Twins add Paul Molitor to the major league staff!

[Guest USAFChief]

Manager in Waiting?

 

That's my initial reaction as well.

 

And for what its worth, I wouldn't be surprised at all if the wait was less than 2 years.

[darin617]

According to the Twins:

He will oversee base running, bunting and infield instruction, PLUS assist with in-game strategy.

His last MLB coaching duty was as hitting coach of the Mariners in 2004.

 

That sounds great! Now all we need are players that can get on base and follow simple instruction and we could be a .500 team.

Wait, I forgot about the pitching. Is there any chance they can find someone qualified (not Rick Anderson) who could turn around the pitching staff and than we can get out of the cellar and back to respectability.

[nicksaviking]

It's hard not to read Molitor being on the staff (whatever his designation might be) as a manager in waiting

 

Probably, but that is a complete BS. I like Molitor and I like him around the players. I think he should be a candidate for a managerial position, but if this is a preemptive move to keep the old boys club intact and stall change despite the obvious need for outside voices, Ryan needs to go.

 

Molitor or any other current employee cannot be given de facto status while we are staring at all this incompetence, it is a huge slap in the face to fans who want to think there is hope this club will someday join the 21st century. Ryan needs to stop insulating this club from the rest of the baseball world.

[LaBombo]

That's my initial reaction as well.

 

And for what its worth, I wouldn't be surprised at all if the wait was less than 2 years.

The thread was already four pages long before I read it, and it was almost unbelievable that there were about twenty times more posts about the continued lack of a Spanish-speaking coach in the dugout as there were about the seemingly very high probability that the next manager of the Twins has been named. Start date TBD.

 

And yes, the two year contract means nothing to anyone except Gardenhire, who gets paid for two years no matter when Molitor takes over, and at least some of the players, who are being told not to treat Gardy like a lame duck manager even though history tells us he unequivocally is.

 

Completely understand and mostly agree with the take of nicks and others who want new blood from outside the organization. But with Ryan GM'ing (and perhaps even just the Pohlads owning) the Twins, a guy who spent the majority of his time both during and after his playing career away from the Twins might be the closest to an 'outsider' we see as the Twins' manager.

[Mike Sixel]

Having spent a lot of time with people from Latin America, speaking spanish, and relating on a cultural level are two very different things. I have nothing against Molitor being added, but someone that can relate better to people in their culture would have been nice, imo.

 

Not sure I really care one way or the other. I'm fascinated that people care so much. When some of us question the current coaches, and the "growth" of the players, we are told major league coaches don't matter all that much.

 

I am much more interested in what players they add, than adding a coach. Does no one else see this as a PR move? I do.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I am much more interested in what players they add, than adding a coach. Does no one else see this as a PR move? I do.

 

It could be. If so, Molitor got suckered. There's nothing in it for Molitor at this point in his career to be a "baserunning" coach. All the circumstantial evidence points to a changing of the guard soon to come.

[old nurse]

Why are there no calls for a black coach, as no one can understand the culture of being black in America because they are not black? Coaches are hired for their ability to work with people. In any diverse workplace there are going to be a variety of different cultures. A coach or manager will not last long in the profession without the ability to work with all kinds of people to get the best out of them.

[old nurse]

It would not be a PR move. The adding of players that were born in Minnesota to play out their final seasons did not increase attendance.

[Benchwarmerjim]

Minnesota Twins hire Paul Molitor as coach - TwinCities.com

Though some observers might view Molitor as a potential threat to Gardenhire, Ryan said the idea of adding Molitor to the staff actually came from the current manager.

"This initially came about from Gardy," Ryan said. "Once the season concluded, we sat down in earnest to see exactly how we wanted to proceed. Gardy had mentioned Paul. We had discussed him at length at previous times. As it got serious, I gave Paul a call and Gardy gave Paul a call to see if he had interest, which he did."

 

 

that should probably answer the questions "why now?" and "is Molitor is a manager in training?"

[John Bonnes]

My experience is that this might make it harder for Molitor to be named manager some day. If things get bad enough that Gardy needs to be fired, I have to think they'll be bad enough that none of his assistant coaches will be given the reins.

[jokin]

It would not be a PR move. The adding of players that were born in Minnesota to play out their final seasons did not increase attendance.

 

Twins attendance 1990: 1.752M

Twins sign Jack Morris

Twins attendance 1991: 2.294M (31% increase in overall attendance).

 

Twins attendance 1995: 1.058M (72 games)

Twins sign Paul Molitor

Twins attendance 1996: 1.437M (81 games) (21% increase in per/game attendance.)

[jokin]

Minnesota Twins hire Paul Molitor as coach - TwinCities.com

 

 

that should probably answer the questions "why now?" and "is Molitor is a manager in training?"

 

It still doesn't answer the question that wasn't asked of Ryan, namely, why is Molitor a "good fit" now, when according to Ryan, he wasn't a "good fit" last year, or any year previous to now? Ryan said that he and Gardy had "discussed (Molitor) at length at previous times", and yet up until today he has been forever-spurned from joining the field staff on a regular basis. What changed?

