Sunday afternoon prior to and during the New Ulm Brewers-Gaylord amateur baseball game at Johnson Park, Hrbek did just that.

“I always have enjoyed doing that,” he said. “When you come to a ballpark, it is the people who have supported me and my family and cheered me on. It is something that I really enjoy doing — talking baseball with people. Baseball has been my life and the game has given me a great life. There is no reason why I cannot talk to the people who have supported me through my career and after my career.”

Hrbek, who just turned 64 in May, reflected back to 1978 when his Bloomington team lost 12-4 to a New Ulm Legion team in Austin in the state tournament.

It was a game that New Ulm won on its way to Yakima, Washington, and the American Legion World Series.

Staff photo by Travis Rosenau Minnesota Twins great Kent Hrbek took to Johnson Park in New Ulm on Sunday to meet fans and sign autographs prior to the New Ulm Brewers-Gaylord Islanders amateur baseball game.

But it was a game that was noted for a long home run that Hrbek hit in that contest. It was a home run that Hrbek still fondly remembers.

“It was at Marcusen Park and that was the last amateur baseball game that I played in,” Hrbek said. “I remember that I hit that home run pretty good — they still talk about it. But I hit a home run in Albert Lea the night before that went over the light towers. They never knew where it came down. I just ran around the bases — no one knew where the ball went.”

In that final legion game at Marcusen Park, Hrbek remembers playing against the Steinbach brothers.

“And I played in that game against the Steinbach boys,” Hrbek said. “I am good friends with Terry now — I have known him for a long time. His father was diagnosed with ALS, as was my father was. I just saw Terry last weekend in a fishing tournament for ALS. I will see him in the winter on a snowmobile ride that we do for ALS and a bike ride this summer for ALS.

“I see him a bunch of times now and I told him I was coming down to New Ulm and I told him I was sure I would hear his name around the park.”

Staff photo by Travis Rosenau Former Minnesota Twins first baseman Kent Hrbek signs autographs at Johnson Park in New Ulm before Sunday’s New Ulm Brewers-Gaylord Islanders amateur baseball game.

Hrbek, who played for the Twins from 1981-1994, still follows his former team.

“It will be 30 years in August since I retired from the game,” he said. “I still go to ballgames and keep in touch with the people at the park — follow the Twins’ ups and downs this season. But if you sit down and look, 30 years is a long time ago. But I was lucky enough to be involved in two World Series championship teams (1987 and 1991). I had a good career.”

Hrbek’s visit was sponsored by Nilson Heating and Air of New Ulm and Carrier of Minnesota.