Molitor catches up with old friend Selig

Twins manager, former Commissioner talk baseball in phone conversation

February 26th, 2016
Twins manager Paul Molitor has known Bud Selig since Selig's Brewers drafted him in 1977. (AP)

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- As Twins manager Paul Molitor was participating in the organization's annual charity golf tournament on Thursday, he received a phone call and a voice message from a number he didn't recognize.
He waited until after the round to find out who had called, and it turned out to be former Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig. Selig simply wanted to catch up with Molitor, as the two have known each other since Molitor was drafted third overall by the Selig-owned Brewers in 1977.
Spring Training:Schedule | Tickets | More info
"I have so much respect," Molitor said. "Our history goes back almost 40 years. A father figure, an owner, an adversary somewhat in labor. When I think about my respect for him, and the fact that he calls, it is one of those things that you appreciate."
Selig stepped down as Commissioner in January of last year, making way for Rob Manfred to take over in his place. But he still holds the title of Commissioner Emeritus, and he stays busy teaching courses at Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin while also writing his memoirs. And according to Molitor, Selig still stays up to date on issues regarding baseball.
"We talked about the game a little bit, about the labor situation a little bit," Molitor said. "He's a busy man."
Worth noting
• Friday was the official report date for position players at camp, and all 64 players reported without issues. Joe Mauer, who has been working out at the complex all week, was the lone position player not in camp on Friday. But Mauer will be there once official workouts begin on Saturday, as the Twins will jump right into live batting practice with pitchers throwing to hitters for the first time this year. The Twins didn't have any of their pitchers throw bullpens on Friday to make sure they would be ready for Saturday.
• Hall of Famer Rod Carew and recent Twins Hall of Famer Torii Hunter are both set to join the Twins as special instructors on Saturday. Carew, who suffered a heart attack in September and still wears a left ventricular assist device, is feeling much better and arrived in Fort Myers late Wednesday. He's hoping for a heart transplant once the season starts in April.
• Former Twins manager Tom Kelly arrived at camp on Friday and spent the day working with Byung Ho Park and Carlos Quentin at first base. They also received instruction at first on Thursday, but Kelly was able to work with them for the first time on Friday.
"I talked to him this morning [about having] Carlos and Byung Ho out there yesterday, trying to get them a little foundation," Molitor said. "We told them what I was trying to do today in terms of incrementally increasing what we do over at first base. And he came out and kind of helped, actually ran most of that."
• First baseman/designated hitter Kennys Vargas also showed up to camp on Friday and said he lost 14 pounds this offseason.