Rocco Baldelli is an American former professional baseball outfielder and current manager of the Minnesota Twins. He made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2003 and quickly became known for his hitting and outfield skills. Baldelli placed third in the American League Rookie of the Year voting, marking a promising start to his career.
On September 25, 1981, Rocco Daniel Baldelli was born. He later became a professional baseball outfielder and coach, eventually managing the Minnesota Twins.
In 2000, Rocco Baldelli was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the first round (6th overall) of the Major League Baseball draft, leading him to sign with the team for $2.25 million, forgoing an athletic scholarship offer from Wake Forest.
In 2003, Rocco Baldelli made his Major League Baseball debut with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on opening day. He quickly became a strong hitter and outfielder, finishing third in the American League Rookie of the Year voting.
In 2004, Rocco Baldelli was inducted into the Rhode Island Italian-American Hall of Fame.
In 2005, Kevin Cash was Rocco Baldelli's teammate on the club.
In 2005, Rocco Baldelli's promising career was significantly impacted by channelopathy, a rare metabolic/muscular disorder. This condition caused frequent soft tissue injuries and severe fatigue, preventing him from playing for the entire year and affecting subsequent seasons.
In December 2009, Rocco Baldelli, unsure of his ability to continue playing, rejoined the Tampa Bay Rays organization as a minor league coach.
In 2010, Rocco Baldelli attempted a comeback, returning to the major leagues in September. However, severe muscle cramping during the Rays' first-round playoff series led him to end his playing career at age 29.
On January 26, 2011, Rocco Baldelli officially announced his retirement from professional baseball at the age of 29, citing his ongoing medical condition as the reason he no longer felt physically capable of playing. After retiring, he remained with the Rays organization as a special advisor.
In 2011, after ending his playing career, Rocco Baldelli remained with the Rays organization as a Special Assistant for Baseball Operations and roving minor league hitting and outfield defense instructor.
In 2013, Rocco Baldelli was invited to throw the ceremonial first pitch before Game 4 of the ALDS at Tropicana Field, where he received a standing ovation from Rays fans.
In December 2014, Rocco Baldelli was named the Rays' first base coach under new manager Kevin Cash.
In 2014, Baldelli was named the first base coach for the Tampa Bay Rays, marking a significant step in his post-playing career.
In 2016, Rocco Baldelli, a registered Democrat, donated money to Bernie Sanders.
In November 2017, Baldelli was promoted to major league field coordinator for the Tampa Bay Rays, further advancing his coaching career.
Before the 2017 season, the Rays organization promoted Rocco Baldelli to the newly created role of major-league field coordinator, which involved analyzing the tendencies of opposing hitters, coaching defensive skills to players, and helping the team implement defensive strategies during games.
On October 25, 2018, Rocco Baldelli was introduced as the new manager of the Minnesota Twins.
In 2018, Rocco Baldelli was named the manager of the Minnesota Twins, marking a major milestone in his career.
On November 12, 2019, Rocco Baldelli was named American League Manager of the Year for the 2019 MLB season.
In 2019, Rocco Baldelli led the Minnesota Twins to 101 wins and an AL Central Division title, earning him the American League Manager of the Year award.
In 2020, Rocco Baldelli was the youngest manager in major league baseball.
In 2020, Rocco Baldelli, a registered Democrat, donated money to Joe Biden.
In July 2021, Rocco Baldelli married his girlfriend Allie.
In 2022, Rocco Baldelli led all major league managers in challenges, with 51, and tied for the lead in overturns (26) with Buck Showalter.
In September 2023, fraternal twins Nino and Enzo, were born to Allie and Rocco Baldelli.
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