Opinion: Twins TV Hits a Grand Slam with All Analyst Broadcast

[Seth Stohs]

Image courtesy of © Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

The beauty of the baseball season is that it is a long season, that it is a marathon and not a sprint. After 162 games, the best teams separate themselves from the others. 

The difficulty of the baseball season for players and for fans is that it is a long season. Players have to figure out a routine and that could certainly get monotonous. It's the same for most fans, even die-hard fans. The routine of watching most of the 162 games can get a little stale, especially if you are a fan of a team that isn't very good. It can also be true of great team. 

So sometimes teams and players need to mix up. Days off, completely away from the field are important. Taking batting practice in the batting cage instead of on the field. Taking the second bus from the hotel instead of the first bus to the ballpark. Maybe something as simple as wearing your pants to your knees. 

Likewise, for fans, we need to find different ways of watching. Maybe on your big living room TV. Maybe on a laptop grilling or sitting near a campfire. Maybe it's listening on the radio on a Saturday afternoon with a fishing pole in your hand on the pontoon. 

Maybe it's as simple as hearing different voices. Twins fans are really lucky. Dick Bremer and his iconic voice was welcomed into our homes calling Twins fans for 40 seasons. This coming weekend, he will be welcomed with open arms as one of the most deserving members of the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame. 

Cory Provus was the radio voice for the Twins for a dozen years. He has now been in the TV booth for a few seasons. Enjoying the All-Analyst Broadcast is not in any way a knock on Provus. I think most know just how good he is behind the microphone. He does probably 150 Twins games each year. He's fantastic calling college football and college basketball in the offseason. He also has a young family. I'm sure an extra series off here and there is a great thing. We all want a quality work-life balance, right?  

Early in his career, Bremer teamed with Tommy John, Jim Kaat and Harmon Killebrew. For a long time, Bremer worked mostly with Bert Blyleven. That was fun early on and when the "Circle Me Bert" became a thing. If we're being honest, the Blyleven experience is why many of us started watching the game on mute. Sure, you occasionally missed Blyleven expanding the English dictionary, even getting himself suspended. What we learned from that is that on TV you can see what's happening. You don't need to have the play detailed to the same level as is needed on the radio. 

When Blyleven retired from the booth, the Twins decided to go with analyst-by-committee. Remember how much we enjoyed Tom Kelly's takes and stories the first time that he was in the booth. Roy Smalley had been around for a while. Justin Morneau came on board in 2019. The Twins tried out the likes of Torii Hunter (which made us all a bit nervous to hear what he might say). Glen Perkins got more and more time. LaTroy Hawkins was on for a few years before joining the coaching staff this year. Trevor Plouffe and Denard Span have been added in the last couple of years. 

I always thought that mixing up his in-booth partners brought out the best in Bremer. He seemed rejuvenated by the opportunity to work with more players. Few know the game of baseball and the history of the Minnesota Twins than Bremer, but he let his analyst be the "star" of the broadcast. He set them up for success. He asked questions that he likely knew the answers to, but he knew that the audience wanted to hear the opinions of the former players. 

Last year, the Twins tried something new. Because of the popularity of the former players involved in the broadcasts, they put together an All-Analyst broadcast. Instead of the traditional play-by-play announcer and an analyst. the broadcast was solely called by the analysts.   

In 2025, Morneau, Perkins and Plouffe were in the booth. Pablo Lopez joined the broadcast and impressed us all. The three former players were teammates with the Twins from 2010-2013

The Twins and Twins.tv brought back the All-Analyst broadcast. This year's class added another former teammate, Denard Span. It is clear that the four players have strong and lasting relationships. Those teams weren't always good, but the players were close and remain close. 

It is completely entertaining to hear them share stories about their playing years, but it's also fun to hear them analyze the game from their experiences. 

Luke Keaschall made his first start in center field on Wednesday night. He had played some center field in Cedar Rapids in 2013 before his Tommy John surgery. Just recently, he has moved from second base to the outfield. Denard Span talked about how he played center field only in the minor leagues, but when he was called up, he had to play right field. He discussed the differences between the three outfield spots. 

They also discussed Span's "walk off grand slam!" 

Trevor Plouffe discussed the challenges he had coming up as a shortstop, getting some time at second and third base, and then being thrown into the corner outfield spots. He talked about the difficulty and differences between the infield and the outfield.  On Tuesday, the highlighted a trip he made to the A's bullpen and got a good laugh about it. 

