Paul Molitor gets second interview for Twins job

Paul Molitor, right, is the favorite to replace Ron Gardenhire in Minnesota. (USATSI)

Hall of Fame player Paul Molitor appears to have moved a step closer to winning the Twins‘ managerial job.

While there’s no word that anything has been solidified, Molitor, long seen as the favorite for the job, reportedly has a second interview upcoming with GM Terry Ryan. Additionally, several candidates are said to have been eliminated. Sources also say Orioles bench coach John Russell, who was rumored to be a candidate if the Twins expanded their search, has not heard from the Twins.

Reports have suggested that with DeMarlo Hale, Joe McEwing and Sandy Alomar Jr. having been told they are out of the running and with no evidence of additional candidates coming in now, the derby may be down to Molitor, a Twins coach this past year, Class A Fort Myers manager Doug Mientkiewicz and Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo.

Molitor has seemed to top the Twins’ managerial list from the start, as he appears to be a perfect fit, with the one main caveat being that he has no managing experience. Molitor, always a heady player, is a native of St. Paul, alum of the University of Minnesota and a former Twins player.

The other question, which is whether Molitor wanted to devote the time necessary, presumably has been answered during the process. Would he take a second interview if he wasn’t sure about it?

ESPN1050 in the Twin Cities first reported Molitor was getting a second interview.

Longtime Twins observers have long said they would expect the team to stay inside for this key hire, as it did for it’s only two managerial hires over the last 28 years — Tom Kelly and Ron Gardenhire both came from the Twins’ coaching staff.

Stability and secrecy remain the calling cards of the Twins. Ryan texted back Monday, “The search is going fine, Terry.” And he left it at that, ignoring follow-up texts.

At this point, it would be something of a surprise if anyone but Molitor got the job. It’s believed he could have been the top candidate to take over for Kelly a decade ago, but declined at that time, and a source suggested he was offered a chance to become bench coach job two years ago but declined because he wasn’t sure Gardenhire would be comfortable with him on the staff.

Molitor did take a coaching job with the Twins the next winter, but Twins observers suggest he and Gardenhire were not especially close. Gardenhire was fired following completion of the Twins’ fourth straight 90-loss season.

Mientkiewicz is held in high regard but seemingly as mostly a future managerial star after terrific performance at Fort Myers. Lovullo is well-regarded as well. However, it was always seen as likely that Minnesota would stay within the family.

Russell, who is getting notice as the bench coach of the successful Orioles, was viewed as a Twins possibility since he had worked in the organization. But the fact he hasn’t heard from the team may mean it is closer to a decision.

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