KANSAS CITY, MO. – Byron Buxton is wearing bright orange Nike cleats this season to honor his sons, his wife, his parents and his Georgia hometown.
And perhaps to strike a little fear in the opposition, too.
That's been the effect two games into the 2023 season, anyway, after Buxton doubled, singled and scored the Twins' only two runs on Saturday, helping Minnesota shut out the Royals by the same 2-0 score as on Opening Day. Sonny Gray and four relievers provided the first back-to-back season-opening shutouts in Twins history, and for the second game in a row, Buxton was the catalyst for the Twins offense.
"Maybe my boys put a little magic in" those shoes, Buxton mused.
Could be. Or maybe Buxton, his knees healthy again after winter surgery and freed for now of the responsibility of roaming the outfield, is just using his bat and his shoes to force his will on the Royals.
"I've never played with somebody like that. He's just a one-of-one player," said new teammate Kyle Farmer, who picked up an RBI by hitting a shallow fly ball to center field in the sixth inning — somehow deep enough to score the Twins' fastest player from third base. "It's incredible watching him play and what he does. I'm glad he was on third."
If it was anyone else, this game may still be scoreless. Buxton's first-inning double to the left-field corner could have been a baserunning error, because Nate Eaton's throw to second base arrived just ahead of the runner.
But with Buxton bearing down on him, second baseman Nicky Lopez allowed the ball to hop over his glove, and Buxton was safe.