Former Twins scouting director Radcliff dies of cancer at 66

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Mike Radcliff, who was scouting director for 14 of his 35 years evaluating prospects for the Minnesota Twins, has died after a four-year bout with pancreatic cancer. The Twins said Radcliff died in suburban Kansas City, where he and his wife kept their home. He was 66. Radcliff was hired by the Twins in 1987 and became scouting director in 1993. He was the longest-tenured scouting director in Major League Baseball when he was promoted to vice president of player personnel in 2007. Radcliff made the call on drafting Joe Mauer at No. 1 overall in 2001.