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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 1d

Interesting topic from @stribsports.startribune.com’s Joe Christensen on whether Minnesota youth football associations should model themselves more like hockey and basketball. varsity.startribune.com/minnesota-yo...

Some say Minnesota’s youth football philosophy is holding back top players | Strib Varsity

The state's programs distribute talent evenly, instead of forming A, B or C teams, and some leaders say that’s a mistake.

varsity.startribune.com

Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 1d

Who should the Twins hire as their next manager? @jimsouhan.bsky.social writes it should be Yankees hitting coach James Rowson. www.startribune.com/souhan-as-tw...

Souhan: Here's who the Twins next manager should be

He’s familiar, talented and charismatic, and has worked successfully with different major league teams.

www.startribune.com

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 1d

📬 NEW Extra Innings newsletter:

⚾️ What to make of the quiet start to the Twins managerial search, plus pros/cons of the job compared to the other seven openings.

⚾️ How the 11 players the Twins traded factored into playoff races.

Sign up: link.email.startribune.com/join/7v1/sig...

A player development background sounds like a priority.

“Certainly for any team, but for mid-market teams, you’re always going to be developing at the big-league level,” Falvey said. “You need someone who’s going to be a partner in that growth and development.”

Falvey didn’t blame the previous coaching staff for the stalled development of some of the top young players. Royce Lewis was a below-average hitter this year. Brooks Lee has yet to establish himself in the big leagues. Matt Wallner had trouble because he couldn't hit elevated fastballs.

“Those guys were working tirelessly to try and figure that out in development meetings and leaning into that work,” Falvey said. “Ultimately, it didn't land for every one of the players. Sometimes, there is a reality to a different voice and a different direction that is a part of sports that just isn't about one individual moment, one performance, or otherwise that leads to this. Sometimes it's the right time for a change.”

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 3d

“We all need Coach Tate in our lives.” Mike Tate couldn’t save his youngest son. It hasn’t stopped him from doing his best to lead and mentor kids in north Minneapolis.

Read this from Chip Scoggins: www.startribune.com/terry-pettis...

After Terry Pettis was convicted of murder, his father, Mike Tate, felt a stronger calling to mentor Minneapolis youth

Terry Pettis, once the most promising prospect in Minnesota basketball, is living out his life sentence in a California prison. Mike Tate, his father, never let go of his love for his son, or his city...

www.startribune.com

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 5d

Twins prospect Hendry Mendez homered in his first Arizona Fall League at-bat, which opened its six-week season tonight.

Mendez, who hit well at AA, was acquired from Philadelphia in the Harrison Bader trade.

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 5d

The Twins enter the offseason with a projected $90M in payroll commitments. @mlbtraderumors.bsky.social just released its projections for arb-eligible players.

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Reposted by Bobby Nightengale

Mina Kimes @minakimes.bsky.social · 6d

POLANCO THE SKUBAL KILLER

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 7d

Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman: “Louie Varland vs. anybody right now, I’d take him. He’s so electric. … That was one of the greatest trades we’ve ever made.”

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 7d

Louie Varland taking it up a level in velocity during the playoffs, nearly hitting 101 mph to strike out Giancarlo Stanton.

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 7d

Front page of the @stribsports.startribune.com section two years ago today:

“Blasts purge the past” Royce Lewis hit two homers to end the Twins’ 18-game playoff losing streak.

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 8d

The Rangers quickly announced Skip Schumaker as their new manager, as expected. There are seven current managerial openings.

MLB Trade Rumors @mlbtraderumors.bsky.social · 8d

Rangers Hire Skip Schumaker As Manager

The Rangers announced the hiring of Skip Schumaker as their new manager. Texas parted ways with Bruce Bochy earlier this week and almost immediately settled on his expected replacement. More to come.

dlvr.it

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 8d

📬 NEW Extra Innings newsletter:

⚾️ How the Twins stacked up vs. the rest of the league at each position (spoiler: Not well).

⚾️ Mailbag Q on the attractiveness of the Twins managerial job.

🫡 A shout out to the retiring Phil Miller.

Sign up: link.email.startribune.com/join/7v1/sig...

Shortstop (1.5 fWAR, 22nd)

Games started: Carlos Correa (91), Lee (64), Fitzgerald (5), Castro (2).

Correa had one of the worst offensive seasons of his career and Lee has yet to prove he can be an everyday major league hitter. Defense, for both players, was a big issue. Sports Info Solutions rated Correa’s play at shortstop as negative-11 defensive runs saved (Correa moved to third base after he was traded to Houston), and Lee was rated negative-8 defensive runs saved because of his lack of range.

Third base (1.1 fWAR, 20th)

Games started: Royce Lewis (92), Lee (32), Bride (16), Jose Miranda (9), Castro (9), Fitzgerald (4).

One of the important projects for the next manager is bringing the best out of Lewis. He had more homers (15 vs. 13) and the same number of RBI (52) in 164 fewer plate appearances during the 2023 season.

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 8d

Twins notebook:

-Austin Martin is cited as a player development success for his second half.