Pablo Lopez spent an inning with the broadcasters on Tuesday night. They talked about his "success" as a hitter in the National League earlier in his career. They also talked about him taking 14 Twins players with less than one year of service time to a tailor who made custom suits for each. He talked about Martin Prado being the guy who paid it forward to him. 

Wednesday night's game began with Morneau and Perkins in the booth while Trevor Plouffe sat by the foul pole in left field, and Denard Span sat by the foul pole in right field. In the first inning, Span reached toward a ball that Kody Clemens knocked off the top of the wall, maybe 10 feet from him. Later, he "jumped" for a long foul ball over his head. His broadcast teammates laughed and mocked him in the way only teammates can.   

Meanwhile in left field, Trevor Plouffe told the TV audience that he had his wallet, and it had a few $20 bills in it. He said that he would give a $20 to those that came up to him and mentioned it to him. It didn't take long for a line to come up to him, get a $20 and take a picture and shake his hand. In fact, at one point he ran out of money.   

Soon after, Twins owner Tom Pohlad and Dustin Morse showed up in left field. Pohlad handed Plouffe some more $20s and they made fans of several more people.

Then they went over to see Denard Span in right field, and Pohlad gave him some money to hand out to fans as well. 

I think that the experience "humanized" Tom Pohlad to some Twins fans who, to this point, have only read quotes or heard negative things about the family. Pohlad appeared to be having a great time talking to the broadcasters, chatting with the fans, and being present. It is exactly the kind of thing that he needs to do to simply start the process of gaining fan confidence. (Yes, proving it by spending more and pushing payroll back to the 2023 and 2024 levels would also have a huge impact.)   

Asked if they wanted to hand out some money from the broadcast booth, Morneau and Perkins both said that they'd rather have a hot dog. The next half-inning, there was Tom Pohlad, placing a huge hot dog in front of them. That's when Span and Plouffe rejoined Perkins and Morneau in the booth. 

Of course, it's always fun when we get to see the Twins win, especially against an AL Central foe. But both games have been really good baseball games. The Twins won 3-1 on Tuesday night. And Alan Roden played hero in the Twins walk-off win on Wednesday night. 

The Twins and Guardians will play one more game this series. We get to enjoy one more game with the four analysts working together. What topics will they cover today? What stories will they share? Will there be any surprises, such as additional former players joining them, or unique angles, or stories we haven't heard before? And could we be so bold as to ask for another Twins win?

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What are your thoughts on the All-Analyst Broadcast? Is it something you would like to see more of? Is it brilliant, or is it crazy? Is it perfect as is, one series each season, to help us all with the long season? Share your thoughts below. I'm sure the Twins would love to hear what you think? The people behind Twins TV would love to hear it as well. Whether you love it or hate it, let them know. 

Another question for discussion? Are there other former Twins players that you would like to see in the TV booth? 

  

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[Jim H]

I turned it over to the Cleveland broadcast. I like to know what is going on in the game I am watching, not what happened in the clubhouse 15 years ago.

 

[bjorks]

It's the greatest broadcasting series the Twins (maybe other teams too) do. It's about attracting new and younger fans and getting a different perspective. I get old-timers may not like it, but it's great and that's not a dig at CP. I'd take those 4 once or twice a month. I also miss LeTroy's views also. Way better than the guy they had last week from MLB Network who unfortunately sounded as if he was reading a book every time on air. 

[The Great Hambino]

All I know is I'll have some of whatever Denard was having last night

[MGX]

It's always entertaining  when they've done this. It wouldn't work as a regular broadcast team, but a few times per season is just right.

[snellman]

I agree with MGX, I think it would get worn out if it was done a bunch, but 1 or 2 series a season is a very nice change of pace and very entertaining.

[dberthia]

I loved it- a lot of fun. The good-natured ripping is very entertaining. A good longer-term compromise would be Cory with at least 2 players every game. When you have multiple players in the booth it seems to loosen everybody up. Doubt the Pohlads would want to pay for that though.

[Twins GFP]

20 minutes ago, Jim H said:

I turned it over to the Cleveland broadcast. I like to know what is going on in the game I am watching, not what happened in the clubhouse 15 years ago.

 

Similar thoughts about the radio booth on a daily basis...

[Peter]

These guys were great!!! add Corey and make this a 6 person broadcast team with molitor for every game!!!

[TCAnelle]

Enjoy it immensely for the series, but I think it would be too much if it were more often. Heard from "old-school" fan uncle who doesn't enjoy it and I suspect there are enough other fans who agree with him that Cory's job is safe. 

