This spring, as the sun hangs longer in the sky and the rising temperatures melt the last snowdrifts on the baseball diamond, the Edina American Legion Baseball team can hardly wait to oil up their mitts and prepare to defend their winning record. The Hornet’s most significant addition this year may be Eden Prairie resident Gene Larkin, who takes over as skipper.
Minnesota Twins fans fondly remember Larkin, a veteran outfielder who played seven years in the big leagues as the pinch hitter who delivered the World Series-winning sacrifice fly in 1991. Larkin’s clutch at-bat ended one of the most exciting Fall Classics in baseball history, as the Twins edged the Atlanta Braves in seven games, with Twin Cities native Jack Morris seizing the clincher with an astounding 10-inning shutout performance.
“I’m looking forward to a great competitive team that likes to enjoy themselves, work hard and keep up the winning culture in Edina,” says Larkin of his new role in the dugout. The Hornets hosted the Minnesota State American Legion Baseball tournament last year.
“There’s nothing quite like a spring or summer night under the lights at Courtney Fields,” says Robb Leer, media liaison for the team. “It’s a classic experience and it’s one of the gems a community like Edina offers.”
So come for the popcorn and stay for the game as the bats start swinging in early June.
