Players, managers and executives receive their fair share of recognition each season. But what about the fans?
The most important part of the game -- you -- should be cheered, too. That is why Major League Baseball has stepped up to the plate to honor the inaugural MLB Fans of the Year presented by Esurance.
Nominees from all 30 Major League clubs will be featured on MLB.com/awards through Monday at 2 p.m. ET -- with winners to be unveiled an hour later at 3 p.m.
Vote NOW for the MLB Twins Fan of the Year presented by Esurance
Winners whose clubs reach the League Championship Series or Fall Classic will receive tickets to root for the home team on a late-October night. As for the top fans whose teams fall short of the sport's semifinals? Have no fear, as there's always next year (and free tickets to an April 2017 game of their choice).
Major League Baseball and the 30 clubs worked tirelessly to identify the sport's top supporters. But after great debate, the following Twins fans were chosen among a long list of deserving candidates:
Gene Capistrant: A Twins season-ticket holder since the club's inaugural season in 1961, Capistrant is still a fixture at Minnesota's home games.
Janice Thompson: Best known for furiously air-drumming while on the Target Field videoboard, Thompson also makes creative signs to support the Twins.
Darrin Holland: Avid Twins fan wears his team pride both on his sleeve and prosthetic leg, which is adorned with the club's logo.
Molly Mulvehill Steinke: A frequent attendee at Twins games, Mulvehill Steinke often takes to Twitter to share photos of her experiences at Target Field.
The MLB Fans of the Year presented by Esurance program represents the "first inning" of the Esurance MLB Awards, which honor greatness in Major League Baseball and serve as the grand finale of the game's awards season. Esurance MLB Awards voting will run from 3 p.m. CT on Sept. 19 to 1 p.m. CT on Nov. 11 and include nominees in 19 categories -- from Best Major Leaguer to Best Social Media Post to Best MLB Interview.
Media, front-office personnel, retired MLB players, the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) and fans will determine the most #AwardWorthy players and moments from 2016. The MLB Awards winners will be announced Friday, Nov. 18, live on MLB.com and MLB Network.