This summer, after over a decade away from the Twins, Span’s career will come full circle when he joins the team’s Bally Sports North TV broadcast team as an alternate analyst. Yes, the Twins’ broadcasts are still on BSN. If you don’t have cable and want to watch them, write an angry letter and then get Fubo.

Span joins a rotation of former player-turned broadcast analysts already at Bally Sports North. This year’s lineup will feature Justin Morneau as the main partner for new play-by-play voice Cory Provus, along with familiar alternates including Roy Smalley, LaTroy Hawkins, Glen Perkins and Trevor Plouffe.

Twins announced that Denard Span is joining the group of TV analysts for Bally Sports North, along with Justin Morneau, Roy Smalley, LaTroy Hawkins, Glen Perkins, and Trevor Plouffe.

They'll work with new TV play-by-play voice Cory Provus.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) February 28, 2024

Denard Span returns to the Minnesota Twins

Denard Span made his television broadcast debut with the Tampa Bay Rays last season, the same team he played the first half of that final season. As a player, Span beloved by fans for the quiet, low-key personality that he had and became known for his iconic bat spin in the batter’s box.

Span enjoyed a remarkably consistent five-year stint with the Minnesota Twins from 2008 to 2012, appearing in a total of 589 games. He accumulated 669 hits, 230 RBIs, and maintained a batting average of .284 throughout his tenure in Minnesota.

Related: MLBPA Considering a Formal Complaint Against Joe Pohlad for Twins’ Public Cheapness

Upon leaving Minnesota in 2013, Span landed in Washington where he spent three years before moving on to San Francisco (2016, 2017). Denard’s final season as a big leaguer came in 2018. He played the first half in Tampa Bay and finished his career in Seattle.

Celebrate Denard Span’s 40th birthday today by reliving this great moment! #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/L3t8fLEGuQ

— Jeff (@MNTwinsZealot) February 28, 2024

Former Minnesota Twins and Washington Nationals outfielder, Denard Span, has officially announced his retirement from the MLB, after 11 seasons. Span played for five different teams during his career, spending five years in the Twin Cities.

Happy retirement to @thisisdspan!

The #MNTwins first round draft pick in 2002 slashed .284/.357/.389 in five years with the club, hitting 23 of his 71 career home runs in a Twins uniform. Span had four multi-hit playoff games with the Twins, hitting safely in all six of them. pic.twitter.com/wXJigw2ZOF

— Twins Dingers (@TwinsDingers) June 9, 2020

In 2002, Span was drafted 20th overall by the Twins. Six years later he made his major league debut, coming up to replace an injured Michael Cuddyer. While not providing much power at the plate (career high home runs is 12), Span made up for it with his speed and contact. In addition, he served as a plus defender, finishing as a gold glove finalist in 2013 and 2014.

After the 2018 season, Span spent one year as a free agent looking for a new home. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to find one. In an interview with mlbtraderumors.com, Span shared his frustrations on not playing.

“…I honestly recognize that I’m not the player that I was when I was in D.C. or when I was in Minnesota. But, I still know that I have value. I’m not a center fielder or premier player anymore, but that doesn’t mean I can’t help a ballclub win a championship or win games. I’m not the $12MM player anymore, but from what I did [in 2018], that doesn’t tell me I’m worth $1MM or worth $1.5MM or worth league minimum. I got an offer for league minimum. It was just unreal.”

mlbtraderumors.com

Span’s most notable tenures came with the Minnesota Twins and the Washington Nationals. While in Minnesota, Span hit 23 bombas, stole 90 bases, and hit .284 with an OPS of .746.

After the 2012 season, Span was traded from Minnesota to the Nationals in exchange for minor league pitcher Alex Meyer (who only pitched 6.1 innings in a Twins uniform).

Span’s best year came with the Nationals in 2014. He finished the year 19th in National League MVP voting, with a .302 batting average, 31 stolen bases, and an OPS of .771.

After three years in DC, the outfielder bounced around the league from 2016 to 2018, spending time with the San Fransisco Giants, Tampa Bay Rays, and Seattle Mariners.

While his career numbers don’t jump off the page, I was always a Denard Span fan. He was a fun player to watch. He’s no Byron Buxton, but he was a solid piece of the clubhouse for five years. Best of luck sent to Denard, as he starts his life after baseball.

Sam Sklar | Minnesota Sports Fan