Wood
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Stories and Features
While not exactly a Justin Morneau news item, the following story does pertain to Morneau as he is one of the hundreds of MLB players that uses a maple bat (BWP Bats, in Justin’s case).
Click HERE to read about the new Major Leauge Baseball standards for maple bats in 2009.
International Male
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Stats and Milestones
Justin Morneau was named The Canadian Press male athlete of the year for 2008. Morneau topped a survey of Canada’s sports editors and broadcasters with 99 points to win the Lionel Conacher Award, named for the all-rounder voted Canada’s athlete of the half-century in 1950. Pittsburgh Penguins captain and 2007 winner Sidney Crosby was second with 82 points, followed by Olympic stars Eric Lamaze (81) and Simon Whitfield (78).
“Any time you can beat out a hockey player in anything in Canada, it’s an accomplishment,” said Morneau. “It’s pretty cool, especially with the people who have been named to this award.”
Click HERE to check out the full story.
Good eye, good eye
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Uncategorized
Justin Morneau went under the knife (laser) to correct the vision in both of his eyes. He joins teammates Michael Cuddyer, Jesse Crain and Denard Span who have also undergone the procedure. To read a little more on the subject click HERE.
Christmas with the MVP
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Fan Stuff
Justin Morneau was busy spreading holiday cheer from North to South this week.
JMo took a number of families shopping and connected them to their loved ones serving in the military. Click HERE and/or HERE to check out news coverage.
Morneau also sent gifts to all Twins employees in both Minneapolis and Ft. Myers to show his appreciation for their work throughout the season.
On and off the field, the guy is an MVP!
Merry Christmas to everyone from your friends at JustinMorneau.com!
Ask not what your country can do for you
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Events
Justin Morneau was the first player named to the Team Canada team that will participate in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Morneau is expected to be joined by fellow Canadians Jason Bay, Rich Harden, Jeff Francis, Russell Martin, Ryan Dempster and Twins teammate Jesse Crain.
Team Canada will kick off the WBC with a March 7th game against the United States. The US team is expected to include Twins Joe Mauer and Joe Nathan. In 2006 Team Canada upset Team USA in a first round match-up. Ernie Whitt will manage TC.
Throughout the 2008 season Morneau was busy “recruiting” fellow Canadians and has been jokingly referred to as the assistant general manager for the WBC squad.
To read full coverage (including a number of JMo quotes) click HERE.
The Tip Tops Off Great Season for Morneau
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Stats and Milestones, Stories and Features
Justin Morneau was named the winner of the Tip O’Neill Award. The award is given annually to Canada’s best ballplayer. Morneau also won the award following his MVP season of 2006 and became one of only 4 players to win the award multiple times. Larry Walker won the award nine times throughout his career.
“I’ve got a long way to go to match Larry - he’s a Hall of Famer in my books,” said Morneau. “But anytime you want to mention my name in the same sentence as his, that’s cool with me!”
To read The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s complete story click HERE.
$5 Justin Morneau T-Shirt Sale
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Fan Stuff
JustinMorneau.com is offering 5 of its most popular t-shirt styles for only $5 each!
This offer is available exclusively through the JustinMorneau.com Fan Shop.
The $5 sale price is valid until 12/19/08 or while supplies last.
Order now for the best assortment of styles and sizes!
Tip the Vote
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Stats and Milestones
Justin Morneau is among the finalists for the 2008 Tip O’Neill Award. The award is presented each year to the a Canadian born player “judged to have excelled in individual achievement and team contribution while adhering to baseball’s highest ideals.”
To place your vote for JMo click HERE.
Other MLBers being considered for the award include Ryan Dempster, Rich Harden, Jason Bay and Joey Votto.
Morneau was the Tip O’Neill Award Winner in 2006. The photos below are of Justin being presented the award (courtesy of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame).
Saturday Special
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Events, Fan Stuff
JustinMorneau.com was on hand for the Twins throwback jersey unveiling at the IDS Crystal Court yesterday. A full recap of the event will follow soon but in the meantime, enjoy these exclusive pics of Justin Morneau and Glen Perkins modeling the new jerseys.
New Jersey Update
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Events, Fan Stuff
Justin Morneau and Glen Perkins will model the new Twins throwback jersey this Monday, November 24th. The ceremony will take place at noon in the IDS Crystal Court in Minneapolis. Kent Hrbek and Dick Bremer will also be in attendance.
The first 500 fans attending the event will receive a special Metrodome commemorative patch similar to those the Twins will wear on their jerseys this year.
The jerseys will be modeled after those worn by the Twins during their first season in the Metrodome - 1982. The Twins will wear the jerseys during Saturday home games throughout the season.
Check back to JustinMorneau.com after the event for exclusive coverage and photos!
