Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr and running back Jerick McKinnon paid a visit to Target Field on Saturday.
Anthony Barr, Jerick McKinnon visit Target Field
Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr and running back Jerick McKinnon paid a visit to Target Field on Saturday.
By mastertes
Both participated in a home run derby with Twins mascot, T.C., and Barr threw out the first pitch.
"I've never really caught a ball in this type of distance in front of you," said Barr, who didn't play baseball growing up but went to a handful of Dodgers games.
They got a chance before the game to talk to Tony Oliva, who has his No. 6 retired by the Twins and now serves as a personal assistant/ambassador.
Barr didn't want to practice, stating, "I'm a natural athlete, and I'll let the ability take over." But the Vikings won't have to worry about MLB teams drafting him anytime soon. He struggled to locate the ball while playing catch, went 0-for-7 during the home run derby (whiffing on a few underhand softball tosses) and lobbed in the first pitch standing in front of the mound.
McKinnon, who was a late addition to the pregame festivites (that's why he doesn't have his name and number on the back of his jersey), ended up tying T.C. with two home runs. The running back launched two softballs into the upper deck in left center field from the center field grass.
Before the event, Barr said he had more home run power than McKinnon, who responded, "I'm not even going to acknowledge his comments. …I have a little bit [of experience] and will make him feel bad when it comes that time. But right now I'm focused on my gameplan for winning the home run derby.
"I'm not even worried about [T.C.] either."
The two will head to Aurora, Ohio for the Rookie Symposium on Sunday and will last all week. Barr plans to return to California and McKinnon to Georgia over the next month until they report to training camp on July 24.
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Mike Conley was in Minneapolis, where he sounded the Gjallarhorn at the Vikings game, on Sunday during the robbery.