Twins first baseman Josh Bell reflects on baseball, fatherhood and what it means to be part of a Minnesota roster leading the majors in U.S.-born Black players.
Twins/MLB
Sports: a space for local and national sports stories, with emphasis on issues pertaining to African Americans.
Posted inTwins/MLB
Twins’ top prospect Culpepper ready for ‘the big stage’
Kaelen Culpepper, the St. Paul Saints infielder and 2024 first-round Twins draft pick, is ready to make his big league debut and is leading the Saints in hits, runs and total bases early in the 2026 season.
Posted inAnother View
In majors, only Twins and Reds have two Black pitchers
With only nine Black MLB pitchers this season (MLBbro.com), the Twins stand out with two: Simeon Woods Richardson and Taj Bradley. SWR struck out 11 Yankees in a 7–0 win; Bradley’s pitch mix shows big-game upside. Both players—and Rocco Baldelli—weigh in on performance, growth, and representation.
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Twins’ Buxton leads by example
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton is the second fastest player on the basepaths in Major League Baseball. According to Statcast, Buxton is averaging 30.2 feet per second, his highest speed since 2019.
Posted inOdds and Ends
Twins Black hurlers warm up for the season
Alex Speas and Simeon Woods Richardson, both Black players on the Minnesota Twins, are working to make an impact on the team and to stick in the majors, with Speas aiming to join the “Black Aces” list and Woods Richardson aiming to improve his record.
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MLB’s next big swing: The rise of the ‘torpedo bat’
The torpedo bat, designed by former Yankees analyst Aaron Leanhardt, is now catching fire across the MLB by redistributing weight closer to the handle, optimizing swing speed and power, and is already showing results with the Yankees smashing 15 home runs in their opening three games.
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Twins expand relationships with HBCUs to provide opportunities for students
The Twins organization is expanding its relationships with HBCUs to provide summer internships and opportunities for students to make a career in sport.
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1946 Zumbrota saw integrated baseball before Robinson
Gready McKinnis, a Negro Leagues star, was the first Black player in the Minnesota State Baseball Tournament in 1947, and his stats are now officially recognized by Major League Baseball.
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The rise and tragic fall of ‘Pistol’ Peete
The St. Louis Cardinals signed their first Black players in 1954, with Charlie Peete being the second, but his life was tragically cut short in a plane crash in 1956.
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Evolving media landscape complicates baseball broadcasting
The Minnesota Twins have returned to television after a contract dispute, but the future of baseball broadcasting is uncertain as cable and streaming become more popular and over-the-air television becomes less common.
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New novel explores the life of Effa Manley, the first female Negro Leagues team owner
Effa Manley, the first female Negro Leagues team owner and the only woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, is the subject of Kaia Alderson’s new novel ‘In a League of Her Own.’
Posted inSports
Simeon Woods Richardson shines as Twins’ starter against Phillies
Simeon Woods Richardson and Zack Wheeler had an entertaining pitchers’ duel in a 3-0 win for the Phillies over the Twins.
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Black Twins players boosting team morale
Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins are highlighted in a MLBbro.com article for their contributions to the team.
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MLB game at Rickwood Field honored Negro Leagues and Black players
The week-long series of events in Birmingham honored the Negro Leagues, with a Willie Mays documentary, youth baseball, a celebrity softball game.
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Negro Leagues finally embraced as part of MLB history
MLB will play tribute to the Negro Leagues with a regular season game between San Francisco and St. Louis at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama.
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New Twins pitcher steps in to fill a need
Simeon Woods Richardson has fit in nicely as a Minnesota Twins spot starter.
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Jackson finds pro niche as relief pitcher
Jay Jackson, a 6-1 pitcher with nearly 20 years of professional baseball experience, has traveled the world and played for several MLB teams.
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New Saints infielder feels he’s beat the odds
Tony Kemp, a 32-year-old infielder, recently signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins after being designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles.
Posted inSports
Black representation in MLB remains stubbornly low
MLB celebrates Jackie Robinson Day every April 15th, but only 6.2% of this year’s rosters on opening day were Black, with the Twins having three Blacks or 11.5% of its 2024 roster.
Posted inSports
New offerings available to fans at Twins ballpark
The Minnesota Twins have added two local Black-owned vendors to their food offerings, and the team has also launched the Twins X Thrivent At Bat for Impact program.