Fifth in a series
LaTroy Hawkins a few years ago finally kept his word and promise to his mother and became a college graduate.
After 1,042 regular season games pitched, 10th most in MLB history, plus 22 more in the postseason during his 21-year major league career with 12 clubs, including Minnesota, which drafted him out of high school in the seventh round in 1991, Hawkins now has a well-earned diploma to go along with his many accomplishments.
“Never thought I would go to college,” Hawkins fondly recalled during a conversation before a Twins home game. “I always tell people I didn’t go to college right out of high school, I went to play baseball.”
The 2020 worldwide pandemic, which shut down sports, unexpectedly offered Hawkins a golden opportunity nearly five years after he retired from playing.
“I got some time. We all had time, right?” he said. “That was the one thing that was open, online school. So I enrolled at the local junior college close to the county where I live.”
“Once I started, the first year was really tough,” he recalled, “just the discipline it takes to study and all that good stuff. But once you get into it and understand your purpose, it didn’t get easier, but my time management got better.”
Hawkins earned a sociology degree from Southern New Hampshire University in May 2022.
Although he retired as an active player, Hawkins has never strayed far from the game. Now in his first season as the Twins’ bullpen coach, hired by first-year Manager Derek Shelton, the Gary, Ind., native is the team’s first Black pitching coach since Garvin Alston in 2018 and the first Black bullpen coach in franchise history. He is the only coach of color on this year’s staff.
Asked to assess his role so far, Hawkins was candid.
“That’s a really interesting question,” he said. “I’ve done some coaching over the years since I retired, at USA Baseball and MLB Development. I’m having to learn something different, and it’s a lot of information, a lot of homework. Hopefully I’ll grow to love it.”
Hawkins first pitched for the Twins in 1995 and stuck with the big league club for good in 1997. Minnesota moved him from the rotation to the bullpen in 2000, first as a closer in 2001, a role he struggled in, before finding success as a setup man and playing a key role in the Twins’ 2002 and 2003 playoff runs. He also has the distinction of recording at least one save against all 30 MLB teams during his career.
Later, Hawkins was hired by Minnesota after the 2016 season as a special assistant, contributing across the organization in areas including pitching philosophy, amateur scouting and trade deadline preparation. He also provided occasional analysis on Twins broadcasts, offering perspective as a former player.
“I’m trying my best,” Hawkins said of his role as a teacher. He also has a head start in familiarity with several Twins pitchers, particularly the team’s two Black starters, Simeon Woods Richardson and Taj Bradley.
“I’ve known both of these guys since age 16,” at MLB Development, Hawkins said. “Further back than being here as the bullpen coach. I was around them a lot, and I think that helps with our relationship.”
Both pitchers said having Hawkins around is significant on multiple levels. He is the first Black pitching coach either has had in their respective professional careers, whether in the minors or the majors. Woods Richardson and Bradley said they appreciate seeing someone they can relate to and learn from.
“They both have really good pitches, both smart kids, both athletic,” Hawkins said of the Twins’ only two Black pitchers.
Hawkins also made clear there are only two people who could have persuaded him to get into coaching.
“I always said there are two people I would work for: Torii Hunter and Derek Shelton, because I’m looking for that type of loyalty,” he said. “I met Derek Shelton in 2011. He was the hitting coach for an all-star team MLB took to Taiwan, and we were together for about 17 days. We didn’t know each other before, but we connected right away and always kept in touch. I know he’s going to allow me to grow in my position.”
Shelton spoke highly of his bullpen coach.
“He’s a guy that’s been there, done that,” Shelton said. “He doesn’t need to do this. But his commitment to the organization and his desire to help young players, that’s really special for a guy who’s had his career. LaTroy Hawkins is one of those people who can relate to everyone, and I think that’s really important. We’re very fortunate to have him.”
“I get a chance to grow as a coach on this team,” Hawkins said.
Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses at challman@spokesman-recorder.com.