Reusse: Master at throwing batting practice replaced by machines

FORT MYERS, FLA. – The Twins once again invited their former catcher and minor league manager, Phil Roof, to put on a uniform and perform a few tasks during spring training.

Sadly, one of those tasks is no longer throwing batting practice, partially because of the fact he's 82, and more so to the manner in which "BP" is conducted these days to get hitters ready for the season ahead.

This is Roof's 63rd spring training, starting with his days as a young catcher from Kentucky signed by the Milwaukee Braves.

He had the privilege as a 23-year-old rookie of getting arrested with Warren Spahn, Hall of Fame pitcher and character, when Houston cops raided a bar and nabbed eight people for consuming…