Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN -- The entire Minnesota Twins organization is saddened by the death of former manager Frank Quilici, who passed away today at age 79 after a lengthy illness. The Twins issued the following statement regarding the loss of Quilici:
"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."
Quilici spent his entire baseball career in the Twins organization after being signed by Minnesota as an amateur free agent prior to the 1961 season. A second baseman, Quilici made his major league debut in 1965 and appeared in 405 games for the Twins over five seasons (1965, 1967-70). He was then hired by the Twins as a coach under manager Bill Rigney in 1971 and '72 before taking over the managerial duties for the final 84 games of 1972. Quilici went 280-287 in parts of four seasons as the Twins manager and joined the WCCO radio broadcast crew working alongside Herb Carneal from 1976-77 and 1980-82.
Quilici was honored with the Kirby Puckett Award for Alumni Community Service in 2013 for his passion in promoting organ donorship among being involved in a number of other charitable causes. He was a former member of the board of directors of the Twins Community Fund and former President of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation.
Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.