Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Minneapolis Star Tribune columnist Sid Hartman at the age of 100:

“Sid Hartman was a singular figure of the Minnesota sports scene throughout the entire history of the Twins franchise, and a friend to so many throughout our National Pastime. Appropriately, he was member number one for the Baseball Writers’ Association of America at the time of his passing, as well as the organization’s longest tenured member. We appreciate Sid’s lifetime of goodwill and for always reminding us why we love baseball and all sports.

“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest sympathy to Sid’s family, friends, readers and all Minnesotans.”