An Ode to Lord Byron: The Case for Giving Buxton a 'C' Patch

[Alex Boxwell]

Image courtesy of Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Baseball has a long and bizarre history with naming a player a team captain. When teams have named captains, it’s something that has intertwined a player with the history of the franchise and with the team's fan base. Notable captains being Derek Jeter, Aaron Judge, Salvador Perez, Barry Larkin, Yadier Molina, Jason Varitek, and others. All of these guys were great players and great leaders. However, most importantly in the times of modern baseball, they were committed to their ballclub.

The real-life function of a team captain in baseball is obviously negligible. There are no rules where only the captain can talk to the umpire and there’s really not any player involvement concocting gameday strategy outside of pitchers and catchers game planning. Holding the mantle of team captain in a game like baseball is largely honoring a player and their impact on a clubhouse, on a fanbase, and within the franchise.

The Twins currently have a player that fits this mold as well as anyone since the Joe Mauer era (who should have absolutely been a team captain by the way). This player is currently the longest-tenured Twin and has been in the organization 14 seasons. He is the pulse of the clubhouse and in the face of a complete renovation of the roster, he faced the microphones many times and said “I ain’t goin' anywhere”. With all things considered and no sources to prove it, I would imagine the Twins brass begged him to waive his no trade clause, but he stood firm on wanting to be in Minnesota. Byron Buxton should be named captain of the Minnesota Twins.

Buxton is already team captain in everything but title. He has gone through huge ups and downs in production, played through pain, continues to suffer a poor supporting cast, and he remains staunch on cementing his legacy with Minnesota. Most players would’ve happily jumped ship at the deadline and we even saw some that did, only to stay at home in October anyways.

In baseball, you see players hop franchises at the drop of a hat. Players are always in pursuit of more money, more wins, more glory, which is what the players should be doing, but this cheapens the fan experience. Front offices executing order 66 on their roster every 5-7 years makes you feel like you’re just cheering for laundry. Buxton demanding to stay and extending his tenure here gives meaning to a fanbase of an underperforming team, and it helps fans build real relationships with a franchise.

A player of Byron Buxton’s caliber choosing this franchise over and over, while being an anchor during a tumultuous 2025 season, has earned him the right to be named captain of the Minnesota Twins. He has done right by the franchise, but now it is time for the franchise to do right by Byron Buxton. Heading into 2026 it’s time to answer Buxton’s commitment to this franchise by putting a “C” on his jersey for the rest of his career.

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[Schmoeman5]

OK. Give Byron the C. Hes the leader in the clubhouse already so it would be totally symbolic. Byron is so low key but when he needs to he voices his displeasure. And the players take note. A story i was told was that players were being careless and breaking iPads and Byron got pissed because the prevailing attitude was simply if one got broke it would just be replaced. He basically was telling them to grow up. The players were like soldiers going through basic training. Sir yes sir.

[DJL44]

I don’t think the Twins have ever designated a player as captain.

[Dawgzilla]

Would you want the "C" for captaining a sinking ship?!

[LambchoP]

Give it to him, he more than deserves it. He's playing everyday on a cheap team friendly contract on a crappy rebuilding team. Just about anyone else of his caliber would have jumped ship for a big market playoff team by now. Buck is the face of the franchise and if we ever do lose him, the fans lose their last reason to come to the ballpark at all.

[Parfigliano]

17 minutes ago, Dawgzilla said:

Would you want the "C" for captaining a sinking ship?!

Good point.

[Doctor Gast]

Buck deserves the honor of being officially the captain of this team. I don't care if he isn't the cheerleader, his character, commitment & devotion to this team more than qualify him. When Buck is on the field, he greatly improves our chances of winning that game. If Buck is the captain, it makes it that much harder for Falvey to quantify trading him.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

40 minutes ago, Dawgzilla said:

Would you want the "C" for captaining a sinking ship?!

If he is on this team in the spring, it’s because he wants to. He would be among the easiest to trade players on the team, maybe in baseball.

its commitment. He’s had plenty of reasons to bail already, including getting his playing time manipulated for arbitration/free agency purposes. Yet here he is, on what was an owner friendly deal before he broke out in ways only he knew he could do.

its awesome, I hope he retires a Twin.

i totally understand if he doesn’t, but if he does, it should have the C on his jersey.

and yeah, I would, been a fan of the team since the early 80s. Highest highs, lowest lows. Lows deeper than most teams ever go through. Fandom is an odd thing

[Permanent Twins Fan]

I like the idea of Byron Buxton being officially named the Captain. He is definitely the leader of the clubhouse. along with Pablo Lopez, and Lopez might not even be on the team heading into 2026. Buxton's leadership will be very important in ushering in a young core for the Twins.

