In 30 days, Mike Redmond will be catching fastballs from Matt Guerrier in the warmth of Fort Myers, Fla., when Major League Baseball pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for spring training on Feb. 12.
On Monday night, Redmond and Guerrier were in Duluth -- where the temperature was a modest 6 degrees -- with general manager Bill Smith and radio voice and former Minnesota pitcher Jack Morris for the Twins Winter Caravan's stop at Grandma's Sports Garden.
"Enjoy the second half of winter," Smith said jokingly to the packed Sports Garden crowd.
The Twins, coming off an 88-73 season in which they lost a one-game playoff for the American League Central Division title 1-0 to the Chicago White Sox, thanked fans for their support as part of the team's 49th annual tour throughout the state.
Redmond, Minnesota's backup catcher, has been on the caravan tour each year since joining the Twins in 2005.
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"It's fun to get to little towns to see people that don't get the opportunity to come to the [Twin] Cities to see us play, and say, 'thanks,' " he said. "I'm amazed each year going to these places and seeing all these Twins fans. It's just a testament to the organization."
The event, emceed by Kris Atteberry of the Twins Radio Network, began with a highlight video from the 2008 season and ended with an autograph session. In between, Atteberry combed the crowd for fans who had questions for Guerrier, Redmond, Morris and Smith.
"I feel like I'm one of them in the audience. It's nice," said Morris, a St. Paul native who pitched a 10-inning shutout in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series in his only season with Minnesota. "I feel very comfortable when I do these things, no matter where I go."
Nick Rhodes, 13, of Duluth was hoping to get autographs from the Twins players.
"Redmond's pretty cool," said Rhodes, who likes Minnesota's chances entering the 2009 season. "I think they're going to do pretty good. Their hitting and fielding will be the key."
Proceeds from the event went to the Boys & Girls Club of the Northland.
