St. Cloud, Minn. – The St. Cloud Rox are pleased to announce that former Minnesota Twins player and two-time World Series Champion Gene Larkin will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and sign autographs at the Home Opener presented by Coborn’s on Friday, May 30th at 7:05p.m. at Joe Faber Field.  Single game tickets for the home opener and all the remaining home games go on sale starting May 2nd at 9 a.m.  

Larkin was drafted by the Twins in the 20^th round of the 1984 amateur draft, he made his Twins debut in May of 1987 and stayed with the club throughout his entire tenure of major league baseball that ended in 1993, spanning across seven seasons. In that time, Larkin played in 758 games for the Twins with a career batting average of .266 alongside 32 homeruns and 266 RBI’s. He had perhaps his best season in 1988, where he started in 141 games at first base or in the designated hitter role and hit .267 with eight homeruns, 30 doubles and 70 RBI’s while the team finished second in the A.L. West.

Mostly seen as a utility man playing first base and outfield, Larkin holds the distinction as one of seven Twins (Kirby Puckett, Greg Gagne, Randy Bush, Al Newman, Kent Hrbek and Dan Gladden) to be on the team for their world championships in 1987 and 1991, their only World Series titles since the team relocated to Minnesota after 60 years as the Washington Senators. Though he played a limited role in Minnesota’s fall classics with the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves, Larkin made a lasting impression with an extra-inning pinch hit in game 7 to win the 1991 World Series.

With one out and the series-winning run on third base in the 10^th inning of Game 7, Larkin sent a deep fly ball to left field off Atlanta Braves closer Alejandro Pena and over the head of outfielder Brian Hunter that scored Gladden from third and ended the series, giving Minnesota their second world title. Although he tallied just four plate appearances in the ’91 World Series, Larkin will always be remembered in Twins legend and baseball lore for his definitive end to what many believe to be the best World Series in baseball history. “I think every Little Leaguer dreams about growing up and having the game winning hit to win the World Series.  Gene Larkin was able to live out that dream.  To have him at the Rox home opener is very special”, said Rox Vice President Scott Schreiner.

The Home Opener first pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. with a fantastic postgame firework show presented by Coborn’s. The Rox will be taking on the Willmar Stingers.  For additional information, please call the Rox office at (320) 240-9798 or on the web at www.stcloudrox.com.  Tickets can be purchased starting May 2^nd at 9a.m. online at www.stcloudrox.com, by calling (320) 240-9798 or at the Rox ticket office located at the Municipal Athletic Complex.

The St. Cloud Rox are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest summer collegiate baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 117 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel.  For more information, visit www.stcloudrox.com.