Port Charlotte, Fla. - Rocco Baldelli keeps adding to his baseball dreams. Rocco’s most recent step has led him to becoming the youngest manager in the majors at the age of 37. From his days playing high school baseball in Rhode Island, to his days as a player and coach with the Rays, baseball has been a constant for Rocco.

He grew up with the Rays.

Rocco was a 21 year old rookie in 2003. He got his first major league hit off of Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez (a double down the left field line at Tropicana field on March 31, 2003). He watched Tampa Bay go from baseball’s basement to the top of the American League in 2008 thanks to a thrilling 3-1 win over the Boston Red Sox in Game 7 of the ALCS to get to the franchise’s first, and only, World Series.

Rocco’s playing days were cut short at the age of 29 due to a rare cell disorder that causes severe muscle fatigue. Baldelli first worked off the field as a special assistant to the Rays front office. In 2014 he joined the staff of manager Kevin Cash – who couldn’t be more excited to see Rocco take over a team.

“Rocco is pretty special,” said Cash during the MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando. “He has a great way about him where he is very in tune with this new age of players.”

Cash admitted that he and his coaches were all young and eager to worth the Rays players. The Rays skipper saw growth every single season from Rocco.

“Whether it was first base coach or field coordinator for Rocco, to watch him engage with players, he learned how to have those tough conversations with players,” said Cash. “(Rocco) understood the in-game making decisions, so he is going to do a really good job in Minnesota.”

While Rocco was cool and collected all offseason, the warmth of a familiar place grabbed him in spring training – when he walked into Charlotte Sports Park as a visitor.

“It’s something you’re not used to, you’re seeing people you haven’t seen and you’re walking in wearing another team’s jersey. But for me there is never any discomfort,” said Rocco, who walked around Charlotte Sports Park talking to team employees, ushers, and grounds crew members. “Every conservation means so much because you really do enjoy seeing everyone and with how much everyone does mean to me.”

Reminiscing aside, Rocco is focused on building a winning ball club in Minnesota. But his time in Tampa Bay is sealed. And at the young, ripe age of 37…many in baseball hope Rocco Baldelli’s journey in the sport he loves is far from over.