Twins Hold Solemn Phone Flashlight Vigil In Remembrance of Jhoan Duran

“It's what he would've wanted,” said little Suzie Romero, a six-year-old from St. Paul who made the trek to Target Field after news broke of her favorite player being traded away from the Twins. “Wherever you are, Jhoan, I hope you can see this.”

She then illuminated the flashlight on her iPhone 16 and placed it in a little plastic Dixie cup holder. Her mom picked her up, and the two held their lights toward the smoky night sky.

Those lights joined a few hundred more as a tribute to former Twins closer Jhoan Duran, who was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon for two prospects. The Twins haven't announced if they've included his riveting entrance music and accompanying light show in the deal. Rumor has it they were hoping to recoup some monetary value for that as a throw-in. 

“She’s never going to be able to listen to Guaracha music without thinking of him again,” said Maria, Suzie's mother, with a single tear running down her cheek. “She must feel Incomprendido, indeed.”

The Twins opened the doors for this vigil out of the goodness of their hearts during their fanbase’s time of emotional need, and some clever marketing allowed them to reap those ever-important extra concession and merchandise sales. They offered beer at a rate of $5.90 per ounce (a reference to Duran’s jersey number with the Twins), and they even had a BOGO relief pitcher deal (buy one get one free pitchers of best-selling taps, also a reference to the fact that multiple other bullpen pieces will be gone via trade within the next 24 hours). 

The tribute concluded with a 21-gun T-shirt cannon salute and TC Bear’s massive red Twins flag being flown at half-staff. LIGHT UP YOUR PHONES!, the video board exhorted fans, this time to stave off the darkness of onrushing despair for just a few moments longer.