The Minnesota Twins are talking to Hall of Famer Paul Molitor, who spent 21 seasons in the Major Leagues, including three in the Twin Cities, about becoming their next manager according to the Minnesota Star-Tribune.
After the 2014 regular season ended the Twins fired Ron Gardenhire, who had held the job for 13 years, after his fourth consecutive 90-loss season. Molitor was hired as a member of the Twins staff in 2013 to assist with baserunning, bunting and infield instruction.
Molitor hasn't managed previously at either the MLB or minor league level. He did serve as the Twins' first base coach from July until the end of the season.
General manager Terry Ryan said he is "going to move as quick as I can on the process" of hiring a manager, but declined to name any other candidates.
From 1978-1992 Molitor played for the Milwaukee Brewers, hitting .303 with 160 home runs, 790 RBI, and 412 stolen bases. He made four All-Star teams and won two Silver Slugger awards during that span.
His final three seasons were spent with the Twins, but despite his age his play didn't decline. He hit .312 in those three campaigns, with 23 home runs, 271 RBI, and an on-base percentage of .362. He won another Silver Slugger in 1996.
According to ESPN, other rumored candidates for the position include Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo, White Sox third-base coach Joe McEwing, and ex-Twins first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz.
Whomever is chosen for the gig will have a difficult time replacing the beloved Gardenhire. "I feel like he's my brother, not my manager," Ryan said when talking about the departed Gardenhire, who was offered an opportunity to remain with the organization. He declined, likely to pursue other managerial opportunities.
"I would have loved to have won a World Series, but that didn't happen," Gardenhire said. "Maybe it's still to come."
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