Manager Ron Gardenhire signs two-year extension with the Minnesota Twins
After winning American League (AL) Manager of the Year, Ron Gardenhire signed a two-year contract extension with the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. It’s the third time in six years the manager has received a two-year
extension with one year left on his contract.
Gardenhire has been a welcome addition to the club since he took the manager’s job in 2002. Before winning this year’s Manager of the Year Award he had been the runner-up five times (2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009). His record with the Twins is 803-656.
Last year he led the team to a 94-68 record and the AL Central title, his sixth title with the club. This year, the team was plagued with injuries, starting with All-Star closer Joe Nathan, who sustained an elbow injury in spring training and needed Tommy
John surgery to repair it. Nathan did not play for the Twins in 2010.
"Losing your closer in early Spring Training doesn't help," Gardenhire said. "That's not a great way to start a season, and then losing [Justin] Morneau halfway through -- we battled through it pretty good. It's about the same every year. You're going to
have up and downs, and you're going to have some challenging moments. We battled through some things, and you just have to find a way to get it done."
Gardenhire had already been named AL Manager of the Year by the Sporting News. That award is decided by peer voting.
"Ron did a great job," said Ron Washington, manager of the Texas Rangers. "They lost two big pieces and he kept his team going. They played solid baseball, they really did."
Veteran first-baseman/designated hitter, Jim Thome knows good managers from bad ones after playing in the Majors for the past 20 years.
"I think he's done a great job of handling his players, and I think to be a good manager, that's key," Thome said. "You have to know each personality, and he does that. I think he knows everybody from top to bottom, and he does a great job with the on-field
stuff, too. ... I've had good ones, and he's right up there, definitely, at the top of the list. It's definitely been a pleasure to play for him, that's for sure."
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