Molitor, a candidate for the American League Manager of the Year
Award, guided the Twins to a franchise-record 26-win improvement from
last season, becoming the first team to go from losing more than 100
games to the postseason the following season. They were also the second
club to have the No. 1 overall pick and make the playoffs in the same
year, joining the 2008 Rays.
The 61-year-old Hall of Famer is also popular in the clubhouse, as
Twins players view him as a stoic leader and endorsed him after their AL
Wild Card Game loss to the Yankees on Tuesday. Molitor helped keep
spirits high after the Twins were sellers at the non-waiver Trade
Deadline, but bounced back to go 20-10 in August and take control of the
second AL Wild Card spot.
"I, 100 percent -- and I speak for everyone in here -- I want him back," second baseman
Brian Dozier said.