Rocco Baldelli will return next year as manager of the Minnesota Twins despite a late-season collapse that left the defending American League Central champions out of the playoffs.

President of baseball operations Derek Falvey confirmed Sunday before the team’s last game that Baldelli’s job is safe. The Twins were 12-26 in their past 38 games entering the finale.

The 43-year-old Baldelli has managed the team to three division titles in six seasons with Minnesota. His overall record was 457-412 going into the final game.

Falvey also said he was expecting to return for a ninth year with the Twins in 2025.

Baldelli acknowledged Saturday that he has heard the boos and “Fire Rocco” chants but said he respects Twins fans and added that they “have a right to feel almost any way they choose.”

Players have backed Baldelli throughout.

“I don’t think it’s super fair to put everything on him,” pitcher Bailey Ober told reporters Saturday. “Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. If the players hear [the chants], I don’t think anyone’s agreeing with that. It’s like, seriously, can’t you see what’s going on? He’s not the one at fault for this mishap that happened.

“We’re the ones performing out there and didn’t get the job done. He’s putting out the lineups, and we’re trying to do it. I feel like most of the blame should be on the players.”

Added shortstop Carlos Correa, who missed 53 games with a foot injury: “If you have anybody to blame, blame me for going down for two months and not being a part of the team. I think that’s one of the main reasons.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

DENVER — Charlie Blackmon trotted out to center field all alone and stood above the giant No. 19 that was etched into the grass at Coors Field.

The longtime Colorado Rockies outfielder known for his bushy beard tipped his cap to the cheering fans one last time as a player on Sunday before a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It was Charlie Blackmon Day at the ballpark as the four-time All-Star waved goodbye to the game after 14 seasons with the Rockies, the only team he has ever known. Blackmon was back in a familiar spot on the lineup card, too — starting in center field and batting leadoff. This was the first time he’s been in center in six years.

“Literally, the best teammate I’ve ever had,” third baseman Ryan McMahon said. “He’s the most unselfish person I’ve been around. The total pro’s pro.”

A second-round draft pick of the Rockies in 2008, Blackmon blossomed into one of just 50 players in major league history to amass more than 1,800 hits, 325 doubles, 225 home runs, 65 triples and 800 RBIs. He was the NL batting champion in 2017 when he hit .331. He leaves as the franchise’s all-time leader in triples and second behind Hall of Famer Todd Helton in games played, runs scored, doubles and total bases.

Blackmon long has been a fan favorite — along with his catchy walk-up song, “Your Love,” by The Outfield, which never failed to get the crowd singing along. Not only that, but his determined play earned respect from dugout to dugout.

“For me, he’s everything I would want in a baseball player — outside of that big, old, ugly beard,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts cracked. “You look at the last, call it 10 to 12 years, he’s one of probably my top five players I’ve enjoyed watching play.”

This sunny afternoon was all about Blackmon. His wife, Ashley, and two young kids, Josie and Wyatt, joined him on the field for a pregame ceremony, where he was presented with a plaque. He also received a Toyota truck that had been perched on top of a sign in left field. His kids each threw a pitch to him.

On the way into the park, a fan held up a sign that read, “Let Chuck pitch.” Probably won’t happen, manager Bud Black said before the game. He did ask Blackmon if he wanted to carry out the lineup card to the umpires, but Blackmon politely declined.

After all, he had a game to get prepare for.

Black did have a emotional meeting with Blackmon in his office before first pitch.

“We hugged,” Black said. “And then we sort of pulled away, and we smiled at each other and said: ‘Hey, I’m going to see you again. This is not it.'”

Blackmon announced his decision to retire last Monday. He’s expected to remain with the organization in a non-playing role.

Translation: He will still be around come spring training.

“We’ll be like: ‘Hey, Charlie, you’re on field four. You’ve got the outfielders,'” Black joked.

Initially, Blackmon balked at taking the field by himself for the start of the game. He doesn’t need — or crave — being the center of attention.

“I go, ‘Chuck, you’re going to run out to center, but everybody’s not going to go out there with you,'” Black recounted. “He goes, ‘How long am I going to be out there by myself?’ I’m like, ’20, 30 seconds maybe.’ He goes, ‘OK, but not any longer than that.”

Blackmon took the field to applause and the playing of “Centerfield” by John Fogerty. His teammates — and the Dodgers — clapped for him on the top rail of the dugout. He played the first inning in center before moving over to right for the second.

“The way I play this game,” McMahon said, “it’s all based off things I’ve learned from him.”

Blackmon singled up the middle in the third inning and was subbed out for a pinch runner. He received another ovation from the fans.

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox honored longtime radio voice Joe Castiglione, who is calling his final game Sunday, with an on-field pregame ceremony.

Castiglione, 74, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this summer with the Ford C. Frick Award, has been the team’s lead radio voice since 1983.

During the ceremony, the team played highlights of his calls over videos of the American League championship team in 1986, and Boston’s World Series title teams in 2004, ’07, ’13 and ’18 on the center-field scoreboard.

Members of those teams came onto the field during the ceremony. Hall of Famer Jim Rice highlighted the ’86 group and Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez was one of the ’04 former players.

Castiglione referred to his call ending the ’04 championship that broke an 86-year title drought, when he thanked the fans. It came on a ground ball back to pitcher Keith Foulke, who was also there to represent that team.

“I will miss being your eyes and ears,” he said. “For 42 years, all I can say is: Can you believe it!”

Jackie Bradley, the 2018 ALCS MVP, caught a ceremonial first pitch from Castiglione.

“Forty-two years is a long, long time for someone to be working every single day to go through the struggles and the successes, the travel and the lifestyle, and always have a smile,” Martinez said. “Those are the kind of people that deserve all the respect that we are giving him today.”

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu handed him a proclamation declaring Sept. 29, 2024, as “Joe Castiglione Day” in Boston. Team president Sam Kennedy presented him with letters from Fenway Park’s infamous Green Monster that read: “CASTIG” in white with a green background color of the Monster.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora, a member of the ’07 team, was also on the field and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, representing the ’13 squad, was on the field as well.