Johan Santana and Johan Santana Jr. Share Twins Camp Moments

Fourteen years after his last Major League appearance, and 19 years since pitching for the Minnesota Twins, Johan Santana spent a day at Twins camp in Fort Myers with his son, Johan Jr.

The Hall of Fame-caliber lefty showed up as a special instructor, while his high school junior son joined the daily flow of the club during winter break.

The visit mixed family bonding with hands-on exposure to a modern baseball organization.

Santana Jr. got a rare peek behind the scenes as the Twins do their thing on and off the field.

MLB.com’s Matthew Leach reported on the day, which saw a former Twins star step back into the organization as a mentor.

At the same time, a father guided his son through the many paths the sport offers beyond just playing.

Santana’s return to Twins camp in Fort Myers as a special instructor

The return to the Twins’ spring camp set the stage for a unique father-son experience.

Santana took on teaching and observing duties, while Johan Jr. experienced team life up close during a Florida winter.

It really highlighted how a former player can contribute in all sorts of ways.

A young aspirant can soak up the different facets that keep a baseball operation alive outside the batter’s box.

A meaningful father-son learning opportunity

For Santana, this visit was about more than just technique or reliving old stories.

He wanted to show that baseball can be a career that stretches far beyond the field.

Johan Sr. made it clear he doesn’t pressure his son to follow in his footsteps.

Life in the sport can mean front office roles, media relations, player development, or scouting.

He focused on growth, curiosity, and giving his son a wide range of experiences.

Johan Jr. came in eager to learn, grateful for the chance to watch how a big organization really works.

His day included shadowing staff in different departments.

One cool moment: he helped during an interview with Twins shortstop Orlando Arcia as an interpreter.

The experience gave him a real sense of the rhythms of a pro baseball operation and the people skills it takes to fit in with a team.

Career paths beyond playing: a broader message from Santana

The elder Santana spoke plainly about what he hoped to get across: baseball isn’t just about the players on the field. There’s a whole industry behind the scenes, with plenty of different ways to get involved.

He pointed out that management, communications, player development, and other off-field roles help keep the sport alive. People can find meaningful careers in baseball even after their playing days are over—or without ever stepping on the mound.

His philosophy felt refreshingly straightforward. He wants folks to have chances to learn and to explore different paths, without forcing anyone into a single mold.

“Life in baseball isn’t only about being a player,” Santana seemed to say. “It’s about what you can contribute off the field, too.”

That idea stuck with Santana Jr. He wandered the ballpark with a new sense of curiosity, noticing the people who make the Twins tick.

The elder’s pride showed, but he made it clear: just because there’s a family connection to the club doesn’t mean there’s pressure. He respects his son’s independence and wants him to choose his own way.

• The visit mixed family time with a real look behind the curtain at the ballpark where the elder Santana used to pitch.
• Johan Jr. spent time shadowing different departments, like media relations, to see how an MLB team talks to the public.
• He even got to sit in on an interview with Orlando Arcia, picking up a bit about bilingual interviews and being on camera.
• Johan Sr. kept pushing the idea that baseball offers way more than just pitching—there are all sorts of roles to consider.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Special moments for Johan Santana — and Johan Santana Jr. — at Twins camp