-The Twins parted with two minor league coordinators.

-Luke Keaschall underwent surgery to repair a ligament in his thumb.
www.startribune.com/twins-austin...

Twins’ Austin Martin made most of second half: ‘He’s doing it the right way’

The utility player was one of the team’s lone bright spots as the season dissolved quickly.

www.startribune.com

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 9d

Kirill Kaprizov went from obscure draft choice to the highest-paid player in NHL history.

Story from Sarah McLellan: www.startribune.com/wild-owner-c...

Wild owner Craig Leipold pleased with signing of Kirill Kaprizov to record contract extension

A lowly fifth-round draft pick 10 years ago, Kaprizov has developed into the Wild’s first consistent superstar.

www.startribune.com

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 9d

The Twins are seeking a new voice and direction with their next manager. Will it change the way team president Derek Falvey runs the team?

More on Falvey’s role as he oversees the baseball and business operations: www.startribune.com/minnesota-tw...

It's been a rough year for the Twins, and the pressure is on team president Derek Falvey

Derek Falvey is one of baseball's most powerful executives, but 2025 was not a good year for the Twins on the business or baseball side, writes Bobby Nightengale.

www.startribune.com

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 10d

There are currently eight MLB teams searching for managers:

Angels
Braves
Giants
Nationals
Orioles
Rangers
Rockies
Twins

MLB Trade Rumors @mlbtraderumors.bsky.social · 10d

Brian Snitker Will Not Return As Braves’ Manager In 2026

The Braves will have a new manager in 2026. Brian Snitker has informed the team that he will not continue in the dugout beyond the 2025 season, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports. Snitker will remain with the organization as a senior advisor but will hand over the reins in the dugout to a new hire. More…

dlvr.it

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 10d

Column from @leneal3.bsky.social: Rocco Baldelli should feel relieved to be rid of the Twins mess

www.startribune.com/rocco-baldel...

Neal: Rocco Baldelli should be fine being made the scapegoat if it gets him out of this Twins disaster

After leading the Minnesota Twins for seven years, Rocco Baldelli was fired on Monday after posting a career .511 winning percentage (527-505).

www.startribune.com

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 11d

Why did the Twins decide now was the time to fire manager Rocco Baldelli? What are they looking for in a new manager?

Takeaways from what Derek Falvey said during his press conference at Target Field today: www.startribune.com/twins-fire-r...

And now, the managerial search begins for the Minnesota Twins

Rocco Baldelli's firing came at the end of seven seasons as Twins manager, and sets the team on a new course, one that seems awfully shaky.

www.startribune.com

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 11d

The Twins had initially picked up Rocco Baldelli’s club option for 2026 “at some
point going into the year,” team president Derek Falvey confirmed today.

So the Twins will be on the hook for paying that and their new manager’s salary next season.

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 11d

Who will replace Rocco Baldelli as the Twins manager? Here are nine names to watch as the team begins its search: www.startribune.com/twins-manage...

Rocco Baldelli is out... here are some potential new manager options for the Twins

The Twins are launching a search for a new manager, with no shortage of candidates. Here are nine names who could be considered in that search.

www.startribune.com

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 12d

Column from Chip Scoggins: “Standing pat was not an option. Someone had to take the fall for the nightmare that the Twins find themselves in, so ownership and front office boss Derek Falvey picked the easiest and most convenient target.”

www.startribune.com/chip-scoggin...

Scoggins: Someone had to take the fall for Twins, and that someone was Rocco Baldelli

The Twins fired their manager after seven seasons, and there was no surprise; there was too much bad baseball at Target Field.

www.startribune.com

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Reposted by Bobby Nightengale

randball.bsky.social @randball.bsky.social · 12d

BONUS DAILY DELIVERY: With @nightengalejr.bsky.social on Rocco Baldelli being fired as Twins manager.

YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdFF...

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2N6f...

SPECIAL DELIVERY: Rocco Baldelli is out as Twins manager

Podcast Episode · StribSports Daily Delivery · 09/29/2025 · 17m

podcasts.apple.com

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 12d

The Twins missed the playoffs in four of the last five years. Rocco Baldelli is out as manager.

Derek Falvey said in a statement that “this is the right moment for a change in voice and direction.” www.startribune.com/minnesota-tw...

After seven seasons, Twins part ways with manager Rocco Baldelli

Rocco Baldelli was the American League manager of the year in his first season with the Twins, but was fired Monday after missing the playoffs in four of the past five seasons.

www.startribune.com

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 12d

The Twins fired Rocco Baldelli after their 70-92 season.

Derek Falvey: “This game is ultimately measured by results, and over the past two seasons we did not reach the goals we set.”

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Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr.bsky.social · 12d

“We didn’t hit this year at all.” Twins players still wonder what could-have-been if they played better before the trade deadline. www.startribune.com/with-92-loss...

With 92-loss season complete, Twins remain at a loss to diagnose what went wrong in 2025

The pitching went bad and the hitting never really was there before Twins management decided to pull the plug and trade away more than a third of the roster.

www.startribune.com

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