DETROIT - Twins manager Ron Gardenhire had a signed picture of Zach Parise on his bulletin board at Target Field long before Parise became a free agent.
Parise has taken batting practice before Twins games twice over the years, and after meeting him, Joe Mauer came away thinking, "He's a really good guy."
So when the Wild media relations staff asked the Twins to help with a quick recruiting video for Parise last month, Gardenhire and Mauer jumped at the chance.
Parise is wearing a Devils jersey in the picture, and Gardenhire pointed to it saying, "I'd like that jersey to be green."
Gardenhire also waved a $5 bill at the camera and promised to add it to Parise's contract.
"I don't think he needs the $5, but I definitely sent him a video," Gardenhire said. "I offered him about 18,000 rounds of batting practice. So I'll take credit for him."
Mauer did videos for Parise and Ryan Suter. He told Parise how much he's enjoyed playing before his friends and family in Minnesota.
"I think I was wearing a Wild jersey," Mauer said, "and I was just telling both of them that they'd look good in green."
JOE CHRISTENSEN
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