Minneapolis — Two Minnesota Twins legends are recovering from strokes that occurred days apart, the team announced Wednesday.
Tony Oliva, a former right fielder and designated hitter, suffered “a series of mini strokes” over the last month but is expected to recover completely. Kent Hrbek, former first baseman, suffered a minor stroke after knee surgery in early April and is recovering at home.
Oliva, 86, has spent his entire 15-year career with the Twins. He was named American League Rookie of the Year in 1964 and won the batting title three times. The Golden Days Era Committee inducted him into baseball’s Hall of Fame in 2022.
Hrbek, 64, is a Bloomington native who spent his entire 14-year career with his hometown team. He was a key member of the Twins teams that won the World Series in 1987 and 1991.
Oliva and Hrbek have remained with the team and have been regulars at Target Field since the stadium’s opening in 2010. The Twins retired their numbers — Oliva’s No. 6 and Hrbek’s No. 14 — and bronze statues of the former players can be found outside the venue.
The team hopes to see both of them back in the ballpark soon.