Rocco Baldelli: The Best Manager in Minnesota Twins History?

[Cody Christie]

Rocco Baldelli has been getting a lot of flack in recent weeks for some of his managerial decisions. So, how does he stack up to the other top managers in Twins history?

Image courtesy of Jordan Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

When assessing the greatest manager in Minnesota Twins history, names like Tom Kelly and Ron Gardenhire often come to mind. These managers left indelible marks on the franchise, guiding the team through periods of success and building legacies that continue to resonate with fans. However, in recent years, Rocco Baldelli has emerged as a manager who deserves to be mentioned in the same breath—and perhaps, even as the best in the franchise's history.

The Tom Kelly Legacy
Kelly, who managed the Twins from 1986 to 2001, is revered for leading Minnesota to their only two World Series titles in 1987 and 1991. His reputation as a calm, steady leader who could get the most out of his players is well-earned. Kelly's managerial style emphasized fundamental baseball, and he was known for his ability to develop young talent, helping shape future stars like Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, and Chuck Knoblauch. His 16-year tenure is the longest in Twins history, and his impact on the organization remains unmatched by many metrics.

Ron Gardenhire: The Winning Tradition
Gardenhire, who took over from Kelly in 2002, continued the tradition of strong leadership. Under his management, the Twins won six division titles in nine seasons, a remarkable achievement during an era of fierce competition in the American League Central. Gardenhire was beloved for his fiery personality and ability to connect with players. Despite his success in the regular season, Gardenhire's teams often fell short in the playoffs, which has tempered his legacy.

The Rocco Baldelli Era
Rocco Baldelli took the reins in 2019, inheriting a team with potential but one that had not consistently lived up to expectations. In just his first season, Baldelli led the Twins to 101 wins, the second-highest total in franchise history, and an AL Central division title. His impact was immediate, as he was named the American League Manager of the Year in 2019, becoming the youngest manager to win the award. Last season, he guided the franchise to their first postseason series victory in two decades. 

His modern approach to the game sets Baldelli apart from his predecessors. Unlike Kelly, who was known for his old-school methods, and Gardenhire, who managed with a fiery, emotional style, Baldelli has embraced analytics and player rest, aligning with the modern trends in baseball. His ability to blend traditional baseball instincts with advanced metrics has helped the Twins remain competitive in a rapidly evolving sport.

Player Development and Culture
Baldelli's leadership has also been instrumental in creating a positive clubhouse culture. Players have often spoken about the freedom and trust Baldelli gives them, allowing for a more relaxed environment that still demands accountability. This approach has not only kept the team competitive but has also helped in the development of younger players like Brooks Lee, Royce Lewis, and Joe Ryan.

Moreover, Baldelli's ability to manage a diverse roster filled with veterans and young talent alike has been a critical factor in the Twins' sustained success. His focus on maintaining a balanced lineup and rotating players to keep them fresh has paid dividends, particularly in the long, grueling MLB season. 

The Playoff Challenge
One area where Baldelli still has room to grow is in postseason success. While his teams have consistently made the playoffs, they have yet to achieve the kind of postseason success that Kelly enjoyed. However, Baldelli is still early in his managerial career, and with the foundation he has built, it seems only a matter of time before the Twins' breakthrough in October.

Comparing managers across different eras is always challenging, but Baldelli's blend of modern managerial techniques, emphasis on player development, and ability to maintain a competitive team in a changing baseball landscape make him a strong candidate for the title of the best manager in Minnesota Twins history. While Kelly will always be revered for his World Series victories and Gardenhire for his regular-season dominance, Baldelli's innovative approach and early success suggest that he may ultimately surpass them both as he continues to write his own chapter in the Twins' storied history.

Is Baldelli the best manager in Twins history? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

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[Karbo]

I'm not ready to call him the best. Take into account the talent level of the players the different managers have had to work with, and TK got the most out of those players IMO. As an older person, I've seen all the managers the Twins have had. Mele was good, Martin is still probably my favorite. Let's not forget about Mauch. Maybe Rocco will be as good as those, but IMHO he has a ways to go before I anoint him the best. 

[Whitey333]

You are obviously kidding.  This must be one of those Rand satirical articles. He has helped destroy more young players careers than help.  He doesn't use any common sense.  He's a terrible in game manager.  Yes I would put him in the top 5.  In the top 5 worst managers in Twins history.

