Success #6: Tom Kelly

Jim Kaat wasn't the only baseball I received on Monday. There were two packages in my mailbox!

On January 26, 2012, at the Minnesota Twins annual Diamond Awards Event, Tom Kelly received some incredible news. His #10 would be retired this year and added to the likes of Puckett, Killebrew, Carew, Oliva, Hrbek, and Blyleven. Deservedly so for a man that managed the organization to it's only two World Series Championships ('87 and '91).

Kelly was with the Twins for 16 seasons. He was part of the highest highs the club has ever experienced and the lowest lows (1,244 losses). He retired in 2001 paving the way for current manager Ron Gardenhire. Kelly lives near Minneapolis still and is very involved with the organization throughout the baseball season and in Spring Training. I love his guest stints as color man for Fox North as well!

TK's teams averaged a 4th place league finish in his 16 seasons at the helm, but not all of that was his fault. Ownership played it cheap and by the time TK retired in 2001, he had begun developing the young core group of players that would become a perennial contender in the 21st Century. Much of Gardy's success, is due in large part to Kelly's hard work.

I had heard that Kelly was a fantastic signer, however my worry was that I wasn't going to catch him before he departed for Fort Myers and Spring Training. Pitchers and catchers officially report tomorrow but many players are already there working out. He mailed a baseball back to me in just 6 days.

Mailed: 2/7/12
Received: 2/13/12 (6 days)