Tommy Watkins
Minnesota Twins
Born: June 18, 1980 (1980-06-18) (age 29) Fort Myers, Florida
Batted: Right	Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 10, 2007 for the Minnesota Twins
Last MLB appearance
August 22, 2007 for the Minnesota Twins
Career statistics
Batting average	.357
Home runs	0
Runs scored	2
Teams
Minnesota Twins (2007)

Thomas Gray Watkins, Jr. (born June 18, 1980, in Fort Myers, Florida) is a Minor League coach in the Minnesota Twins organization who appeared briefly with the Twins as a player toward the end of the 2007 season.

Contents 1 Hometown favorite 2 2007 season 2.1 Rochester Red Wings 2.2 MLB debut 3 Coaching 4 References

[edit] Hometown favorite

Watkins was drafted by the Twins in the 38th round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft from Riverdale High School in Fort Myers, Florida, and was a fan favorite during his two-year stint with the Twins' high A affiliate, the Fort Myers Miracle (2002–2003). Watkins' popularity with Miracle fans translated into one of the more interesting promotions in minor league history when he was the subject of the "Tommy Watkins Bobble-Butt" late in the 2003 season.^[1]

It was while with the Miracle that Watkins became more of a utility player. In 2002, he made 41 appearances at shortstop, 33 at third base, 19 at second base and 3 in the outfield. In 2003, he made his debut as a first baseman (8 times), and played all three outfield positions (38 total appearances), as well as making 28 appearances at third, 17 at shortstop, and 9 at second.

[edit] 2007 season

[edit] Rochester Red Wings

Watkin's nickname with the International League Rochester Red Wings was "The Mayor" because of his personable style and his ability to deliver.^{[citation needed]} He is introduced at home for his at-bats to the sounds of Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi.^{[citation needed]}

2007 was his second season at Triple-A Rochester. He had a team-high 10-game hitting streak in 2007, ending July 5, 2007. He was 42 for 138 (.304) during the streak. In his last 43 games, he had eight doubles, six home runs and 24 runs batted in. He stole home June 14 against the Louisville Bats.

His eight home runs in 2007 match his minor-league career high of eight home runs in 2004 with the New Britain Rock Cats (Double-A). His 2007 batting average of .272 was a career high, although in 2006 Watkins hit .276 in the part of the season he spent with Rochester. Also in 2007, he reached a career high in doubles (22) and RBIs (49).

[edit] MLB debut

The Twins promoted Watkins on August 8, 2007, from Triple-A Rochester. Twins General Manager Terry Ryan announced his call-up while visiting the Red Wings; the news was very well received by his teammates.^[2] Watkins spent ten years in the minors, all with the Twins, before making his major league debut.

Red Wings Manager Stan Cliburn stated that Watkins' promotion to the big leagues "was one of the most emotional call-ups [he had] ever been involved with." The announcement "set off a joyous celebration in the clubhouse, because of everyone's love, passion and respect for Tommy." ^[3]

Watkins was the 14th player from the Red Wings to be promoted to the Minnesota Twins in 2007. He was with the Red Wings in Syracuse, New York and joined the Twins in Kansas City. Watkins made his major league debut on August 10, 2007. He recorded his first major league hit August 15, 2007, while playing the Seattle Mariners. He is the first player in Twins history to wear #61.^{[citation needed]}

According to Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, "He has a good smile in his face and comes to play every day. You can play anywhere you put him, outfield, infield, so it will be fine to have him up there."^[4] Watkins played nine games, with his major league debut being as pinch-hitter, August 10 against the Los Angeles Angels. He started the remaining eight games he appeared in, all at third base (he shifted to shortstop for the last two innings of one game). His first hit was a single off Jarrod Washburn on August 15 at Seattle. He had ten hits in 28 at-bats, all of them singles. He scored two runs—scoring his first on a Torii Hunter grand slam.^[5]

[edit] Coaching

Watkins spent all of 2008 with Rochester, where he batted .219 with one home run and 18 RBIs in 76 games. He became a free agent at the end of the season, and in January 2009, he re-signed with the Twins. Watkins was batting .254 at Rochester when he accepted a coaching job in the Twins' organization. Watkins will help coach the Gulf Coast League Twins, managed by Jake Mauer, and will also help out with Class A Fort Myers during home games.^[6]

[edit] References

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or The Baseball Cube