Justin Morneau Archives - Twinstrivia.com

Twins Iron Men

When I watch MLB I always expect to see a good game and to me that means that the teams best players are going to be on the field. I am getting up there in age and over the years I could probably name the starting line-up for every team in the American League. Sadly that is no longer true as today’s style of play is such that most players seem to expect to get at least a day a week off. So when I watch a game I am no longer surprised when one of the teams is resting one or more of their starting position players.

I never played professional baseball so I don’t know how hard it is to play 6 games a week. But the umpire still starts the game with a “play ball” and not a “work ball” so how tough can it be? I can complain but that won’t change anything so I am just going to get right to the point of this post.

Who are the Minnesota Twins franchise “Iron Men”? By “Iron Men” for my purposes I am going to use 160 games played. As you can see by the attached B-R Stathead link the Twins have had just 11 players that have played in 160 or more games in a season over the last 65 seasons and they have accomplished this feat a total of 21 times. Zoilo Versalles, a shortstop did it four times between 1962 and 1967 and Harmon Killebrew who played first, third and the outfield and outfielder Kirby Puckett each did it three times.

Between 1961 and 1999 it was done 19 times and in the current century Twins players have done it just twice. Torii Hunter did it in 2007 and the last Twins player to play 160 or more games was Justin Morneau in 2008. Matter of fact, he is the last Twins player to appear in every game in a season which he did in the 2008 season when he played in 163 games.

A number of players over the years like Bob Allison, Rich Rollins, Bernie Allen, Versalles, Oliva, Ron Jackson and Puckett played in 159 games and just missed the 160 cutoff. So without further ado here is the list of Twins Iron Men that came to play ball day in and day out.

Rocco Baldelli Fired: A Turning Point in Minnesota Twins History

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”

Robert Schulz

October 6, 2025

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
  
  October 23, 2025
  
  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
    
    October 23, 2025
    
    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
Les Smith

October 3, 2025

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

Minnesota Twins legend Wayne Hattaway gone, just like the game he loved

Wayne Hattaway and Ron Gardenhire in 2014.

A Minnesota Twins legend Wayne Hattaway passed away on April 30, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama after a battle with cancer. Wayne was born in Mobile on February 24, 1940 to Fred and Margaret Hattaway and was the first of the five children, four of which were girls.

Wayne enjoyed baseball as a youngster growing up Mobile and often snuck away from school to catch a baseball game at Hartwell Field, the home park for the Mobile Bears who at that time were in the Southern Association as a AA affiliate of the the Brooklyn Dodgers. One thing led to another and in 1952 the team asked Wayne Hattaway (he was 12 at the time) if he wanted to be their batboy and of course he jumped at the opportunity. Little did Wayne know at the time that his career in baseball had begun.

Twins HOF voting by fans not what it is cracked up to be

On January 24th the Minnesota Twins announced that former Twins first baseman Justin Morneau has been elected to the club’s Hall of Fame. Morneau will become the 34th member of the Twins Hall of Fame when he is inducted during an on-field pre-game ceremony at Target Field before the Twins host the Chicago White Sox on Saturday, May 23. This is all well and good because Justin Morneau is certainly deserving of the honor.

However; one player that stands out in my mind that played for the Minnesota Twins from 1965-1972 that has been left out of the Twins HOF once again is Cesar Tovar. Tovar passed away in 1994 at the age of 54. Cesar Tovar entered the Venezuelan Sports Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame as part of its first class in 2003. He is still remembered as one of the greatest players in the history of his nation’s winter league. As Tony Oliva said of their days with the Twins, “If we’d had nine players like him, we wouldn’t have needed any others.” Yet as we enter 2020 Tovar is still not in the Minnesota Twins HOF, what an injustice!

Play you best players, let them rest in the off-season

When I go to the ballpark or watch a baseball game on TV I always expect the teams best players to be on the field day in and day out during the baseball season. I am old school in that regard and it is disappointing to me when today’s managers rest players so frequently. I believe that players are paid to play and only an injury that does not physically allow them to play should keep them off the field and in the dugout.

Apparently that is not how the Twins play baseball. Coming to the ballpark and playing every day is not how it is done in Minnesota. The last player to play 160 or more games in a season for the Minnesota Twins was Justin Morneau back in 2008, that was 12 years ago. Morneau put together a 318 consecutive games played streak that started on June 28, 2007 and ended on June 20, 2009.

Over the years the Twins have had 21 instances when a player has appeared in 160 games or more. Eleven players have accomplished this feat with Zoilo Versalles leading the pack with four such seasons, Harmon Killebrew and Kirby Puckett each did it three times, Cesar Tovar, Leo Cardenas and Gary Gaetti did it twice while Tony Oliva, Roy Smalley, Paul Molitor, Torii Hunter and Justin Morneau each did it once. This past season the Twins “Ironman” was Jorge Polanco with 153 games played.

Looking at just the American League (due to no DH in the National League) this past season there were four players that appeared in 160 or more games and there have been no instances from 1961-2019 where there hasn’t been at least one players appearing in 160 games in a season, excluding strike shortened seasons.

Going back to 1961 the Twins have the third longest streak in the AL without a player appearing in 160 or more games. The last Cleveland Indians player to play in 160 or more games was Grady Sizemore in 2007 and the longest streak in the AL without a player playing in 160 games belongs to the Los Angeles Angels who had Garret Anderson and Troy Glaus qualify back in 2001. I found it interesting that the Texas Rangers who did not begin play until 1972 and play in the very hot Texas temperatures had 13 players play in 160 or more games between 1972-2019.

