The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

January 25, 2012

Bert Blyleven swings through Mankato on Twins Caravan tour

By Jim Rueda Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — For a lot of fans, baseball is all about the numbers.

Who has the highest batting average? How many home runs will it take to lead the league? What’s the magic number to win the Cy Young Award?

For the players, however, baseball is little less about the numbers and a lot more about the camaraderie. Becoming part of team, winning and losing together, making life-long friends is the allure for the major leaguer.

Recent Hall of Fame inductee Bert Blyleven reinforced that notion Wednesday night when he made a tour stop with the traveling Twins Caravan at the Kato Entertainment Center. He was joined by players Danny Valencia and Drew Butera as well as Twins president Dave St. Peter.

Blyleven, a former Twins standout pitcher turned broadcaster was inducted into the HOF last July after a 14-year wait. And, yes, he has the “numbers” to back it up — 287 career wins, 3,701 strikeouts, 242 complete games, 60 shutouts.

“When you look back over your career it’s the guys you played with you remember the most,” he said, during a pre-event press conference. That’s not surprising considering he played with the likes of Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Rod Carew and Kirby Puckett.

Blyleven said his life hasn’t changed significantly since being inducted into the Hall. He still interacts with the players, does his homework before broadcasts and still enjoys being part of the winter caravan.

“I did my first caravan in 1970 and I was glad to do it,” he said. “It’s a way to connect with the fans and to say thank you for all their support. They make our careers possible; we want them to know that we appreciate them.”

 As for having to wait 14 years before getting into the Hall of Fame, Blyleven said he has no major problems with the process.

“You have to remember it’s the baseball writers who do the voting,” he said. “It’s not the coaches or the players or the owners, it’s the writers.

“As a player, you hope your career was strong enough to persuade enough of the writers to vote for you. That’s all you can do.”

Blyleven admits the demands on his time are little more frequent now that he’s in the Hall but makes sure not to get overwhelmed.

“I sit down with my wife and we discuss what’s doable and what isn’t. We make sure to make time for each other. Family has to come first.”

Concerning the 2012 season, the broadcaster said he’s already looking forward to it.

“This is what I’ve always done,” he said. “I’ve spent my whole life associated with a kids game. I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing.”

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