The Minnesota Twins have made the shocking decision of releasing manger Ron Gardenhire of his duties. This is following another 90-loss season for the franchise, and 383 losses the previous 4 years. Gardenhire had plenty of success in Minnesota, including 6 playoff appearances from 2002-2010.
Despite staying atop the AL Central for most of that stretch, once getting to the playoffs is when Gardenhire and the Twins would struggle. They would go just 6-21 in postseason play, with their last playoff win coming in 2004.
Gardenhire spent 27 seasons in the Twins organization, as their third-base coach and then manager for the past 13 years. Not only did they make the playoffs 6 times, but that was 6 division titles. That includes a historic game 163 win over the Tigers in 2009 to claim the Central Division. He was the second-longest tenured manager in baseball behind Mike Scioscia of the Angels.
Despite all of the postseason appearances, the Twins have struggled in the previous seasons. The franchise had a 78-148 record from August 1st-on from 2011-2014, which is good for just a .345 winning percentage. But overall it was a very successful run as Twins manager, compiling a record of 1,068-1,039. Candidates for the open position have not been released, but Gardenhire is nearly irreplaceable. He has turned in to one of the most respected figures in baseball, and it will be an awkward site not seeing him in the Twins dugout next season.
Despite staying atop the AL Central for most of that stretch, once getting to the playoffs is when Gardenhire and the Twins would struggle. They would go just 6-21 in postseason play, with their last playoff win coming in 2004.
Gardenhire spent 27 seasons in the Twins organization, as their third-base coach and then manager for the past 13 years. Not only did they make the playoffs 6 times, but that was 6 division titles. That includes a historic game 163 win over the Tigers in 2009 to claim the Central Division. He was the second-longest tenured manager in baseball behind Mike Scioscia of the Angels.
Despite all of the postseason appearances, the Twins have struggled in the previous seasons. The franchise had a 78-148 record from August 1st-on from 2011-2014, which is good for just a .345 winning percentage. But overall it was a very successful run as Twins manager, compiling a record of 1,068-1,039. Candidates for the open position have not been released, but Gardenhire is nearly irreplaceable. He has turned in to one of the most respected figures in baseball, and it will be an awkward site not seeing him in the Twins dugout next season.