[MMMordabito]

Seth Stoh's Morning Koolaid, everyone.

[AK47]

Personally I loved it! I grew up watching these guys play, and hearing their stories and just joking around. You still have the option of listening to Gladden on the radio if you want the play by play, so having some fun around Twins baseball is a huge win in my book!

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

It wasn't a 'grand slam'. In fairness, it wasn't awful. I enjoyed parts of the broadcast and you can tell there's genuine camaraderie there. But, it keep the stories and anecdotes to a minimum. When they did talk about the actual game, I thought they did a good job - they just need to do it more.

[Dman]

I've really enjoyed the player insights into what it's like as a player out there.  It's almost like you are sitting around with the players and getting to ask them questions.  You just can't get that same feel with play by play.

Would I like it this way all time?  No I don' think so.  Like many have stated I like them keeping up with balls and strikes and what's happening in the game and quite frankly I like the structured format of play by play. Maybe it is just growing up with it that gives me comfort, but I still like Corey in there letting me know what's going on with every pitch.

I like both so no reason not to do both IMO.  I hope they keep doing it.

[Old Twins Hat]

It definitely has potential.  It's like being at a game with some friends and shooting the **** and commenting on the action as needed, which is how baseball is experienced by people at the park.

That said, one of the commenters has to kind of keep up with the action and events on the field and guide the audience somewhat on what is happening.  When Adams walks the lead off hitter in the 7th on four pitches, someone has to say:  "No, you can't do that and be a successful major league reliever."  And then they pick up that thread and discuss it.   Was it nerves?  Did he just not command that slider to start the inning?  We will still want insight, especially at key junctures in a game or a player's moment in the sun.

In other words, amidst all the banter, there needs to be some solid analysis of specific situations on the field, on the season, on the opponent, on the players -- give us insights and not just a clubby tour through the lives of the former players on the set.

So, potentially a very nice time listening to them talk, but also, without a leader or a direction, could be just banter that doesn't add value or expertise to what is happening on the field.

[Over The Hill Again]

It’s certainly makes for odd chemistry and some cringy moments, but it doesn’t feel like any special treat or added value to me as a viewer.  Glad it’s just one series per year. 
Now get off my lawn. 

[strumdatjag]

The split-screen during the game got annoying.   Show the game.   We don’t have to see the “analysts”.    
Many times, the yapping lingered long after an important play.  “By the way, a minute ago blankety-blank happened…”. 
I like this better during Spring Training games.   The banter about the good old days and interaction with fans works better when the game on the screen matters less.  
The Tom Pohlad bits last night actually worked somewhat.  I would have liked the group asking him whether the Twins will be buyers or sellers at the deadline.

for a change, I didn’t mind it.  But let’s have no more than 4 games a season of this. 

[The Great Hambino]

It sort of had the feel of the alternate broadcasts ESPN likes to do with some of their big events like McAfee & company in the College Football Playoff or the Manning brothers on Monday Night Football. 

If they were going to do this more regularly, it would probably be more appropriate as an alternate feed with a traditional broadcast still available. I get why they don't do it this way, probably not financially worthwhile to set up the alternate feed and whatnot.

But as a rare one-off a game or series at a time?  It's not the end of the world.

[GNess]

32 minutes ago, bjorks said:

It's the greatest broadcasting series the Twins (maybe other teams too) do. It's about attracting new and younger fans and getting a different perspective. I get old-timers may not like it, but it's great and that's not a dig at CP. I'd take those 4 once or twice a month. I also miss LeTroy's views also. Way better than the guy they had last week from MLB Network who unfortunately sounded as if he was reading a book every time on air. 

I am an "old timer" and I really enjoy this approach. The group has good rapport.

[Jack Pine]

Sorry Seth I can't agree with you on this one.  I too went to the radio broadcast.  The game is more important than most of the nonstop bloviating we got.  Instead  of giving out 20s Tom P. should pay for some BP help.  Sorry.

[DJL44]

I like when the analysts rotate. People only have so many entertaining stories to tell.

I want the play-by-play back. There were whole sections of the game action I had to look up on the app to figure out what happened.

[chpettit19]

22 minutes ago, MMMordabito said:

Seth Stoh's Morning Koolaid, everyone.