Runner Up
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Fan Stuff, Stats and Milestones
Justin Morneau missed out on winning his second American League MVP Award today. Morneau received 257 points and was edged out by Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox who received votes totaling 317 points. Morneau received 7 of the 28 first place votes. To read the complete story at MLB.com, click HERE.
JustinMorneau.com is gathering fan messages to send to Justin in the wake of of his MVP runner-up finish. Click HERE to send Justin a personal message.
All notes will be sent to JMo at the end of November.
Crossed Fingers
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Stats and Milestones
The 2008 American League Most Valuable Player will be announced today at 1pm CST. Justin Morneau is among a handful of players in the running for the award.
Check back to JustinMorneau.com later in the day for updated information.
Secret Sneaker
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Fan Stuff, Stories and Features
I ran across this post today. I’m not exactly sure what’s going on, but it appears to be Mr. Justin Morneau filming a shoe commercial of some sort. Must be a new high-tech-super-secret-shoe because the blogger blurred it out in the pic. Morneau is a Reebok guy so maybe they gave him his own shoe?
Ag Slugger
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Stats and Milestones
Justin Morneau was named to the 2008 Silver Slugger team today. This is the second time Morneau has been a member of the Silver Slugger team. He last made the team in 2006 - his MVP year. As he did in 2006, teammate Joe Mauer joined Morneau on the 2008 American League team.
Louisville Slugger presents the Silver Slugger Award to the top hitters by position in the AL and NL. Major League managers and coaches vote for the players they think are the best offensive producers.
To view the complete American and National League Silver Slugger Teams click HERE.
To view the complete Periodic Table of the Elements click HERE.
Legacy Award
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Stats and Milestones
Justin Morneau and Albert Pujols are this year’s recipients of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum’s Oscar Charleston Award which is presented to the MVP of each league. Twins teammate Joe Mauer won the Buck Leonard award, presented to the batting champion of each league.
For the full list of 2008 Legacy Award Winners and to read the rest of the story, click HERE.
New Jersey - Not the state or the Bon Jovi album
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Fan Stuff
From Sid Hartman’s column:
The Twins will unveil a new uniform commemorating the team’s first season in the Metrodome at a special event featuring Justin Morneau on November 24.
More details will be posted on JustinMorneau.com as they become available.
Awards Season
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Stats and Milestones
The MLB Awards season begins this Monday and runs through Tuesday, November 18th when the American League MVP is announced. Justin Morneau, Dustin Pedroia and Francisco Rodriguez are all in the mix for the AL MVP this year.
- Monday (11/10) - AL and NL Rookies of the Year
- Tuesday (11/11) - NL Cy Young Award
- Wednesday (11/12) - AL and NL Managers of the Year
- Thursday (11/13) - AL Cy Young Award
- Thursday (11/13) - Silver Slugger Team
- Monday (11/17) - NL MVP
- Tuesday (11/18) - AL MVP
Morneau is a This Week in Baseball Best Hitter nominee. You can vote for Justin by clicking HERE.
Black Cats and BWP Bats
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Fan Stuff
If you’re going to dress up as a ballplayer for Halloween, might as well go as one of the best. Gage W. dressed up as Justin Morneau this year and the resemblance to the “real” JMo at about the same age is not far off!
Pups in the Park
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Events
Be sure to join Stephanee Neshek and other Twins Wives at the Pups in the Park event Saturday, October 25th from 11am to 3pm.
CLICK HERE for full details.
Pop the Clutch
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Fan Stuff
Justin Morneau is among the finalists for the 2008 Pepsi Clutch Performer of the Year Award. Click the image below to cast your vote for Morneau.
The Clutch Performer award recognizes the player who performed his best when the game was on the line. He is the player that rises to the occasion when his team needs him most. He is clutch.
Cast your vote for the 2008 MLB Clutch Performer of the Year. Then, tune in to ESPN at 7PM ET on October 22nd for the unveiling of the winner.
One More Chance
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Events
Game 163 is about to start and I’m sitting in Maryland dressed in full Twins gear as nervous as if I were playing. Since no one in Baltimore cares about baseball anymore (See: Orioles consecutive losing seasons) I wasn’t bothered with talk about the game at work today. Now that the pre-game is on, the anxiety has definitely set in.
Let’s focus on the positives:
- Twins control their destiny
- Justin Morneau has a chance to add to his MVP candidacy
- JMo can win the AL RBI crown with a 2 RBI game
- Joe Mauer can add to his 2008 AL Batting Champ numbers
- Nick Blackburn can make Ozzie Guillen eat ****
What a ride it’s been!
Win Twins!
