Twins say ‘Let’s go crazy’ with Prince-inspired home run celebration in win over Oakland

MINNEAPOLIS — They had rally sausages, bingo night, team photos on the field, players tipping bullpen cart drivers, and even a wheel of fortune.

Now the Minnesota Twins have a Prince.

As the team paid tribute to the local legend with gifts to fans and Prince songs blaring from the Target Field sound system throughout Thursday night’s game, the dugout couldn’t help but join in to the act.

Shortly after Carlos Correa returned to the dugout following a seventh-inning home run, pitcher Pablo López presented him with an inflatable purple plastic guitar, a vest and a fedora. Given that it was the scorching Correa at the plate, it was no surprise when the shortstop threw down a few hot licks on the air guitar, an unanticipated celebration, which played well during a 6-2 victory for the Twins against the Oakland A’s.

“Once they gave me the guitar, I was like, ‘OK, let’s do it,’” Correa said. “I played Guitar Hero a lot when I was little. … I saw him before the game. When I asked Pablo, I was like, “Was that you?” He said, “Yeah. » I’m like, “That’s creative.” I love this.’ I wanted to hit a home run so badly.

C4, it’s a whole fucking atmosphere 💥🎸 pic.twitter.com/MEUF20N955

– Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) June 14, 2024

López was also the brain child behind the vest and fishing rod in last year’s home run. He already owned the plastic guitar, one of the Twins’ previous Prince Night gifts. All he needed to complete the look was the custom matching vest and hat.

“I’m all for finding things sometimes unrelated to baseball that can bring us closer not only as players but also as people, friends, brothers,” López said. “I always like to find little things, little opportunities to make something cool.”

(Photo of Correa wearing the Prince hat and vest: David Berding / Getty Images)