Minnesota Twins Daily Dip, October 22nd, 2017
Welcome to the October 22nd edition of the Daily Dip, your daily piece of news and notes here on Puckett’s Pond, offseason edition. You’ll find the most recent news of the Minnesota Twins organization, stories from around the game, and links to any information you may want to know about the Minnesota Twins or baseball as we work our way through the hot stove season!
Minnesota Twins Scores, News and Notes
Arizona Fall League Update
Every season some of the best hitters in minor league baseball compete in the Arizona Fall League Bowman Hitting Challenge, where hitters have to hit various targets throughout the field as well as home runs like a traditional home run derby. The contest allows all 30 teams to select one player to participate and represent their organization, and 27 chose to do that this season.
The Minnesota Twins representative was infielder Chris Paul, who has been splitting time between third base and first base. Surprising many, Paul ended up winning the entire contest! Paul totaled 2,750 points, defeating the Mets’ Tomas Nido to win the title.
This is the 5th season of the challenge, with previous winners being Peter O’Brien, Hunter Dozier, Jacob Scavuzzo, and Bradley Zimmer.
Twins players totals in the AFL:
Chris Paul, 6 games, 26 AB, .308/.333/.348, 2B, 1/6 BB/K
Sean Miller, 5 games, 19 AB, .211/.250/.263, 2B, 1/4 BB/K
LaMonte Wade, 7 games, 26 AB, .231/.333/.423, 2 2B, HR, 3/2 BB/K
Andrew Vasquez, 4 games, 4 2/3 IP, 1.93 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, 0/6 BB/K
Thomas Hackimer, 3 games, 4 IP, 2.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 1/3 BB/K
Tyler Jay, 4 games, 3 2/3 IP, 4.91 ERA, 1.91 WHIP, 1/4 BB/K
Ryan Eades, 4 games, 4 1/3 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 1/2 BB/K
Today will be a traditional Sunday off day.
Playoff games yesterday
Houston Astros 4, New York Yankees 0
The Astros will open the World Series in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
More from Puckett's Pond
- Minnesota Twins: Holiday Wish List for the rest of the Offseason
- Minnesota Twins: After signing with the Mets, Correa spurns Twins again
- Minnesota Twins: You Spin Me Right Round, Right Round
- Minnesota Twins: What happens next at Shortstop?
- Minnesota Twins: Grading the Twins’ Joey Gallo signing
Playoff games today
Off until Tuesday.
Notes from around baseball
- LA remains focused on same goal no matter opponent
- Yankees future is bright
- Bregman’s throw an absolute game-saver
- Springer discusses city’s mentality after flood
- Roberts discusses Seager’s health
- Judge makes another amazing catch this offseason
- Springer leaps over teammate for incredible catch
- McCullers curves way to save
Next: Twins 2017 review: outfield
One Last Thing
On this day in 1969, the Twins hired Billy Rigney as the manager. He replaced Billy Martin, who got just one season as the manager with the Minnesota Twins. The Twins were the first managing job for the fiery Martin, who ended up winning 97 games.
This is something that is part of Twins history, giving a manager his first opportunity, and moreso, giving a young manager his first opportunity. Look at the list of Twins managers with their tenure, how many previous positions they had before the Twins, and their age in their first season as manager:
Sam Mele, 1961-1967, 0, 39
Cal Ermer, 1967-1968, 0, 43
Billy Martin, 1969, 0, 41
Billy Rigney, 1970-1972, 2, 52
Frank Quilici, 1972-1975, 0, 33
Gene Mauch, 1976-1980, 2, 50
Johnny Goryl, 1980-1981, 0, 46
Billy Gardner, 1981-1985, 0, 53
Ray Miller, 1985-1986, 0, 40
Tom Kelly, 1986-2001, 0, 35
Ron Gardenhire, 2002-1014, 0, 44
Paul Molitor, 2015-2017, 0, 58
Out of the organization’s 12 managers, only two had previous experience. As many were under 40 at their hire as were 50 or older at their initial hire, so the Twins have traditionally had a young manager at the helm.