Minneapolis – The Twins will have a new voice on the radio for their upcoming road trip to Cleveland and Detroit. While full-time play-by-play man Kris Atteberry takes time off for his annual vacation, one of Minor League Baseball’s longest-running broadcasters will be filling in for him.
Tim Grubbs is the play-by-play man for the Twins Double-A affiliate Wichita Wind Surge, and he will be getting the callup to the majors to fill in for Atteberry. As it was last season for Saints broadcaster Sean Aronson, Atteberry wanted to ensure that one of Minnesota’s minor league broadcasters was getting their time in his absence.
“We knew Tim and Sean were quite capable and deserving,” said Atteberry. “And it was just a matter of, I think last year worked out for Sean, and I think we both felt Tim certainly deserved a chance to do that, and we made it happen.”
“It just continues to be an opportunity to lean into individuals who are passionate about baseball and who have been supportive of our organization,” said Twins Director of Broadcasting, Andrew Halverson. “Just even more beyond the broadcast. But in Tim’s case, like Kris said, very deserving work.”
When Atteberry and Halverson first informed Grubbs about the opportunity in December, it took more than just a moment for the news to sink in. Atteberry had asked him if he could do him and Halverson one more favor for the season, interviewing Twins manager Rocco Baldelli in Cleveland and Detroit. Still, Grubbs wasn’t seeing how he could do that from Wichita.
“I’ll be first to admit I was a little confused,” said Grubbs. “You know, looking back on it now, I was just blindsided by the whole thing. And then they explained it and spelled it out. I was like, ‘Oh yeah, of course. This would be a dream come true!”
“I go, ‘Hey, just to interject. If we could ask you to do one more interview, do you think you’d be cool to do the Rocco interview before the games in Cleveland and Detroit, and then call the games?’” recalled Atteberry. “‘Yeah, sure, no problem. If that’s what you need, I’ll be happy to help you out.’ And then he texted me an hour and a half later saying, ‘I don’t think that really sunk in at the time.’ I look at Drew and go, ‘Awww, I thought we were going to have a moment.’”
Grubbs called his 4,000th minor league game earlier this year and has technically had some experience in the majors. However, it was not a pre-planned plan for him to hop behind the mic. It happened back in 2004, just after Grubbs finished another season with the New Orleans Zephyrs, who were the Houston Astros’ Triple-A affiliate at the time.
Houston was on the road for a long, five-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Grubbs grew up outside of Pittsburgh, and the Astros welcomed him to join the team because several of the Zyphers players, such as utility men Chris Burke and Jason Alfaro, were a part of the September 40-man roster callups playing with the ‘Stros.
Grubbs was in the visiting radio booth with Hall of Fame radio man Milo Hamilton and longtime Astros catcher Alan Ashby. The plan was for Grubbs to be on air at some point to do a Q&A segment on the September callups, but he never expected Hamilton to give him more than that.
“And it was like the fourth inning, and all of a sudden, Milo turns around and says, ‘Hey kid, you want to do a half inning?’ And I said, ‘Sure,’” said Grubbs. “I was planning on being on the air. I just didn’t know it was actually going to be a play-by-play opportunity. Half an inning grew into a full inning, and that was it. I haven’t done any other big league games. So this is for real this time.”
While it was a brief thrill for Grubbs to get to call a game in the majors for an inning, this time around, it will be even more rewarding to do so for a full six games. Especially since the two teams the Twins will be on the road against were the ones he, his dad, and brother would road trip to see American League action.
“The guy has called over 4,000 minor league games, which is just incredible, and has called a half inning of Major League Baseball,” said Halverson. “So to be able to offer him the ability to broadcast Major League Baseball games after all that hard work and dedication, I think, is really meaningful to us.”
Fortunately for Grubbs, most of Minnesota’s clubhouse will already be familiar with him. Ramon Borrego was the Wind Surge’s manager for their first four seasons and is in the middle of his first season with the major league club as the first base coach. Eleven of the players on Minnesota’s active roster have also been through the system at Wichita, providing an excellent opportunity for Grubbs to catch up with them.
“At one point, they put the Wichita name on and represented the Wind Surge,” said Grubbs. “So for me to be in the reverse situation, I think it’s going to be a little more comfortable.”
The familiarity with those in the Twins clubhouse will make the adjustment easier for Grubbs, but he still anticipates having some nervous jitters on Day 1. Even having 4,000 minor league games under one’s belt can’t fully prepare them for their first full game in the majors.
Regardless, it’s an opportunity he will relish every moment of having waited over two decades for the chance to have a full game. With Glen Perkins at his side as the color commentator, Twins fans are sure to be in good hands while Atteberry is away and learn how well Grubbs has covered their Double-A affiliate over the last five years.
“I always figured that at some point, maybe, my time would come,” Grubbs said. “But you never take it for granted. I’ve been doing this for 30 years, and this will be the first time I’ve had this opportunity. So I’m honored by the fact that the Twins think that highly of me and are going to give me this opportunity.”
