Homer Hanky

The Official Star Tribune Minnesota Twins Homer Hanky (or "Homer Hanky" for short) is a handkerchief printed with a (usually red) baseball-shaped logo during Minnesota Twins championship seasons (and in 1988 after winning the World Series in 1987). It was first introduced during the 1987 Pennant race, when the Twins won the American League Western division (AL West), by the Minneapolis Star Tribune as a promotional item for the newspaper during the pennant race.^[1]

Years

1987

• 1987: Red, baseball-shaped logo.
  • Printed at the end of the season
  • Brainchild of Star Tribune promotions manager Terrie Robbins^[2]
  • Twins won World Series (4–1 ALCSdef Detroit Tigers, 4–3 WS, def St. Louis Cardinals)^[3]

1988

• 1988: Red, baseball diamond-shaped logo.
  • Printed at the beginning of the season
  • Twins finished 2nd in AL West behind the Oakland A's

1989–1990

Gap between 1989 and 1990

1991–1992

• 1991: Red, baseball-shaped logo.
  • Printed at the end of the season
  • Twins won World Series (4-1 ALCS def Toronto Blue Jays, 4-3 WS, def Atlanta Braves)

• 1992: Red, baseball-shaped logo.
  • Printed at the beginning of the season
  • Twins finished 2nd in AL West behind the Oakland A's

1993–2001

Gap between 1993 and 2001 1997 Homer Hanky was printed marking the 10th year anniversary of the 1987 season.

1987 10th Anniversary

2002

• 2002: Red, baseball-shaped logo.
  • Printed at the end of the season
  • Twins won AL Central and AL Division Series (def. Oakland A's 3–2) but lost AL Championship Series to Anaheim Angels (1–4).

In 2002 there seems to be two sizes of the Homer Hanky "Proud and Loud". A larger and "normal" size of 15¹⁄₂ inch square and a smaller size of 13¹⁄₂ inches square with "hanky stitching" on the edge.

2003

• 2003: Blue, baseball-shaped logo.
  • Printed at the end of the season
  • Twins won AL Central but lost AL Division Series to New York Yankees (1–3).

2004

• 2004: Red, outline of a baseball field
  • Printed at the end of the season
  • Twins won AL Central but lost AL Division Series to New York Yankees (1–3).

2004–2005

Gap between 2004 and 2005

2006

• 2006: Red, State of MN with Minneapolis and St. Paul baseball player shaking hands (similar to the Twins logo from 1961 to 1986)
• Twins won AL Central on the last day of the regular season, October 1, 2006
• Twins lost in the ALDS to the Oakland Athletics (0–3)
  • Printed at the end of the season, available September 28, 2006

2007–2008

Gap between 2007 and 2008

2009

• Homer Hankies were given to all fans during what was to be the last regular season game at the Metrodome on October 4, 2009.
• On October 6, 2009, the Star Tribune and the Minnesota Twins announced that there would be a 2009 Homer Hanky available.^[4]
• Twins won AL Central after beating the Detroit Tigers in one game playoff to determine the division champion on October 6.^[5]

2010

• Homer Hankies were given to all fans before the 2010 Home Opener at Target Field. These Hankies featured the official Target Field inaugural season logo and the words "The Official Opening Day Homer Hanky" across the top, and "April 12th, 2010 Twins vs. Red Sox" across the bottom.
• On September 22, the Twins introduced a 2010 Championship Hanky.

2014

• Homer Hanky's were released for All-Star Week on July 11th, 2014. These hankies featured a red Minnesota outline and "All Star Week 2014" in blue.

See also

• Handy horn
• Rally towel
• Terrible Towel
• Vuvuzela

References

1. Tracy, Ben (Oct 4, 2006). "Good Question: What Is The Homer Hanky's History?". WCCO (CBS Broadcasting Inc.). Retrieved 2009-01-13.
2. "Good Question: What is the Homer Hanky's History?". WCCO.com (CBS Broadcasting). Oct 4, 2006. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
3. "Minnesota Twins Owner Carl Pohlad Dies At 93". WCCO.com (Associated Press). Jan 5, 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
4. "AL Central Division Champion Minnesota Twins Announce the Homer Hanky is Back". Minnesota Twins.
5. "Tiebreaker filled with intense drama". Minnesota Twins.