Disappointed HR Employee Reminds Twins They Weren’t Approved For Overtime

“After the 17-inning game last week, I was very clear with the players and the coaching staff,” said Talbott. “Overtime has to be approved in advanced. For them to disregard that very simple request so quickly…it’s disappointing.”

Although baseball has long played extra innings to determine a winner, Talbott says that’s immaterial.

“Tradition doesn’t have to make a payroll,” said Talbott. “A lot of people have fond memories of Games 6 and 7 of the 1991 World Series, which shows a shocking disregard for how people run a business. Extra-inning games on a Saturday and Sunday night? More like extra paperwork, extra hassle, and extra accounting.”

Talbott says the process for extra-inning games is laid out quite clearly in the Twins employee handbook.

“When we onboard our employees, from Rocco Baldelli to Byron Buxton, HR goes over all our processes and protocols,” said Talbott. “Section 5 is entirely about paychecks, time off, sick leave, and overtime. It’s laid out right there—if you need to work beyond eight hours in a day, HR has to approve it. I can see it happening once, but after I talked to them about, and it’s top of mind for them, and they do it again? It’s pretty clear there’s a communication breakdown somewhere.”

Talbott, who came to the Twins from Wal-Mart in the offseason, says he’s never really followed baseball.

“I heard one of the announcers say after the ninth inning that it was time for some free baseball,” said Talbott, shaking his head with resignation. “I can’t imagine what would lead you to say that out loud. Going to guess that everyone puts all 18 innings on their timesheet. Which are due at 5 pm today, and which I guarantee I’ll have to send a reminder email about at 4:45 on a Friday.”

Talbott did say he was pleased with the Twins slacking off their blistering home run pace.

“Baseballs cost money,” said Talbott. “The ones that leave the park also leave inventory. Instead of handing the ball to a kid, maybe hand it to an usher, who can hand it to a team employee, who can hand it back to the umpires. We have baseballs for sale in the concourse if you want one. Home run is just another name for theft, if we’re being honest.”