Joe Mauer had practiced his speech plenty of times the past few weeks, hoping that would help him keep his composure when he had to deliver it live.
This wasn't like stepping into the box after taking batting practice though. Stoic Joe was no match for this moment.
Mauer saw a video of him and his brothers playing Wiffle ball in the backyard as kids, and his emotions came rushing out.
"Wearing the No. 7 the past 15 years has been my absolute pleasure," he said into a microphone with 39,000 fans listening intently. "And being able to play my entire career in that number in front of my family, friends and fans here at home means more to me than any of you will ever know."
Mauer paused to collect himself. The Target Field crowd rose to its feet for another standing ovation for No. 7, a number never to be worn again by a Twins player after the organization officially retired it Saturday evening.
Everything about the pregame ceremony felt pitch-perfect, even the weather, which offered only a few sprinkles before clearing up, despite ominous forecasts all day.
The weather gods refused to let it rain on Mauer's moment.
And what a moment it was, a first-class event that included appearances from a who's who of Twins royalty, a surprise visit from Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench and a video message from hip-hop artist T.I., whose song "What You Know" served as Mauer's walk-up song for 13 seasons.