Twins announce plans for 2024 Winter Caravan presented by Case IH
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MN – The defending American League Central Division Champion Minnesota Twins today announced the three-leg, 11-city schedule for the 62nd edition of the Twins Winter Caravan presented by Case IH, set for January 23-30. The 2024 Caravan – one of professional sports’ longest-running and most extensive fan engagement tours – will feature Twins players, coaches, alumni and broadcasters traveling to communities in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota.
“With a new year upon us, there is no better – or more meaningful – way to start what we believe will be a special 2024 season of Twins Baseball than by visiting our fans in their own home communities,” said Twins President & CEO Dave St. Peter. “The Twins Winter Caravan is a unique and beloved tradition for our players, staff, alumni and fans alike, and we thank Case IH for their continued support. We cannot wait to get out on the road, see our fans, and share in the celebration of past success and excitement for an even better year ahead.”
The 2024 Twins Winter Caravan presented by Case IH includes a trio of groups – each featuring two current Twins players, an alumnus and a club broadcaster – traveling to different locales throughout the Upper Midwest. Each day of their respective tours will culminate with traditional evening “Hot Stove” programming (including question-and-answer, autograph and meet-and-greet sessions) in partnership with the Treasure Island Baseball Network.
Additionally, the Twins will participate in, and provide support for, events on January 24 (Baseball Old Timers Hot Stove League in St. Paul, Minnesota), February 1 (Let’s Kick Hunger Day Radiothon to benefit Second Harvest Heartland), February 3 (Justin Morneau Ice Fishing Tournament in St. Isle, Minnesota to benefit United Heroes League) and February 7 (Black Woods Blizzard Tour in Carlton, Minnesota to fund the fight against ALS).
More information on each of these events is available below or online at twins.com/caravan.
2024 Twins Winter Caravan presented by Case IH – Leg 1 (Tuesday, January 23 – Wednesday, January 24)
Attendees: Twins Hall of Famer and longtime radio voice Dan Gladden; Twins utility player Willi Castro and left-handed pitcher Caleb Thielbar; and Twins mascot T.C.
Stops:
Tuesday, January 23: Rochester, Minnesota for a private visit with patients and their families at Mayo Eugenio Litta Children’s Hospital and a private stop on behalf of KROC-FM; and Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Veterans Memorial Field) for a Hot Stove event. The evening Hot Stove festivities will feature special guest Brian Dinkelman, skipper of the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota’s High-A affiliate) and the 2023 Baseball America Manager of the Year, as the Twins celebrate the Kernels’ historic 2023 Midwest League championship.
Wednesday, January 24: Randolph, Minnesota (Randolph High School) for a private visit with students at Caleb Thielbar’s alma mater; and Welch, Minnesota (Treasure Island Resort & Casino) for a private youth clinic with the Prairie Island Indian Community, followed by a Hot Stove event in partnership with KWNG-FM. Twins Hall of Famer Justin Morneau and club Senior Vice President, General Manager Thad Levine will join the group in Welch.
2024 Twins Winter Caravan presented by Case IH – Leg 2 (Tuesday, January 23 – Wednesday, January 24)
Attendees: Twins left-handed pitcher Kody Funderburk and utility player Nick Gordon; new Twins lead radio play-by-play voice Kris Atteberry; former Twins three-time All-Star closer and current broadcaster Glen Perkins; and Twins mascot T.C.
Stops:
Tuesday, January 23: Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Elmen Center at Augustana University) for a Hot Stove event in partnership with KSOO-AM.
Wednesday, January 24: Fargo, North Dakota (Sanctuary Events Center) for a Hot Stove event in partnership with KFGO-AM.
2024 Twins Winter Caravan – Leg 3 (Sunday, January 28 – Tuesday, January 30)
Attendees: Twins right-handed pitcher Louie Varland and outfielder Matt Wallner; new Twins lead television play-by-play voice Cory Provus; former Twins pitcher, current broadcaster and special assistant LaTroy Hawkins; and Twins mascot T.C.
Stops:
Sunday, January 28: St. Paul, Minnesota for a special appearance at the St. Paul Winter Carnival Snow Park at the Fair; and Duluth, Minnesota (Sports Garden) for a Hot Stove event in partnership with KDAL-AM.
Monday, January 29: Forest Lake, Minnesota (Forest Lake High School) for a private visit with students at Matt Wallner’s alma mater; and St. Cloud, Minnesota (Rivers Edge Convention Center) for a Hot Stove event in partnership with WJON-AM. Twins President & CEO Dave St. Peter will join the group in St. Cloud.
Tuesday, January 30: Mankato, Minnesota for a private clinic with The Miracle League of North Mankato, followed by an evening Hot Stove event at the Kato Ballroom in partnership with KTOE-AM.
The Twins will also lend their participation and support to the following events throughout the region:
- Baseball Old Timers Hot Stove League on Wednesday, January 24. This event at the Southview Country Club in St. Paul, Minnesota will feature Twins President, Baseball Operations Derek Falvey; Twins manager Rocco Baldelli; Twins Hall of Famers Jerry Bell and Jim Rantz; St. Paul Saints Executive Vice President / General Manager Derek Sharrer and Vice President / Director of Broadcasting & Media Relations Sean Aronson; and former major league umpire Tim Tschida.
- Let’s Kick Hunger Food Drive in partnership with News Talk 830 WCCO to benefit Brooklyn Park, Minnesota-based Second Harvest Heartland on Thursday, February 1. Twins new radio play-by-play voice Kris Atteberry will help lead an hour of WCCO’s radiothon raising funds to end hunger, with the Twins matching all donations up to $10,000.
- Justin Morneau Ice Fishing Classic to benefit United Heroes League (UHL) on Saturday, February 3. This event in Isle, Minnesota, led by Twins Hall of Famer and current television analyst Justin Morneau, benefits UHL in its efforts help military families heal, build friendships and engage in their communities through sports. Former Twins infielder Corey Koskie will be in attendance, while the Twins will support UHL with a financial donation.
- Black Woods Blizzard Tour in partnership with Never Surrender, Inc. on Wednesday, February 7. This four-day event, which begins the evening of February 7 in Carlton, Minnesota, raises funds for ALS research, organizations providing services that empower people living with ALS to be more independent, and financial assistance for full-time family caregivers for those afflicted with ALS. The Twins will present a $10,000 check at the kick-off dinner to support Never Surrender, Inc., while Twins Hall of Famers Ron Gardenhire and Kent Hrbek will be in attendance, along with former Twins catchers Tim Laudner and Terry Steinbach.