MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins mourned the loss of one of their own after it was announced that former Minnesota player and manager Frank Quilici passed away at the age of 79 after a lengthy illness.
The club released the following statement: "The Minnesota Twins today mourn the passing of Frank Quilici. Frank not only exemplified professionalism as a player, coach, manager and broadcaster for the Twins, he also served as a community leader in the Twin Cities working to make sure youth had recreational opportunities and contributed to many other charitable causes. The club, like many of his friends throughout the game, is thinking of the Quilici family during this difficult time."
The Twins signed Quilici as an amateur free agent prior to the 1961 season as an infielder. He made his Major League debut in '65, eventually appearing in 405 games for the Twins over five seasons
Quilici managed parts of four seasons for the Twins from 1972-75, going 280-287 as the team's skipper. He then joined the WCCO radio broadcast crew and worked alongside Herb Carneal from '76-77 and 1980-82.
Quilici was honored as the recipient of the Kirby Puckett Award for Alumni Community Service in 2013 for his passion in promoting organ donorship, as well as a number of other charitable causes.