Frank Quilici
Encyclopedia
Francis Ralph Quilici is a former Major League
infielder
and manager with a five-year playing career and a four-year managerial career. He played for the Minnesota Twins
of the American League
in 1965, then 1967-1970. He attended Loras College
and Western Michigan University
.
He played all infield positions at one time or another, but mostly was a utility second baseman
and third baseman
. He became a coach
for Minnesota in 1971
immediately after retiring as a player. The following year, at age 33, he was promoted to manager of the Twins on July 6, 1972. He managed the club through 1975
, compiling a record of 280-287 (.494). Quilici had replaced veteran Bill Rigney
as the Twins' manager. Another experienced skipper, Gene Mauch
, succeeded him.
In the 1965 World Series
, Quilici became the Twins' starting second baseman
when veteran Jerry Kindall
was sidelined by injury. He had two hits in one inning, tying a record, off Hall of Famer Don Drysdale
during a win in Game 1 for the Twins. The Twins would end up losing the series, 4-3, to the Los Angeles Dodgers
.
In his playing career, he batted
.214 with 5 home run
s and 53 RBIs.
Quilici worked as a color commentator
on Twins radio broadcasts for several years in the 1970s and 1980s.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
and manager with a five-year playing career and a four-year managerial career. He played for the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
of the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
in 1965, then 1967-1970. He attended Loras College
Loras College
Loras College is a four-year Catholic college located in Dubuque, Iowa, with a general attendance of approximately 1,700 students. The school offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs...
and Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University is a public university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1903 by Dwight B. Waldo, and as of the Fall 2010 semester, its enrollment is 25,045....
.
He played all infield positions at one time or another, but mostly was a utility second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
and third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
. He became a coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
for Minnesota in 1971
1971 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:National League: Pittsburgh PiratesAmerican League: Baltimore Orioles1971 World Series: Pittsburgh def. Baltimore , 4 games to 3.Inter-league playoff: Pittsburgh declined challenge by Tokyo Yomiuri Giants....
immediately after retiring as a player. The following year, at age 33, he was promoted to manager of the Twins on July 6, 1972. He managed the club through 1975
1975 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Boston Red Sox ; Pete Rose, MVP*All-Star Game, July 15 at County Stadium: National League, 6-3; Bill Madlock and Jon Matlack, MVPs-Other champions:...
, compiling a record of 280-287 (.494). Quilici had replaced veteran Bill Rigney
Bill Rigney
William Joseph Rigney was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball. A native of Alameda, California, he batted and threw right-handed....
as the Twins' manager. Another experienced skipper, Gene Mauch
Gene Mauch
Gene William Mauch was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a second baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers , Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago Cubs , Boston Braves , St...
, succeeded him.
In the 1965 World Series
1965 World Series
The 1965 World Series featured the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers against the American League champion Minnesota Twins, who had won their first pennant since 1933 when the team was known as the Washington Senators...
, Quilici became the Twins' starting second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
when veteran Jerry Kindall
Jerry Kindall
Gerald Donald Kindall , is a retired professional baseball player who played second base in the major leagues from 1956-1965 for the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins. Kindall was originally signed up by the Chicago Cubs as a bonus baby...
was sidelined by injury. He had two hits in one inning, tying a record, off Hall of Famer Don Drysdale
Don Drysdale
Donald Scott "Don" Drysdale was a Major League Baseball player and Hall of Fame right-handed pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was one of the dominant starting pitchers of the 1960s, and became a radio and television broadcaster following his playing career...
during a win in Game 1 for the Twins. The Twins would end up losing the series, 4-3, to the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
.
In his playing career, he batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.214 with 5 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 53 RBIs.
Quilici worked as a color commentator
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
on Twins radio broadcasts for several years in the 1970s and 1980s.