Outfielder Denard Span spent over a decade in the Minnesota Twins organization before being traded to the Washington Nationals after the 2012 season. He spent a lot of time working with Molitor.
"The main thing that stuck out to me about Paul was that he was always even keel. I think that's important for a manager, especially during a long season."
Right-handed reliever AJ Achter was drafted by the Twins in 2010 and reached the big leagues this last September. :
“I’m very excited for him and our organization. As a pitcher, I didn’t work with him as much as the position guys. But any time I got to talk to him, I found out very quickly his knowledge and passion for the game. He is, by far, the best baseball mind I’ve ever had the pleasure of talking to. The things he picks up on, added to his experience as a player make him extremely knowledgeable and very well respected in the clubhouse. I’m looking forward to seeing all the positives he brings as manager.”
AJ Pettersen was drafted by the Twins in 2011 and believes that Molitor can be a great manager because of how well he treats people. That he’s a fellow Minnesota Gopher alum probably doesn’t hurt his opinion either.
“Moli will make an excellent manager. He has the ability to connect with people of every background. I have seen him effectively communicate with Latin players just as well as he does with former Gophers. His most knowledgeable areas are base running and defense. He knows an insane amount about the game, but you would never know by the way he acts. He is the kind of guy that is continually learning, not just to advance as a manager and coach, but because he genuinely loves baseball and loves teaching players to be better. He is a calm presence in the dugout, which is very helpful through a long, stressful season. He will be an excellent manager for the Twins and with the right group around him, he will help to get the ship headed in the right direction. Plus, he is a Gopher! Ski-u-mah! Go Twins!”
Jorge Polanco signed with the Twins as a 16-year-old in 2009 and has worked many times over the year with Molitor:
“I have a lot of experiences. You know he is a Hall of Famer. He knows a lot about the game. Everything you ask him for, he knows it, like base runner, hitting, stealing.”
Cole DeVries was in the Twins system for about eight years. Although he is a pitcher, there are still things that Molitor could help with:
“I didn’t have a ton of interaction with him in the minors, outside of him helping me because I was tipping pitches. I would also ask him to tell me how he thought I did after some outings. I think it is going to be a great addition for the Twins because there aren’t too much who know as much about the game of baseball. He is also familiar with the players in the minor league system. I think he will do a good job of getting himself up to speed with being a manager and getting all the new young players up to the big league playing standards.”
Adam Brett Walker has been in the organizations just a couple of years and hasn’t had a lot of time with Molitor.
“But, from the small about I’ve been with him, he seems like a great guy. He has talked to me about base running, but I have heard him talk to more of the infielders about the game more. He seems like he has a lot of knowledge for the game, and I hope he does a great job.”
Cedar Rapids middle infielder Ryan Walker spent time with Molitor a year ago in the Instructional League.
“He was there teaching and instructing in basically every area of the game. It was quickly obvious why he’s in the Hall of Fame. His knowledge and understanding of how everything in baseball works isn’t matched by very many. There were a couple of times he even talked about things that I had never heard of in my life – which is really rare considering how much we play and study the game. He seemed like the kind of person that truly knows every aspect of baseball, in and out, and I can’t imagine a better qualification for the position.”
Chris Colabello came to the Twins organization in 2012 after years in independent ball. He speaks more to the type of person that Molitor is:
“Obviously I am thrilled for him. His resume and background speak for themselves and based on that alone, he is more than qualified. What I think will make him most successful as a manager is how quality of a person he is. Since the day I met him in my first minor league camp, he was as kind and willing to chat as anyone I met that first year. He is a student of the game and is always looking to share information that he is gaining on a day-to-day basis to help guys do their job. I would be honored to play for him.
Like Molitor, Nate Hanson played for the University of Minnesota. He recently re-signed a minor league contract to stay with the Twins, his hometown organization and the team he has played for since being drafted in 2008.
“The way Moli sees the game is unlike anyone else I have been around. I have learned so much from him in all facets of the game. His hiring is a great thing for the organization. His humble and steady demeanor should make him a great leader in the clubhouse and on the field.”
Logan Darnell signed with the Twins in 2010 after being drafted out of college. He debuted with the Twins in 2014.
“I think it’s a great thing. He is one of the best baseball minds I’ve been around. He’s been a rover and even last year when he was a bench coach, he was helpful on how I was tipping pitches. Just things like that he picks up on well, I feel. But, I’m excited for him, and he’s a good guy!”
Danny Rams signed with the Twins in 2007 after being selected in the 2nd round out of high school. He remained in the organization through the 2012 season.
“(Molitor) was real quiet but extremely humble considering all his accomplishments. Any question I ever asked him, he gave me his honest opinion, good or bad. Molitor is going to make a great manager because he has a master mind. He is one of the smartest guys to ever play the game. Molitor’s brain is on another level, above a catcher’s instincts.”
Aderlin Mejia, who spent 2014 between New Britain and Ft. Myers, understands the greatness of Molitor.
“The experiences I had with him were very good because it was with a baseball legend and a Hall of Famer. His teachings helped me to improve in the field, both defensively and also with base running.”
Steve Singleton was drafted by the Twins in 2006 and remained in the organization into the 2012 season. He played everywhere between rookie ball and AAA.
“Molitor is awesome! He was the best baseball guy in that system during my entire career. In all aspects. Situations, mechanics, hitting, defense, relating to the guys, etc. He will do a great job, and I can’t really imagine a better hire around the league. I’d much rather see him there than Maddon.”
As I said, if I get more responses throughout Tuesday, I’ll be sure to add them. So be sure to stop back from time to time and discuss.
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