MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins owner Jim Pohlad reiterated his support for manager Paul Molitor, writing a letter to season-ticket holders this week to announce Molitor will be back to manage Minnesota in 2017.
Pohlad, who also announced that season-ticket prices will not change next year, gave another show of support for Molitor. The Twins are in the process of creating a new front-office structure that's expected to include a president of baseball operations and a general manager, after Terry Ryan was dismissed on July 18.
"Jim has supported me throughout what's happened this year," Molitor said. "We had a nice fairly lengthy talk after the decision came down on Terry. For him to try to reach out to our supporters and make it personal and explain some of the reasons you do what you do, it's a good feeling for me to know I have that kind of support from ownership."
Molitor, who has one year left on his contract, also indicated that he has interest in returning next year.
"I'm going to try to back it up the best I can," Molitor said. "I think everyone realizes we had expectations and we fell short. Sometimes people have to fall when those things happen. I'm fortunate to be in a position where they're going to give me a shot to do a little bit better next time around."
In addition to Pohlad's letter, the Twins also supported their fans with each player wearing a different season-ticket holder's last name on the back of a shirt before Friday's game. The players met individually with each of the season-ticket holders before the game.
"It's a good thing," Molitor said. "They're a big part of what we do here. It's obviously been challenging with the way five of the last six seasons have gone. We're trying to acknowledge their significance and make it personal."