Milwaukee Brewers

Date of birth: August 22, 1956 Saint Paul, MN

High School:  Cretin HS (St. Paul, MN)

College: Minnesota

Nickname: The Ignitor. He was the guy to have at the barbeque that started the coals.

First Impression; I loved this card as a kid because its a clear shot of him. But put him in the same position as Randolph and thats a gem. He’s just chilling probably at spring training in the dugout. At least it isn’t Buck Martinez’s pose.

Career stats player: This guy was just behind George Brett in my “this dude rules” list. And I was able to see him play, we often went to Milwaukee and caught a ton of games at County Stadium. Jim Gantner was always my favorite, because his name was Jim. Cosmically that connected us. We have never met or spoke. Nor have I spoken with the dude who paired with Robin Yount ruled South Wisconsin.

A Hall of Famer, 7 time all star, World Series champion as well as 4 time silver slugger. Molitor hit .306 over his career with 3319 hits. He left Milwaukee in 1993 at the age of 36, went to Toronto, won a ring and then went home to finish his career in Minnesota, his home state.

His Toronto numbers, especially given his age of 36-38, were bonkers. .315 average over three seasons. He finished that off with .312 over three seasons with Minnesota. This guy could hit.

All Time Stat: There wasn’t a month in his career where his career average was under .300. Another amazing stat, in Wins he hit .348 and in losses he hit .260.

Career stats manager: 305-343. In 2015 Molitor came home to manage the Twins. He replaced long time Manager Ron Gardenhire who had replaced longtime manager Tom Kelly. They started off well, finishing 2nd in the AL Central finishing 2 games over .500. The next season was abysmial as the Twins lost 103 games. The year after that he led the Twins to a one game playoff (2017 Wild Card Game) against the Yankees, they lost.

But apparently since they lost 103 games the season prior, the first team in history to achieve this feat, and made a one game playoff that they lost they still awarded Molitor American League Manager of the Year in 2017. Another puzzling choice. He beat out Terry Francona who won 102 games with Cleveland and AJ Hinch who won 101 with Houston.

Fun Fact: He became only the second person to be elected to the Hall of Fame as a player and also win the Manager of the Year Award behind HOF Frank Robinson, who was named AL Manager of the Year in 1989 while managing the Baltimore Orioles.*

Ever a Future Star?  He was featured in a 4 panel rookie car in 1978 “Rookie Shortstops” with Mickey Klutts, U L Washington and fellow future manager Alan Trammell.

Rookie or final card? No

Hall of Fame? Number retired? National Baseball Hall of Fame 2004. Milwaukee Brewers No. 4 retired. Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor. Major League Baseball All-Time Team

Links to stories including Paul Molitor.

*wikipedia