The Twins have announced the TV team for the new MLB-produced broadcasts, and all the familiar names are there, including lead voice Cory Provus and ex-Twins and booth mates Justin Morneau, LaTroy Hawkins and Glen Perkins, to name just a few.
Just one person was missing: Roy Smalley, who also announced last week that he was retiring from the broadcast booth after a 25-year run, according to a social media post.
“I think the new direction the Twins/MLB broadcasts are taking makes it a bit easier for me to acknowledge that this great run is like all great runs…. they come to an end,” Smalley wrote.
Smalley’s ties to the Twins began in 1976 when he was part of a multiplayer trade that sent him to Minnesota from the Texas Rangers, the team that drafted him as the No. 1 overall pick in 1974. Prior to playing for the University of Southern California, Smalley had been drafted by the Expos, the Red Sox, the Cardinals and Red Sox again, but did not sign with any of them in order to play for USC, it appears.
Smalley made the bigs in 1975, playing for the Rangers and manager Billy Martin, although Martin would be fired that season.
Smalley played in only 78 games, but he had his share of big moments, including a grand slam against the Chicago White Sox on June 18, 1975.
The legendary Mike Shropshire and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram were there.
“Of course there’s nothing like a grand slam home run to jack up a baseball team’s spiritual juices.
“Roy Smalley got his opportunity for the Rangers Wednesday night when he came up against Chicago’s Bill Gogolewski in the eighth inning. This is the same Gogo who used to toil for the Rangers in 1972 and ’73.
“Gogo had walked the preceding batter Leo Cardenas to load the bases, then he ran the count to 2-0 on Smalley, Texas’ rookie shortstop.
“Well, obviously, I was looking for him to throw one ‘dead red,'” Smalley said. Smalley hit a drive into the jaws of a wind roaring in from right in gusts to 34 mph.
“Right fielder Bob Collucio was seen churning toward the fence on his stubby little legs but there was nothing he could do as the ball smacked into the facing of the terrace seat railing for the second grand slam ever hit by a Ranger in Arlington Stadium.”
The Texas trade sent Smalley, Mike Cubbage, Bill Singer and Jim Gideon, plus cash, to Minnesota in exchange for Bert Blyleven and Danny Thompson, according to Baseball-Reference.com.
Smalley and Singer were disappointed; Cubbage was glad to be leaving, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.
“With all the talk. I had just about accepted its happening,” said Smalley. “I knew it was coming. I’m disappointed. I hate to leave this club.
“But I have to look at the plus side. I’ll be playing shortstop full time and I’ll be playing for Gene Mauch.” (Smalley’s uncle).
“Singer also was disappointed.
“I hate to go,” said the veteran right-handed pitcher. “I love it here. I love everything about this club. This is a great bunch of guys.”
“The only trace of bitterness came from Cubbage.
“I’m a little surprised but not really disappointed,” said Cubbage. “Somehow the Rangers soured on me and I just haven’t been allowed to play that much. When that happens, maybe it’s good to go somewhere else. Maybe I’ll get more of an opportunity to play at Minnesota.”
Smalley spent 13 seasons in the bigs, including 10 years with the Twins. He was named an All-Star and received some MVP votes in 1979 after he slashed .271/.353/.441 with 24 home runs and 95 RBI.
Smalley was traded to the Yankees in 1982, traded by the Yanks to the White Sox in 1984 and then the South Siders traded him back to the Twins in 1985. His career ended in 1987, but not before winning a World Series.
Additional sources: Newspapers.com.