It appears that Manuel Margot isn’t the sole former Tampa Bay Rays player heading to the Minnesota Twins this season.
While the team has been active in on-field acquisitions, such as trading for Margot, the changes extend to the TV booth as well. For the first time in forty years, someone other than Dick Bremer will be calling games, with Cory Provus taking over play-by-play duties this year. While most of the supporting cast remains the same, including Justin Morneau as the lead color analyst for Bally Sports North, there will be another former Twins player joining the team. Denard Span’s inclusion was announced on Wednesday, adding to the mix for the upcoming season.
Minnesota Twins add Denard Span to TV announcer rotation
The timing of Span’s debut is uncertain, but he joins a host of former teammates in Bally Sports North’s lineup rotation.
Bally Sports North announced Cory Provus will be joined by a rotating group of analysts, which includes Justin Morneau, Roy Smalley, LaTroy Hawkins, Glen Perkins, Trevor Plouffe and Denard Span.
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) February 28, 2024
Span debuted for Minnesota in 2008 and played five productive seasons after being drafted by the team in 2002. Following his departure, he had stints with the Nationals, Giants, Rays, and Mariners before retiring in 2020.
Returning to Target Field, where he experienced the peak of his career, holds significant sentiment for Span. His contributions to the team during his tenure have not faded from the memories of Twins fans. He has remained a beloved figure, actively supporting the team on social media even after leaving.
His comeback feels like a nostalgic embrace for fans, recalling the glory days of his previous stint with the team.
Furthermore, this season holds significance as those rotating through the booth are essentially auditioning for a potential future with the Twins. Minnesota’s contract with Bally Sports North expires after this season, and there’s a possibility that the team could opt for its own streaming service to broadcast games. Span’s performance in the booth this season could help secure his return to the Twins for the long term.
Given his past track record, if Span’s commentary mirrors his on-field performance, it’s likely he’ll remain a fixture in the booth for years to come.
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