Paul Molitor Joins the Twins Television Booth for 2026

[Cody Christie]

The Minnesota Twins are welcoming one of the franchise’s most beloved figures back into the fold as they approach the 2026 season. Paul Molitor’s connection to the Twins stretches back decades, both as a hometown player and an influential presence in the organization. His return in a new capacity is sure to resonate with long-time fans and offer fresh insight to viewers tuning in this year.

This week, the Twins revealed Molitor’s latest role. “Hall of Famer Paul Molitor is joining the Twins' rotation of TV analysts this season, along with Justin Morneau, Trevor Plouffe, Denard Span, and Glen Perkins. Cory Provus returns as the play-by-play voice and Audra Martin is back as the sideline reporter,” reported Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic on Tuesday.

Molitor’s addition to the broadcast team brings a respected voice with firsthand experience in nearly every corner of the sport. He has been a superstar player, a veteran leader, a manager, and a special assistant in the front office. There are not many perspectives within baseball that he has not experienced.

His playing credentials remain among the most impressive in the game’s history. Over a 21-year career, Molitor compiled 3,319 hits, a .306 batting average, 234 home runs, 1,307 RBIs, and 1,782 runs scored. He also stole 504 bases, making him one of the rare players to pair 3,000 hits with 500 steals. His .817 OPS reflected a balanced offensive profile built on consistency, durability, and intelligence. Those accomplishments secured his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004.

Although Molitor built the bulk of his playing legacy with the Milwaukee Brewers and added a World Series title with the Toronto Blue Jays, his time with the Twins holds a special place. A native of St. Paul, he finished his career in Minnesota from 1996 through 1998, batting .312 across those three seasons, earning a Silver Slugger Award, and producing 5.2 bWAR in what were supposed to be his twilight years. For a player in his late thirties, that level of production was remarkable, and it provided a bridge between eras for the franchise.

Molitor’s impact in Minnesota extended well beyond his playing days. He managed the Twins from 2015 through 2018 and authored one of the more memorable managerial seasons in team history. In 2017, he guided Minnesota to the postseason one year after a 100-loss campaign, earning American League Manager of the Year honors in the process. Even after being let go from that role, Molitor remained involved as a Special Assistant in Baseball Operations, helping shape player development and instruction throughout the organization. He has also made radio appearances over the years, offering thoughtful and measured analysis.

There is a reason Molitor has remained intertwined with the Twins for much of the past decade. His Hall of Fame resume commands respect on its own, but his steady demeanor and deep understanding of the game make him a natural fit in any role. He is not necessarily remembered first as a Twin when it comes to his playing career, yet his post-playing identity has become closely tied to Minnesota. That matters to him, and it matters to the organization.

Now, as he joins a television rotation that already includes Morneau, Plouffe, Span, and Perkins, Molitor brings historical context and credibility to the broadcast. He understands what it means to chase 3,000 hits. He understands what it feels like to manage through a 100-loss season and then turn it into a playoff berth. He understands the pressure of expectations in this market.

For fans, that means more than just another analyst in the booth. It means hearing the game explained by someone who has lived every angle of it. Even if the Twins encounter bumps along the way in 2026, Molitor’s presence on the broadcast will offer perspective, nostalgia, and a connection to the franchise’s past. That is a win for the organization and a win for viewers tuning in all summer long.

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[Linus]

He is one of the smartest baseball guys out there. I’m also anticipating that he won’t ramble on like most of the other analysts do. Looking forward to it. 

[stringer bell]

I've heard him on the radio a bit and he was okay. Paired with Provus, he should be even better. Not many guys got over 200 hits with three different franchises, but Molitor accomplished it. He's a good get for the TV broadcasts.

[TheLeviathan]

If the on-field product was as good as the booth we'd have actual reason to be excited.

Molitor is going to be really good at this.

[DJL44]

I liked Molitor on the radio. Who is replacing him there when he's doing TV?

I like when they pair a hitter with a pitcher on the broadcast. That adds some natural conflict.

[Dave Borton]

4 hours ago, Cody Christie said:

Now, as he joins a television rotation that already includes Morneau, Plouffe, Span, and Perkins

Too bad he can't be a steady voice on the radio and let Plouffie take over PBP and Molitor on color. Not looking forward to another year of Gabbie and Gladden.

[joel anderson]

I'm with you on Gabbie but will go down with the ship with Danny.

[Western SD Fan]

My curiosity will be is how critical will he be of the team's performance, specifically infielding.  I hope that Molitor will use his expertise to educate us fans on what these players are doing on the field.  This way, us fans will Morneau and Perkins don't ever seem to have any criticism at all, which is why we all like Plouffe, because he's never been afraid to tell the fans what he sees on the field.

[Whitey333]

Monitor is a great addition to the TV side!!  Plouffe is excellent and open minded.  He doesn't sugar coat crummy play and try to sell it as good baseball.  Perkins is great as well especially if you try to tune out his often time home town Twins are great bias.  Morneau is pretty good if his long drawn voice and overanalyzing EVERYTHING is toned down.  Span is ok but needs to talk a little louder and get more experience.  Provus is great.  Just the right mix of voice quality and even keel approach to broadcasts.  I miss him so much on the radio.  Unlike the talkaberry, oops I mean Atteberry, Provus takes pause at the broadcasts at times.  Atteberry just drags out meaningless diatribe and seemingly never takes a break.  His broadcasting is very hard to follow.  Great hire of Molitor for Twins tv!!

[JADBP]

I am a big Molitor fan, but not for TV.  Put him on the field as a coach to teach our young players how to field.  But, as an announcer, I think he is just too laid back.  I've listened to Rocco drone on far too long...just hope that Molly isn't the same.  I went back and listened to old Molitor interviews. He is just not exciting on the microphone.  He was fantastic in the field and I am sure he sees every tiny thing that an MLB player might do wrong--far more than any of us (especially me).  Not sure how that translates to the microphone.  

[thelanges5]

Always good to keep the HOFers around the team. Twins have always done this well. Not enough of a reason to get twins.tv so I’m not sure I’ll ever see/hear him. 

[Trov]

7 hours ago, JADBP said:

I am a big Molitor fan, but not for TV.  Put him on the field as a coach to teach our young players how to field.  But, as an announcer, I think he is just too laid back.  I've listened to Rocco drone on far too long...just hope that Molly isn't the same.  I went back and listened to old Molitor interviews. He is just not exciting on the microphone.  He was fantastic in the field and I am sure he sees every tiny thing that an MLB player might do wrong--far more than any of us (especially me).  Not sure how that translates to the microphone.  

Molitor by far was not known for his fielding.  He spent the first half his career at 2b and 3b but was average defender at best.  He then moved to 1B and DH the second half his career. What he could really help guys with would be base running.  Despite not being a speed guy he was one of the best base stealers of his time. He was 79% success rate, with over 600 attempts. 

Ricky Henderson, the all time leader was 81% success rate, at like 3 times as many attempts.  Lou Brock number 2 all time was only 75%.  Overall Molitor was great at base running for not being a speed guy.  He could really pass that along to this team, that speed is not the only thing you need to steal bases, but picking the right spots and getting the right jumps. 

[lecroy24fan]

On 2/11/2026 at 1:57 PM, DJL44 said:

I liked Molitor on the radio. Who is replacing him there when he's doing TV?

I like when they pair a hitter with a pitcher on the broadcast. That adds some natural conflict.

He's only doing 12 games on tv so more than likely those will be games Gladden is already doing on radio. Or could be some Perkins too.