Santana dons López jersey as former and current Twins pitchers share pregame moment at mound
Former Minnesota Twins pitcher Johan Santana, right, wearing a Pablo Lopez jersey, talks to the current pitcher before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of an American League Division Series baseball game against the Houston Astros, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in Minneapolis. Credit: AP/Bruce Kluckhorn
MINNEAPOLIS — When former Minnesota Twins star Johan Santana threw out the ceremonial first pitch, the two-time AL Cy Young Award winner had a special guest bring him the ball: Pablo López.
When López approached the mound, Santana had a surprise for the Twins right-hander who grew up idolizing him. Santana took off his jacket to reveal a white No. 49 López jersey, before the two Venezuelans shared a smile and a hug as the Target Field crowd roared before Game 3 of the AL Division Series against Houston.
López wore a Santana jersey to the ballpark last week before he pitched the Twins to victory in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against Toronto.
Santana's pitch was to Joe Mauer, his former batterymate and a fellow Twins Hall of Fame member.
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