[mikelink45]

This is another of those - let's get a reaction column. Otherwise the answer is NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 

Sam Mele, Gene Mauch, Tom Kelly, Paul Molitor (yes - he did a good job), Ron Gardenhire, Billy Martin, Frank Quilici.  Give them the talent on this team and they win.  And I am ignoring the Washington Senator managers. 

I am not against Rocco, but I am against recent bias and overstating current abilities.  

 

[Blyleven2011]

I think your reading your paper  upside down  ...

As for  that manager of the year award and 101 wins  ( which was an exciting season ), the players had career years and Baldelli reaped the award by writing out the lineup  , he didn't have to manage until the playoffs  ,  and that was a disaster ...

I will never cut Baldelli any slack  , he is not capable to lead this team to a world series victory  and he will never prove me wrong  ...

[CRF]

Nope...and it's not even close. 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Come on. 

[wabene]

16 minutes ago, CRF said:

Nope...and it's not even close. 

 

11 minutes ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

Come on. 

Scintillating analysis! Lol

[gregens]

I don't normal partake, but I'll have some of what you're smoking.

[wabene]

Is winning percentage a good metric for judging the manager?

[gregens]

I'd say Rocco is better than Ray Miller was.

[Swing Batter-Batter]

AAAAAAAAH........NO!!!!!

Tom Kelly was much better. I'm sure other names will also be mentioned.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Kelly won two world series. That's enough for me.

[terrydactyls]

Billy Martin!!!!  If you disagree, meet me behind the marshmallow truck.

[Rufus]

Truth is I don't think the Twins have ever really had a really good manager.  Gardenhire should have accomplished so much more with the teams he had.  I heard him comment that he did not believe at all in modern managerial concepts..  Baldelli is the total opposite.  The managers that have won the last couple of WS (Baker and Bochy) use a mix of both.  Which just makes sense.  It appeared that Baldelli was drifting that way for while, but lately is seems he has gone back to the computer too much.  Kelly was to much of a you got to do it my way guy and drove off some really good players, instead of letting them be themselves.  

[TopGunn#22]

I would put Rocco FAR DOWN on the list.  I'm NOT a fan.  I would really rather have Paul Molitor as the manager.  Molly did more with less.  I truly believe that if Molly had the talent the last couple years that Rocco did the Twins would have done better.  

Why no love for Sam Mele ??  He did a very good job from 1961-1967.  

[Doctor Gast]

Nope, I was against the firing of Paul Molitor (not only the money they lost), Molitor had a fantastic knowledge of the game rivaled by few. If Falvey wanted to incorporate analytics he should have had Baldelli as a bench manager & had him to assist Molly with the analytic side of things & to learn the practical side of managing from gut feeling. There was a lot Molly could teach Baldelli. IMO Baldelli was mainly lost & depended heavily on Sheldon his 1st season & did not deserve the "Manager of the Year". After Baldelli's 1st year, he managed according to his & FO's weird philosophies (don't get me started with this) they plugged into their computers with a set game plan they never waver from. Focused on HRs & mainly ignored SOs, defense & small ball. I'm a big development guy but guys like Lewis, Lee & Ryan, IMO mainly developed on their own, while seeking out mentors & even outside sources.

There are a lot of managers I'd put ahead Baldelli, Sam Mele being one who was the 1st Twins manager & 1st  to take them to the World Series. I like Baldelli, he is a great player-coach & believe he could become a great manager but the way Falvey went about it was all wrong. Falvey wanted an analytical yes man not a manager. For a long time, I couldn't listen to his talks until Baldelli averted a major disaster that SEA's offense suffered, by ditching the "All or Nothing" approach. I respected him for that.

[wabene]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Which staffs have had the most members poached? 

Tom Kelly it was the golden boy GM.

Gardy, nada.

Rocco Baldelli, too many to list from all parts of the staff. 

Is this telling?

[Otaknam]

1 hour ago, Whitey333 said:

You are obviously kidding.  This must be one of those Rand satirical articles. He has helped destroy more young players careers than help.  He doesn't use any common sense.  He's a terrible in game manager.  Yes I would put him in the top 5.  In the top 5 worst managers in Twins history.

I’m not a big Rocco fan. But It would help if you would give some examples to back up your opinion that he has”destroyed more young players’ careers than he has helped.” 

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, Karbo said:

As an older person, I've seen all the managers the Twins have had. Mele was good, Martin is still probably my favorite.

Billy Martin and Rocco Baldelli are complete opposites. Every weakness for one is a strength for the other.