Root, Root for the Away Team…
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Stats and Milestones
Twins fans are suddenly Tigers fans, as we wait at least one more day to see who will win the 2008 AL Central Division championship. Detroit travels to Chicago to face the Sox tomorrow in a make-up game from a rain out earlier this year.
Tigers win - Twins in the playoffs.
Sox win - Twins fly to Chicago to face the White Sox on Tuesday.
Click HERE to listen to Justin Morneau talk about facing the White Sox.
Go Tigers!
33 Field
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Events, Stories and Features
What an up and down week of Twins baseball! In the middle of the wins and losses, Justin Morneau took time to break ground on a new baseball field being developed in Northeast Minneapolis. The construction costs are being covered by The MVP and the Twins.
Click HERE to watch the story at KARE11.com.
Closing In
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Stats and Milestones
The Twins moved within 1.5 games of division leader Chicago when they defeated the White Sox 9-3 last night. Justin Morneau delivered a double and drove in a run in the game. The double was Morneau’s 47th of the season and set a new Twins record (Marty Cordova had 46 in 1996). The RBI was Morneau’s 129th of the season and leaves him only one behind his career-high of 130 set in his MVP season of 2006. In 77 career games against the White Sox, Morneau has driven in 70 runs.
33 for MVP - 2008 Edition!
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Fan Stuff
Here we go again!
Justin Morneau is leading the Twins on another improbable run to the playoffs. And along the way, he has knocked in 120+ runs, maintained a .300 batting average, hit over 20 home runs, and is making a strong case to win his second Most Valuable Player award.
Shirts are available in mens sizes and womens babydoll tees.
It’s election year - wear your Vote – pick up your 33 For MVP shirt today!
Get your 33 for MVP shirt HERE
Justin Morneau Nominated for Marvin Miller Man of the Year
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Fan Stuff, Stats and Milestones, Stories and Features
FROM MLB.com
NEW YORK — Fans know of five-tool players, the highest designation given by scouts of an individual’s ability. An award that fans can assist in bestowing is for six-tool players. That sixth tool is devotion to community service.
The six-tool player is one who does not limit his value to the ballpark. Away from the yard, many players devote money, time and energy to various causes that benefit their communities. Their value is measured not in statistics but in commitment to those in need. Such players have been recognized by the Major League Baseball Players Association annually since 1997 with the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award.
The award, named after the first executive director of the PA, is presented each year to a player elected by his peers as the one who best combines on-field performance with community service. It takes more than RBIs or strikeouts to earn this award. It requires devotion to philanthropic and charitable causes, going above and beyond the call of duty to come to the aid of those struggling with hardships.
Voting begins this week on MLB.com and MLBPLAYERS.com
Minnesota Twins: Justin Morneau
Morneau, the AL MVP in only in his second season in 2006, has established himself as an MVP in his community as well. He has met and hosted Special Olympics athletes at Twins games and serves as a member of the honorary board of the Special Olympics Minnesota. In 2007, Morneau dedicated $100 per RBI to renovate youth ball fields in the Minneapolis area with the hope of reviving inner city baseball. His program, Morneau’s Mounties, has provided tickets to more than 20,000 economically disadvantaged youth from the Twin Cities.
4 More (Take 3)
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Stats and Milestones
Justin Morneau delivered 4 RBI for the third time in the last eight days. Unfortunately, the Twins needed a few more RBI, as they fell to the Detroit Tigers 7-5.
Morneau plated the first two runs with an RBI triple in the third inning and brought in the last two with sacrifice flies in the fifth and seventh innings.
Morneau has 117 RBI on the season and is creeping up on league-leader Josh Hamilton, who has 124. Morneau has knocked in 13 runs over the past eight days to Hamilton’s eight.
Four More (Take 2)
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Stats and Milestones
For the second time in a week, Justin Morneau drove in four runs in a game. Morneau hit a grand slam in the fifth inning of the Twins 10-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers. Morneau has 22 home runs and 113 RBI this season.
The grand slam was the fourth of Morneau’s career, and the second of the season. JMo knocked in four or more runs in a game for the 16th time in his career, and 5th time of the season.
Road Hard
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Items that Defy Classification
Alaska and Arizona out, Minnesota in.
Four More
Posted by JustinMorneau.com in Stats and Milestones
Justin Morneau’s 4 RBI and 21st home run of the season helped the Twins defeat the Oakland A’s 12 to 4 Sunday afternoon.
The 4 RBI raised Morneau’s season total to 108. He is second in the American League in RBI (Josh Hamilton - 117 RBI) and third in MLB (Ryan Howard - 115). The runs batted in were the 499/500/501/502 of Morneau’s career.
Morneau had a strong series in Oakland, hitting .412 and driving in 6 runs in the 4 games.
On Labor Day JMo rested. The Twins open a series in Morneau’s homeland on Tuesday vs. the Blue Jays.