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2026 Twins Camp
Champions Crowned!
The 2026 camp will be remembered for great baseball, fabulous weather and exciting news regarding the camp’s future. We truly witnessed a great week of baseball action and with another talented rookie class. With ten teams vying for eight playoff spots again this year.
The 10 teams that made up the 2026 Twins Camp included: The Family Jewels – coached by Frank Viola & Frankie Viola, the Pretenders – coached by JC Romero & Stu Cliburn, ​​team LR Express – led by Gene Larkin & Juan Rincon, the If You Know – You Know – managed by Al Newman & Juan Berenguer, the ​Bruise Brothers 2 – coached by Kent Hrbek & Tom Brunansky, team C & C Crew – led by Stan Cliburn & Milt Cuyler, Lucky 13’s – coached by Matt LeCroy, Phil Roof & Dick Stigman, the Tornadoes –coached by Tim Laudner & Matt Guerrier, team Suspect Development, coached by Toby Gardenhire & Brian Dinkelman, and team FA&FO, coached by Jacque Jones & Tommy Watkins. Overseeing all of the baseball operations again in 2026 was Camp Commissioner and Baseball Hall of Fame member, Bert Blyleven. We were thrilled to have Tony Oliva, 2022 National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, with again in January. We did miss veteran Pro Staff members, Jeff Reardon who recovering from his recent surgery, Glen Perkins who had a scheduling conflict and Devin Smeltzer who was playing in the playoffs with his winter ball club yet in January.
A review of the standings of the camp after a week of pool play (at the completion of six games) revealed that the four teams competing in the Blue Division included the top seeded Family Jewels with C&C Crew ranked in the second place spot, followed by the Bruise Brothers in 3rd place and the Pretenders rounding out the field.
In the Red Division, The top seeded Tornadoes Played the 4th seeded Lucky 13’s and the 2nd seeded FA&FO played the third ranked If You Know – You Know to see which two squads would square off in Friday’s Championship tilt inside Hammond Stadium.
The two last place teams, LR Express and Suspect Development, did not qualify for the playoffs, but did play a consolation game inside Hammond Stadium on Thursday morning. The game that has been affectionately tabbed by our campers as the “Toilet Bowl” in the Brown Division.
On a beautiful afternoon for baseball, the Pro Staff vs. Rookies game was again held in Hammond Stadium following Thursday morning’s first round playoff games. The winners of those games advanced to their respective Divisional Championship game that were held on Saturday inside Hammond Stadium. In a week that featured warm weather. After a wet 2025 camp, we were fortunate to have a dry week.
In the Red Division the top seeded Tornadoes squared off against the number 2 seeded team, FA&FO. FA&FO got their offense going early, scoring 9 runs in the first three innings, while holding the Tornadoes scoreless through three. The Tornadoes did rally late to tally seven runs in their final three at bats, but FA&FO all but sealed the deal when they added three more runs in the 5th inning, and coasted to a 12-7 win to claim their championship. But sometimes the box score and game statistics don’t tell the entire story. Twins Camp Hall of Fame member Gerry Seurer came on to pitch in the 5th. His catcher for this emotional moment was his youngest son Justin who would be named a camp MVP later that evening. Making a memory like the Seurers were able to create is truly what the camp experience is all about
2026 RED DIVISION CHAMPIONS – FA&FO
Pictured left to right, first row: Mark Bellrichard, Bruce Thome, Eric Berg, Bill Clabots, Brian Neibaur & Scott Shapiro. Back Row: Coach Jacque Jones, Jason Pace, Robb Bader, Brad Machov, Mark Heaney, Brian Slipka, Drew Levin, Patrick Langeslay & Coach – Tommy Watkins.
The Blue Division Championship was perhaps the greatest championship game ever witnessed at Twins Camp, and is exactly what you’d expect when the top two teams in camp square off. Top seeded Family Jewels led by the Violas squared off against Kent Hrbek and Tom Brunansky’s Bruise Brothers, the number two seeded team in camp. Josh Stoll started on the mound for the Jewels and Craig Johnson was the Bruise Brothers starting pitcher. In a true pitcher’s dual, this championship game ended in regulation time as a scoreless affair. By the 8th inning, both of the starters were gone as they had exhausted their allotted eligible innings pitched in the two day playoff.
As we began “bonus baseball” with the start of the 8th inning, Tim Salter led off for the Bruise Brothers with a solid single. The camp’s 2026, Silver Slugger Award winner, Tim Vernon came up next and reached after being hit by a pitch. Ted Fust then singled home Tim Salter, and Michael Hodson followed Fust with a two RBI single to make the score 3-0. The Jewels were able to make contact in their half of the 8th, but a pair of incredible catches by Kirby Puckett Jr. in center field prevented them from pushing a run across, resulting in a 3-0 win for the Bruise Brothers. This game was destined to be an ESPN “instant classic” and was again live streamed via the internet by Nick Walsh and his crew from Walsh Media.
