Twins: Saturdays will have old-time look

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: November 25, 2008 - 6:45 AM

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The Twins unveiled throwback uniforms Monday, designed to celebrate their final season at the Metrodome.

Justin Morneau was instantly attached. "It would be nice if we'd wear these all the time," he said.

The uniforms are modeled after the ones the Twins wore in 1982, when they moved into the Dome, only these have button-down tops and belts. The red hats are back, too.

Teams brace for player backlash anytime uniforms are changed, but these could have the opposite effect.

"We'll probably try to wear these more than [once per week] because I think they did a pretty good job," said pitcher Glen Perkins, who joined Morneau for the unveiling at the IDS Crystal Court. "They're really comfortable, and they're awesome. It's a break from the pinstripes [on their regular uniforms]."

The Twins introduced sleeveless home jerseys in 2006, but the players abandoned them until Livan Hernandez wore them on days he pitched last season. Francisco Liriano kept the sleeveless look going after the Twins shipped Hernandez to Colorado in July.

The Twins allow their starting pitcher to pick their jersey for each game, but this time, they are committed to the retro look for each Saturday at home, no matter who pitches.

And if the players want to keep wearing them for every home game?

"That's not really our plan," Twins President Dave St. Peter said. "We still really love our other uniforms."

For 2009, the Twins will have their traditional white and gray pinstripe uniforms they have been using since 1987, as well as their sleeveless tops, their dark blue tops and the retro uniforms.

St. Peter said they will unveil another throwback uniform in 2010 to commemorate the team's 50th season in Minnesota and its first at Target Field. That one likely will resemble the Twins' first home uniforms from 1961.

By then, the traditional home and road pinstripe uniforms could be tweaked as well.

"We're looking at our overall uniform plan," St. Peter said. "But we're not planning an overhaul."

Morneau's thoughts

After finishing second to Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia in AL MVP voting announced last week, Morneau expressed no hard feelings.

"Pedroia deserved to win," said Morneau, the 2006 AL MVP. "We didn't make the playoffs. He was there for his team when it needed him. If I had to vote, I would have voted the same way."

Asked what moves the Twins should make this offseason, Morneau picked his words carefully.

"I don't want to take anything away from the guys that are there, but it would be nice to have another bat," he said. "We have a surplus of outfielders, and you don't want to see any of them go, but at the same time if we could make our team better, maybe that would be a good move to make.

"We need a shortstop, and third baseman. Who knows? I love [Brian Buscher], so it's hard for me to say anything about third base, but at the same time if we could add offense, it would be great."

Etc.

• The Red Sox made an offer to hire Mike Herman, the Twins' director of baseball communications, but he elected to stay with his hometown team.

• The Twins will have fans vote on their all-Metrodome team next year, with the results likely announced in a ceremony after their regular-season finale, Oct. 4 against Kansas City.