Thad Levine: Five things to know about the new Twins general manager

Thad Levine was introduced as the new Twins general manager and No. 2 behind new president of baseball operations Derek Falvey Monday at Target Field.

Here is what you should know about Levine:

Experienced background
Levine, 44, from Alexandria, Va., spent the past 11 seasons in the Texas Rangers front office as the assistant general manager.

He joined Texas after spending six seasons with the Colorado Rockies in various roles. He served as the director of baseball administration from 2002-2004 and was promoted to the Rockies senior director of baseball operations in 2005. He was hired by Colorado as a low-level advance scout in 1999.

Levine started his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a business development intern.

After missing the playoffs for 10 consecutive seasons (2000-2009), the Rangers have played in five of the last seven postseasons, won 90-plus games five times, and claimed four American League West titles during this stretch.

Texas owned the AL's best record (95-67) just ahead of Cleveland (94-67) this season, but lost to Toronto in the ALDS.

People before stats
The new crop of general managers are often identified by their commitment to statistical analysis, but Levine won't let himself fall into this stereotype. He first stood out to the Rockies leadership by "purposely rejecting the false dichotomy of statistical analysis versus scouting. He has an MBA, but he embraced scouting first."

"One thing that fuels the stereotype for young people is that you're either one side of the ledger or the other, and the pendulum has no middle," Levine told the Washington Post in 2011. "I've always felt like if you want to stereotype me, that's on me. I need to communicate to them that I'm more of a centrist than a leftist or a rightist. I feel very much committed to scouting."

Levine reiterated this stance at Monday's press conference at Target Field.

Texas president of baseball of operations and GM Jon Daniels said in 2005 "Thad brings a great deal of experience and professionalism to the Texas Rangers. He will be a source of creativity and ideas now and in the future. I am excited about someone with his knowledge and skills joining our baseball operations staff."

Baseball America also identified Levine as rising star. He was listed among "The Next Wave" in the publication's 2003 Top 10 general manager prospects compiled off feedback from their writers and baseball executives.

Twins manager Paul Molitor was on Baseball America's Top 10 list in 2000.

Grew up around baseball
Levine inherited his love of baseball from his father Michael. They spent most Sundays during the baseball season together at Memorial Stadium watching the Baltimore Orioles and spent the hour-plus drive each way discussing the manager's decisions and trades. "Baseball became a dual fixation and their strongest connection," the Washington Post wrote.