2026 Blue Division Undefeated Champions – Bruise Brothers 2
Front Row: Jake Salter, Ted Fust, Tim Vernon, Ryan Hess, Craig Johnson, Dick Peters & Kirby Puckett Jr.. Back Row (left to right), Coach – Kent Hrbek, Tim Salter, Michael Hodson, Clay Gustafson, Matt Pasternack, Greg Zawitoski and Coach – Tom Brunansky.
Congratulations to the 2026 Twins Camp Champions! We wish to also congratulate the other seven teams that made for another exciting week of baseball!
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Twins Camp 2026 Player Awards!
Each year, the Twins Camp’s Pro Staff meets, prior to the scheduled start of the single-elimination play-off games, to nominate and select those individuals whose performance in the week’s pool play was at a truly exemplary level. This year the staff’s work was again made difficult by the number of quality players in camp, and the arrival of another talented rookie class. The camp recognizes individuals in eight major categories. They are: Cy Young (over & under 50 years of age), Gold Glove (over & under 50), Most Valuable Player (over & under 50), the Rookie of the Year, and the prestigious Kirby Puckett Award. In 2020, a new award, the “Silver Slugger” award was introduced and each year the award goes to the leading hitter at the Twins Camp.
Each winner, as is the case with each of the members of the two championship teams, receives an engraved, wood plaque to commemorate their great week of baseball. Additionally, the eight individual award winners receive the appropriate autographed award during the final evening’s banquet. Those awards are autographed by such legends as Tony Oliva, Rod Carew, Joe Mauer, Frank Viola, Justin Morneau, Byron Buxton or Carlos Correa.
​Additionally, every year, the coaches recognize their team’s MVP(s). The team’s MVP(s) as selected by the coaches, received an autographed pull-over worn by the coaches during the week by a member of their coaching staff. Some of the coaches could not zero in on just one individual and named multiple winners. The team MVP’s at the 2026 camp were:
2026 Twins Camp Team MVP’s
  Team If You Know – You Know, MVP Mark Wolfe The Pretenders MVP – Ric Oliva with coaches Al Newman & Juan Berenguer. with coaches JC Romero & Stu Cliburn.
 
Suspects MVP’s Kraig Haenke and Jim Antonellis FA&FO MVP’s – Bill Clabots, Robb Bader, and coached by Brian Dinkelman &Toby Gardenhire. Mark Bellrichard with ccoaches Tommy Watkins & Jacque Jones.
 
Tornadoes MVP’s Sarah Laudner, Ramon Perez- LR Express MVP’s, Mykl Erickson and
Cruz & Matt Gerbar with coaches, Tim Laudner Pete Erickson with coaches, Juan Rincon and
& Matt Guerrier. Gene Larkin.
  C&C Crew’s MVP’s Don Donakowski and Matt Family Jewels MVPs, Todd Heitkamp &
Albrecht with coaches Milt Cuyler & Stan Cliburn. Andrew Peterson with coaches, Frank & Frankie Viola.
 
Bruise Brothers MVP’s, Tim Salter and Michael Lucky 13’s MVP’s, Jim Stearns, Gordon Noggle
Nick Hodson with coaches – Kent Hrbek and Danny Davis & David Reeder, with coaches Matt
Tom Brunansky. LeCroy, Dick Stigman & Phil Roof.
Congratulations to all of the Team MVP recipients!
Well Done Campers!
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2026 Individual Player Award Recipients
As mentioned earlier, new to the camp’s Awards a few years back, is the “Silver Slugger” that is now presented to the leading hitter at the camp who meets the minimum qualifying number of “at bats” during pool play for the week (seven games). This year’s Award winner, Tim Vernon, completed his week at the plate with an incredible .750 batting average, recording 12 hits in his 16 at bats. Tim received a mini bat autographed by three time AL Batting Champion and National Hall of Fame member, Tony Oliva.
The 2026 Silver Slugger for the Twins Camp was Tim Vernon. Tim batted finished his camp week with a sizzling .750 batting average. Here, he receives his award from National Baseball Hall of Fame member and three time American League batting champion, Tony Oliva.
The 2026 Cy Young Award nominees in the Over 50 category included: Mark Wolfe, Bill Clabots, Jim Stearns, Michael Hodson, Mark Bellrichard, Adam Ross, Jim Reynolds, Will Malizia and Bob Lange. The Cy Young award winners in each category receive an engraved plaque as well as an autographed baseball by American League 1988 Cy Young winner, Frank Viola. This year’s Over 50 Cy Young Award winner was Bill Clabots of team FA&FO, coached by Jacque Jones and Tommy Watkins.
Bill Clabots receives his Cy Young award from coaches Jacque Jones (left) & Tommy Watkins.
The Under 50 Cy Young Award nominees included: Andy Erickson, Mykl Erickson, Josh Stoll, Craig Johnson, & Adam Sampson. This year’s Under 50 award went to Josh Stoll. Josh also received a Frank Viola autographed baseball from his Family Jewels coaches, Frank Viola and Frankie Viola.
