After a year away, Tony Oliva, Rod Carew happy to be back at Twins spring training
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FORT MYERS, Fla. — Tony Oliva couldn’t make his way through the Twins’ clubhouse early Thursday morning without being stopped every few seconds for a hug and a conversation.
The 83-year-old future hall of famer and his trusty sidekick, hall of famer Rod Carew, are two of the most popular faces in Fort Myers, staples at Twins camp for decades. And yet, the two of them were noticeably missing last year because of COVID-19 restrictions.
It’s safe to say they’re happy to be back.
“Last year was my first time in 60 years that I didn’t make it to spring training, because of COVID,” Oliva said. “To be able to be back this year again, it’s really hard to describe. You miss one year and you’re 80-plus years old, you think, ‘Hey, could there be another time where I come to spring training again?’ ”
Oliva got his wish, heading down to Florida on Wednesday. Carew arrived with his wife, Rhonda, in Fort Myers earlier in the week. Since he started coming down to Fort Myers 15 years ago, Carew said it was the first time he has arrived before Oliva, who he usually chauffeurs around.
The duo talk two to three times a week, and before Oliva arrived, Carew said he missed his “roomie.” The two lived together for years and have a longtime friendship dating back to the 1960s when they played together for the Twins.
“The guys, they’re kidding me, they see me walking around by myself and they say, ‘Are you lonesome? Are you lonesome?’ ” Carew said.
Now, the pair are reunited, back on a ballfield helping impart wisdom to the younger generation of Twins players.
Carew’s stay at camp is planned for two weeks. Oliva plans to head back to Minnesota when the team does.
“I like coming down here, I like being with the kids, talking to them and hopefully teaching them some things — and Tony’s the same way,” Carew said.
INJURY NOTES
Brent Rooker was scratched from the Twins lineup on Thursday with a right shoulder strain. Manager Rocco Baldelli said the outfielder had been experiencing some pain and tingling.
“I think things like this sometimes happen,” Baldelli said. “Most of the time they’re not major concerns. I probably would think he’ll be back in not very much time, but we’ll give it another day or two and see how he’s doing.”
Baldelli also said reliever Jorge Alcala was dealing with the after effects of a nail tear in his middle finger. Alcala hasn’t appeared in an exhibition game yet. The level of concern still seems low, and Baldelli said he doesn’t see Alcala missing Opening Day because of this.
“He can still throw and throw fastballs and get on the mound, but his offspeed is affected when he turns the ball over to either direction,” Baldelli said. “He has been off schedule a little bit because of this, but he’s still going to be in good shape, good stretched out ready to go.”
BRIEFLY
The Red Sox claimed Ralph Garza Jr. off waivers from the Twins. Garza Jr. was designated for assignment on Tuesday to make room on the 40-man roster for shortstop Carlos Correa. … Second baseman Jorge Polanco hit his first home run of the spring in the Twins’ 7-1 exhibition win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Tim Beckham also hit a two-run homer, while starting pitcher Bailey Ober threw three scoreless innings for the Twins.
