Sports
Minnesota Twins Fire Manager Paul Molitor
Paul Molitor won American League Manager of the Year in 2017.
MINNEAPOLIS — One season after winning American League's Manger of the Year award, Paul Molitor has been fired by the Minnesota Twins. The news was broken by USA TODAY sports reporter Bob Nightengale Tuesday morning.
Nightengale notes the Twins will still owe Molitor $3.25 million over the next two years.
After outperforming expectations last year, the Twins went 78-84 in 2018.
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According to ESPN reporter Jerry Crasnick, the Twins offered Molitor a new role with the organization and believe he will accept it.
Twins blogger Aaron Gleeman says the firing of Molitor was done — at least in part — so Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey and General Manager Thad Levine could choose their own manager for the team.
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Derek Falvey and Thad Levine can now choose their own manager, which Twins ownership didn't let them do initially. Regardless of what you think of Paul Molitor specifically, I certainly think a front office should be able to pick the manager they want. Two years later, they can.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) October 2, 2018
Here's how other media members and fans reacted to the news:
In the last 10 days... - Vikings lose to the Bills AND Rams 4 days apart - Joe Mauer, the , retires - Jimmy Butler/The Wolves are a dumpster - Wild only win 2 preseason games - USA Ryder Cup team gets absolutely torched - Paul Molitor fired I love sports so much.
— Andrew Luedtke (@AndLuedtke07) October 2, 2018
Molitor fired — for no apparent reason.
— Reusse (@Patrick_Reusse) October 2, 2018
You’re gonna fire Paul Molitor based on executive decisions? You’re gonna fire Paul Molitor because Miguel Sano didn’t care enough to take his offseason seriously? Because Buxton hasn’t learned to hit big league pitching? Because of things that were out of his control?! Horrible.
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) October 2, 2018
The Twins whack Paul Molitor one year after he wins American League Manager of the Year, and after a second-place finish in 2018. Tough room.
— Doug Russell (@DougRussell) October 2, 2018
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Photo: Manager Paul Molitor of the Minnesota Twins looks on while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 19, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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