Josh Stoll receives his Under 50 Cy Young Award from his coaches for the week, Frank Viola (left) and rookie Pro Staff member, Frank Viola III.
One of the keys to any championship caliber team is a great defense. Again this year, there was plenty of leather flashing at the Twins Camp in 2026. In the Over 50 Gold Glove category featured several good gloves, including award nominees: Pete Erickson, Rick Bruce, John Torniero, Ron Innamorato, Brian Neibaur and Todd Heitkamp. When the votes were tallied, it was Brian Neibaur that was recognized for earning this year’s Gold Glove for the Over 50 group.
Over 50 Gold Glove award winner Brian Neibaur receives his Gold Glove Award from coaches Jacque Jones (left), & Tommy Watkins.
The Under 50 Gold Glove group also turned in their share of incredible web gems. They included: Robb Bader, Andrew Peterson, Brian Slipka, Andy Erickson, Mark Heaney, Kraig Haenke, Josh Stoll & Kirby Puckett Jr. The 2026 Under 50 Gold Glove Award went to, Kirby Puckett Jr., coached by Kent Hrbek & Tom Brunansky.
2026 Under 50 Gold Glove winner, Kirby Puckett Jr. accepts his award from coaches for camp week, Kent Hrbek (left), & Tom Brunansky (right).
The key to any successful Fantasy Camp is a great group of rookies each year. We have been blessed at the Twins Camp to annually attract approximately 30 first time campers. The 2026 Camp was no exception. We were thrilled to have a group of incredible first time campers and it made for a difficult task for our Pro Staff to single out just one of this group for the Rookie of the Year Award. This year’s nominees – great players all – included: Clay Gustafson, Michael Hodson, Matt Germar, Dave Steinbring, Jim Antonellis, Ramon Perez-Cruz and Michael Huang. In 2026 the Twins Camp ROY went to Matt Germar of the Tornadoes, coached by Tim Laudner and Matt Guerrier.
Standout 2026 Rookie of the Year, Matt Germar receives his Tony Oliva autographed mini helmet from his coaches for the week, Tim Laudner (left) & Matt Guerrier.
2026 Under 50 Most Valuable Player, Justin Seurer. Here Justin is pictured receiving his award from his coaches, Tim Laudner & Matt Guerrier.
Ask any Twins Camper and they’ll tell you that one of the most anticipated awards for camp week is the Most Valuable Player Award. Each year it has gone to some of the finest players to ever join us at Twins Camp. The 2026 Twins Camp Under 50 Most Valuable Player nominees in 2025 included: Jeremy Schwartz, Justin Seurer, Robb Bader, Andrew Peterson and Staci Melby. This year’s Under 50 MVP is, Justin Seurer of the Tornadoes, coached by Tim Laudner and Matt Guerrier.
Over 50 MVP, Tim Vernon with his coaches for the week, Kent Hrbek (left) and Tom Brunansky (right). Tim took home three plaques from the 2026 Twins Camp. If not a record, it certainly ties one.
In the Over 50 Most Valuable Player category, another talented group of campers were recognized in 2025 – a group that we’ve come accustomed to seeing at a high level. Those players nominated for this year’s recognition included: Will Malizia, Jim Stearns, Don Donakowski, Tim Vernon, Todd Heitkamp, Adam Ross, and Mark Bellrichard. This year’s Over 50 MVP is Tim Vernon coached by Kent Hrbek & Tom Brunansky.
The “Kirby Puckett” Award is without question the most prestigious and coveted awards that any camper can aspire to receive. The Award goes annually to the camper that most exemplifies the passion and positive attitude that Kirby Puckett brought to the clubhouse and field each day. While we again had an impressive and deserving group of candidates, no one could argue with the Pro Staff’s selection this year. The nominees included: Mike Peterson, Scott Morvig, John Bottema, David Reeder, Kraig Haenke, Tracey Gohmann, Randy Lott and Amelia Tzeel. This award goes each year to that camper that has demonstrated a passion for baseball and an incredibly positive attitude. This year’s recipient is Mike Peterson. Mike is one of the camp’s most beloved personalities and received a rousing ovation from campers and staff when the selection was announced.
The entire Pro Staff gather with Mike Peterson (Front with Tony Oliva) as he receives the highly coveted “Kirby Puckett” award for the 2026 camp. Pictured from left to right are: Frankie Viola, Juan Rincon, Al Newman, Toby Gardenhire, Milt Cuyler, Brian Dinkelman, Kent Hrbek, Tom Brunansky, Phil Roof, Bert Blyleven, Gene Larkin, Matt Guerrier, Mike, Tim Laudner, Dick Stigman, Tony Oliva, Frank Viola, Matt LeCroy, Stan Cliburn, Tommy Watkins, Jacque Jones, Juan Berenguer and Stu Cliburn.
Congratulations to all of the 2026 Twins Camp Award winners and nominees!
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