For the second time in consecutive days the Minnesota Twins walked off the Tampa Bay Rays to win a one-run game.
The win represented their first series win in a month, and it was a milestone victory for the skipper.
Having it happen against good friend Kevin Cash only added to the fun.
With 500 victories from the dugout Rocco Baldelli became just the fourth manager in Minnesota Twins history to reach that mark.
Already extended through the 2026 season, the hope is that the 12th manager in Twins history can push the tally even higher.
500 wins for Minnesota Twins Rocco Baldelli
The was a time Rocco Baldelli was on the hot seat for the Minnesota Twins. Despite the 43-46 record, Baldelli is pushing through a multitude of pitching injuries to try and keep his team afloat. The latest victory was a monumental one.
At this point across the baseball landscape managers are largely interchangeable. There isn’t anyone that “manages through computers” or only leans into analytics. There are varying degrees to which data comes from the front office, but ever skipper incorporates some of those principles into their style.
Management success is largely reflective of an ability to communicate. How well a manager can get the buy-in and understanding of their team drives results. It’s why the Minnesota Twins have employed Baldelli for seven seasons, and why Paul Molitor was cast aside after just four.
| Manager | Record | Winning Pct | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Kelly | 1140-1244 | .478 | 1986-2001 |
| Ron Gardenhire | 1068-1039 | .507 | 2002-2014 |
| Sam Mele | 522-431 | .546 | 1961-1967 |
| Rocco Baldelli | 500-459 | .521 | 2019-Present |
With his 500th win Baldelli joins Tom Kelly, Ron Gardenhire, and Sam Mele as Minnesota Twins managers to surpass the milestone. He can chase down Mele’s tally (522) yet this season.
Baldelli climbing the MN Twins ranks
Mele was the first manager in Minnesota Twins history. His .546 winning percentage is only topped by Billy Martin, who went 97-65 during the 1969 season. Baldelli has a ways to go in order to close that gap, but has bested both beloved fixtures Tom Kelly and Ron Gardenhire.
Obviously Baldelli has yet to push the Twins to a World Series Championship. He did lead the deepest playoff run in decades during the 2023 season. His 101-win Bomba Squad in 2019 was the second-winningest team in franchise history behind only Mele’s 102-win squad in 1965.
Baldelli will work to get the Minnesota Twins back to the postseason as a wild card team in 2025. The uphill battle will be tough however, and could leave him in an interesting spot with potentially new owners for 2026.
