- Tommy Watkins
Infobox MLB player
name=Tommy Watkins
width=175
position=Shortstop
team=Minnesota Twins
number=8
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1980|6|18
debutdate=August 10
debutyear=2007
debutteam=Minnesota Twins
statyear=2007
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.357
stat2label=Home run s
stat2value=0
stat3label=Runs scored
stat3value=2
teams=
*Minnesota Twins (by|2007)Thomas Gray Watkins, Jr. (born
June 18 ,1980 inFt. Myers ,Florida ) is aMinor League Baseball player in theMinnesota Twins ' organization. He was drafted by the Twins in the 38th round of the by|1998 MLB draft from Riverdale High School in Fort Myers,Florida .MLB Debut
His only major league experience so far was during the by|2007 season. The Twins promoted Tommy on August 8, 2007 from the
Rochester Red Wings , the Minnesota Twins Triple-A baseball affiliate. He is the first player in Twins history to wear #61.Watkins made his major league debut on August 10, 2007. Twins GM Terry Ryan announced his call-up while visiting the Red Wings; the news was very well received by his teammates. ["GAME STORIES AUGUST 1-15, 2007. Rochester Redwings. http://www.redwingsbaseball.com/pressbox/GameCaps_Aug1_15.php, Accessed Aug. 11, 2007.] Watkins spent 10 years in the minors, all with the Twins, before making his major league debut.
Red Wings Manager
Stan Cliburn stated that Watkins' promotion to the big leagues "was one of the most emotional call-ups [he had] ever been involved with." The announcement "set off a joyous celebration in the clubhouse, because of everyone's love, passion and respect for Tommy." [ [http://www.redwingsbaseball.com/pressbox/GameCaps_Aug1_15.php RedWingsBaseball.com ] ]Tommy was the 14th player from the Red Wings to be promoted to the Minnesota Twins in 2007. He was with the Red Wings in Syracuse, NY and joined the Twins in Kansas City. He recorded his first major league hit
August 15 , 2007, while playing the Seattle Mariners.According to Twins manager
Ron Gardenhire , "He has a good smile in his face and comes to play every day. You can play anywhere you put him, outfield, infield, so it will be fine to have him up there." [ [http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070808&content_id=2137654&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min The Official Site of The Minnesota Twins: News: Notes: Buscher on DL with leg infection ] ]2007 Season at AAA Rochester
Tommy's nickname at Rochester was "The Mayor" because of his personable style and his ability to deliver. Tommy is introduced at home for his
at bat s to the sounds of Wanted Dead or Alive byBon Jovi .2007 was Tommy's 2nd season at Triple-A Rochester. Tommy had a team-high 10-game hitting streak in 2007, ending July 5th, 2007. He was 42 for 138 (.304) during the streak. In his last 43 games he had 8 doubles, 6 HR and 24 RBI. He stole home June 14th against the Louisville Bats.
His 8 home runs in 2007 match his career minor-league high of 8 HR in 2004 at New Britain, CT (Double-A). His 2007 batting average of .272 was a career high, although in 2006 Watkins hit .276 in the part of the season he spent with Rochester. Also in 2007, he reached a career high in doubles (22) and RBI (49).
2007 Season with the Minnesota Twins
Watkins played nine games. He started eight of them, all at 3B (he shifted to SS for the last two innings of one game). He had 10 hits in 28 at-bats, all of them singles. He scored two runs-- scoring his first on a
Torii Hunter grand slam.References
External links
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/watkito01.shtml Baseball Reference Profile]
* [http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/W/Tommy-Watkins.shtml Baseball Cube Profile]
* [http://www.redwingsbaseball.com/pressbox/GameCaps_Aug1_15.php Game Recaps which chronicle Tommy's call-up]
* [http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080604&content_id=409205&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp Article on Watkins on MiLB.com]
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