In a stunning development that has rocked the Minnesota Twins organization, current head coach Rocco Baldelli was reportedly left in “utter shock” following the release of a scathing internal report authored by legendary former manager Tom Kelly — a document that critiques the current team culture, leadership direction, and long-term vision of the franchise.
Sources close to the team describe the contents of the report as “blunt, brutally honest, and deeply personal,” with Kelly—who led the Twins to two World Series titles in 1987 and 1991—raising serious concerns about the team’s lack of identity, accountability structure, and failure to develop consistent on-field chemistry.
“What I’m seeing today is not the Twins baseball we built,” Kelly allegedly wrote in the 19-page confidential report, which was leaked to select front-office officials and coaching staff late Monday night. “We used to be about grit, execution, and trust. That culture is fading fast.”
Baldelli’s Reaction: ‘I Didn’t See This Coming’
Rocco Baldelli, who has been at the helm since 2019 and helped the team reach postseason play multiple times, was said to be “visibly stunned” after reading the document prior to today’s press conference.
“I have immense respect for Tom [Kelly],” Baldelli said, pausing to gather his words. “But reading those words… it hits deep. I didn’t see this coming. If that’s how he truly feels, then we’ve got a lot of reflection to do as an organization.”
Insiders say Baldelli canceled a scheduled team meeting this morning, choosing instead to hold a private session with coaching staff and front-office advisors to address the fallout.
Report Highlights – What Tom Kelly Allegedly Wrote:
“A Disconnected Clubhouse”: Kelly criticizes the lack of veteran leadership and cohesion among current players.
“Analytics Over Identity”: He claims the Twins are relying too heavily on data, losing the “feel for the game.”
“No Clear Voice”: The report says there is a leadership vacuum, and Baldelli must “command the room, not just manage the lineup.”
“Erosion of Twins Values”: Kelly reportedly believes the franchise has lost sight of its traditional development model and community roots.
Team & Fan Reactions Begin to Pour In
While the Twins front office has yet to officially comment, sources say President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey is working behind the scenes to deescalate tensions. Meanwhile, fans on social media have already begun to polarize around the news — some defending Baldelli, others calling for a “return to the Kelly way.”
What’s Next?
As the Twins enter a crucial stretch of their late-season schedule, this internal crisis adds pressure to an already tense playoff chase. Whether Baldelli can rally the team—or whether this signals deeper issues within the organization—remains to be seen.
