The St. Cloud River Bats announced Tuesday that former Minnesota Twin Gary Gaetti will be the team’s Opening Day guest at Joe Faber Field on Friday, June 3, when the River Bats host the Duluth Huskies at 7:05 p.m. Gaetti will be on hand to sign autographs, take pictures and throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

"It’s my first time getting to look at the Northwoods League and the River Bats," Gaetti said. "I’m excited about it. I have a lot of good ties up in Minnesota and it’s always great to go back there."

"I can’t think of any better way to get our 15th Anniversary Season started," River Bats Managing Partner Joel Sutherland said. "Gary is beloved by many Twins fans for his role on the 1987 World Series Championship team. It is going to be pretty special when he throws out that first pitch."

Gaetti played 10 seasons with the Twins from 1981-90 and was the MVP of the 1987 American League Championship Series. The third baseman won four Gold Gloves and appeared in two All-Star games. After beginning his career with the Twins, Gaetti played with the California Angels (1991-93), Kansas City Royals (1993-95), St. Louis Cardinals (1996-98), Chicago Cubs (1998-99) and Boston Red Sox (2000). Gaetti was inducted into the Minnesota Twins Hall-of-Fame in 2007.

In the summer of 2002, his son, Joe, played with the River Bats. The North Carolina State product played in 57 games and hit .275 with eight home runs and 36 runs batted in. Joe was subsequently drafted by the Colorado Rockies and later spent time in the Twins organization, advancing as high as AAA.

Single game tickets for the home opener and any 2011 regular season home game can be purchased at the River Bats ticket office in the Municipal Athletic Complex, at area Cash Wise Foods locations, and online at www.riverbats.com. For more info call d320-240-9798. The River Bats expect to release their promotional schedule next week.