The Best Father-Son Duos in Minnesota Twins History

Andy MacPhail - Former Minnesota Twins GM

Father - Lee MacPhail - Former MLB Executive

Grandfather - Larry MacPhail - Former MLB Executive

Although his last name would have you think otherwise, Andy MacPhail was quite a baseball genius in his time with the Minnesota Twins. MacPhail joined the Minnesota Twins in 1985, in the midst of a 15 year playoff drought. Upon joining the Twins, MacPhail hired Tom Kelly and traded for the likes of Jeff Reardon, Dan Gladden and Joe Niekro — helping lead the Twins to their first World Series championship in 1987. Following a last place finish in 1990, MacPhail signed Jack Morris en route to another World Series championship in 1991.

The MacPhail family is the first family to have four generations affiliated with Major League Baseball, with Andy’s father, grandfather and nephew all in executive roles. Andy’s grandfather, Larry, served as the GM for the Cincinnati Reds, Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Yankees. Andy’s father, Lee, was also an MLB executive, working as the GM for the Yankees and Orioles. Both Larry and Lee have been inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame.

Mike Bell - Minnesota Twins Bench Coach

Father - Buddy Bell - Former MLB Third Baseman and Manager

Grandfather - Gus Bell - Former MLB Outfielder

Although it feels like it happened a lifetime ago, Mike Bell was just hired on with the Minnesota Twins earlier this offseason to replace bench coach Derek Shelton. Bell joined the Twins after a stint with the Arizona Diamondbacks as their Director of Player Development. Bell previously played in the Majors for one season as the 3rd Baseman for the Cincinnati Reds.

Bell also comes from a multiple-generation baseball lineage as his father and grandfather were both former baseball players. Bell’s father, Buddy, had an 18-year career as an outfielder, highlighted by his time with the Texas Rangers. Buddy was a 6-time Gold Glover and 5-time all-star. Bell’s grandfather, Gus, played for 15 years in the Majors, making 4 all-star appearances.

Roy Smalley III - Former Minnesota Twins Shortstop

Father - Roy Smalley Jr. - Former MLB Shortstop

Roy Smalley III ranks 15th all time in with 20.8 career bWAR in Minnesota and is arguably the best shortstop in Twins history. Smalley played 10 seasons with the Twins, collecting over 1,000 hits. Smalley III is now making his mark as a Minnesota Twins broadcaster, working alongside Dick Bremer to call Minnesota Twins games.

Shortstop runs in the blood of the Smalley family as Smalley’s father, Roy Smalley Jr., was also a Major League shortstop. Smalley Jr. had an 11-year MLB career with the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies. In his career, Smalley Jr. recorded 601 hits and 61 home runs.

Pat Mahomes - Former Minnesota Twins Pitcher

Son - Patrick Mahomes - NFL Quarterback

The final notable father/son connection from Minnesota Twins history isn’t an all-baseball connection but rather a baseball/football connection with former Minnesota Twins pitcher, Pat Mahomes, and his son, Patrick Mahomes.

Pat Mahomes was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 6th round of the 1988 Minnesota Twins. Mahomes didn’t exactly light Twins Nation on fire during his time with Minnesota, tossing a 5.82 ERA in 5 seasons.

While Pat Mahomes didn’t have much of a decorated career in the Twin Cities, his name has been brought up much more in Twins’ circles of late because of the success of his son, Patrick, on the football field. Patrick Mahomes has become the best player in football and is coming off of a Super Bowl Championship. At only 24 years old, Patrick Mahomes figures to collect much more hardware in the NFL and bring more accolades to the Mahomes name.

What names come to mind for you when you think of father-son connections with the Minnesota Twins? Happy fathers day to all the writers and readers of Twins Daily!

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