Frank Quilici – Twins player, coach, manager, and broadcaster
Francis Ralph Quilici, better known to Twins fans as Frank or maybe even Guido, was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 11, 1939. Quilici is the only person in Twins history to play, coach, manage and serve as a Twins broadcaster. Frank signed with the Minnesota Twins as a free agent in 1961 after passing up a very nice bonus a year earlier from the New York Yankees. Working his way through the Twins minor league system with stops at Erie, Wytheville, Charlotte, Wilson, and Denver, Frank made his major league debut at Met Stadium on July 18, 1965 in the 8th inning of game one of a doubleheader against the California Angels and Frank fouled out to the first baseman Joe Adcock in his first big league at bat. Due to a serious knee injury to regular 2B Bernie Allen, Frank played in 56 regular season games in their 1965 World Series season. Quilici started in all 7 World Series games and tied a major league World Series record when he had two hits (a double and a single) in a single inning (the third) off future Hall of Famer Don Drysdale. Ironically, Quilici spent the entire 1966 season back in the minors before again playing for the Twins from 1967 – 1970. Quilici played in the “bigs” for five seasons hitting .214 in 682 at bats playing all four infield positions and finished his career with a .981 fielding average. Frank coached for the Twins in 1971 and part of 1972 before he was named the Twins youngest ever skipper when he took the managers hat from a fired Bill Rigney at the age of 33. Under Quilici’s leadership, the Twins finished third in 72, 73, and again in 74 but a fourth place finish in 1975 caused owner Calvin Griffith to dismiss Frank from the manager role and moved him to the WCCO radio booth and a whole new career. Frank’s record as the Twins skipper was 280-287. Today Frank enjoys the retired life in Burnsville, Minnesota but that is not to say that he is sitting back in his rocking chair as he has a lot of irons in the fire and he participates in numerous charitable activities including the Twins Community Fund and Miracle Fields programs.
The interview with Frank is 2 hours long and was done in May of 2009 and is split into two parts.
Frank Quilici interview part 1
Frank Quilici interview part 2
Patrick Reusse did a nice story on Frank in the Star Tribune on June 9, 2013 that you can read here.
My fathers cousin (Laura) was Franks mother.
I was in Chiropractic college watching the WORLD SERIES with other students, and all of a sudden hearing his name mentioned on the TV that he had been called up to the TWINS.What a great series he had that year!
I recall his mother calling me at least 6 times over a year or two inviting me to Comiskey Park as she had a ticket for me (and her famous Italian beef sandwiches). I was in a radiology residency and was only able to make one game. Sitting above the first base dugout (Twins) was great and seeing Frank on the field was inspiring knowing that we were “family”. Those were the good ole days.
Thank you so much for stopping by the site and taking the time to leave your thoughts, it is much appreciated.
I knew Frank in 7th-8th grade at St Ann in Chicago…His cousin Ron Polka also there. They lived on 19th St.
I’ll finish above Pete Klein story…play was…with our runner on third base, pitcher wind up, batter would pretend something in eye, turn away but not leave batter’s box..pitcher would stop and ump would call balk…but you had to warm him before game. Sometime, they would call time anyway…as they did in that Phillie game…or even consider it unsportsmanlike.
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I knew Frank in 7th-8th grade at St Ann in Chicago…His cousin Ron Polka also there. They lived on 19th St.
I’ll finish above Pete Klein story…play was…with our runner on third base, pitcher wind up, batter would pretend something in eye, turn away but not leave batter’s box..pitcher would stop and ump would call balk…but you had to warm him before game. Sometime, they would call time anyway…as they did in that Phillie game…or even consider it unsportsmanlike.
Frank seems like a great guy, unlike his former player Eric Sodetholm, what a bum. Wrote him two fan letters, nohing back. He should have learned from his classy manager, how to act.
I went to school with Frank…so happy to have followed him while he played then managed.
I wish he would write back to me….kids in school always called me Burnsy. : ) he sat behind me in sixth grade, at OUR LADY OF VILLA school in Chicago.
Thank you for writing Marilyn, I will see if I can get you two in touch again.
Frank Quilici was my all-time favorite Denver Bears baseball player in the 1960’s. I followed his entire baseball career and for many years, because of him, the Minnesota Twins was my favorite major league team. I had his autograph for many years until someone stole my billfold in the early 90’s! Sure would like to get another one. Great guy!
Hi Sheila, my name is Wendy & would love 2 help you out with that autograph, I know what it’s like to have stuff stolen, and it’s just not nice. I’m in Minnesota right now visiting, but usually live in California. My emails are out of control, so you could give me a call if you like. 714-366-0489 Happy Holidays ??????
When I was a kid, Mr. Quicili was a friend of our father (Ed)….very nice guy, when my brothers and I got a chance to meet him…..Hope he and his family are well.
great stories I remember Pete Klein and his trick of having a runner on third and pretending the batter had something in his eye…result? balk actually, saw it in a recent Philly game it worked!!but accidentally, as ump wouldn’t alloe time