Recent Minnesota Twins news events

The first thing we do need to do is to congratulate catcher Mitch Garver and DH Nelson Cruz on being named 2019 American League Silver Slugger winners. Garver and Cruz are the first Minnesota Twins teammates to win Silver Sluggers since Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau in 2008.

The last previous winner of a Silver Slugger award was outfielder Josh Willingham in 2012. Kirby Puckett and Joe Mauer have each won the award five times. Garver and Cruz are the seventh and eighth Minnesota Twins players to be awarded Silver Slugger.

The Silver Slugger Award is awarded annually to the best offensive player at each position in both the American League and the National League, as determined by the coaches and managers of Major League Baseball. The award was started in 1980. A complete list of Twins award winners can be seen here.

Nelson Cruz on a record breaking roll!

Stolen from today’s MN Twins GameNotes. This is just crazy, the man is 39 years old. We are lucky to have watched him this year.

ALL ABOUT THE BOOMSTICK: Historic night in Nellyville:

Nelson Cruz has 30 home runs on the season, tied for second most in the AL.

He now has 30 for the sixth straight season. Active players with 30+ homer streaks include Albert Pujols (12) from 2001-12, Edwin Encarnacion (8) from 2012-19, and Miguel Cabrera (7) from 2007-13.

Cruz’s 30 home runs pass Chili Davis‘ 1991 total (29) for the most by a DH in club history, (MLB all-time record is 54 by David Ortiz in 2006).

Current .652 slugging percentage is the highest in club history (next: Killebrew, .606 in 1961).

Three homers last night marked the 12th time in club history: Bob Allison (’63), Harmon Killebrew (’63), Tony Oliva (’73), Justin Morneau (’07), Max Kepler (’16), Brian Dozier (’16), Eddie Rosario (’17), Byron Buxton (’17), Eddie Rosario (’18), Max Kepler (’19), Nelson Cruz (’19) and Nelson Cruz (’19).

Becomes the 23rd player in baseball history with multiple three-homer games in a season (first in Twins history). The first in MLB history with multiple after turning 39.

After Cruz’s three-homer game July 25 at CWS, he joins Doug DeCinces (8/3 & 8, 1982) and Johnny Mize (7/13 & 20, 1938) as the only players to homer three times within 10 days.

Leads baseball in home runs since ASG (14), next players, Max Kepler and Mancini have nine. Also leads baseball in RBI since ASG (26)

Joins Jason Kubel (2009) as the only two players in club history with four five+ RBI games in a season.

Thanks for the show Boomstick!

Could Eddie Rosario be on his way to an MVP?

“Leader of the Pack” Eddie Rosario hits one out with credit to Michael Layton/Getty Images

In 1969 at the ripe old age of 33, Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew won the American League MVP award when he played in 162 games and led the league with 49 home runs, 140 RBI, 145 walks and a 1.011 OPS. All of these were career highs for the Killer.

Could current Twins left fielder Eddie Rosario be on his way to a season for the ages and bring home another MVP award? 48 games does not a season make but it is still fun comparing former Twins MVP winners to our current MVP candidate Eddie Rosario with about 30% of the season in the books.

On June 4, 1969 Killebrew had played in 48 games with 209 plate appearances and was hitting .269 with 12 home runs, 38 RBI, 39 walks and a .940 OPS.

On May 24, 2019 Eddie Rosario who is just 27 had played in 48 games with 204 plate appearances and was hitting .285 with 15 home runs, 42 RBI, 9 walks and a .868 OPS.

Other Twins MVP’s after 48 games

On June 8, 1965 at the age of 25 Zoilo Versalles had played in 48 games with 225 plate appearances and was hitting .269 with 6 home runs, 31 RBI, 11 walks and a .788 OPS.

On June 1, 2006 at the age of 25 Justin Morneau had played in 48 games with 195 plate appearances and was hitting .240 with 10 home runs, 36 RBI, 14 walks and a .760 OPS.

On June 24, 2009 at the age of 26 Joe Mauer had played in 48 games with 212 plate appearances and was hitting .394 with 14 home runs, 42 RBI, 27 walks and a 1.167 OPS.

Twins leaders with two or more home runs in a game

No surprise here that it is Harmon Killebrew, right?

Results
Rk	Player	#Matching
1	Harmon Killebrew	35
2	Justin Morneau	20
3	Tony Oliva	18
4	Kent Hrbek	16
5	Bob Allison	15
6	Kirby Puckett	13
7	Gary Gaetti	13
8	Tom Brunansky	11
9	Don Mincher	9
10	Torii Hunter	9
11	Eddie Rosario	8
12	Corey Koskie	8
13	Jacque Jones	8
14	Jimmie Hall	8
15	Brian Dozier	8

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 5/1/2019.

Eddie Rosario is climbing this list pretty quickly.

And he goes down swinging!

We all know that strikeout rates are up all across baseball for the last few years but today we will look at Minnesota Twins batters and their strikeout rates going back to 1961. We used B-R’s amazing Play Index to find what we were looking for.

The top two all time Twins leader in strikeouts are Harmon Killebrew with 1,314 and Joe Mauer with 1,034. Mauer? What the heck? Longevity can do strange things to numbers and the devil is in the details.

Tag: Justin Morneau

Twins Iron Men

Like this: