Paul Molitor
A great hitter with quick wrists, Paul Molitor finished in the top ten in batting 11 times. He starred for several seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers before finding post-season success with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993. He was one of the best World Series performers in history and retired with more than 3,300 hits, 230 homers, and 500 steals. Molitor battled injuries early in his career, but had great years in his thirties, when he played primarily as a designated hitter.
Played For
Milwaukee Brewers (1978-1992)
Toronto Blue Jays (1993-1995)
Minnesota Twins (1996-1998)
Minor League Experience
In the June 1977 Draft, Harold Baines (White Sox), and Bill Gullickson (Expos) were selected #1 and #2 in front of #3 Molitor. Also selected in that draft was Danny Ainge, by the Blue Jays in round #15.
All-Time Rankings
Paul Molitor ranks #1 among the Top 50 all-time at DH. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1987
Molitor had other years when he was healthier and accumulated more hits and runs, but in '87 he was a hitting machine when he was in the lineup. In the middle of July he started his 39-game hitting streak, which helped him bat .353 for the season. He also had career-highs in SLG (.566), and OBP (.438). Despite playing just 118 games, he scored 114 times, plated 75 runs, and had 62 extra-base hits, including 41 doubles. He led the AL in runs and doubles. On July 26, Molitor tied a major-league record with three stolen bases in the first inning. The Brewers were 76-41 with him in the lineup, 22-23 without.
Factoids
On September 12, 1993, Molitor drove in his 100th run of the year in the Blue Jays 4-1 win over California. In so doing, he became the oldest player in major league history to post his first 100-RBI season.
End of The Streak
On August 26, 1987, Molitor went 0-for-4 in Milwaukee's 1-0, 10-inning win over the Indians, ending his hitting streak at 39 consecutive games. His streak was the seventh longest in ML history and the longest in the AL since Joe DiMaggio's 56-game streak in 1941. Molitor faced Cleveland rookie John Farrell all four times, and was on deck when Rick Manning ended the game with a run-scoring pinch single in the bottom of the 10th.
Where He Played
Molitor played more games as DH (1,174) than at any defensive position. He was a DH almost exclusively from 1991-1998. He also played 791 games at third base, 400 games at second base, 197 at first base, 57 at shortstop, and 50 in the outfield (mostly center field).
Born
Paul Leo Molitor was born on August 22, 1956, in St. Paul, MN.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: DH
Primary Team: ML4
College: Minnesota
Major League Debut
April 7, 1978
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1978
Paul Molitor
Ozzie Smith
Carney Lansford
Pedro Guerrero
Danny Darwin
Mike Morgan
Dave Stewart
Terry Kennedy
Ron Oester
Nicknames
The Ignitor
Uniform Numbers
#4 (1978-1992, 1996-1998), #19 (1993-1995)
Similar Players
Molitor drew comparisons to Joe DiMaggio, after Ted Williams stated that his stance and swing reminded him of the Yankee legend.
Related Players
Robin Yount... Dave Winfield, fellow Minnesotan who played late in his career with the Jays and Twins... Alan Trammell, who appeared with Molitor on his rookie Topps baseball card, one of the more valuable cards of that era... Lou Whitaker, who won the 1978 AL Rookie of the Year Award, while Molitor won The Sporting News rookie honor... John Olerud and Roberto Alomar, who finished first and third in the 1993 AL Batting Race, sandwiched around Molitor. The trio were the first three teammates to finish 1-2-3 in 100 years.
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 2004 |
BBWAA |
431 |
85.2% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1981 American League Division Playoffs
1982 American League Championship Series
1982 World Series
1993 American League Championship Series
1993 World Series
Post-Season Notes
On October 12, 1982, Molitor went 5-for-6 to become the first player to collect five hits in a World Series game. Teammate Robin Yount went 4-for-6 as the Brewers beat the Cardinals 10-0 in Game One.
Awards and Honors
1993 ML WS MVP
Feats
Molitor hit safely in 39 consecutive games from July 16 to August 25, 1987. The streak was the longest in baseball since Pete Rose's 44-gamer in 1978. It was the longest AL streak since Joe DiMaggio's record 56-game streak in 1941.
Milestones
On September 16, 1996, Molitor became the 21st player in major league history to collect 3,000 hits, tripling in the fifth inning against Jose Rosado of the Royals. No other major league player had tripled for his 3,000th hit. Molitor also became the first man to collect 200 hits in the same season he reached 3,000.
Milestones
- September 16, 1996: 3000th Hit... Collected the hit off Jose Rosado, and became the first player to hit a triple for his 3,000th hit.
Batting Feats
- May 12, 1982: 3 HR...
- October 12, 1982: 5 Hits in WS Game...
- July 26, 1987: Steal 2nd, 3rd, Home...
- June 12, 1988: Cycle...
Notes
In three straight games in September of 1979, Molitor produced the game-winning hit for the Brewers. His single beat the Mariners, his homer defeated the Angels in the ninth inning, and his seventh-inning double beat the Angels the next night.
Hitting Streaks
39 games (1987)
16 games (1979)
15 games (1979)
Transactions
June 7, 1977: Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1st round (3rd pick) of the 1977 amateur draft; November 9, 1987: Granted Free Agency; January 5, 1988: Signed as a Free Agent with the Milwaukee Brewers; October 30, 1992: Granted Free Agency; December 7, 1992: Signed as a Free Agent with the Toronto Blue Jays; November 3, 1995: Granted Free Agency; December 5, 1995: Signed as a Free Agent with the Minnesota Twins; October 28, 1997: Granted Free Agency; December 6, 1997: Signed as a Free Agent with the Minnesota Twins; October 26, 1998: Granted Free Agency.
All-Star Selections
1980 AL
1985 AL
1988 AL
1991 AL
1992 AL
1993 AL
1994 AL
Replaced
The Brewers of the 1970s had a wealth of middle infielders. Molitor assumed the second base job as a rookie in 1978, replacing Don Money, who was shifted to a utlity role, playing most of his games at first base when Cecil Cooper got hurt.
Replaced By
His last job was as the Twins' DH in 1998. The next season, Marty Cordova and Todd Walker platooned in that role for Minnesota.
Best Strength as a Player
Hitting for average and extra-base power, and also running. Molitor was quite fast.
Largest Weakness as a Player
He was fragile early in his career. After his rookie season, Molitor spent time on the diabled list 10 times in his next nine years with Milwaukee.
Learn More about Paul Molitor
Search Amazon.com for Books about Paul Molitor ⇒
Search for Paul Molitor at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