[Otaknam]

Rocco seems like he is a player’s manager, which the players would like. My criticism of him is that he is too reliant on analytics at the expense of using his intuition and showing some trust in his players, especially the pitching staff. Third time through the lineup.  The computer algorithm says….new pitcher, especially with the younger ones, regardless of how the starter is throwing. I will admit that he is showing a little more patience this year, and the team even has a COMPLETE GAME! Who knew that is allowed! He also embraces  the Earl Weaver approach, doesn’t do much base stealing, hit and run, etc. And they are making a lot of base running blunders that are costing them games. Ultimately, I despise the total fixation on analytics at the expense of using your managing skills and intuition. Just my opinion.

[Mortimerkenny21]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

This is another of those - let's get a reaction column.

Bingo! Just thrown in here to start a pointless debate.

[Mark G]

Let me see if I understand the premise:  the question was is Rocco the best Twins manager of all time, and then he is only compared to the last 2 before the new regime (I can't really put Molly in there, as he split his time between the 2 regimes).  So really the question we are being asked to answer is he the best Twins manager since 1986.  Well, let's see..........Kelly won two World Series titles.  Correct me if I am wrong, but I seem to remember that those were the only 2 years we made the post season at all; we just won it all in an era when you only had to beat 2 teams to succeed.  Gardy made the playoffs, what, 6 times in fewer years than Kelly.  He didn't go the distance, so he is considered not as good.  Kelly lost over 100 games more than he won, and he is in the Twins HOF.  Gardy got fired for having some bad years at the end of his time here, despite the better winning percentage and more times in the playoffs.  End of comparison.  To compare Rocco with these two is more than a little premature, I would submit, only being in his 6th year.  Get back to me in about 6 years and I will give you a more definitive answer.  😉

I also concur completely with Doctor Gast; Mr. Molitor was a far better manager than he was given credit for.  Just take the last two years he was here:  He managed to go 163 - 161 and make the playoffs once, even while the new FO was selling every person on his major league roster who had any value.  He kept the team together despite their frustration at what was happening (he, by the way, also won manager of the year and got fired a year later, so I take no stock in manager of the year).  And, yes, he could teach Rocco more than just a little bit about in game managing.  Is Rocco the best as of today.  Not just no, but HELL NO.  But, again, we are being premature in how it may all turn out over time.  Stay tuned........

So, did I answer your question? 😏

[LambchoP]

Definitely NOT a Rocco fan. I thought this was one of those satire articles. The dude seemingly relies on analytics and percentages and probabilities, which is fine, but you also have to balance them out with baseball instincts, feel, momentum, players eye test etc. Rocco does none of that. I hate his lineups a lot of the time. Having Margot lead off? Hate his pinch hitting decisions. Pulling Wallner to bat Farmer? Also do not like him managing our bullpen. He puts Alcala and Jax out there in a game we are up by six, even though they're overworked lately. Then he has the disaster of Richards or Theilbar pitching in close games. Makes me wonder sometimes. Does Rocco really WANT to win???

[Craig Arko]

1 hour ago, wabene said:

 

Scintillating analysis! Lol

That’s why we come here. Personally, I was always partial to Gene Mauch.

[D.C Twins]

1 hour ago, wabene said:

Is winning percentage a good metric for judging the manager?

Nope.... but WS and Playoff series wins are though!

[hitterscount]

This cannot be an article to be taken seriously. In just the last two weeks his “data” driven decisions have cost the team multiple games. Said it earlier in the season, Pat Murphy, , first year coach is head and shoulders above Rocco.. He has a less talented team and gets the most out of everyone, the sign of a good manager, IMHO

[Squirrel]

What a bunch of clickbait bull. 

[Schmoeman5]

Hahahahahahaha. Good managers learn and adapt. Sometimes on the fly. Metrics, match-ups etc are all fine. But for a guy who played, he has no feel. When you keep doing the same things over and over even though they haven't worked and refuse to even add new wrinkles. That's just stubbornness. Or he is just simply, a yes man. Following orders. Either case. NO!

[jccracraft]

I will give Rocco credit for this year, with the Correa and Bux injuries, as well as starting pitching guys. And bullpen for that matter. Obviously the roster is a bit constrained due to budget as well. He used to drive me crazy with his pinch hitting for guys early in the game. He's had a pretty good record overall. If he has more success in the post season, he could move up in the rankings.