It's ok if you don't like the broadcast, but many of us do. The guys debating 3-0 red lights is great to me. My eyes can tell me what's happening in the game. It's why I watch the games. To see what's happening. I don't need an announcer to tell me the ball is in the air to left field. But I love the look behind the scenes and the baseball talk from the players. It's not drinking the koolaid to like something that you don't like.

[chaderic20]

I'm loving the "Oops! All Analysts" broadcasts. Like others have said it probably wouldn't work more than a couple times a year as the jokes and gimmicks would get stale, but I'm loving the vibe of a bunch of friends watching a game and having fun talking smack to each other.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I felt like I was at the game with 4 old friends, enjoying a beer and a hot dog.  I don't think Molitor would add to this mix because these players would defer to him as "the expert". It was the most fun I have had watching a Twins game on my laptop., except one time on tv Scott Ericson pitched a no-hitter and I can't go into details of why it was so much fun. You'll just have to imagine what went on at my house during that game. 

[Obie]

Greatly entertaining. I had almost as much fun as the four of them.

[Vanimal46]

31 minutes ago, The Great Hambino said:

It sort of had the feel of the alternate broadcasts ESPN likes to do with some of their big events like McAfee & company in the College Football Playoff or the Manning brothers on Monday Night Football. 

If they were going to do this more regularly, it would probably be more appropriate as an alternate feed with a traditional broadcast still available. I get why they don't do it this way, probably not financially worthwhile to set up the alternate feed and whatnot.

But as a rare one-off a game or series at a time?  It's not the end of the world.

I like that idea. They could have an alternative broadcast like this on Twitch, and get some younger eyes introduced to Twins baseball. It still blows my mind that on Twitch, kids would rather watch their favorite streamer sitting on a couch reacting to a game over watching the game themselves. 

[jmlease1]

10 minutes ago, chaderic20 said:

I'm loving the "Oops! All Analysts" broadcasts. Like others have said it probably wouldn't work more than a couple times a year as the jokes and gimmicks would get stale, but I'm loving the vibe of a bunch of friends watching a game and having fun talking smack to each other.

I think that's right. If you do this too much it's probably not going to work; guys might start repeating stories (is it hilarious a couple of times a year to bag on Plouffe for eating the dirt chasing a foul? Sure is! Is that funny 10 times a year? Not really.)

Letting them play around with the format and do some different things is fine, especially when you can tell the guys are also having fun with it. What it can't be is fake. It has to come from them and they have to be bought in and enjoying it.

Do I want this every series? No. Do I want it every week? I doubt it. But 3-4 times a season should keep it fresh and fun. It's not going to be for everyone...but not everything has to be for everyone. If they get worried about turning off the grognards, I'd say put the radio broadcast on as a secondary audio that people not into it could switch to...but you'd probably just have the grouchy people complaining about how that's too hard too.

I do think they should make sure to note pitching changes, pinch hitters, defensive replacements, etc when they happen regardless of a bit they're doing. That's important to know what's going on, and I want to hear what kind of impact these guys think the move will have (I kind of feel like they're a little more willing to question stuff when it's just a bunch of ex-players in the booth?). But as long as they keep updating the graphics, we can see what the count is, what pitch was just thrown, etc.

I don't want it all the time, and they need to be careful not to overexpose the bit...but it's been fun. Change is good. Don't fear change, embrace it. Because the world spins whether you want it to or not.

[Vanimal46]

The reason this works for most people is because it's a novelty item for the season. If the all analyst broadcast was 20% of the total broadcasts per season, it will get old very fast. Keep it special at 1 series a year. 

[Heiny]

I'm sorry.  But to me, its seemed lame and overblown.  The stories were not as funny as they seemed to think they were.  The laughter "many times"  seemed phony.  Especially from Perkins.  Generally not a fan of Perkins or Plouffe.  The worst is when they have to share the screen with the game.  I have to listen to them.  That's bad enough.  I know what they look like.  Also not a fan of interviewing players during the game, especially if they are currently in the game.  That stuff should be done pre and post game.  Well, that is just my opinion.  I know it will not be popular, but you asked.  I favor the old time broadcasters like John Gordon, Vin Scully, Harry Caray, Herb Carneal, and yes Dick Bremer.  And yes, I am getting old, but Bert at least seemed genuine.  At least Justin has that going for him, although he also overtalks with his explaining everything three different ways.  Ok, I'm done. Just my opinion.  Blast me if you will.

[Nshore]

I watch most of the broadcasts with the sound muted.  It's interesting how it has evolved now to a need to fill every second with conversation.  I much prefer the understated Herb Carneal days.