Trevor Plouffe serves as ball boy during Twins’ all-analyst broadcast

Former Minnesota Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe was well-accustomed at manning the hot corner over the course of his nine-year MLB career. But on Wednesday, Plouffe saw the third base side of the field from a different perspective during the team’s matchup against the Chicago Cubs in what was an incredibly unique broadcast in more ways than one.

The Twins typical TV play-by-play voice, Cory Provus, is scheduled to miss the three-game series against the Cubs that began on Tuesday in a planned “all-analyst broadcast” that is instead featuring three former Twins teammates turned Twins color analysts, Glen Perkins, Justin Morneau, and Trevor Plouffe.

While Plouffe joined Morneau and Perkins in the broadcast booth in the series opener on Monday, he was asked to contribute from a far different position on Wednesday, serving as the Twins ball boy down the third-base line in addition to his responsibilities on the broadcast.

Discussing his role as the Twins ball boy during the game, Plouffe explained that he was actually more nervous than he was during his playing career, specifically because he hasn’t had the same kind of practice fielding ground balls since retiring from the MLB after the 2018 season.

“I’m more nervous right now because I am so out of practice,” said Plouffe. “When you are in the big leagues, you take ground balls every single day. It’s been a while for me. This is the thing though guys. I was born with these hands. They haven’t left me yet.”

Throughout the broadcast, both Morneau and Perkins cracked plenty of jokes at Plouffe’s expense as they watched their longtime teammate wear an oversized helmet while sitting in a seat down the third-base line.

“As soon as we get done, his rocket ship is right outside left field,” joked Morneau. “It’s gonna take him to the moon.”

“What are you guys talking about?” replied Plouffe.

“Trevor, I can assure you that you booting a ball that comes down to you is not going to be the most embarrassing thing that happens tonight. It is you wearing that helmet,” added Perkins.

“I gotta be honest with you. I was down here and had no helmet on and I didn’t feel that safe. Now, with this one, I am locked in and I’m going for everything,” added Plouffe.

Plouffe certainly needed some thick skin for Wednesday’s broadcast, as he was essentially the laughing stock of the entire broadcast working the third-base line. Later in the broadcast, a low-light clip was shown of Plouffe tripping over an outfield bullpen mound while attempting to field a ball at the Oakland Coliseum, the former home of the Athletics.

Plouffe never got the chance to put his fielding skills — seven years removed from his MLB career — to the test. But either way, Plouffe’s presence on the field may have been a good luck charm of sorts, as the Twins came away with a 4-2 victory over the Cubs.