Frank Quilici

Who is Frank Quilici?

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. 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 runs and 53 RBIs.