[ashbury]

All the circumstantial evidence points to a changing of the guard soon to come.

 

Seems like a fresh new 2-year contract for Gardy would be circumstantial evidence in the opposite direction. Depends on what you mean by "soon", I guess.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

It still doesn't answer the question that wasn't asked of Ryan, namely, why is Molitor a "good fit" now, when according to Ryan, he wasn't a "good fit" last year, or any year previous to now? Ryan said that he and Gardy had "discussed (Molitor) at length at previous times", and yet up until today he has been forever-spurned from joining the field staff on a regular basis. What changed?

 

Everything Terry Ryan says begs for a reading between the lines.

[jokin]

Everything Terry Ryan says begs for a reading between the lines.

 

And a pair of Secret Decoder "Reading Between the Lines" Glasses.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Seems like a fresh new 2-year contract for Gardy would be circumstantial evidence in the opposite direction. Depends on what you mean by "soon", I guess.

 

Yes, soon would be 1 or 2 years, which is lightning speed by Twins standards.

 

I was on the losing side of the Gardenhire debate. To some of us, it was inconceivable that the status quo prevailed. So if nothing else the Molitor hire at least throws us a bone - and apparently Trevor Plouffe agrees It could very well be just a PR move. If the Twins honestly get some guys turned around and we win some games, I'll be fine with the coaches coming back for 2015.

[jokin]

Yes, soon would be 1 or 2 years, which is lightning speed by Twins standards.

 

I was on the losing side of the Gardenhire debate. To some of us, it was inconceivable that the status quo prevailed. So if nothing else the Molitor hire at least throws us a bone - and apparently Trevor Plouffe agrees It could very well be just a PR move. If the Twins honestly get some guys turned around and we win some games, I'll be fine with the coaches coming back for 2015.

 

Brian Dozier is All In, too:

 

"He's been a huge help to me, not only as a second baseman but just everything. He kind of changed the way I prepare, I guess, for a game," Dozier said. "We already have a really good coaching staff. To add another good one only makes us better. …

 

"When you see Paul Molitor, Hall of Famer, you're all ears no matter what."

[The Wise One]

Twins attendance 1990: 1.752M

Twins sign Jack Morris

Twins attendance 1991: 2.294M (31% increase in overall attendance).

 

Twins attendance 1995: 1.058M (72 games)

Twins sign Paul Molitor

Twins attendance 1996: 1.437M (81 games) (21% increase in per/game attendance.)

 

That the Twins were winning those years compared to the poor seasons previous had nothing to do with attendance. It was all to see 2 players. By 1998 with Molitor the attendance had gone back down. They were not winning. Winning draws the fans

[Guest USAFChief]

We'll see how it plays out. I still get the strong sense this isn't entirely about adding another coach...a coach who "wasn't a fit" just a year ago and won't be viewed by almost anyone as just another of Gardy's guys.

 

By next June, if (when?) the Twins are buried in the standings again, on their way to another dismal season, things could get pretty ugly.

[twinsnorth49]

My experience is that this might make it harder for Molitor to be named manager some day. If things get bad enough that Gardy needs to be fired, I have to think they'll be bad enough that none of his assistant coaches will be given the reins.

 

I think given the likely short time frame this might happen, the new infield instruction, base running coach gets spared. Unless of course they play the infield and run the bases like they have the last two years.

[SweetOne69]

My experience is that this might make it harder for Molitor to be named manager some day. If things get bad enough that Gardy needs to be fired, I have to think they'll be bad enough that none of his assistant coaches will be given the reins.

 

Why would you think that? TK was promoted to Interim Manager in 1986 after Ray Miller was let go after being added to the Major League coaching staff in 1983.

[Benchwarmerjim]

It still doesn't answer the question that wasn't asked of Ryan, namely, why is Molitor a "good fit" now, when according to Ryan, he wasn't a "good fit" last year, or any year previous to now? Ryan said that he and Gardy had "discussed (Molitor) at length at previous times", and yet up until today he has been forever-spurned from joining the field staff on a regular basis. What changed?

Mike Berardino tweeted yesterday

 

Mike Berardino ‏@MikeBerardino Family considerations were key, Paul Molitor said. Julia is 10, Benjamin is 7. Kids now "old enough and young enough" to handle separation

 

 

I think the 'good fit' isnt on the Twins end, but on Molitor's end.

[nicksaviking]

My experience is that this might make it harder for Molitor to be named manager some day. If things get bad enough that Gardy needs to be fired, I have to think they'll be bad enough that none of his assistant coaches will be given the reins.

 

I would agree if this was a different club, but the Twins managerial staff has been hired and fired in piecemeal for decades. The only way I see wholesale changes is if Ryan gets canned and a new GM, from outside the organization comes in a blows everything up.

[SweetOne69]

My experience is that this might make it harder for Molitor to be named manager some day. If things get bad enough that Gardy needs to be fired, I have to think they'll be bad enough that none of his assistant coaches will be given the reins.

