BOSTON -- As Twins rookie right fielder Max Kepler walked onto field at Fenway Park to take batting practice at the historic ballpark for the first time in his career on Thursday, he heard a familiar voice call out his childhood nickname.
Kepler turned around and immediately recognized it was his mom, Kathy, who surprised him by flying in from his native Berlin to see him play in the Majors for the first time. She was joined by his sister, Emma, who attends Florida State University, and was also able to make the surprise trip.
"I heard my mom yelling my nickname, which only they know," Kepler said.