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Article: Reports: Twins to Hire Rocco Baldelli as Manager

Nick Nelson

By Nick Nelson
in Twins Daily Front Page News

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Richie the Rally Goat
Richie the Rally Goat

All conjecture and I'm talking out of my rear end, but... Until 10 years ago he was able to play a 162 game season at a high level.  but if he could play, he can travel and watch, coach, and manage -

LaBombo
LaBombo

Looks like a good hire to me, for these reasons in descending order of seriousness....   1. If the Rays liked his analytical ability enough to let him shape their use of statistics in the field, that'

jmlease1
jmlease1

I'm baffled by the inconsistencies in this argument. the FO are automatons, but they're running a "chicken soup for the soul" franchise? You're mad about the decision to fire Molitor, but you don't ho

jmlease1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

jmlease1

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The Minnesota Twins took a major hit from many of us in the state who follow baseball closely but not uncritically when two inexperienced front office executives who remind us more of automatons than human beings fired reigning Manager of the Year Paul Molitor because they could. We don't hold the decision against Baldelli, their new manager, but many of us aren't likely to buy tickets next year unless Molitor gets another managerial job. There are way too many other things to do in Minneapolis and St. Paul, truly great cities, than support a Chicken-Soup-Is-Goo-For-The-Soul franchise. Their systems analysis approach to baseball is something like Robert Mcnamara's approach to the Vietnam quagmire in the Sixties. And we all know how that turned out.  

 

I'm baffled by the inconsistencies in this argument. the FO are automatons, but they're running a "chicken soup for the soul" franchise? You're mad about the decision to fire Molitor, but you don't hold it against the new guy, but you won't go to a twins game again unless Molitor gets hired to manage by someone else?

jctwins Draft Eligible

jctwins

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Very excited about this hire. I'll be quite interested in seeing how the coaching staff shakes out. I'd have to think Shelton, Pickler, Alston and Rowson are locks, and I'd really like to see Guardado back. Not sure about Glynn, as he was more of a Twins system guy.

 

If one of the objectives is to mix up the bullpen, I'd have to think the bullpen coach job may be up for a change.

 

I'm not advocating one way or another, it's just the reality of baseball.

Nick Nelson GOAT

Nick Nelson

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For those interested, you can watch video of this baseball analytics panel Baldelli was on at the 2012 Sloan Sports Conference. Alongside him on that panel were Jeff Luhnow, Mark Shapiro, Bill James and Scott Boras. Says a lot about Baldelli that he was in that group six years ago, IMO. He comes off well when speaking here:

 

https://youtu.be/ZU2UTCtvEZs

nicksaviking MVP

nicksaviking

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For those interested, you can watch video of this baseball analytics panel Baldelli was on at the 2012 Sloan Sports Conference. Alongside him on that panel were Jeff Luhnow, Mark Shapiro, Bill James and Scott Boras. Says a lot about Baldelli that he was in that group six years ago, IMO. He comes off well when speaking here:

 

https://youtu.be/ZU2UTCtvEZs

 

Wow, good company. I'm taking a listen now.

 

Edit: Ha, just got to the part where Luhnow was praising St. Louis' use of analytics to win the WS and then immediately said he can't sit up on stage and share his secrets! Oh the foreshadowing! It's at the 18:30 mark.

yarnivek1972 Ft Myers Mighty Mussels

yarnivek1972

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The Minnesota Twins took a major hit from many of us in the state who follow baseball closely but not uncritically when two inexperienced front office executives who remind us more of automatons than human beings fired reigning Manager of the Year Paul Molitor because they could. We don't hold the decision against Baldelli, their new manager, but many of us aren't likely to buy tickets next year unless Molitor gets another managerial job. There are way too many other things to do in Minneapolis and St. Paul, truly great cities, than support a Chicken-Soup-Is-Goo-For-The-Soul franchise. Their systems analysis approach to baseball is something like Robert Mcnamara's approach to the Vietnam quagmire in the Sixties. And we all know how that turned out.

Falvey’s been working in baseball for more than 10 years. Levine almost 20. How is that “inexperienced”?

 

Andy MacPhail had about 8 years in baseball when the Twins hired him. Young minds, fresh ideas. EXACTLY what this organiztion needs.

Mike Sixel GOAT

Mike Sixel

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wearingwhitesoxinboston
1:07 Thoughts on the Baldelli hire? Like Cora and Roberts, he was an average player with bench coaching but no managerial experience. Is this a copy-cat move by the Twins or was he the best option? I am skeptical.

