Minnesota Twins add Paul Molitor to Coaching Staff

Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier this offseason the Minnesota Twins announced that they would be adding a seventh coach to supplement Ron Gardenhire’s major league staff and on Tuesday it was announced that Hall of Famer Paul Molitor will be that man.

Molitor, who was on Tom Kelly’s major league coaching staff in 2000 and 2001, will join the major league club and will oversee baserunning, bunting, infield instruction, positioning and assist with in-game strategy.

Even though Molitor hasn’t been at the major league level for more than a decade doesn’t mean he hasn’t been a part of the Twins Organization. In 2003 he was the Twins Minor League baserunning and infield coordinator, returned to that job in 2005 and has been there ever since.

The response to the hiring has been all positive for the Twins. Third Baseman Trevor Plouffe took to Twitter to show his pleasure with the move.

Of course, Molitor is just not a Hall of Famer, but a native Minnesotan. Molitor was raised in St. Paul and attended the University of Minnesota before his 21-year professional baseball career. During that span, Molitor played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays and his hometown Minnesota Twins. In a Twins uniform, Molitor notched his 3,000 major league hit.

The one remaining question is what nickname has Ron Gardenhire bestowed upon Molitor? That question has been answered: