Inside The Twins

'Thanks, Rocco': New video shows Andres Gimenez trolling Twins manager

Gimenez and the Guardians clinched a playoff spot in the win over Minnesota.
Joe Nelson|
Sep 19, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez (0) is doused by Cleveland Guardians right fielder Jhonkensy Noel, left, after getting the game-winning hit during the tenth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. With the win the Guardians clinched a playoff berth. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Sep 19, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez (0) is doused by Cleveland Guardians right fielder Jhonkensy Noel, left, after getting the game-winning hit during the tenth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. With the win the Guardians clinched a playoff berth. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

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Minnesota Twins

Rocco Baldelli might've lit a fire under Andres Gimenez when he decided to have Caleb Thielbar intentionally walk Lane Thomas ahead of Gimenez in the bottom of the 10th inning Thursday afternoon in Cleveland.

It was clear that Baldelli walked Thomas to fill first base and set up a potential inning-ending double play. Instead Gimenez ripped a line drive single to right field and Jose Ramirez trotted home from second base for Cleveland's second walk-off win over the Twins in as many days.

Not only did Gimenez troll the Twins by hitting the "Night-Night" celebration made famous by NBA star Steph Curry, cameras also caught him saying "Thanks, Rocco. Thanks Rocco."

Gimenez's hit gave the Guardians the win and clinched a spot in the playoffs. It also left the Twins tied with Detroit for the final wild-card spot with nine games to go.

Now, about the decision to walk Thomas ahead of Gimenez. While setting up the possibility for a double play makes sense, Thomas is strikeout prone and was 0-for-1 with a walk in his career against Thielbar. In fact, Thomas has struck out in 40.9% of his at-bats since being traded to Cleveland.

Gimenez was 3-for-7 with a double and a triple lifetime against Thielbar and now he's 4-for-8. Baldelli clearly thought he was making the right decision and Thielbar was going to face Gimenez one way or another, but it might've lit a fire under Gimenez and he made Baldelli and the Twins pay.

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Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.

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