After 13 seasons the Minnesota Twins will replace Ron Gardenhire as the team’s manager.
Gardenhire and Twins general manager Terry Ryan discussed the decision during a press conference with reporters Monday afternoon.
“I’m out of here because we didn’t win,” Gardenhire said. “That’s the way it works in baseball.”
Gardenhire succeeded Tom Kelly as manager in 2002, and he led the Twins to six American League Central Division titles during his 13 seasons, including four titles in his first five years. Gardenhire was named the American League Manager of the Year in 2010 and was runner-up in for the award in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009.
But in each of the last four seasons the Twins lost at least 90 games, and finished last in the division in three of those four years.
“I think this is the right thing,” Gardenhire said. “Sometimes people need to hear a different voice.”
According to 1500 ESPN, Gardenhire was able to laugh and crack jokes during the press conference, but it was clear that it had been a tough day for members of the Twins. Several front office members and at least one coach from Gardenhire’s staff attended the press conference.
Ryan: "I feel like he's my brother, not my manager." … agrees this is toughest thing he's had to do in baseball
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) September 29, 2014
The Pioneer Press reports the Twins hadn’t dismissed a manager since Tom Kelly took over for Ray Miller with 23 games remaining in the 1986 season.
Gardenhire, 56, has one more year remaining on a two-year contract he signed before the season, but Ryan said it hasn’t been decided if Gardenhire will accept an offer to take another position in the organization.
Gardenhire acknowledged that he was not burned out and would consider managing again, if there was another opportunity.
Gardy: "If there's another opportunity and I think it's right for me and my family, I would do that."
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) September 29, 2014
Ryan said he expects the Twins search for a new manager will take some time. He said the search would be open to people both inside and outside of the organization.
Ran two red lights on our way to the field. Glad we did. Gardy believed in me when no one else did. Sad to see him go pic.twitter.com/Ds2XdEITtm
— Coach Trev (@trevorplouffe) September 29, 2014
