DYERSVILLE — For Byron Buxton, the Major League Baseball game at the Field of Dreams is not just a return to the field; it's a return to Iowa. The 32-year-old center fielder — originally from Georgia — landed on the injured list July 28 with a right hip injury. But with the Minnesota Twins activating the outfielder ahead of the Aug. 13 game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Buxton will return to action in the state where he spent part of his minor league career.
In 2013, Buxton starred for the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Midwest League, batting .341 with eight home runs and 55 RBIs in 68 games. He earned a promotion mid-season, and his time in Cedar Rapids quickly made him a name to know among baseball fans. "It's good to be back," Buxton said during a pre-game press conference. "Different part of Iowa, obviously, but to be able to come here and play in this game is something special for me, especially with my family. ...It's the first time I've seen the Field of Dreams site in person. "So, to have my family be able to experience that with me makes it that much more special." Back in the clubhouse, Buxton reflected further on his time in Cedar Rapids, which included a diving catch that landed on ESPN's SportsCenter. "My host family, I still talk to them to this day," Buxton shared. "But my diving catch, in left-center, can't remember who we played, (but) that was the first time I made SportsCenter and I was like, 'This is the coolest thing ever.' I'll never forget it." Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Twins outfielder returns to Iowa for Field of Dreams game