Twins Pitching Coach Allen Returns After DWI Arrest
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Minnesota Twins pitching coach Neil Allen rejoined the team Thursday, six weeks after his arrest on suspension of drunken driving.
Allen was back for the start of a four-game series at Texas, the last games before the All-Star break.
"That was just more timing of him completing club's requirements and things that he needed to do," manager Paul Molitor said, without getting into specifics. "I know he's excited, he's walking around with a big smile on his face today. Probably a little nervous, but that's good too."
The Twins suspended Allen indefinitely after his arrest in the early morning hours of May 27 in downtown Minneapolis.
According to the Hennepin County Sherriff's Office, Allen was arrested at 1:59 a.m. that Thursday for third degree driving while impaired and refusal to submit to a sobriety test. The 58-year-old Allen was stopped about 10 blocks from Target Field where the Twins played Kansas City the previous afternoon.
"We all know he's been through a difficult journey here as of late, but I think it's been a beneficial one for him," Molitor said.
"I think for the most part, he's going to be the same guy," he said. "I think that the one thing, without divulging too much, that it was time for him to kind of reflect on some things in his life that have happened, and get some perspective back, as well as strength. He's doing well."
This is Allen's second season with the Twins after eight seasons coaching in the Tampa Bay organization.
Eric Rasmussen, the minor league pitching coordinator for the Twins, had filled in as pitching coach during Allen's absence. In Rasmussen's last game, Ervin Santana struck out eight without a walk in a two-hitter as the Twins beat Oakland 4-0 on Wednesday night.
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