"We are absolutely going forward with the promotion," said Patrick Klinger, the team's vice president of marketing.

"It really is intended to pay tribute to the soldiers, those infantry people who are serving the country here and abroad. We wanted to pay tribute to the real G.I. Joes and G.I. Janes serving the country," he said.

The team has included this salute on the toy's packaging: "The Minnesota Twins salute these courageous men and women, past and present, who put their lives on the line to defend our country and assist us in times of need."

Mary Beaudoin, a leader of something that dubs itself Women Against Military Madness, raged to the St. Paul Pioneer Press: "This is hideous … a bad message to send kids. Kids need to be raised with the values of life, not killing."

Col. Denny Shields, a spokesman for the Minnesota National Guard, said, "We're sorry that a small number of Minnesotans are offended by the doll and don't see it as the tribute that it really is."

Editor's note: