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On Friday afternoon, Twins executive Mike Radcliff passed away after a long fight with pancreatic cancer. Over the past couple of days, many have been willing to discuss the impact that Radcliff had on them. Here are stories and well wishes from some Twins players. It is always unfortunate that we wait until someone passes away to honor them, and for people to speak glowingly of them and to share stories about that person. Over the past several years, Mike Radcliff has been given and earned many awards for his career in scouting, Scouting Hall of Fames, etc. In 2021, Radcliff was presented the Herb Carneal Lifetime Achievement Award at the Diamond Awards. All of it is very well deserved. He was well respected in the organization and all around the world of baseball. Mike Radcliff started as an area scout, because a regional supervisor, became the team's scouting director, and VP of Player Personnel. He has watched a lot of baseball players and developed relationships with most of them. And that’s why it is so nice to hear and read all the stories about how Mike Radcliff impacted various players, scouts, front office types and more over nearly four decades. Here are a few stories from some Twins players of the past: Denard Span was the Twins first round pick in 2002 out of high school in Tampa. He was scouted, drafted and signed by Mike Radcliff. Recently, Span shared, “I was very sad to hear of the news of Mike Radcliff. What I remember about Mike, especially in my younger days, was that he was a man of few words and observed, at least when I was around him. Our relationship grew more as I matured as a man and ball player. We had very good convos the last few years when I came back to Target Field for jersey retirements and Hall of Fame inductions. He was definitely a straight shooter, cut from the same cloth as Terry (Ryan).” Jeff Manship was the Twins 14th round pick in 2006 out of Notre Dame. He spent parts of four seasons with the Twins and four more seasons with three other organizations. He said simply of Radcliff, “I remember that he was a great man.” Manship is out of baseball and working for Boston Scientific Endoscopy in medical device sales and says he sees the effects of pancreatic cancer often. “Being in this job has raised my awareness so much about that disease.” Brian Dinkelman has known and worked with Mike Radcliff going back almost two decades when Radcliff used the Twins’ 8th round pick in 2006 on the infielder from McKendree University in Illinois. He worked his way up the ladder and earned a big-league promotion in 2011. He hit .301 over 23 games. Reached on Saturday, Dinkelman said, “Just awful news on Cliffy. He was a staple in this organization and was loved and respected by all. I remember him being at a pre-draft workout before I was drafted and always being so nice to everyone. He would always come visit our teams during the season to evaluate the players.” After a couple of years away from baseball, he returned to the Twins as a hitting coach in the GCL. He quickly moved up to Cedar Rapids in that role and is about to start his fifth season as the Kernels manager. So he and Radcliff have likely communicated in very different ways over his years. Dinkelman added, “Now since I have moved to the coaching side, I have got to know him even better. From visiting us during the season and being in meetings for the org. He was a very intelligent baseball man and we are going to miss him dearly.” Brian Dozier went from ninth round draft pick in 2009 out of Southern Mississippi as a “senior sign” to an All Star and 40-homer hitting second baseman. He retired before the 2021 season and tells me that things are “great in the Dozier household” and that he’s loving life even with three kids under the age of three! He told me about a strong relationship he had with Radcliff. “He was a phenomenal scout and even a better man. He was a part of bringing me to the Twins, and we became closer each and every year. He was so passionate about his job and wanted every player to succeed within the organization, whether he was the one who scouted him or not. He loved the game and loved the Twins. I don’t have any specific stories that come to mind about Mike, but he was a friend that impacted many. Fellow 2009 draft pick and current Orioles starting pitcher Kyle Gibson summarized his thoughts on Mike Radcliff by saying “He was an awesome person and a great baseball mind!” Josh Rabe attended Division II Quincy University in Illinois. The Twins made him their 11th round pick in 2000. He played parts of 2006 and 2007 with the Twins. After retiring from playing baseball, he became the head coach at his alma mater, Quincy University, and led them to the Division II College World Series a couple of times. Two years ago, he took over as the school’s Athletics Director. Of Radcliff, Rabe noted, “He obviously had a huge impact with building the Twins into perennial contenders.” He recalls a pre-draft workout with Radcliff and other scouts. “In 2000, right before the draft, the Twins invited me to the Metrodome for a workout. I had gone to a few of them leading up to this, and it was a select few guys working out at the MLB park of the team that invited you. Obviously a tremendous experience for any aspiring professional baseball player, but in my case, being from Mendon, Illinois, and attending Quincy University, it was special. My parents could not take me to this workout, so my college coach Pat Atwell took me. We arrived in Minneapolis the night before the workout, spent the night and drove to the Dome in the morning for this workout. To my surprise, I was the only player there. Billy Milos, the area scout who got me up there, told me Mike was going to see me in the NCAA tournament, but did not get the chance to see me because we did not get an at-large bid, so he wanted to watch me workout. It was the Twins pre-draft meetings, and every scout they employed was at the workout. All scouts and Mike introduced themselves, all but a guy in a Sports-Cream shirt and Twins shorts. This guy ran the workout with Mike by his side. I ran a couple of 60's, played catch with the guy in the T-Shirt and shorts and went to right field to throw to third base. Mike walked me out to right field and was on the line as the guy in the T-shirt hit grounders to me. One of the scouts had to go into my bag to grab a glove to catch the balls at third base. So, before I go to throw, the guy in the T-shirt yells, take it easy on the first couple. So after three throws, he yells one-hop it to third base! Being a kid from a D2 school, from the farm, I come up and just air mail one to third. I just let it fly. The man in the T-shirt hollers, ‘One-hop it please!!!’ I looked over to Mike, and I said, ‘Don't you guys want to see me air it out?’ Mike looks at me and says, "Son, when the general manager of the Minnesota Twins asks you to one-hop it to third base, I would do it!!" Terry Ryan did not introduce himself, as he was the guy in the T-shirt and shorts, hitting fungoes and throwing batting practice!!! I replied to Mike, ‘I swear I did not know who he was, he did not introduce himself!!!’ He and the other scouts that were around the right field line literally were laughing so hard I thought they were going to fall over..... 100 percent true story, I am sure Mike is still laughing about that one.” Jamie Ogden was the Twins third-round draft pick in 1990 out of White Bear Lake High School. He spent nine seasons playing in the Twins organization including the final three seasons at Triple-A. He has remained involved with the Twins organization at events like Twins Fest, youth clinics and more. Of Mike Radcliff, he said, “Had many conversations with Mike. Just came across as a guy in a pivotal role who didn’t act like it. Very humble and kind and made you feel good with stories he’d tell of you being scouted. Great heart.” Jacque Jones said, “Mike was a straight shooter, and you knew where you stood with him.” Taylor Rogers noted, “ All I know is he was highly respected.” LaTroy Hawkins was the Twins seventh round draft pick in 1991 by Terry Ryan. However, Mike Radcliff was able to scout Hawkins several times. He shared with me the following story. “It was probably 2000, and I was with the Twins. I was coming to the ballpark, and they were up in the front office getting ready for the draft. Larry Corrigan stopped me and asked me to come in. They had all the scouts in there, and Radcliff was up there talking. And in Larry Corrigan fashion, he said, ‘Hey Radi, LaTroy Hawkins.” On a dime, Radi says, “Magical Arm.” That’s the first thing Radcliff said when he saw me pitch in high school in Gary, Indiana. He said, “Magical Arm.” And every time I saw him after that, he would call me Magical Arm guy.” In the past six or seven years, Hawkins has been a very active Special Assistant to the Baseball Operations group. He has participated in many aspects of the game and in that area, including on the road with scouts at times. “His memory. His ability to break a player down, to evaluate. He was just the best at it. He cared. He loved the Minnesota Twins organization. He loved baseball. He had an unwavering passion for it that you don’t see all the time. A special individual.” As his voice softened, Hawkins repeated, “A special individual.” View full article

Maybe if he had been around four years later, or a few years earlier, things may have played out differently for Josh Rabe. Instead, he spent a lot of time in the Rochester Red Wings outfield before finally getting a call to the big leagues in the Twins terrific 2006 season. Shannon Stewart. Michael Cuddyer. Torii Hunter. Lew Ford. Jason Kubel. Those guys were all around, but Rabe didn’t give up and got to live out his dream of playing in the big leagues. Two years later, he was out of professional baseball. So, where is Josh Rabe now? An Illinois native, Rabe was the Twins 11th round pick out of Quincy University in 2000. He gradually worked his way up, and in 2006 reached his dreams of playing in the big leagues. He played a total of 38 games for the Twins between 2006 and 2007 and hit a combined .250/.268/.375 (.643) with a double, three home runs and nine RBI in 82 plate appearances. His playing career came to an end in 2008. So let's catch up with Josh Rabe.Recently Twins Daily caught up with the former Twins outfielder about getting drafted out of a small college, spending many years in the minor leagues, getting called up to the big leagues, and his post-playing career. A big thank you to Josh Rabe for his thoughtful responses to our questions. Last week, we shared the draft day stories and memories of many Twins players (past, present, future). We’ll start there with Josh Rabe. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Seth Stohs: Josh, what were your memories from your draft and what was the reaction from those around you? Josh Rabe: To answer your question: What was draft day like for me? I honestly thought the Cubs were going to draft me. They came to a lot of my games, and I did well when the cross checkers were there and I did well in the pre-draft workout at Wrigley A lot of people told me I was going anywhere from the 8th to the 13th round. In 2000, the internet was dial up, and you could not really follow the draft online. I was at home at my parents’ house in Mendon, Illinois, because that was the phone number I listed on all the draft questionnaires. Back then they did two days - rounds 1-20 and then 21-50. My college coach called around 11 and told me they were in the 4th round so be ready. I was sitting on my parents’ couch around 12:15 and the phone started ringing. I ran to the phone and on the other end was my mom's dentist. She called to remind her about her appointment the following week. I honestly cut her off and said, "We don't have call waiting. Today I am getting drafted, and I do not want to miss the phone call." I hung up on her after saying that. About 20 minutes later, Bill Milos from the Twins called and asked me "What are you doing?" I said, "Waiting for someone to draft me. That is what!!" He then told me I was the 2nd pick in the 11th round by the Twins, and he would call in two days to set up a meeting. Short call, couldn't really hear anything after that because my mom and dad were hooting and hollering. It was a big relief because I did not want to sleep on the fact that I was going to have to wait till Day 2 to get picked. After that, a couple of local news crews came to my family farm and interviewed me. I then went to a summer ball game that night and did a couple of radio and TV interviews. I went out with some friends that night and two days later signed with the Twins. I flew to Mini-Camp in Fort Myers, and the journey began. It was a long way from Mendon, Illinois, to the Metrodome. Seth Stohs: What was your development path? You weren't necessarily a top prospect, but you always put up strong numbers that few talked about. What did you think of the coaching you got through the minors, some of the guys that are still around? Josh Rabe: My development path was... COMPLICATED!!!! You are right. I was not a top prospect, always put up decent numbers, but I guess I wasn't toolsy enough to be on one of those LISTS!!! You have to remember, I came from Mendon, Illinois, and attended a D2 school called Quincy University. Big fish in the small pond in both spots. When I got to pro ball, that was an adjustment!! I listened to everyone, too many people probably my first year. I was blessed with a quick bat, but I did everything but be myself my first year of pro ball. It went so well for me that six weeks into it, I called my dad asking him to find all the football letters I got out of high school for when I got released at the end of the summer. I could go play college football!!! I had to hustle to hit .221 at Elizabethton!!! I might be the only Twins big leaguer ever to hit under .230 in that league. I was so bad I broke a Baum Bat, which some thought was impossible to do. I went to Instructional League and broke my hamate bone the second game. Hell of a first year for the kid from Quincy!!! Somehow, I got sent to Quad City to start my second year. I remember Jim Rantz was in town at the beginning of May. I went 0-4 in South Bend to take my batting average to .201. I was raking once again... I went back to the hotel, and I was pretty much prepared that I was probably a goner. My roommate that trip was having a cigarette on the balcony of the MOTEL we were staying in. He had the door open and saw that I was contemplating life. He takes a drag and said something that resonated with me. He said, "When you first signed, you did everything so natural. You ran around, didn't have a care in the world, had a natural stroke, and had more bat speed than anyone could hope for. Why do you let people mess with you all the time? Why don't you go back to what got you here and quit trying to listen to everyone that speaks? If I am going out, I am going out my way!!" He then got into a cab and went to the casino, which he did five nights a week. I thought that was great advice. I got to the ballpark early the next day and told the hitting coach Floyd Rayford that I was going to do some things differently that day. He looked at me and replied, "I don't care what you do, but you need to start getting some hits, dog!" I took some swings, pieced some stuff together and felt ok. We played a doubleheader that day and, thank god, we had some injuries so they HAD to play me and my .201 average. I went 4-6 that day in the 9 hole, hitting a couple of extra base hits and had a couple of RBI's. From that day until the All-Star break, I went from .201 to .311. I got hot and stayed hot. I never really stopped hitting for three years after that point. I went from a guy that thought I was going to get released in May of 2001 to a guy in Triple A in July of 2003 with two All Star game appearances. I had some GREAT coaches that made the game fun. Stan Cliburn was the best manager I ever played for. Guy just wanted to win!!! He didn't care about the prospect lists, man just wanted to win which was my style. I was one of his guys so I played everyday for him. Bill Springman is and was the best hitting guy I have ever had or ever been around. Guy is a damn horse whisperer. He is so positive and so knowledgeable. Joe Vavra is the hardest working coach I have ever seen. Guy would throw BP till his arm went numb, then switch arms and throw some more. I wish I had taped the baseball conversations I heard Paul Molitor and Tom Kelly have. When they would hold court in spring training, sit back and listen and learn. They forgot more about the game than about 90 percent of baseball knows. photo from Rochester Red Wings Seth Stohs: You spent about six years in the minor leagues, including almost three years in AAA. You probably saw a lot of teammates get that call. So, tell me about how you learned that you were heading up to the big leagues. Who told you? Teammates reactions? Who did you call? What kind of emotions did you experience? Josh Rabe: Three years? Hey, I spent parts of five seasons in Triple A. I believe I am the second longest tenured Red Wing of all time (Seth Note: Garrett Jones is now #1 on this prestigious list). Have to be infamous for something??? Triple A is hard because there are flame-throwing prospects and veterans who know how to pitch. When I was young and dumb, those veterans wore me out, and I am not ashamed to say that. (Torii) Hunter got hurt and had to go on the 15 day DL. I had just got done playing in the Triple A all star game. My dad called me and told me he thought I was going to get called up. It was a Sunday day game so I was heading early to the ballpark. I told my dad that I don't know if it going to happen and hung up on him. I got to the park and started to get dressed for BP. The trainer Tony Leo came to me and said the manager needs to see you. I went into Stan's office and he, his brother Stu and Jim Rantz were in the office. Stan didn't mess around. He said, "I never been so happy to tell someone that they are going to the big leagues than I am right now." He and Stu gave me a hug. Mr Rantz shook my hand and congratulated me. I walked out of the office and most of the team was waiting to shake my hand and congratulate me. Back then, the culture the Twins had with promotions was something special. They promoted from within and everyone pretty much pulled for each other and were genuinely happy when someone got a chance. I called my parents first. I called some friends, and then I called the parents of my best friend. My best friend had passed away about a month earlier so that was an emotional call. Honestly, it was a feeling of relief that I had finally got the call. Happy of course but a huge sigh of relief is all I can remember. Seth Stohs: While it's still part of the same line of thinking, what was the response when you go to the big league stadium that first day? How were you greeted by teammates and coaches there? Josh Rabe: I got some calls from some guys on my way. Terry Tiffee and Jason Bartlett called me and told me about the schedule. I had roomed with them for several years. Everyone congratulates you when you get to the clubhouse. The first day is a blur. 7:05 comes and it is THE SHOW... There is a reason they call it that and no other term could describe it better. Seth Stohs: Firsts... what are your memories of your first hit, and then your first home run in the big leagues? Josh Rabe: I remember my first at bat. I lined out to center on a 3-1 count. My first hit, 2-1 fastball, line drive to right center off Edwin Jackson. I remember Travis Lee congratulating me at first base. My mind was all over the place. My mom told me that the crowd gave me a standing ovation, but I didn't hear or see that. A lot of stuff goes through your mind during an event like that. The ball was in my locker after the game. No one messed with me. I gave it to my dad after the game. He could not believe it. He cried. First homer was off Nate Robertson. To be honest, I thought it was going to be a double. I remember seeing the second base ump signaling home run as I was approaching second base. I told myself to slow down, but my heart was going way too fast so my home run trot was more of a slow sprint. Rondell White mobbed me in the tunnel behind the dugout. I do not know what he is doing now, but he and Torii Hunter were two of the best guys for young rookies to be around. Rondell was a great dude and was a genuine, good person. Seth Stohs: You spent some time in an indy league, but tell me what the transition was for you from player into coaching? Is it something you'd always wanted to do? Josh Rabe: Time in the indy league!! Might be the only guy to go from the AL to the AL - Atlantic League!!! My back was a mess in ‘07. I had shoulder trouble, had to have surgery. During rehab, I couldn't do the rehab program because my back was acting up. So when you are a hurt mess and do not have a long term contract, they release you!! I thought I could still get healthy, all the other MLB teams thought otherwise that off season. I went to Indy ball and hit well. Only problem was I could not run anymore, hurt too much. So I could not play outfield everyday, had to DH most days. I had a week where I played outfield everyday and a couple of teams wanted to sign me. Literally was probably going to sign with an affiliated team the next day and my back acted up on me the night before. I sat around for a couple of days, was going to get another injection and go for it again. I was sitting in the doctor’s office, and I said to myself, "Enough is enough." Called the GM and said I'm done. Flew home the next day. I was 30, single, did not own a house, just moved from town to town and lived life to its fullest. My mom picked me up at the airport and asked if I was ok. I told her I had come to terms with my body just being done and I could not do it anymore. At that point I had no idea what I was going to do with the rest of my life. I sat around for about a week at my parents’ house contemplating my next move. I had bought an LSAT study book and considered going to Law School, which is something that I had always wanted to do. My college coach called me after about a week of being home and asked if I wanted to be a college coach. So I went to St Joseph's College and became the hitting coach there for two years. Quincy University, my alma mater, at the end of the 2010 school year fired their coach and hired me. Seth Stohs: You went to Quincy University in Illinois, and now you're the head coach there. What did you mean for you to get that job? Josh Rabe: I had not been home for 12 years. West Central Illinois is always going to be my home, no matter where life takes me. I love it here. I met my wife here. We have had our children here. It is a great place to live and raise a family. Quincy University gave me a chance and to work for them now means a lot. I get to help young men grow up and do the things they want to do in this world. It is a rewarding job to say the least. And I get to be around my family!!! Seth Stohs: Talk a little about your team's success in recent years, specifically this year. Josh Rabe: My first year at Quincy, we started off terrible. Somehow we righted the ship and won the conference and went to a NCAA Regional for the first time in seven years. That was the start of a successful run. We have won the GLVC conference title twice, been to four NCAA tournaments, and just finished going to the World Series for the first time in program history. We have had multiple draft picks and a ton of great people roll through this program. We offer a good education and great facilities for college baseball players to flourish at. photo by Brad Loper Seth: Finally, what are your goals for your program, leading the student athletes, from a baseball perspective, etc.? Josh Rabe: The ultimate goal for any program is to win a National Title. The chances of that happening at most programs is slim to none. That is not the case at Quincy. We were very close this year. We have the resources to make that happen. It is a great feeling knowing you have a chance every year to compete for a championship. The administration at Quincy needs to be commended for making that happen. It takes good people and money for stuff like that to happen, and I am in a fortunate spot that provides that. We keep it pretty simple philosophy-wise. We surround ourselves with high-character, talented people and turn them loose. That has been the recipe for our success. Seth Stohs: If anyone reads this and is interested in learning more about your baseball program, what is the best way for them to contact you and the program? Josh Rabe: Go to QUhawks.com for info about the program, or contact me at rabejo@quincy.edu with interest. Thank you again to Josh Rabe for taking time to answer our questions so well. Please feel free to ask questions or leave feedback below. Click here to view the article

The Rochester Red Wings are celebrating their 20th year in Frontier Field. The history of baseball and the Red Wings in Rochester, New York, is very long and storied. The Red Wings are asking fans to vote for their All Frontier Field team. Many current and former Twins are on the ballot. It's a fun exercise and a great walk down memory lane for Twins fans who have followed prospects over the last 10 to 15 years. Take five minutes or so to cast your vote and, even more fun, remember some of the players from the past.Professional baseball has been in Rochester for over 140 years. The Red Wings have been an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, the Baltimore Orioles (1961-2002), and the Minnesota Twins since 2003. Ironically, when the Twins moved their affiliation to Rochester, it was the first year of their tremendous radio voice, Josh Whetzel joined the. When I saw the ballot for the All Frontier Field team, I couldn’t help but spend some time voting. It is fun to think back to the dozen or more years that I have followed the Twins minor league system and seeing names of some great players and guys who became well-known for their time in New York. Some went on to have long big league careers. Some barely got a cup of coffee. Seeing the names is such a good reminder of how hard this game can be. So, take five minutes and cast your vote. You can spend more time, if you want, and research the stats of the players in Rochester. You can just vote for your favorite player in each category, or the player who went on to the best career? There is no right or wrong answer for this. So, let’s walk down memory lane and take a look at the ballot: First Basemen: Chris Colabello, Garrett Jones, Justin Morneau, Calvin Pickering, Chris Parmelee My votegoes to Garrett Jones. He spent quite a bit of time in Rochester because the Twins had Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, Delmon Young and Jason Kubel at the positions Jones could have played. So, he just kept putting up monster numbers for the Red Wings. From 2005 through 2008, he played over 105 games for the Red Wings each year and hit a lot of doubles and home runs. He played in just 31 games for the Twins, all in 2007. Since then, he has played in 880 games in the big leagues, mostly with the Pirates, but also some time with the Marlins and Yankees. He’s still playing in 2016, his first year in Japan. Second Basemen: James Beresford, PJ Forbes, Luis Rodriguez, Brian Roberts, Jerry Hairston My votegoes to James Beresford. I was a big fan of Rodriguez (when I wrote of him, I just wrote “Luis!!”), and the other three were from the Orioles era. Brian Roberts had a strong big league career. However, in his three-plus seasons with the Rochester, Beresford has continued to get better and add to his game. He came up and struggled some, but he was a .300 hitter and an All-Star in 2015. This year, he’s playing all over the infield. Third Basemen: Willis Otanez, Ryan Minor, Terry Tiffee, Danny Valencia, Chris Heintz My votegoes to Terry Tiffee. He spent parts of three seasons with the Red Wings and got a couple of cups of coffee with the Twins as well. He played 91 games for the Twins between 2004 and 2006, and then got into a handful of games with the Dodgers in 2008. Valencia has become the best big leaguer in this bunch. Ryan Minor was quite a prospect for the O’s in the late 90s. Chris Heintz spent quite a bit of time with the Red Wings as well. He was signed as a long-time veteran, and his cup of coffee with the Twins was exciting. He was 31-years-old when he debuted for the Twins and played a total of 34 big league games for the Twins, mostly as a catcher. Shortstop: Jason Bartlett, Doug Bernier, Jesse Garcia, Aaron Ledesma, Trevor Plouffe My votegoes to Trevor Plouffe. The Twins really pushed Plouffe up the minor league system despite never putting up big numbers at any level. He reached AAA at age 22 and didn’t debut with the Twins until he was 24, in 2010. He wasn’t always great with the Red Wings, but he grew and improved. He spent parts of four seasons with the Red Wings and has also rehabbed there a couple of times. Bartlett had a solid career in Rochester, where he spent parts of three seasons. I believe he still lives there. Bernier was a very solid producer for the Red Wings for most of three seasons. The Orioles guys didn’t spent a lot of time in Rochester. Catcher: BJ Waszgis, Tommy Davis, Jose Morales, Drew Butera, Eric Fryer My votegoes to Jose Morales. He was drafted as a middle infielder, but was immediately moved to catcher. He worked his way up. When the 2007 season was complete, he went back home. When a couple of catchers got hurt, Morales received a September call up. He made one start and went 3-3 with a double. However, he broke his leg sliding into second base in the game and didn’t get back to the big leagues until 2009. He spent parts of four seasons with the Red Wings and hit over .300. Butera had the defense and has had a solid, lucrative big league career. Fryer has had plenty of time and spent three years playing in Rochester. Outfielders: Danny Clyburn, Lew Ford, Jason Kubel, Dustin Martin, Darnell McDonald, Jason Pridie, Josh Rabe, Michael Restovich, Denard Span, Jim Wawruck. My three votesgo to Dustin Martin, Josh Rabe and Darnell McDonald. I know there are bigger names. Kubel was the IL Rookie of the Year the one partial season he spent there and put up great numbers. Lew Ford spent parts of four seasons there but limited time each year because he spent a lot of time with the big league club. Restovich had a couple of very good years in Rochester after spending a couple of seasons in AAA in the Pacific Coast League. Darnell McDonald was one player who played for Rochester while a member of the Orioles and the Twins. He was a top prospect with the O’s, but by the time he got to the Red Wings, he was move organizational filler. However, he played so well that he earned time with the Twins too. Rabe spent parts of five seasons with the Red Wings. He debuted with the Red Wings in 2003. It wasn’t until 2006 that he finally got a call up to the Twins. He played in 38 games for the Twins over two years and hit three homers. Dustin Martin is in the top 5 in many Rochester categories. He spent three years at the level and went to spring training with the big league club but never got a chance with the Twins. Still just 32, he has played for a couple other organizations, in independent leagues and still in Mexico. Starting Pitchers: There are 14 names to consider on this list, so I’m not going to get into them all. However, you will want to click that link to remember how much talent has come through Rochester on the way to Minnesota. We are to vote for five, so here are my picks. Dave Gassner didn’t have a long big league career, though he did win his big league debut, but he spent parts of four seasons with the Red Wings and put up some strong numbers. On the other side of the spectrum, Francisco Liriano dominated the league in 2005 and early in 2006 before coming up to the Twins where he was more impressive than multi-Cy Young winner Johan Santana during his prime. After his Tommy John surgery, he came back to the Red Wings in 2008 and was again very good. Similarly, Kevin Slowey dominated this International League in 2007, posting an ERA under two and captured the league’s Pitcher of the Year award. Boof Bonser racked up some big strikeout numbers during his (parts of) three seasons with the Red Wings. The fifth choice is Brian Duensing who won 20 games in his time with the Red Wings. That doesn’t include the Gold Medal that he won in the 2008 Olympics with Team USA. There are some impressive pitchers that weren’t in my top five. Andrew Albers is back and had a terrific year with the organization a couple of years ago before returning earlier this season. Liam Hendriks was a tremendous minor league pitcher. And who could forget The Real Deal? Scott Baker pitched well there. Matt Garza didn’t get much time in Rochester during his fast 2006 rise to the big leagues, but he was good and has had a long career. Kyle Gibson put up some solid numbers in Rochester as well, before Tommy John and then after his return. Relief Pitchers: We are supposed to vote for two relievers, and for me, the choices are easy. No one who followed the Twins minor leagues from about 2007 through 2011 will be able to not vote for Anthony Slama. No one will ever be able to explain adequately enough to me how a guy who put up the numbers that Slama put up in the minors, including AAA, could possibly not be given more of an opportunity in the big leagues. #Slama Time and #FreeSlama were frequent hashtags even before we knew what hashtags were. Similarly, few have pitched as well in Rochester as AJ Achter did for the Red Wings over the last three years. He didn’t give up many runs, picked up saves, and generally rarely allowed base runners. He got a couple of limited opportunities with the Twins and has been up and down with the Angels a few times already this season. Pat Neshek put up very similar numbers in Rochester, just in less time. He has gone on to a tremendous, long career. Michael Tonkin wasn’t as good as Achter in Rochester, but he still put up terrific numbers and big strikeouts too. I might not argue too much if you wanted one of them on the team. And I’d also understand your votes for Jesse Crain or Bobby Korecky. Designated Hitter: Karim Garcia, Justin Huber, Randy Ruiz, Julio Vinas, Kevin West Kevin West gets my vote. He spent a couple of seasons with the Red Wings and hit 34 homers. He was a big man with a lot of power, hitting both doubles and home runs. Unfortunately, he got hurt in his third season with the Red Wings and never got a chance. Garcia had a fairly long career but didn't spend a lot of time in Rochester. Ruiz had one monster season with the Red Wings and earned a 22-game call up to the Twins at age 30. He spent time the next two seasons with Toronto. Huber was similar in that he was older. The former prospect from Australia earned a September call up, but got hurt in his one game with the Twins. Utility Player: Alex Casilla, Howie Clark, Brian Dinkelman, Matt Tolbert, Tommy Watkins. My vote goes for Tommy Watkins. Sure Howie Clark spent four seasons with the Red Wings, three with the O's and one with the Twins. He has some impressive numbers. Brian Dinkelman ranks in the top five or six in Red Wings stats during the Twins era and was a Harmon Killebrew Award recipient. He had the cool nickname and chant when he received his call ups to the Twins. Casilla and Tolbert both spent a lot of time back and forth between Rochester and the Twins. But Tommy Watkins is The Mayor. I mean, it's Rochester and he owns it. And, it's my ballot! Manager: There are some quality options on the ballot, but I'm going with Gene Glynn. The Red Wings had just come off of losing 91 and 95 games when he took over. Obviously better players help but Gene Glynn less the team to three straight seasons at .500 or better before moving up to the big league club as the Twins 3B coach. So there you have it, a look at my personal ballot for the All Frontier Field team. This is the 20th season of baseball at the stadium. The Twins have had the Red Wings as their AAA affiliate for 14 years now. Please take 5-10 minutes of time to click here and make your choices for the 20th anniversary Frontier Field team. And share your vote and your memories of some of these players in the comments below. Click here to view the article