Rocco Baldelli is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) player who spent his entire career with the Tampa Bay Rays. He was born on September 25, 1981, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and was drafted by the Rays in the first round of the 2000 MLB draft.
Baldelli made his MLB debut in 2003 and quickly became known for his speed and athleticism. He was named the American League Rookie of the Year in his first season, hitting .289 with 11 home runs and 27 stolen bases. He followed up his rookie campaign with a strong sophomore season, hitting .280 with 16 home runs and 37 stolen bases.
However, injuries began to take a toll on Baldelli's career. He missed significant time in 2005 and 2006 due to various injuries, including a torn ACL. He was limited to just 35 games in 2007 due to a rare muscle disorder called mitochondrial myopathy.
Despite his injury struggles, Baldelli remained a valuable player for the Rays when healthy. He was a versatile outfielder who could play all three positions and was a threat on the basepaths. He hit .263 with 60 home runs and 66 stolen bases in his career.
After retiring as a player, Baldelli transitioned to coaching. He served as a special assistant for the Rays in 2011 before joining the coaching staff of the Texas Rangers in 2013. He returned to the Rays as a first base coach in 2015 and was promoted to bench coach in 2018.
In October 2018, Baldelli was named the manager of the Minnesota Twins. He led the team to a 101-61 record in his first season, earning American League Manager of the Year honors. The Twins won the AL Central division but were swept by the New York Yankees in the ALDS.
Baldelli's success continued in 2020, as he led the Twins to a second consecutive division title with a 36-24 record in the shortened season. However, the team was once again swept in the playoffs, this time by the Houston Astros.
Overall, Baldelli's baseball career was marked by his athleticism and versatility as a player and his success as a manager. He remains a respected figure in the game and is considered one of the rising stars in the coaching ranks.
⚾