ST. CLOUD -- The Minnesota Twins Winter Caravan rolled into St. Cloud this (Tuesday) evening and Twins fans couldn't be more thrilled.

About 600 people piled into the River's Edge Convention Center from all over the area to meet their favorite players.

Brian Doucette, of Brainerd, says he has been attending the caravan since the days of Kirby Puckett.

"We've been coming to the Caravan since Kirby Puckett was a rookie," says Doucette.

Twins Legends Tony Oliva and Bert Blyleven and current players Trevor Plouffe, Jordan Schafer and Joe Mauer filled out tonight's lineup.

Mauer says it's fun to see the excitement already buzzing about the ball club.

"It's good to see the excitement, especially here in January since it's so cold outside and people are getting excited about baseball and about Twins baseball," says Mauer.

Fans had a chance to interact with the players, take pictures, get autographs and chat about the upcoming season.

Sherri LeSarge says she is excited about the moves the Twins have made in the off season.

"I'm excited about Torri Hunter coming back, he's a fan favorite," says LeSarge.

"You know just meeting the people I think that's the big thing," says Blyleven. "You know going from town to town and doing high school visits and thanking them and their parents for supporting Twins baseball."

The group had a chance to answer questions from the fans in attendance.

All the money raised from the event will go back into St. Cloud youth baseball and softball.

Plouffe says he appreciates the chance to travel around the state, not only to support the twins organization but meet the fans that support them.

"I love playing for the Twins and if I had my way I would be a Twin for life," says Plouffe.

Tonight's event was sold out.

 

Joe Mauer smiles as fans stop by for autographs at the Twins Winter Caravan. (Photo: Alex Svejkovsky, WJON News).
Joe Mauer smiles as fans stop by for autographs at the Twins Winter Caravan. (Photo: Alex Svejkovsky, WJON News).
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