University of Minnesota Athletics
BB: Paul Molitor to Receive University Outstanding Achievement Award
2/23/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Outstanding Achievement Award is the highest award the University can bestow upon alumni. It is given to those who have attained unusual distinction in their chosen professions or in public service, and who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership on a community, state, national, or international level. The award is conferred by the Regents, based upon the recommendation of the All-University Honors Committee.
In the summer of 2004, Molitor joined Dave Winfield as the second Golden Gopher to be named to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Winfield was the first Golden Gopher player inducted in 2001.
From 1975 to 1977 Molitor played for the University of Minnesota baseball program. He was a First-Team All-American and was First-Team All-Big Ten in 1976 and 1977. In 1977 Molitor batted .325 with a team-leading 20 stolen bases and tied for the lead with 35 runs en route to leading Minnesota to its most recent appearance in the College World Series.
Molitor finished his career at Minnesota with a .350 batting average. He also finished his career with what were then school records in runs (112), triples (11), hits (159), home runs (18), total bases (254), RBI (99) and stolen bases (52).
After finishing up his career with the Golden Gophers, he was drafted in 1977 by the Milwaukee Brewers with the third pick of the Major League Baseball Draft. Molitor played his first 15 seasons for Milwaukee. In 1993, he joined the Toronto Blue Jays and was the World Series MVP as he helped lead the Blue Jays to their second straight World Championship. He stayed in Toronto for two more years, before returning home to finish out his career with the hometown Minnesota Twins from 1996-98.
In 21 seasons in the major leagues, Molitor amassed the 3,319 hits which is ninth on the all-time list. He was also 10th in doubles (605), 17th in runs (1,782) and 34th in stolen bases with 504. He was one of only six players to record 3,000 hits and 500 stolen bases in his career joining Lou Brock, Ty Cobb, Eddie Collins, Honus Wagner and Ricky Henderson. Molitor finished his career with a .306 batting average and 1,306 RBI.
In addition to his baseball achievements, he is a dedicated supporter of children's charities, including Camp Heartland, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer and the Molitor Fields for Kids program. In 1998, his last season as an active player, he received the Branch Rickey Award, given to major league players for outstanding community service. He also received the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, which goes to someone who best exemplifies the giving character of the legendary Yankees first baseman.
Molitor has also always remained loyal to the University of Minnesota baseball program throughout the years. He has returned to take part in all 14 versions of the Pro-Alumni Game in which the program's former professional players play against the current Gophers.
An announcement about the Outstanding Achievement Award will be made during the halftime of this evening's basketball game. Molitor will be in attendance and will step on the court to greet the fans. The University will officially present this Outstanding Achievement Award at a formal ceremony to be held later this spring.
