FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -Johan Santana sauntered over to Joe Mauer’s cubicle in the clubhouse at Minnesota’s spring training facility and asked the Twins’ catcher for a bat.
Wait, what was wrong with this picture?
Yes, Santana made a surprise visit Tuesday afternoon to his see his old teammates and coaches, taking advantage of his new team’s trip to Fort Myers, where he still has a house.
The New York Mets played across town at the same time against the Boston Red Sox, but Santana did not pitch – giving him a chance to come over and catch up.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner, traded by Minnesota to New York for four prospects in early February, convinced Mauer to give up one of his bats. He is, after all, in the National League now. Hitting is a part of the game for pitchers.
“I need to get ready for this,” Santana said. “I need more than one.”
Mauer playfully said he wasn’t sure if he could comply with that request.
After acknowledging he’s received a few batting tips from Mauer, Santana talked about missing his old team but also being excited about the future. He met with former manager Ron Gardenhire for about 45 minutes after the Twins’ game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
“It’s good to be back and say hello,” Santana said. “I thought I’d spend my career here and with nobody else. That didn’t happen. It’s a business, and that’s what they had to do. It’s sad, but I had to move on. I wish them all the best, and hopefully it works out for everybody.”
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