At 11:30 a.m. today a bronze statue of Oliva will be unveiled near Gate 6, adding to the Target Field tributes of the Twins’ greatest players. Oliva, who played with Killebrew from 1962-1974, had a lifetime batting average of .304 and is one of six Twins to have his number retired.
Although he won three American League batting titles and was an eight-time All-Star, Oliva isn’t in baseball’s Hall of Fame. Now 70 years old, Oliva’s statue at Target Field may become the most lasting tribute to a great hitter who after retirement remained in this community and is a special assistant with the Twins’ organization.
Oliva, like Killebrew, is an affable guy who so often has been willing to help others. He will receive a lot of love from the fans and organization today.
Oliva will remember this day, too, because his son Rick Oliva, along with Maria Versalles, will perform the National Anthem before the game. Versalles is the daughter of the late Zoilo Versalles, the American League MVP shortstop on the Twins’ 1965 pennant winner and former teammate of Killebrew and Oliva.
Some fans will be able to meet Oliva today. At noon he will be at Gate 6 greeting fans (in recognition of his No. 6 uniform number).
Kent Hrbek will be at Gate 14, Rod Carew at 29 and the late Kirby Puckett’s children, Kirby, Jr. and Catherine, at 34. Killebrew’s sons, Cam and Ken, will substitute for their father at Gate 3.