Keith Law
1:07 Cora had managerial experience.

Ron
1:07 Thoughts o n the Baldelli hire?  Sounds analytical, young, has coaching and instructing experience and worked in the front office.  Bad hire, good hire or "Meh"?  But hasn't managed.

Keith Law
1:09 I discussed this on the BBTN podcast this morning - I know Rocco well, and think very highly of him. He's very bright and curious. He's more than just open to new ideas and will work well with the stats guys. I believe he'll be a good developmental manager. But as you said, he hasn't managed, and that's a negative regardless of who the candidate is. I hope he finds someone for his staff who has plenty of in-game experience and can help him learn that part of the game quickly; the track record of no-experience managers is poor.

Squirrel GOAT

Squirrel

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The Minnesota Twins took a major hit from many of us in the state who follow baseball closely but not uncritically when two inexperienced front office executives who remind us more of automatons than human beings fired reigning Manager of the Year Paul Molitor because they could. We don't hold the decision against Baldelli, their new manager, but many of us aren't likely to buy tickets next year unless Molitor gets another managerial job. There are way too many other things to do in Minneapolis and St. Paul, truly great cities, than support a Chicken-Soup-Is-Goo-For-The-Soul franchise. Their systems analysis approach to baseball is something like Robert Mcnamara's approach to the Vietnam quagmire in the Sixties. And we all know how that turned out.  

Um, can't say I agree. I am MORE likely to buy tickets because they fired Molitor and hired Baldelli. I was disappointed that they gave Molitor a 3-yr contract last Fall. This is the kind of move they should have made earlier.

LaBombo Wichita Wind Surge

LaBombo

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Looks like a good hire to me, for these reasons in descending order of seriousness....

 

1. If the Rays liked his analytical ability enough to let him shape their use of statistics in the field, that's good enough for me. At the very least, we know he's not an anti-cybermetrics crackpot, and probably closer to the opposite.

 

2. Baldelli the player was a very talented kid whose career went off the rails due to health issues. The Twins' immediate future hinges on getting Buxton and Sano back on the rails. Hoping his personal experiences will aid and inform his efforts to get them going again.

 

3. He's a bass player. In most bands that would mean his role would be to keep the prima donna vocalist and lead guitarist from strangling each other, keep the drummer from jumping out of moving vehicles, and get everyone where they need to be on time. So pretty much the same job as a baseball manager.

 

4. His name is Rocco. Even if you're a loose cannon type of player, how much crap are you gonna give a manager whose name is "Rocco"? It is my desperately irrational hope that he hires a coach whose last name ends in 'ski'. Then on the off chance a real problem child needs straightening out, Levine can finish a disciplinary conversation with "Rocco. Ski. Take Mr. Xxxx outside and make sure he understands".

Edited by LaBombo
Doomtints FCL Twins

Doomtints

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This article makes me think the Twins found a gem. He looks like a good project manager, and good PMs are the best of all worlds. If you can effectively manage without authority and turn chaotic ideas, data, and situations into action, good things happen.

 

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/Rays-give-Rocco-Baldelli-new-title-of-major-league-field-coordinator_162758395

Edited by Doomtints
Jacksson Draft Eligible

Jacksson

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Curious that his chronic medical condition would not affect him, given the rigorous travel schedule as well as the mental, emotional, and other physical demands of a Major League Manager.

luckylager Draft Eligible

luckylager

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Curious that his chronic medical condition would not affect him, given the rigorous travel schedule as well as the mental, emotional, and other physical demands of a Major League Manager.

 

I'm going to go out on a limb and say I'm positive this issue was covered in the interview process and that the Twins were satisfied with the answer. 

Squirrel GOAT

Squirrel

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Curious that his chronic medical condition would not affect him, given the rigorous travel schedule as well as the mental, emotional, and other physical demands of a Major League Manager.

I don't know much about his illness or what treatments he has to do (if any) to keep it at bay. However, the physicality between being a manager and a player are not at all comparable. And it is probably that difference that makes his disease manageable in this role vs the physical rigors of a playing role. But ... as much as you ... I don't know; given his history, I'm sure it was addressed in the process to hire him.

Minny505 Draft Eligible

Minny505

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3. He's a bass player. In most bands that would mean his role would be to keep the prima donna vocalist and lead guitarist from strangling each other, keep the drummer from jumping out of moving vehicles, and get everyone where they need to be on time. So pretty much the same job as a baseball manager.

 

 

This is the funniest comment I've ever read on Twins Daily. This is getting printed and pinned on my office wall. Thank you so very much!!!

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