Twins add Paul Molitor to the major league staff!

[Mike Sixel]

Actually, attendance usually really jumps the year after success, not during the year of success. That's been shown several times in studies. Though, there are likely exceptions, so those could be exceptions.

[stringer bell]

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

And I'm older than both of you!

[jokin]

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

 

My post was a direct response to what had been flatly stated as a fact. I specifically made no reference to it being "all to see 2 players". Of course, those 2 players did heighten preseason interest and directly led to increased ticket sales- before any wins or losses took place....and also of course- their outstanding seasons in those specific years I mentioned directly led to significant improvements in on-the-field performance.

 

(Uhh, in 1996, Molitor was in a season long pursuit of 3000 hits- a prime reason to come out to the ballpark to see a still-losing team, not a winning team. By 1998, Molitor was turning 42 and a shell of his self).

[Mike Sixel]

Thanks everyone for making me feel younger today.

[ashbury]

And I'm older than both of you!

 

 

Thanks everyone for making me feel younger today.

 

What old people say.

[Guest USAFChief]

Thanks everyone for making me feel smarter today.

[LaBombo]

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.

Really nice work on the managerial debuts by age, interesting stuff.

 

In the end, though, it's the Twins, so none of the normal rules apply. Gardenhire's return after 3 90-loss seasons is just shy of unprecedented, so it looks like nothing is off the table.

[jokin]

Really nice work on the managerial debuts by age, interesting stuff.

 

In the end, though, it's the Twins, so "none of the normal rules apply." Gardenhire's return after 3 90-loss seasons is "just shy of unprecedented", so it looks like "nothing is off the table."

 

I like it when a phrase is coined, particularly when they just so happen to exemplify the Twins in just about every aspect of the game in this decade thus far.

[LaBombo]

I like it when a phrase is coined, particularly when they just so happen to exemplify the Twins in just about every aspect of the game in this decade thus far.

Part of the problem is that the Twins front office continues to frequently act as if they have unusual ideas about what decade this actually is.

 

Still optimistic, though, and hoping that Terry Ryan won't see his shadow at the winter meetings, thus bringing about a speedy end to his self-imposed offensive Dead Ball Era.

[D. Hocking]

Regarding age -- 55 is the new 35 -- at least that is what I tell myself...

[LaBombo]

Regarding age -- 55 is the new 35 -- at least that is what I tell myself...

Molitor has apparently told his second wife the same thing...

http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/HS-5WzcAnMA/maxresdefault.jpg

 

Here's a link to a revealing article about Molitor, and it offers some credible speculation about the possibility that poor judgement in his personal life is at least partly to blame for diverting him from what appeared to be a potential fast track to managing in MLB.

[ashbury]

A little web searching reveals that renowned bad boy Aaron Gleeman posted this quip in 2006:

 

Is Paul Molitor's wife really named Destini Molitor? That's almost as good as Boof Bonser.

 

My own take is that perhaps her parents had one tee many Destoonis when they named her.

[jokin]

Molitor has apparently told his second wife the same thing...

http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/HS-5WzcAnMA/maxresdefault.jpg

 

Here's a link to a revealing article about Molitor, and it offers some credible speculation about the possibility that poor judgement in his personal life is at least partly to blame for diverting him from what appeared to be a potential fast track to managing in MLB.

 

It might be interesting if you could juxtapose this snapshot of Desiree and Paul with one of that "younger couple", Carol and Ron.

[diehardtwinsfan]

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.)

 

1991? Really? Please tell me you don't actually believe that the spike in attendance in 91 was because people really wanted to see the Minnesota native Jack Morris pitch.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Looking at Molitor and Gardenhire, it's hard to believe that they are the same age.

[stringer bell]

Overall, I like the addition of Molitor. He was a talent that became a great ballplayer and sustained his performance well into his 40s due to a great baseball IQ, probably combined with good health. Molitor really knows baseball and he's very articulate.

 

Certainly, it would make sense to add an Hispanic coach, especially with young talents such as Arcia, Rosario and Sano already here or on the way soon. It's probably equally as important to add a voice from outside the organization who signifies that it won't be "business as usual" going forward. I hope that hiring comes next, but adding someone like Molitor probably shouldn't be delayed.

[jokin]

1991? Really? Please tell me you don't actually believe that the spike in attendance in 91 was because people really wanted to see the Minnesota native Jack Morris pitch.

 

Where was it I said that? Merely quoted facts

 

Mikewantswins stated it accurately. The big increase in attendance almost always occurs the year after a successful season (like a World Series win). The Jack Morris offseason signing after '90 can debatedly be argued to have spurred offseason buzz and interest and generated some increased season-ticket activity and advance ticket sales- but certainly not the bulk of the 31% increase-never claimed any particular number on my part- just refuted an unsupported blanket statement to the contrary.

 

But it's important to consider, that when you strike gold like McPhail did on a Home-town Hero riding to the rescue and leading you to the pennant, there're plenty of feel-good bandwagon-jumpers more apt to ride that Meme and make a walk-up ticket purchase.

[snepp]

Or you could view it as "they added a Hall of Fame player who is one of the smartest hitters of the last generation and is widely respected throughout the league".

 

Really, I don't see how anyone can complain about this move. Every time I hear Molitor talk about baseball, I leave impressed.

 

Yeah, it'd be nice to add a Spanish-speaking coach as well but this is Paul Molitor, for Christ's sake. If that guy's available, you hire him. Period.

 

I was going to give you a like for this post, but you already have enough of them. So...

 

 

I concur.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

I don't think hiring Molitor is bad business. I like the move.

Doesn't mean I don't see value in having a Latin American coach as well.

 

I suspect a team is allowed to hire as many coaches as they want, but I believe there is a limit on how many can be in the dugout during a game.

 

Does anyone have info on this?

I read that MLB added a bench coach spot to the rule book (up to 8 I think) that the twins never filled

[John Bonnes]

I read that MLB added a bench coach spot to the rule book (up to 8 I think) that the twins never filled

 

I think MLB approved it before last season, but neede it to be approved by the MLBPA. It was enacted in April sometime and the Twins waited until after the season to add the extra guy.