[Alex Boxwell]

2 hours ago, DJL44 said:

I don’t think the Twins have ever designated a player as captain.

I believe Harmon Killebrew is the only official team captain in Twins history.

[rv78]

I would go so far as saying he is the current "L"eader of the club. "C"aptain? Not so sure he is worthy. If Killebrew has been the only Captain and it takes credentials the likes of Killebrews to be named one, then Buxton isn't close. I don't deny his loyalty at this time but he should be loyal due to the Twins continuing to keep him through all of his seasons when he was a part-time player. I find it ironic that after he finally played in the 2nd highest number of games in his 11 year career, 126, (still not really a FULL season) that he is somehow worthy of anything other than a sigh of relief that he played as much as he did.

[Maybebaby]

If that puts a feather in his hat/cap do it.  Whatever it takes to keep him content and remain a Twin.

[ashbury]

19 minutes ago, rv78 said:

I would go so far as saying he is the current "L"eader of the club. "C"aptain? Not so sure he is worthy. If Killebrew has been the only Captain and it takes credentials the likes of Killebrews to be named one, then Buxton isn't close. I don't deny his loyalty at this time but he should be loyal due to the Twins continuing to keep him through all of his seasons when he was a part-time player. I find it ironic that after he finally played in the 2nd highest number of games in his 11 year career, 126, (still not really a FULL season) that he is somehow worthy of anything other than a sigh of relief that he played as much as he did.

Twins Captain for 2026, and Twins Hall of Fame, are two entirely separate concepts.  Most of your argument sounds like the latter.

[The Great Hambino]

Like most symbolic gestures and traditions, I mock it when others do it (haha Salvador Perez LOSER) but think it's cool when we do it.  Give him the C and Row The Boat

[Alex Boxwell]

13 hours ago, rv78 said:

I would go so far as saying he is the current "L"eader of the club. "C"aptain? Not so sure he is worthy. If Killebrew has been the only Captain and it takes credentials the likes of Killebrews to be named one, then Buxton isn't close. I don't deny his loyalty at this time but he should be loyal due to the Twins continuing to keep him through all of his seasons when he was a part-time player. I find it ironic that after he finally played in the 2nd highest number of games in his 11 year career, 126, (still not really a FULL season) that he is somehow worthy of anything other than a sigh of relief that he played as much as he did.

I don't think that's necessarily an apples to apple comparison since that was roughly 65 years ago and we have the benefit of knowing Killebrew's full body of work. Killebrew was named captain in '61 and at the completion of that season he was a career 12.4 bWAR player and had 130 career homers. 

I think the Salvador Perez comp is pretty close. I get Byron isn't a catcher but in terms of on field impact/loyalty/fan appreciation it's a worthy conversation.

[Whitey333]

Nice article.  Buck has gone through a lot.  Ive been a critic of him for years and still am.  He had a great season in 2025 and plaid a somewhat full season.  He still only played about 80% of the teams game.  But he persevered.  Git to give him credit.  The "C" is largely symbolic.  Let him have it.  It may be the only positive move the Twins make this off season.

[DuluthRoots]

"Lord Byron"-- I love it. 

I like him so much I hope he leaves for a better team and gets a ring somewhere. 

[JD-TWINS]

17 hours ago, ashbury said:

Twins Captain for 2026, and Twins Hall of Fame, are two entirely separate concepts.  Most of your argument sounds like the latter.

Well, if you’re named as one of only two Captains in Team History then Twins HOF seems to be nearly a given - right?

I don’t know that Byron wants to be thought of as a guy on any other level than the rest of his teammates? He leads by example and does the right thing nearly always. I think he’s good with that.

Guy above said, he imagined Team was begging him to wave his no trade clause ….. why would they do that? He costs $15M plus another 10% in bonuses for hitting some productivity goals. He played to about a $35M (guessing) level in ‘25. He’s 31 and as healthy as he’s ever been. Trading him for hopeful youth is nuts at his salary level.

I don’t think youth respects a “title” like Captain nearly as much as they respect the Captainlike behavior!

[Lartwinfan]

He is man of high character and one great baseball player!!  I’ve been a Mn twins fan from the beginning and followed them since Halsey Hall and Ray Scott.  So I’ve seen and followed their centerfielders from Bill Tuttle and Lenny Green to Byron. He’s deserving of the honor without a doubt. He could have some magical years ahead that would make going to the game that much better. If he was to leave I’ll really miss him and I’m sure a lot of others will also