Byron Buxton has known Tommy Watkins since Buxton first became a professional baseball player.
At Monday night's Home Run Derby in Atlanta, the Minnesota Twins pair brings that connection to a national stage.
Watkins is pitching to Buxton in the derby.
“It’s a special moment,” Buxton told MILB.com. “Somebody that’s been with me pretty much my whole career.”
MORE: Nationals' James Wood has the best plan for his Home Run Derby winnings
Who is Tommy Watkins?
Tommy Watkins is currently the third-base coach for the Minnesota Twins.
Before this, he's been a baseball lifer.
He was a 38th-round pick out of high school in 1998.
Watkins only played nine MLB games, batting .357, but he stuck around in the minors through 2009.
He earned his nickname, "The Mayor," in the minor leagues.
At Triple-A Rochester, he was twice-named Most Popular Player and three-times-named Most Civic-Minded Red Wing.
He started his coaching career at the Rookie-ball level, then moved up to Class A Fort Myers (his hometown).
Watkins ascended the minors until being named the major league first base coach in 2018.
This season, he moved over to third base coach.
And at the Home Run Derby, he's hoping Buxton can take him deep.
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