Twins to retire Blyleven's No. 28 By Sports Network

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins will retire 2011 Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven's No. 28 jersey during a pre-game celebration on July 16.

Blyleven, who was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on January 5, will be honored prior to a game against the Kansas City Royals.

Twins chief executive Jim Pohlad said 2011 will be a special year for the pitcher, as well as the team he helped win a World Series in 1987.

"As excitement builds for Bert's induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Twins organization is proud to bestow our highest honor with the retirement of his jersey," Pohlad said in a statement. "Bert Blyleven Day is aimed at celebrating Bert's incredible contributions on and off the field, while also providing he and his family a proper send-off to Cooperstown."

Blyleven, 59, pitched for 22 seasons in the big leagues, spending time in Minnesota, Cleveland, California, Pittsburgh and Texas. He had a career record of 287-250, with a 3.31 ERA, 3,701 strikeouts, 242 complete games and 60 shutouts (ninth all-time).

He ranks first on the Twins all-time list in complete games (141), shutouts (29) and strikeouts (2035), second in wins (149) and innings pitched (2566.2), third in starts (345), fifth in ERA (3.28) and 12th in games (348).

Blyleven, who also won the 1979 World Series with Pittsburgh, will become the sixth Twins player to have his number retired by the organization.