One of the biggest changes for next year’s Minnesota Twins team won’t be seen on the field. Rather, the club will have a new but familiar voice guiding them through their TV broadcasts. As Dick Bremer starts his walk into the line of corn growing beyond the game’s outfield wall, Cory Provus will assume his role as the primary play-by-play broadcaster.
The shake-up is certainly bittersweet, as Bremer was beloved by so many after an incredible 40-year career in the booth. But the consensus is that the move will be worthwhile. Provus has become just as treasured after 13 years behind the radio microphone.
With 2024 marking the dawn of a new era for the Twins’ broadcasting department, they should continue to explore even more personalities that can contribute to the conversation during games. The club already boasts an extensive cast of former players who contribute as regular color commentators (Justin Morneau, Roy Smalley), part-timers (LaTroy Hawkins, Glen Perkins), and newbies who make a few cameos (Trevor Plouffe). But here are a few more names I would love to see mixed in should the Twins decide to add more three-person booths next year.
Torii Hunter
As a cherished Twins Hall of Famer, Hunter has contributed to the booth in the past. After retiring in 2016, the former star outfielder called a handful of games alongside Bremer as Bert Blyleven was tapering out of the booth. The results were mostly positive. Many appreciated Hunter’s ever-present humor, even if he was hitting a few hiccups with the flow and cadence of a two-man broadcast.
But with a little more polish that comes from experience, the former fan-favorite would be an excellent addition, especially if he could bounce topics off of more than one other person. A potential booth of Provus’ impeccable game-calling, with Morneau and Hunter discussing their time together, would be a smash hit and incredibly insightful.
Hunter interviewed for the Los Angeles Angels manager vacancy last month, which ultimately went to Ron Washington. That’s encouraging because it shows that he still wants to find a way to be a part of the game. It would also be insightful to hear what that interview process was like and what he thinks a modern-day manager should know.
Plus, if Hunter can capture another moment like his infamous tear-down of a fan who dropped a home run ball, he would be worth every penny.
Brian Dozier
While the former Twins second baseman didn’t have Hunter or Morneau’s longevity in his career, he put up some solid numbers in his seven years with the club. In that span, he had a respectable .248/.325/.447 (.772 OPS) with 167 homers and 22.8 bWAR. He was selected to one All-Star game and received MVP votes in three straight years from 2015 to 2017.
It would be interesting to hear Dozier’s perspective on coming up during a rebuilding period for the Twins, where they didn’t reach the postseason until his sixth year with the club. He could also provide commentary on what it’s like to be a player at the center of trade speculation and rumors and how that can affect their mindset on and off the field.
Dozier had no shortage of charisma in his playing days. That would translate in a broadcast booth, especially alongside someone like Plouffe, who has personality in spades.
Trevor May
The most recent retiree on this list, May would bring a youthful splash to the broadcast. He knows how to communicate effectively with the younger generation of baseball fans, which is something that MLB has consistently struggled to do recently. Take one listen to May’s podcast that he started this year, and it’s easy to see how refreshing his perspective could be.
He can help acknowledge some recent changes in the game, such as the pitch clock and the automatic runner in extra innings. May could also discuss some of the technological developments of the game over the last few seasons.
May’s explanation of the differences between a slider and a sweeper, which annoys older baseball fans to no end, is the perfect example of how he can inform his audience about new concepts.
An understated benefit of having May in the booth would be his experience as a player working under an unpopular owner. He has been adamant about his disappointment with John Fisher, the principal owner of the Oakland Athletics, as the team works towards moving to Las Vegas.
Whether he’s talking about hot topics around the league or his professional gaming career, May has a unique approach to his conversations, and it could shake up a traditional broadcast in a truly revitalizing way.
