Former Twins Coach Rick Stelmaszek Dies at Age 69

The Minnesota Twins confirmed former coach Rick Stelmaszek, 69, died Monday as a result of pancreatic cancer.

According to MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger, Stelmaszek's 32 years on the Twins staff made him the longest-tenured coach in franchise history, and only two other coaches in MLB history spent a longer consecutive stretch with one team.

Former Twins players Kent Hrbek and Jim Kaat recounted their experience with Stelmaszek:

Twins President Dave St. Peter provided a statement to the Star Tribune's Phil Miller:

"He was an absolute character, in every sense, an all-timer. He was a central part of every team he was ever part of. Stelly was a salt-of-the-earth guy, a Chicago guy, a tough guy. He loved the Twins organization, he loved the clubhouse and he loved the camaraderie that came from it. He had a significant impact on so many players, in a way that was uniquely Stelly."

Stelmaszek joined the Twins staff in 1981 and left after the 2012 season. In addition to his role as a bullpen coach, Miller described Stelmaszek as "a tension-breaker, a consensus-builder." Miller also wrote how his interactions with Twins players helped the team get through the mental and physical grind of the MLB season.

During his three-plus decades in Minnesota, Stelmaszek saw the Twins win the World Series in 1987 and 1991 and claim the American League Central title on six occasions between 2002 and 2010.