 

Why would you think that? TK was promoted to Interim Manager in 1986 after Ray Miller was let go after being added to the Major League coaching staff in 1983.

[panolo]

Replace "cocaine" with "cream and clear" and "Molly" with "Bonds" and let me know how you feel.

 

Same story. Different drugs.

 

I respect the opinion you have but I'm sorry cocaine may be considered an upper for a short time but the prolonged use is far from performing enhancing. IMO you don't use cocaine to get better at things. You use it to party.

[Longdistancetwins]

As to the future manager status: I have no interest in someone who hasn't managed at any level before (coaching doesn't count). I realize that Hall of Famers aren't likely to want to get experience riding the buses in the minor leagues, but that's where I'm at. I still have some bad memories of the Quilici years.

[ashbury]

If this has been brought up already, I missed it: Molitor is 57 years old. A year older than Gardy.

 

It's not against the rules to replace a manager with someone older, but 57 is pretty long in the tooth to be getting one's first managing gig. I took a look at the 30 current managers, and most got their first managing job in their 40s, if not their 30s. The ones who were in their 50s were:

 

• Bud Black - 50
  
• Don Mattingly - 50
  
• Kirk Gibson - 53
  
• Ron Roenicke - 54
  
• Ron Washington - 55
  
• Charley Manuel - 56
  

The first three seem the closest match for Molitor - stars (or at least a long and good MLB career in the case of Black) who hadn't necessarily paid a couple of decades of minor-league, bus-ridin' dues as coaches, as far as I recall. Realistically, Molitor would be 58 or 59 if he ever got the call, almost a full decade older than these three were.

 

The other three were more in the "organizational man" mold, I think, which may or may not have bearing on Molitor. But even they were a few years younger than Molitor is now.

 

Jim Leyland just retired at 68. But he wasn't born old. His first managing job was at age 41. Jack McKeon was older than dirt when he came back to the Marlins, but he started with the Royals at 42. This is kind of typical of successful managers, such as Maddon and Girardi, and I would expect (no, I hope) the Twins to aim similarly.

 

I'm sure it wouldn't be unprecedented for somebody Molly's age to get a first managerial job (I found it surprisingly difficult to look this up). But it would be highly against the trend.

 

/ edit - the same reason applies to why I've never looked at Gene Glynn as a manager-in-waiting at Rochester, except as an interim in case of some dire emergency.

[Longdistancetwins]

If this has been brought up already, I missed it: Molitor is 57 years old. A year older than Gardy.

 

It's not against the rules to replace a manager with someone older, but 57 is pretty long in the tooth to be getting one's first managing gig. I took a look at the 30 current managers, and most got their first managing job in their 40s, if not their 30s. The ones who were in their 50s were:

 

• Bud Black - 50
  
• Don Mattingly - 50
  
• Kirk Gibson - 53
  
• Ron Roenicke - 54
  
• Ron Washington - 55
  
• Charley Manuel - 56
  

The first three seem the closest match for Molitor - stars (or at least a long and good MLB career in the case of Black) who hadn't necessarily paid a couple of decades of minor-league, bus-ridin' dues as coaches, as far as I recall. Realistically, Molitor would be 58 or 59 if he ever got the call, almost a full decade older than these three were.

 

The other three were more in the "organizational man" mold, I think, which may or may not have bearing on Molitor. But even they were a few years younger than Molitor is now.

 

Jim Leyland just retired at 68. But he wasn't born old. His first managing job was at age 41. Jack McKeon was older than dirt when he came back to the Marlins, but he started with the Royals at 42. This is kind of typical of successful managers, such as Maddon and Girardi, and I would expect (no, I hope) the Twins to aim similarly.

 

I'm sure it wouldn't be unprecedented for somebody Molly's age to get a first managerial job (I found it surprisingly difficult to look this up). But it would be highly against the trend.

 

/ edit - the same reason applies to why I've never looked at Gene Glynn as a manager-in-waiting at Rochester, except as an interim in case of some dire emergency.

 

Thanks, Asbury. Really helpful--albeit depressing, since I don't think of Molly as old, and I'm Gardy's age.

[ashbury]

Thanks, Asbury. Really helpful--albeit depressing, since I don't think of Molly as old, and I'm Gardy's age.

 

You think that's bad. I'm older than USAFChief.

[Thrylos]

Twins attendance 1990: 1.752M

Twins sign Jack Morris

Twins attendance 1991: 2.294M (31% increase in overall attendance).

 

Twins attendance 1995: 1.058M (72 games)

Twins sign Paul Molitor

Twins attendance 1996: 1.437M (81 games) (21% increase in per/game attendance.)

 

Still.

I think that it has to do with performance of the club and names in general, and not necessary where someone was born.

 

For example, the single game record attendance in the Dome was broken in '87 in Steve Carlton's first start. Despite being older than dirt and ineffective, Carlton and the Twins were packing rear ends in the dome on his every start after that, compared to games started by the like of Les Straker. Of course we all know what happened in '87 (and in '91.)

 

I am convinced that the 90 to 91 season attendance jump has more to do with the team's last to first performance than the signing of Jack Morris