Paul Molitor confirmed to KARE 11’s Dave Berggren that he met with the Minnesota Twins today about the team’s managerial position.
Just spoke with Paul Molitor. He did meet with Twins mgmnt today. Told me he's definitely interested in the opening position. @kare11
— Dave Berggren (@daveberggren) October 1, 2014
Molitor: I wouldn't consider it a formal interview. They had questions they wanted to ask. I wanted to be transparent. @kare11
— Dave Berggren (@daveberggren) October 1, 2014
According to the Star Tribune’s LaVelle E. Neal, the Hall of Famer was scheduled to meet with General Manager Terry Ryan and possibly other members of the organization.
Molitor hasn’t managed in the majors or the minors but has experience coaching at the major league level.
Neal notes that it is actually the second time Molitor has met with the Twins about becoming manager. He also met with Ryan after the 2001 season, but the Twins chose Gardenhire instead. At that time Ryan also interviewed Tony Pena, Lynn Jones and Fredi Gonzalez before he named Gardenhire manager.
Gardenhire’s 13-year run as the Twins manager ended on Monday when the team chose to part ways with him.
Molitor, a St. Paul native, played 21 seasons in the Major Leagues for Milwaukee, Toronto and the Twins.
KSTP’s Darren Wolfson said Molitor has long been considered the front-runner. Wolfson reports that a source added that owner Jim Pohlad thinks very highly of him.
Yes, the front-runner, Paul Molitor, will interview w/ Terry Ryan tomorrow. The best wedding usher ever, @LaVelleNeal, had first. #mntwins
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) October 1, 2014
Neal also notes that Ryan is expected to continue the managerial search later this week. Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo and White Sox third base coach Joe McEwing are other possible candidates.
The Star Tribune also reports former Twins player Doug Mientkiewicz, who led the Fort Myers Miracle to the Florida State League title this season, would also be interested if he is contacted.
