MAKE GLOVE NOT W.A.R.— Listen to the Kids, Bro: Who’s the Twins’ “Captain”?

Twins

Aug 8

Like everyone else, we here at Pulltab Sports have been glued to ESPN’s “The Captain” profile on Derek Jeter. You don’t have to be a Yankee fan (like myself) to marvel at his career. I often think I’m wired differently than most of the people around me. I’m intense. But I can’t even imagine being wired THAT differently.

Who have been the Twins’ leaders the last 40 years? Kirby Puckett is probably the closest thing the Twins have had to a captain. Problems away from baseball aside, he led on the field AND the clubhouse. And while we don’t know what happens behind closed doors…guys like Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau appeared to be quieter, “do what I do” leaders. Which is fine, but sometimes you need a guy to flip over a card table when things are going bad.

I think this Twins team needs a guy like Nelson Cruz. I generally think chemistry is overrated…but he’s a “glue guy” to use a hockey term. He just brings everyone together. No one on this team is starting a Twins bathrobe trend made for the whole team.

Rocco Baldelli is from all reports a player’s coach. He often cancels batting practice. Plenty of off days. Doesn’t babysit his players.

Which got us thinking…even though captain isn’t an actual thing in baseball…who’s leading the Twins?

The Pretender

Byron Buxton

The best player on the planet, his manager said three months ago. Now, a player who can’t stay on the field due to a knee injury. He’s struck out once per three at bats this season and his batting average is hovering around .220.

You don’t have to have great stats to lead. But, in Buxton’s case, you have to show up. You have to be around. I’m of the opinion the Twins should have shut him down a month or two ago and gotten a CF at the deadline. If you’re good enough to play one day, you should be good enough to play MOST days if not EVERY day.

After an emotional win Saturday, Buxton was absent from the starting lineup Sunday. A true leader would have marched into Rocco Baldelli’s office and said “eff the rest day, I want to…no, I NEED to be in there.” The flat Twins of course scored just two runs and wound up losing in extra innings on an awful call at the plate that saw Rocco tossed.

The Contenders

Carlos Correa

It’s tough for a guy who seemingly has a foot out the door to lead. Under contract for the next two seasons, you’d have to think a deep Twins playoff run may be the only thing that keeps Correa from opting out this season.

Then again, he’s not exactly setting the world on fire in 2022 so what does he command in 2023?

He is not my captain, although he certainly has the ear of management and the young players respect him. He’s definitely helped mold Jose Miranda (more on him in a moment).

Tyler Mahle

It’s tough to call a starting pitcher your captain, but after one game I saw enough out of newly acquired Tyler Mahle to realize he’s a leader.

How? He just goes out on the mound and does his thing. He works fast, he wants the ball as long as his manager will let him keep it. His fielders no doubt appreciate his willingness to get them back in the dugout as soon as possible.

We’ll see if this is just the enthusiasm of getting out of Cincinnati after six seasons. But I think he’s a leader even if he only sees the mound once every five days.

Jose Miranda

Let me introduce you to Jose Miranda, the 24-year-old captain of the Twins, and the captain for many more years to come.

There’s a reason that when Correa was asked by Twins management his opinion prior to the trade deadline, he said don’t trade Miranda.

The nephew of Hamilton’s Lin Manuel Miranda is really only 24. Can you believe it? Not in the way he plays, nor in the way he acts. Five full seasons in the minor leagues starting as a teenager will do that to you.

He’s become the Twins’ most valuable player, especially with Luis Arraez going into the tank since the All-Star Game. But he’s got charisma, talent and all the makings of someone the Twins can build this team around for a long time.

“I know that we can win, I know that greatness lies in you. But remember from here on in, history has its eyes on you.” — George Washington (in Hamilton).

The Twins may not yet have what it takes to bring home the team’s first World Series title since 1991. But it’s not that far off.

In the words of Kanye, “Listen to the Kids Bro.”

Honorable Mention

Jake Cave

Jake Cave, one of the “Quadruple A” guys I mentioned awhile ago…not quite good enough for a full time major leaguer anymore…the Twins had some energy when he came up late last week didn’t they? I’d keep him around awhile longer just as a good influence.

Like what you’re reading? The first Make Glove not W.A.R. podcast will drop Wednesday night! Stay tuned to Pulltab Sports on social media.