Twins Hit 1000th Home Run at Target Field- For Real This Time

[Melissa Berman]

Last week, we covered the 1000th home run hit by a Twins player at Target Field that really wasn't. Despite the in-stadium fanfare, including the Target Field outfield big screen labeling Byron Buxton's blast during May 15's finale vs the Guardians as home run #1000, an eagle-eyed Twitter user spotted a counting discrepancy that meant Buxton's home run was actually #999. The Twins issued a correction, everyone backpedaled, and the wait for the real #1000 was back on. 

 

 

After embarking on a weeklong road trip, the Twins returned to Target Field on Monday to begin a series vs the Detroit Tigers. Fans did not have to wait long for the Twins to finally reach the milestone in the most grandiose of fashion.

In the first inning with the bases loaded with Luis Arraez, Carlos Correa and Jorge Polanco, Max Kepler hit a towering, 408-foot grand slam off pitcher Elvin Rodriguez. It was such a sure thing that outfielder Robbie Grossman did not even turn around. A rare feat, it was only the 17th grand slam hit by the Twins in the 12 years of Target Field, but the third so far this season (Gary Sanchez, Royce Lewis and Kepler).

This time, the Twins did not recognize the milestone in-stadium or tweet it out on their official account, but various other affiliates did, including Twins Radio and Bally Sports North.

A Twin for his entire MLB career so far, it was fitting that Kepler was the one to bring the team to the 1000 mark. In addition to #1000, Kepler is also responsible for Target Field's 600th and 700th home runs. He is one of 78 different players to contribute to this statistic.

So, for those looking to put a bow on the benign controversy of the 1000th home run that wasn't, this story has come to a close. This 1000th home-run saga is also perhaps a lesson in the power one individual voice can have, especially in the age of social media: one individual Twitter account speaking up led to a billion-dollar sports franchise issuing a correction.  If this had occurred in the pre-Twitter era, who knows whether or not anyone else would have taken notice.

Happy #1000, Target Field, and here's to the next 1000. 

 

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