It was a disheartening 4-3 loss for the Twins on Saturday (May 27th), as Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer off Twins’ closer Matt Capps in the top of the ninth. In the grander “scheme of things,” it was a heartening day for the sell-out crowd – thanks to the Twins, and Minnesota National Guard Master Sergeant Robert Buresh and his family.
The true ‘highlight” of the day began with the Twins’ pregame Kids Day race, in which two youngsters race from home plate to first base, where they don oversized (for them) Twins jerseys; then on to second base, where they struggle into adult-side baseball pants; then to third base for full-sized batting helmets and shoes; and. Finally, on to home plate for the “win.” Always a fun- and smile-filled pre-game distraction, Saturdays spin around the bases turned to broad grins and even tears (in a good way).
The contestants were sisters Annie (11-years-old) and Alex (8-years-old) Buresh. The crowd of 38,710 was treated to plenty of cute as the two girls ran, walked and stumbled their way around the bases in the way-too-big baseball apparel. There was an audible “Aww!” as older sister Annie, rather than go for the win, stopped to help her younger sibling with the troublesome baseball pants at second base.
Surpurise Reunion. Photo: Sports@yahoo.com
Then came the best moment of the day. As the two girls rounded the makeshift third base for the dash to home plate, their dad – Master Sergeant Robert Buresh, just back from a near five-month deployment to Afghanistan, stepped out (in his fatigue uniform) from behind Twins’ mascot T.C. the Bear (who was manning the finish line). At the same time, the stadium announcer and scoreboard let us all in on what was taking place. More than a few of the crowd “misted up” during the touching on-field family reunion. After the family shared grins, tears, hugs, kisses, teddy bears and flowers (for the two girls and Buresh’s wife Julie who kept the “secret” until Saturday), Twins players took time to greet the family with hugs and handshakes.
In interviews later, the still emotional Master Sergeant Buresh thanked the Twins and said of the moment, “As a dad, I can’t ask for anything more. That’s just fantastic. I can’t tell you how grateful I am.”
He added that once he found out he was going to be at the game (the Twins were supplying free tickets to members of his squadron and their families), he wanted his first meal back in the States to be a hot dog and a beer – with his family. He, and his family, got much, much more. And, so did the fans. You know, every game has its highlights. That’s what BBRT loves about baseball. On May 27, 2012, at Target Field, that highlight came even before the first pitch. Thank goodness I was lucky enough to be there. Also, thank you Twins. Thank you Master Sergeant Buresh. And, on this Memorial Day, thank you to all veterans, active military personnel and reserves
