Category: Twins Managers

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The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have hired Derek Shelton as their 15th manager. Shelton will replace Rocco Baldelli who was fired after seven seasons at the skipper of the Minnesota Twins the day after the 2025 season ended.

Baldelli managed the Twins to a 70-97 mark this season and a fourth place finish in the AL Central that saw the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers advance to the playoffs. Baldelli had three first place finishes, one of which was the COVID shortened 2020 season. Baldelli had a record of 527-505 (.511) and had a postseason record of 3-8.

Shelton himself was fired as the Pittsburgh Pirates manager this past May after the Pirates got off to a 12-26 start. He finished his six year Pirates managing career with a 306-440 record with two fourth place and four fifth place finishes. His record in Pittsburgh wasn’t great but to be fair the Pirates payroll is lower than the Twins payroll and ownership hasn’t made much of an effort to field a winning team.

Shelton has a history with Minnesota, serving as the bench coach for the Twins in 2018 and 2019, working under managers Paul Molitor and Rocco Baldelli. He was considered an important part of the 2019 team that won 101 games.

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Rocco Baldelli Fired: A Turning Point in Minnesota Twins History

Manager Rocco Baldelli

The Minnesota Twins have reached a crossroads. After closing out the 2025 season with a disappointing 70-92 record, the team made the difficult decision to part ways with manager Rocco Baldelli. This move comes just weeks after Baldelli became the third winningest manager in franchise history, trailing only legends Tom Kelly and Ron Gardenhire.

Baldelli’s Legacy: Highs, Lows, and the Bomba Squad

Baldelli’s tenure began with a bang. In 2019, he led the Twins to an electrifying 101-win season, capturing the AL Central crown and setting a Major League record with 307 home runs. That “Bomba Squad” team brought new energy to Target Field and earned Baldelli the American League Manager of the Year award.

The Twins followed up with another division title in the COVID-shortened 2020 season and again in 2023. However, the momentum faded. Minnesota missed the playoffs four times in the last five years, and only the Nationals, White Sox, and Rockies finished with fewer wins in 2025. Baldelli’s overall record stands at 527-505 (.511 win percentage), a mark that cements his place in Twins history but also reflects the team’s recent struggles.

The Decision: Falvey’s Call and Fan Frustration

Twins President Derek Falvey explained the move:

“This game is ultimately measured by results, and over the past two seasons we did not reach the goals we set. After discussions with ownership, we determined that this is the right moment for a change in voice and direction.”

The timing raised eyebrows. Earlier this year, Falvey extended Baldelli’s contract through 2026, even after the team’s September collapse in 2024. Many fans are left wondering about accountability at the top, especially as Falvey remains in charge.

What’s Next? Searching for the Right Leader

The search for a new manager is underway, and the direction the Twins choose could shape the franchise for years to come. There’s a growing call among long-time fans for an experienced, old-school manager—someone who can lead without constant front office interference. While analytics are a valuable tool, baseball is still a game played by people, and the human element can’t be ignored.

Early reports suggest the Twins want a manager who can develop young talent. With an average age of 27.5, the team is younger than most in the league. Names like Don Mattingly, Joe Maddon, Mark DeRosa, David Ross, Joe Girardi, Skip Schumaker, as well as former Twin Doug Mientkiewicz are circulating among fans as potential candidates. Former Twins like Torii Hunter and Justin Morneau are also being mentioned although they have no managing experience. The big question: Will the front office allow a strong-willed manager to truly lead?

The Road Ahead: 2026 and Beyond

After two seasons of dashed hopes, fan interest and ticket sales are likely to drop. The franchise faces several pressing questions:

  • Who will be the new manager?
  • How much will ownership invest in payroll?
  • Will new minority owners influence team decisions?
  • Will the Twins continue their fire sale?
  • Is a team sale still on the table?

On the field, there’s reason for cautious optimism. If the Twins hold onto Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, and Bailey Ober, they’ll have a solid starting rotation, with more young arms ready to step up. The bullpen, however, is in dire need of a rebuild—something that could be addressed with smart, affordable free agent signings and by giving young pitchers big-league experience in relief roles.

Trades may be necessary to bring in younger position players, and while a true power hitter would be a welcome addition, big spending seems highly unlikely.

Final Thoughts

The current Twins roster isn’t far from being a .500 team. With the right additions—especially in the bullpen—and a manager who can inspire and develop young talent, Minnesota could be back in contention sooner than many expect.

What do you think about the Twins’ decision and the future of the team? Share your thoughts and memories in the comments below!

4 responses to “Rocco Baldelli Fired: A Turning Point in Minnesota Twins History”

  1. Robert Schulz

    Twins need a whole new set of hitting and pitching coaches. Can’t continue with poor situational approaches at the plate and too many strikeouts.

    Same for pitching. The starters need to go more than 4 + innings. Relief pitching is a mess right now. Need some high velocity arms.

    Reply
    1. Richard Monet

      What I don’t understand is there was a great hitting coach that was fired last year. Popkins sure worked some miracles with the Blue Jays!

      Reply
      1. John

        Somebody’s head had to roll after the Twins hitting late in 2024 and it wasn’t going to be Rocco so Popkins drew the short straw. To be fair Popkin’s had more to work with in Torronto than he had in Minnesota.

        Reply
  2. Les Smith

    Maybe whoever it is in the Pohlad family that’s running the team, fires Falvey and resigns Baldeli.
    Other than the owners, nobody’s job is safe and Falvey probably couldnt find the field with a map and directions.

    Reply

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The very first Minnesota Twins manager

Harry Arthur “Cookie” Lavagetto

Cookie Lavagetto was the Washington Senators manager when they became the Minnesota Twins but he lasted just 66 games and finished with a 25-41 record in 1961.

 

Harry Arthur “Cookie” Lavagetto was born December 1, 1912 in Oakland, California and died in his sleep on August 10, 1990 in Orinda, California at the age of 77. He acquired his nickname from his Oakland Oaks teammates, who called him “Cookie’s boy,” because he had been hired by Oaks’ president Victor “Cookie” Devincenzi. Lavagetto played third base and second base in the major leagues for 10 seasons and played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1934-1936 and was a four-time All-Star while with the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1937 -1947. Cookie did not play ball in the majors from 1942-1945 due to serving his country in the military during World War II. Cookie enlisted in the US Navy in February 1942 even though he was classified 3-A and was sworn in as Aviation Machinist Mate 1st class. He is most widely known as the pinch hitter whose double with two on and two out in the bottom of the ninth inning ruined Bill Bevens‘ bid for the first World Series no-hitter in Game 4 of the 1947 World Series and gave his Brooklyn Dodgers a breathtaking victory over the New York Yankees, a game known as “The Cookie Game”. You can listen to a broadcast clip of that play here and see a video clip here. The Dodgers went on to lose the 1947 World Series to the New York Yankees 4 games to 3.

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