MANKATO — Of all the people standing in line to get Tony Oliva’s autograph, Dave Johnson has probably met and greeted the former Minnesota Twins great more than anyone.
“This might be the 14th time I’ve gotten (Oliva’s) autograph,” said Johnson, 58, of Mankato.
When Johnson was 15, he saw Oliva play at Met Stadium in Game 6 of the 1965 World Series. That was also the year he got his first autograph from Oliva.
Johnson, along with hundreds of baseball fans, lined up to get Oliva’s signature on anything from Twins hats to baseball bats before Thursday’s Mankato MoonDogs game at Franklin Rogers Park.
“When we have the opportunity to have one of the Twins’ greats to come down, it’s unbelievable,” said MoonDogs’ general manager Kyle Mrozek. “And you couldn’t ask for anyone better to come down than Tony Oliva.”
It was Oliva’s first appearance in Mankato since he signed autographs at a MoonDogs game three years ago.
“I’ve made it here to Mankato many times since 1964,” said Oliva, now 70 years old and living in Bloomington. Oliva said Mankato was always one of the biggest stops along the Minnesota Twins Winter Caravan.
“The fans love him because he was a great Twin,” Mrozek said. “But also because he’s fun, happy and a good guy to talk to.”
These days, aside from making fan appearances, Oliva works full time for the Twins’ organization, doing public relations work that includes radio play-by-play for Spanish-speaking affiliates. Oliva also does some coaching for the Twins.
Oliva spent all of his 14-year playing career (1964-76) in a Twins uniform, making eight straight trips to the All-Star Game (1964-71) with three American League batting titles, an AL Rookie of the Year Award (1964) and a Gold Glove (1966).
Still, Oliva has never been selected to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.
“It’s great to see (young fans),” said Oliva, sitting near the grandstand after throwing out the first pitch and wearing his 1991 World Champions ring he earned as the Twins hitting coach.
“It’s because of the parents and grandparents who have passed the message to the kids and tell about me and baseball.”
Oliva said he doesn’t get much time to get out and make as many appearances since he’s busy working within the Twins’ organization, but when “Tony-O” does show up, the fans appreciate it.
“It’s always very special to get an autograph of your childhood hero,” Johnson said.
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