Statue of Calvin Griffith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of Calvin Griffith |
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|---|---|
| Year | 2010 |
| Subject | Calvin Griffith |
| Location | Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
A statue of former Minnesota Twins baseball team owner Calvin Griffith stood in front of Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 2010 until 2020.
About the Calvin Griffith Statue
This statue honored Calvin Griffith, who used to own the Minnesota Twins baseball team. It was placed outside Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The statue was put up in 2010.
Why the Statue Was Removed
In 2020, after the death of George Floyd led to many social changes, the Minnesota Twins decided to take down Griffith's statue. They explained their decision, saying that while Calvin Griffith was important to their team's past, they could not ignore some racist comments he made in 1978.
The team stated that Griffith's words showed a lack of respect for the Black community. They felt these comments went against what the Minnesota Twins team believes in and values.
Rod Carew's Thoughts
After the statue was removed, Rod Carew, a famous baseball player who played for the Twins when Griffith owned the team, shared his thoughts. Carew said he had always supported the statue. He also mentioned that he did not see any signs of racism from Griffith when he played for the team.
Carew explained that Griffith paid him well. He also said Griffith traded him to another team so he could earn what he was truly worth. Carew added that he had forgiven Griffith for his comments. He did not believe Griffith was a racist based on his own experiences.
