Ron Gardenhire's journey in professional baseball began when he was drafted by the New York Mets in the sixth round of the 1979 MLB Draft. Born on October 24, 1957, in Butzbach, West Germany, where his father was stationed with the U.S. military, Gardenhire grew up in Oklahoma. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he played college baseball for the Longhorns before embarking on his professional career.
Gardenhire made his Major League debut with the Mets on September 1, 1981. As a shortstop, he played five seasons with the team, from 1981 to 1985. During his time with the Mets, Gardenhire was known for his defensive skills and versatility in the infield, although his offensive numbers were modest. Over his MLB playing career, he appeared in 285 games, recording a batting average of .232, with four home runs and 49 RBIs.
After his playing days, Gardenhire transitioned into coaching, a move that would define the next phase of his baseball career. He joined the Minnesota Twins organization in 1988, starting as a manager in their minor league system. Gardenhire worked his way up, managing various minor league teams, including the Kenosha Twins, Orlando Sun Rays, and Salt Lake Buzz. His leadership and understanding of the game were evident, and he was eventually promoted to the major league coaching staff.
In 1991, Gardenhire became the Twins' third base coach, a position he held for over a decade. During this time, he was part of the coaching staff that led the Twins to a World Series championship in 1991. His tenure as a coach laid the groundwork for his future role as a manager.
Gardenhire was appointed as the manager of the Minnesota Twins in 2002, succeeding Tom Kelly. Under his management, the Twins experienced a period of success, winning the American League Central Division title six times (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, and 2010). Known for his strategic acumen and ability to develop young talent, Gardenhire was respected by players and peers alike.
In 2010, Gardenhire was honored with the American League Manager of the Year award, recognizing his leadership and the Twins' performance that season. Despite the team's regular-season success, postseason victories were elusive, with the Twins often falling short in the playoffs.
Gardenhire's tenure with the Twins ended after the 2014 season, following a series of losing seasons. However, his impact on the organization was lasting, and he remained a beloved figure in Minnesota sports history.
After a brief hiatus from managing, Gardenhire returned to the dugout in 2018 as the manager of the Detroit Tigers. Tasked with leading a rebuilding team, he focused on developing young players and instilling a competitive spirit. Gardenhire managed the Tigers until September 2020, when he announced his retirement from baseball, citing health concerns.
Throughout his career, Gardenhire was known for his approachable demeanor, sense of humor, and ability to connect with players. His managerial record stands at 1,200 wins and 1,280 losses, reflecting both the challenges and successes he faced over nearly two decades as a major league manager.
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