Ron Gardenhire is a former Major League Baseball player and manager who spent over 30 years in the sport. He began his career as a player in the New York Mets organization in 1979, but only played in 5 games at the major league level before transitioning to coaching.
Gardenhire began his coaching career in the Mets organization, working his way up through the minor leagues before joining the Minnesota Twins coaching staff in 1991. He served as the Twins' third base coach for 11 seasons before being promoted to manager in 2002.
As manager of the Twins, Gardenhire led the team to six American League Central division titles in nine seasons, including a run of four straight from 2002-2006. He was named American League Manager of the Year in 2010 after leading the Twins to a 94-68 record and their sixth division title under his leadership.
After leaving the Twins in 2014, Gardenhire spent one season as the bench coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks before being hired as manager of the Detroit Tigers in 2018. He managed the Tigers for two seasons before retiring from the position in 2020.
Throughout his career, Gardenhire was known for his strong leadership and ability to develop young players. He was also known for his fiery personality and willingness to stand up for his players.
Overall, Ron Gardenhire had a successful career in baseball as both a player and manager. He was respected by his peers and players alike, and his impact on the game will be felt for years to come.
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