supporting a wide variety of causes across Twins Territory. Wearing a Twins uniform means more than being a ballplayer—it also means joining 8 a tradition of giving that dates back nearly 60 years. Together, current and former players raise more than $1 million a year for charities and causes close to their hearts. Contributors to the Twins Community Fund The Twins Community Fund would like to thank the following players for their tremendous support in 2018: Byron Buxton, Jason Castro, Brian Dozier, Eduardo Escobar, Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn, Joe Mauer, Logan Morrison, and Eddie Rosario. — Mauer and Friends Kids Classic Joe and Maddie Mauer were joined by Twins players and other local sports heroes for on-field activities with Gillette patients at Target Field followed by a fundraising luncheon benefiting children and families at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. 2018 Highlights2018 Jake Odorizzi Humane Society Fundraiser During the 2018 season Jake Odorizzi raised money for the Animal Humane Society by pledging $50 for every strikeout he threw. Jake and the Minnesota Twins were pleased to present the Animal Humane Society with a check for $13,100 at the end of the 2018 season. — La Makina Baseball Clinic José Berríos hosted a free youth baseball clinic in his hometown of Bayamón, Puerto Rico, on Three Kings Day 2019. Berríos was joined by several other Major Leaguers who helped with instruction. The clinic was attended by approximately 150 children, who received baseball and softball instruction as well as food, a backpack, batting gloves, and Twins T-shirts and caps. PAGE — 9 Haiti School Fundraiser Kyle Gibson, along with teammates Brian Dozier, Logan Morrison, and Zach Duke, partnered with Help One Now and Big League Impact to raise funds to build a high school in Ferrier, Haiti. — Diamond Awards Twins Wives Organization The 2019 Diamond Awards raised more than $300,000 for the In 2018, the Twins Wives Organization donated more than $72,000 to University of Minnesota’s research and patient care for brain, nerve, nonprofit organizations. Supported organizations include Children's and muscle disorders. — Minnesota Pets Assisting with Healing program, Crescent Cove, The Sheridan Story, and YouthLink Minnesota. Grand Slam Dinner The annual Grand Slam Dinner, hosted by Kyle and Elizabeth Gibson, raised more than $75,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs. Twins Community Outreach Did you know? # FUN FACT The 2019 Twins Winter Caravan traveled 3,442 miles. PAGE Braving all the elements an Upper Midwest winter has to offer, Minnesota Twins players, coaches, broadcasters, and alumni hit the road for two weeks in January 10 to visit Twins fans from all corners of Twins Territory. The 2019 Twins Winter Caravan, presented by Case IH, visited more than 40 communities. Participating Players and Alumni Ehire Adrianza, Tyler Austin, Rocco Baldelli, José Berríos, Bert Blyleven, Jake Cave, Mitch Garver, Dan Gladden, Stephen Gonsalves, Trevor Hildenberger, Alex Kirilloff, Jack Morris, Taylor Rogers, Eddie Rosario, Kohl Stewart 2019 Caravan Stops PAGE 11 Twins Community Outreach 2018 Hope Week — During each day of the annual Twins Hope Week, Twins players led their teammates, Twins alumni, front-office staff, and fans in volunteer activities benefiting causes close to their hearts. PAGE 12 6.18 6.19 6.20 6.20 Wiffle Ball Fun Day with Brian Dozier’s Cookout with Kyle Gibson’s Haiti Twins Wives Blanket Playworks for local youth Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Food Pack with Feed Making for Children’s facing home insecurity Cities, supported by Cub Foods My Starving Children Minnesota PAGE 6.21 6.22 6.23 6.24 13 Eduardo Escobar’s Dinner Mauer and Friends Classic PlayBall! Minnesota Youth Catch on the Field with with Esky for local benefiting Gillette Children’s Game Takeover in Brooklyn active military members Spanish-speaking youth Specialty Healthcare Park, presented by U.S. Bank and their families Twins Community Outreach Community Awards — The Twins are proud JAKE REED CHRIS PAUL TYLER WELLS DAVID BANUELOS to recognize the individuals in the PAGE 2018 HARMON KILLEBREW AWARD WINNERS organization who go 14 Presented by the Minnesota Twins to a player at each full-season affiliate above and beyond for their communities. TRIPLE—A ROCHESTER RED WINGS – JAKE REED for his work with the Challenger Baseball League and Meals on Wheels DOUBLE—A CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTS – CHRIS PAUL for his work helping underprivileged kids learn skills and receive school supplies they need for success in life and school ADVANCED—A FORT MYERS MIRACLE – TYLER WELLS for his work with the VS. Cancer Foundation and outreach to local children’s hospitals CLASS A CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS – DAVID BANUELOS for his work with animal rescues and outreach with the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital ROBERTO CLEMENTE NOMINEE KIRBY PUCKETT AWARD CARL R. POHLAD AWARD PAGE Presented to the Twins player who best Presented by the Twins Community Presented by the Twins Community 15 represents the game of baseball through Fund to a former Twins player or coach. Fund to a current Twins player or coach. extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive 2018 WINNER – 2018 WINNER – contributions, both on and off the field. COREY KOSKIE, JOSÉ BERRÍOS, for his dedication to for his Puerto Rico hurricane 2018 NOMINEE – improving the youth sports recovery efforts and work JOE MAUER, experience for players and with Hogar Forjadores for his work with the coaches alike. de Esperanza, a school Highland Friendship Club, for orphaned boys. Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, Crescent Cove, and the Twins Community Fund. Twins Community Outreach Puerto Rico Series — In April 2018, the Minnesota Twins hosted the Cleveland Indians for a two-game series in San Juan, Puerto Rico. While there, the Twins players and front office staff were joined by the Indians and Major League Baseball to hold baseball clinics, visit children’s hospitals, and assist with Hurricane Maria recovery efforts. 4.16 4.16 José Berríos led a group of his Eddie Rosario held a clinic for teammates in a visit to San Jorge 75 students at his former high Children’s Hospital in San Juan school, Escuela Dr.