Hear Me Out: It’s Time for Junior Ortiz Boulevard

[RandBalls Stu]

We already have Killebrew Drive, Carew Drive, and Puckett Place. But why stop there? We need to think outside the box when naming our state’s roads. We need Junior Ortiz Boulevard.One of the highest honors local sports heroes can garner is getting a block or two stretch of a city street named after them. We have a lot of roads in this state that could use some Hall of Fame or World Series luster. Think of how much better that back-up at the Lowry Tunnel would be if you were waiting for traffic to clear on the Gary Gaetti Travel Hole? The problem, as you might have noticed, is that there are but a handful of Twins in Cooperstown and a mere two titles.

 

We’re going to have to get creative. And we’re going to have to get a Junior Ortiz Boulevard.

 

Some might ask, why Junior? Younger people might ask who that even is. That utter failure in parenting aside, the backup catcher from the 1991 World Champs is deserving. Keith Atherton is deserving. Scott Erickson is deserving. Mike Pagliarulo? You guessed it: Deserving.

 

Since no one denies that this is the correct course of action, what’s left to determine is where to put Junior Ortiz Boulevard. I don’t think it should go to the Twin Cities: Minneapolis already has a couple baseball streets, and St. Paul doesn’t have so much as a parking lot named after Dave Winfield, Joe Mauer, or Paul Molitor, so they get nothing until they get their poop in a group. The greater metro can get bent out of shape when someone else in the cul-de-sac installs a front door that’s the wrong color, so they’re probably out. We must go into greater Minnesota. This is where the obvious answer lies:

 

New Ulm.

 

It’s a picturesque town in the Minnesota River Valley with a rich baseball tradition. More importantly, it’s the SECOND ULM. Ulm Senior is in Germany, making this one…junior.

 

I propose that New Ulm find a street, preferably the main drag, the one by the old Hardee’s, or the road by my friend Dave’s brewery, and correctly rename it Junior Ortiz Boulevard. The best way to do this is through citizen involvement, so I urge all reading this to reach out and make your voice heard.

 

New Ulm Chamber of Commerce: chamber@newulm.com

 

New Ulm Convention & Visitors Bureau: info@newulm.com

 

Mayor Robert J. Beussmann and the New Ulm City Council, now is the time to lead. When you’re cutting the ribbon on Junior Ortiz Boulevard this summer, voters will remember that where others feared to tread, you were bold, nimble, and decisive. Do the right thing. For Junior Ortiz. For democracy itself.

 

Image license here.

 

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[USAFChief]

New Ulm says they already have Terry Steinbach Strasse, danke.

[JDubs]

This is great. I was 9 when they won that series, and as a budding catcher, I for some reason decided Junior Ortiz was my favorite player (no idea why I picked the backup over the everyday guy) and I wore 0 throughout little league because of him. It would fulfill a dream I didn't even know I had to see Junior Ortiz Blvd.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I'd argue for Lenny Webster.

 

May 31, 1991: Twins lose to fall to 23-25, 5th place, 5.5 games out of first; Junior Ortiz placed on DL after the game, Lenny Webster recalled

June 1: Twins begin 15 game winning streak

June 16: Ortiz activated, Webster sent down, Twins finish the day at 38-25, in first place

June 17: Twins lose first game since May 31st

 

Without that Webster magic, it's possible the Twins don't even win the division in 1991!

[sweetmusicviola16]

 

I'd argue for Lenny Webster.

 

May 31, 1991: Twins lose to fall to 23-25, 5th place, 5.5 games out of first; Junior Ortiz placed on DL after the game, Lenny Webster recalled

June 1: Twins begin 15 game winning streak

June 16: Ortiz activated, Webster sent down, Twins finish the day at 38-25, in first place

June 17: Twins lose first game since May 31st

 

Without that Webster magic, it's possible the Twins don't even win the division in 1991!

March 14 1994 Webster was traded to Montreal as part of a conditional deal. I wonder if that deal was ever fulfilled. If not maybe we could get Lenny back. Except for the Expos are no longer.

[jkcarew]

I was thinking of posting an image of a street sign that read...

 

'0 Street'

 

I'm sure it's out there somewhere.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

March 14 1994 Webster was traded to Montreal as part of a conditional deal. I wonder if that deal was ever fulfilled. If not maybe we could get Lenny back. Except for the Expos are no longer.

Maybe this is the true curse affecting our Twins in the 21st century, rather than those of Mike Trombley or Big Papi?

[diehardtwinsfan]

Gene Larkin? He deserves it for one particular at bat. 

[prouster]

Nothing to say other than amen.

[Circus Boy]

 

I was thinking of posting an image of a street sign that read...

 

'0 Street'

 

I'm sure it's out there somewhere.

 

O Street is prominent in Lincoln, Neb.

[Ghost_Of_Sid_Hartman]

 

O Street is prominent in Lincoln, Neb.

There is also an O street on Coronado Island in San Diego. Appears to be a bit less prominent, perfect for a back-up catcher. 

[Ghost_Of_Sid_Hartman]

 

New Ulm says they already have Terry Steinbach Strasse, danke.

Maybe New Prague then. The main drag through town is unimaginatively called Main Street. Seems ripe for a change...

[jimbo92107]

Compromise. Re-name the city "Jr. Ulm."