Gene Larkin, Former Twin, Taking Over Edina's Champion American Legion Team

Edina's state champion American Legion baseball team will be getting the coaching assistance of a world champion.

Former Minnesota Twin and two-time World Series champion Gene Larkin, 51, will take over from Edina High graduate Nick Kennedy this season.

Kennedy, who coached the team to a 113-29 record over three seasons and a state championship in 2012, said he family commitments led him to seek a demotion to assistant coach.

“Coaching Edina’s top high school baseball players in the program has fulfilled a personal ambition and has been a dream come true,” he said in a statement. “Regrettably I can’t give this position the time it requires continuing as the head coach. I can’t think of a better man to take over the reins than Gene Larkin, a name synonymous with success.” 

Larkin has taught clinics through Players Only, an Eden Prairie-based indoor baseball training center, and has served for two seasons as head coach of Edina's  Junior Legion baseball team.

"I am humbled and excited to take on this opportunity with the Edina Legion team,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to building upon the program’s tradition and the success Coach Kennedy and his staff had in the past few seasons.”

Offseason training begins Dec. 7, with the summer season starting in June.