One day after the final game of another losing season, the Minnesota Twins announced they are parting ways with longtime manager Ron Gardenhire.
The #MNTwins announced today that they will replace Ron Gardenhire as manager in 2015.
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) September 29, 2014
John Shipley is reporting this quote from Gardenhire:
“You lose this many games, you’ve got to do something. He (General Manager Terry Ryan) called me in this morning, I said, ‘Terry, you don’t have a choice here; do what you have to do.'”
The Twins sent a letter to season-ticket holders today explaining the decision.
“As the organization prepares for 2015, we have spent a great deal of time with Terry Ryan re-evaluating every aspect of our baseball operation,” the statement from owner Jim Pohlad and team president Dave St. Peter says. “This comprehensive evaluation, which is ongoing, led us to collectively determine a managerial change is in the best interest of the franchise. Rest assured, this was not an easy decision, especially considering what Ron Gardenhire has meant to the Minnesota Twins.”
In a press release from the team, the Twins said they will “immediately begin their search for a new manager, internally and externally.” Gardenhire and Ryan will be at a press conference at 3 p.m. today.
Terry Ryan and Ron Gardenhire will both attend today's press conference at Target Field at 3 p.m. CT
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) September 29, 2014
Email from Pohlad and St. Peter to season-ticket holders includes this: "We are hopeful that Ron will remain w/ the #MNTwins organization."
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) September 29, 2014
The rest of the coaching staff will remain in limbo until a new manager is hired. Their fates will be decided at that point.
Aaron Gleeman of NBC Sports notes that only two managers have avoided being fired following four straight 90-loss seasons. The first was Connie Mack, who owned his team and the second is Tom Kelly, who lost 90 or more games four seasons in a row with the Twins from 1997-2000.
The past four seasons have all resulted in 92-plus losses, putting Minnesota’s winning ways in the rearview mirror. Gardenhire and the Twins won six division titles over a nine-year stretch of the 2000s, but haven’t been to the postseason since 2010.
After Kelly stepped down from managing in 2001, Gardenhire took over in 2002. He guided the Twins to 94 wins and a division title as a rookie manager and followed that campaign up with division titles in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2010. He owns a career managerial record of 1,068 wins and 1,039 losses.
Ron Gardenhire's 1,068 career wins as a manager rank 51st all-time. #MNTwins
— Tyler Mason (@tylermason21) September 29, 2014
He finished in the top three of voting for American League Manager of the Year seven times, was a runner-up five times and won the award once in 2010.
Twins players, staff, former players speak out
(1of2) Tough day inside @Twins family. So grateful for what Ron Gardenhire has contributed – on and off the field – since joining org in '87
— Dave St. Peter (@TwinsPrez) September 29, 2014
(2of2) Ton of W's, developed many players, but's it's the way Gardy treats people that I will always remember. Ron & Carol are 100% class.
— Dave St. Peter (@TwinsPrez) September 29, 2014
A sad day…..Good Luck Gardy
— Kent Hrbek (@Hrbie14) September 29, 2014
Just talked w/@BrianDozier: "Pretty saddening. Gardy's the only manager I've had. I respect the heck out of him. Unbelievable manager."
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) September 29, 2014
Not quite sure what Gardy could of done different the last 3 years. He'll land on his feet somewhere.
— corey koskie (@ckone47) September 29, 2014
I have nothing but the utmost respect for Gardy and the rest of our staff. They worked their asses off day in and day out.
— Coach Trev (@trevorplouffe) September 29, 2014
We as players had a responsibility to the organization, fans, and coaches to win this season. We failed.
— Phil Hughes (@PJHughes45) September 29, 2014
