Role Reversal: Twins get autographs from some special kids

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MINNEAPOLIS – It’s not unusual for big league players to participate in an autograph session prior to a game. But what took place at Target Field on Saturday afternoon was special.

Thanks in large part to an impetus from Brooks Lee, the Twins held a “reverse autograph session” to honor children battling complex medical conditions. The club welcomed nine kids from Gillette Children’s Hospital, which treats kids with brain, bone, and movement conditions who require specialized care.

Usually, it’s young fans showing players their appreciation. In this case, it was turned on its head.

It was great, just seeing smiles on their faces,” said Lee, one of 14 Twins players to participate. “Makes us happy too. I looked forward to it, coming to the field early and getting to see those kids. Try to give them an experience that’s going to last, and a really cool memory. But also it’s for us, too. Selfishly, we really enjoy it as well.”

The kids were guests of the club all day, from an early arrival and the autograph session in the early afternoon, to watching batting practice on the field, being recognized at the start of the game, and sticking around to watch the Twins play the Nationals. But the special time with players, coaches, and mascot TC Bear stood out.

Not long after arriving at the park, the nine kids set up at a long table in the press conference room at Target Field. Wearing Twins jerseys, each one sat at a seat with their nameplate, and they had custom-made Topps baseball cards with their names and facts about them to hand out.

And starting with Lee and several relievers, Twins players began rolling through, asking them for their autographs. The idea was to make the kids feel special, to recognize their resilience and strength, and it worked.

“I thought it was a great idea,” said Elizabeth Marsh, whose daughter Allison was one of the signers. “I think the event is really cool. A lot of our kiddos, they grow up in Minnesota. Sports are a huge thing in Minnesota. Baseball’s a huge thing. The Twins are just amazing.

“We weren’t sure what exactly we were going to be doing today, but they had it set up so nicely for our kids. What a phenomenal event to be a part of, and for our kids to experience. To have that reverse role of the players asking them for their autographs is such a cool idea.”

It was meaningful for the players as well. Lee learned of the concept from the Mariners holding a similar event, and he helped push for it to happen in Minneapolis. He first became familiar with Gillette at a community event last winter, and the hospital and its mission stuck with him.

And on Saturday, he helped spur 14 Twins players and several coaches, as well as manager Rocco Baldelli, to make some kids’ day.

“We have great teammates,” Lee said. “Good people. They’re great players, but they’re better people, and I think that needs to be known throughout the community. Not just baseball players. We’re willing to give. We have a lot of great personalities in that clubhouse that are willing to stand up for each other.”

The event took place on National Disability Awareness Day; that’s not a coincidence. The Twins saw it as a perfect day to recognize the kids, many of whom will be dealing with medical conditions for the rest of their lives.

“A lot of these kids have lifelong conditions,” said Hannah Bremer, manager, community impact, for the Twins. “So it’s kids who are navigating a lot, getting ongoing treatment throughout their entire lives. And so we wanted to do this to celebrate the resiliency and flip the script a little bit. Position them as the heroes, the all-stars, the legends.”