Article: Inside the Twins Managerial Search

[John Bonnes]

In the end, the Twins returned to the rumored manager-in-waiting. Did the process verify their instincts? Of does choosing the leading candidate condemn the process?  

How does one evaluate a managerial search? Is it purely based on the success of the manager it chooses? Or can we judge the process independently?The Minnesota Twins haven’t had to perform many managerial searches over the last 30 years. Back in 1987 they went through one, but settled on the interim manager who had finished out the 1986 season, Tom Kelly. He has the most managerial wins in Twins history.

 

After 2001, they tried again, but they performed that search under the threat of imminent contraction, which limited the candidates. They settled on their third base coach, Ron Gardenhire, who is the fastest manager to 1000 wins in Twins history.

 

They’re hoping for similar success with this offseason’s choice, Paul Molitor, but that is to be determined. An area we can evaluate more immediately is how this hiring process played out. In the end, the Twins returned to the rumored manager-in-waiting. Did the process verify their instincts? Of does choosing the leading candidate condemn the process?

 

Twins GM Terry Ryan is comfortable with the process but is empathetic to that concern. “I understand that because we came back around to the front runner in the fans' minds,” replied Ryan. “Also I would’ve taken on a lot of criticism if I didn’t explore the [Joe] Maddon situation, I think. I explored some other people outside the organization that I thought were very worthy to talk to. I think it was fairly thorough.”

 

In fact, if anything, he felt pressure for being too thorough. “Now there were other people involved in this process that I certainly had to justify the time (to). But between the World Series and all the things that come with October – that’s the only reason it took so long.”

 

It was Ryan’s decision to make, but Twins president Dave St. Peter and owner Jim Pohlad joined in as the decision came nearer. St. Peter detailed the process:

 

“I would say there were two or three phases. I think the first phase was Terry and Rob [Antony] and some of the baseball operations crew, not only vetting candidates but doing an initial interview with a host of candidates.

 

“I got involved along with Jim in the second phase in which we had narrowed it down to a few finalists. So we spent time individually with all of those as well as with Terry and the baseball operations group. We had a chance to see and hear from the candidates directly and understand what their vision was. Maybe a chance to get to know them a little bit.

 

“I’d say the third phase was more Jim and Terry and myself having a level of dialogue based on input provided by a variety of people in the organization and ultimately we got a recommendation from Terry in the middle of last week, maybe Thursday, and ultimately Paul was notified on Friday that he was our guy.”

 

Did all that involvement from ownership and the business side impact the decision at all? Jim Pohlad doesn't think so. In fact, he’ll tell you that he purposely didn’t try to single out any of the final candidates.

 

“I didn’t say that I believed that Paul [Molitor] separated [himself from the other candidates], claims Pohlad. “I gave Terry input as to my thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of all three candidates. Everybody else did and Terry heard from a lot of people on the outside. I think he processed all that and went with Paul. I think that was a really great choice.”

 

Ryan agrees both that it was his decision to make and that Molitor was the right choice. “Ultimately we had a consensus of what to present to Jim [Pohlad] and Dave [st. Peter]. We did that. As it turns out, I think the fit is ideal. I think, with all the things that surround us right now, it’s the right time for him to take over this club. I think we have a chance here pretty quick to get this thing going in the right direction.”

 

The process, when looked at by an outsider, seems to have been thorough and attempted to be objective. From the inside, it may have been challenged by similar forces to those that effect any organization - alliances, history, personal bias - but that is going to be true of any profoundly important task within an organization. The people involved clearly felt this decision was a priority, took their time, explored areas externally, gathered input internally, brought in leadership at an appropriate time and carried multiple candidates all the way to the conclusion.

 

But ultimately, it likely will not be judged by any of those factors. It'll be judged by how quickly Molitor can "get this thing going in the right direction."

 

Click here to view the article

[Winston Smith]

We'll see when the coaches are hired. If they are all re-cycled ex Twins or out of the minor league system with only a token  outsider we'll have a  better idea how this search really went. 

 

I wonder how long it's been since a coach has been hired that didn't have ties to the Twins, was an actual outsider? My guess is Joe Vavra over 10 years ago.

[Seth Stohs]

I believe that Vavra was the Twins minor league coordinator for a couple of years before joining the big league staff.

[Riverbrian]

I went to Buffalo Wild Wings once. And to please my wife... I looked at the menu for awhile before finally ordering the Wings I always have.

 

My wife worries about me and was probably hoping... I'd get something different. A salad maybe.

 

Reflecting on it... There was no reason for me to look at the menu... I was getting Wings.

 

Looking at the menu was a dog and pony show.

 

Nothing wrong with knowing you want wings. If you find what you want. Stop looking.

[MplsFan]

I went to Buffalo Wild Wings once. And to please my wife... I looked at the menu for awhile before finally ordering the Wings I always have.

 

My wife worries about me and was probably hoping... I'd get something different. A salad maybe.

 

Reflecting on it... There was no reason for me to look at the menu... I was getting Wings.

 

Looking at the menu was a dog and pony show.

 

Nothing wrong with knowing you want wings. If you find what you want. Stop looking.

love it.  I would've done the same thing,

 

Same old song and dance.

 

Same old dog-and-pony-show.  

 

Let's get 'em St Paul!

 

I'll be rooting for the Twins (while I puke in a bucket.  And scream quietly into a pillow... Just look outside the organization,,, for once.. change up the culture...  please!  hope "Molly" (puke again) can do it.... please!)

[hybridbear]

I want to hear more about what the Twins did to try to lure Maddon. I don't think they did enough on that front.

[Mike Sixel]

Maddon is not the manager....time to move on and root for Molitor (and for him to make good choices on coaches and FA and how he runs the team).

[Craig Arko]

I want to hear more about what the Twins did to try to lure Maddon. I don't think they did enough on that front.

I'm pretty sure they offered him tickets to the Kenny Chesney concert.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I'm pretty sure they offered him tickets to the Kenny Chesney concert.

But which one?

[USAFChief]

I'm pretty sure they offered him tickets to the Kenny Chesney concert.

pfft...general admission ducats prolly.

[Rosterman]

wait...Kenny Chesney? Can I get tickets, be first in line...oh, I have to buy a season ticket package to even be offered some. Dang!

[chopper0080]

I'm sure Ryan's call to Maddon went like this.

 

Ryan - "Hey Joe"

 

Maddon - "Hey Terry"

 

Ryan - "So Joe, you taking the Cubs job now?"

 

Maddon - "Well, it's the only serious offer I have received so far, and there aren't many open jobs."

 

Ryan - "Well Joe, it stinks that you are taking the Cubs job.  We would have loved to have ya.  Best of luck." *click*

 

Maddon - "Hello?"

[ashbury]

I'm sure Ryan's call to Maddon went like this.

 

Ryan - "Hey Joe"

 

Maddon - "Hey Terry"

 

More like this:

 

Maddon: "Hey Terry.  You hired anyone yet for me to replace? No?  Well, get back to me after you do."

 

[Mike Sixel]

More like this:

 

Maddon: "Hey Terry.  You hired anyone yet for me to replace? No?  Well, get back to me after you do."

 

 

that was kind of funny, actually