Doc Michienzi, Twins' medical relief ace

Dr. Leonard (Doc) Mi-chienzi of St. Paul, a former Minnesota Twins physician, was known for his "bear-trap memory" and his fondness for the team.

Michienzi, an internist who later earned a Ph.D. and became an expert in occupational medicine, died Dec. 26 in St. Paul. He was 86.

"Doc was an extraordinary diagnostician," said son-in-law Gerhard Knutson of Edina, adding that Michienzi had an "immense overview of medical literature and prodigious recall."

He was a Twins physician for 32 years, until the 1990s.

Twins great Harmon Killebrew continued as his patient long after his playing days. "He was just a sweet, wonderful man. Not only a great doctor, he was a better person," he said. "Everybody loved Doc."

And Michienzi loved the Twins, said his son-in-law.

He never had a bad word for anyone, "with the possible exception of a pitcher who hung a curve" in the bottom of the ninth inning, said his son-in-law.

He held many leadership roles at St. Paul's United Hospitals, including chief of staff in 1970.

By the mid-1970s, he had earned a Ph.D. in environmental health at the University of Minnesota and entered occupational medicine. He served as medical director or adviser to organizations, including Northwest Airlines, Donaldson Corp., and Toro.

Michienzi was an avid duck hunter, hunting with players and executives, as well as the likes of Yankees manager Billy Martin and Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse.

"He enjoyed the sociability of being in Twins circles, just as much as he did serving their medical needs," Reusse said.

Michienzi helped lead many professional groups, such as the Minnesota State Medical Association and the Occupational Medical Association. He served as president of the Association of Professional Baseball Physicians in 1976.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of St. Paul; three daughters, Mary Jo Knutson, of Edina, Margot Eckman, of Atlanta and Gina, of Bloomington; a son, Leonard of Coon Rapids; a stepdaughter, Laurel Martin of Mahtomedi; a stepson, Mark Kartarik of Turtle Lake; a sister, Josephine Mascia of St. Paul; 18 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.