OTTAWA-After 15 seasons with the Minnesota Twins organization, Justin Morneau (New Westminster, BC) is now a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The 2006 AL MVP was traded to the Pirates today as the National League Central leaders are loading up for a potential playoff run.
He will join fellow Canadian Russell Martin (Montréal, QC) on the Pirates roster.
Originally selected by the Twins in the third round of the 1999 MLB Draft, Morneau made his MLB debut with the club in 2003 and just three years later won the American League MVP Award in 2006 after hitting .321 with 34 home runs and 130 RBI.
He was also an AL All-Star four times (2007-2010) as a member of the Twins.
The 32 year-old has represented Canada at all three World Baseball Classic events including the most recent edition held in March where he hit .636 (7-for-11) with three doubles and three RBI in three tournament games.
Morneau is a graduate of Baseball Canada’s Junior National Team program.
