Gardy's Favorite Axe Brand

[twinscowboysbulls]

Alright fellas, it's time to discuss the date we have all been waiting for. It's pretty obvious this team is going to struggle this year, again. I'm not sure how he can survive another round of cuts while losing 90+ games. I can't really blame him, because A) Our top two prospects that WILL turn this franchise around, have injuries that have postponed any chance of them being here this year and probably pushed them out of contention for opening day 2015. The pitchers we snagged this off-season are doing a terrible job so far and C)TR didn't really give him any help offensively, the one guy he did give him was one he already had and they let him go.

 

So here it is. I will donate one pint of blood to whoever accurately predicts Gardy's axe date.

 

Here is mine: September 5th

[70charger]

I don't really want your blood, but thanks.

 

 

(Also, I don't think it's this year.)

[DaveW]

There is about a 0% chance he would get fired before the season would end, I couldn't see any scenario in the Twins doing that unless they were somehow already at 100 losses in early sept, even then. Nope.

 

Also, I think he will be back next year regardless. If the Twins had intentions of letting him go they would have this past off-season, it would be foolish to keep him around for 4 losing seasons then can him right before the next wave of talent (Buxton/Sano/Meyer/Rosario/May/etc) were all ready to go.

[Mike Sixel]

I too think he will be back next year.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Agree, there is about a 0% chance, give or take 0%. I wonder if you are even asking the right question.

 

If we lose 90+ games again this year, he might be asked on bended knee to part with a coach or two, though.

[iTwins]

IF the pitching staff ends the year with another season of league high ERA, then MAYBE I could see Rick Anderson getting the axe.

 

I just don't see Gardy getting canned before the prospects take the field. There will be a lot of vitriol if / when the Twins lose 90 games yet again, but I think the team is prepared to ride this out with Gardy at the helm.

[JB_Iowa]

If they lose another 90 or more this season, I expect to see a transition of Gardenhire to some other position in the organization -- despite the two year contract.

[Thrylos]

With all this production and hype and celebration of #Gardy1K, I think that if the Twins were merciful they would give him the ax the day before he hits 1000 losses. He needs 46, so if the team plays .400 ball this would be in 77 games or so. Around after the All Star game. That works.

 

#Gardy1K

[LaBombo]

Not sure how Rick Anderson keeps his job if the rotation is one of the three or even five worst in the AL again.

 

As for Gardy, you could rightly point out that he's in the right place for lightning to strike twice. The only time since WWII that a non-expansion manager was retained by his team after four consecutive 90+ loss seasons, it happened here in Minnie to Tom Kelly. So he's in the right place to avoid accountability, in theory.

 

Two problems with that. One, Kelly had two World Series rings and the enormous respect and gratitude that they commanded from the franchise. Gardenhire is highly regarded, but his post-season record isn't get-out-of-jail-free card that Kelly's was. If anything you could argue it's the opposite.

 

Two, that Twins team had a different owner, one who cared so little for it that he didn't just try to sell it to out-of state buyers, he tried to eliminate it for profit and started exploring that option before Kelly's last year even began. Why would he waste time hiring it a new manager?

 

Gardenhire's job probably is safe, and yet to assume so requires ignoring not only a mountain of historical trends, but plummeting TF attendance figures at a time when the league-wide numbers are up. However secure his job may seem, those are two very difficult factors to overcome.

 

Also, what's it say that your employer recognizes the longevity represented by 1000 wins by giving the gift of carcinogens? Nothing, I know, but the irony is a little fun.

[Squirrel]

If Gardy goes, it'll be just after TR does. Personally, I don't see either happening before the season is over, if at all, but I still think TR should be first out the door if anyone is out the door.

[Riverbrian]

First off... I have no idea what I'm talking about specifically... I have a pretty good idea generally.

 

Change comes with change. There is a stability in the Twins Organization.

 

Does that stability come from Pohlad or does it come from Ryan?

 

If it comes from Ryan... With his health issues he may hang them up.... If does... The new GM may want to put his own stamp on things. Hence the change that could lead to change.

 

To answer the question... In my opinion... Not until his contract runs out or a significant change in the org chart.

[sandbun]

I don't think he survives another 90+ loss season, especially if attendance drops the way I think it will. I think the opposite of some here, with the next generation coming up it's the perfect time to bring in a new guy - he gets to be the guy who turned the franchise around and brought excitement to the park by better relating to the new players and embracing new thinking etc etc. Great way to sell a new manager to an increasingly depressed and apathetic fan base and get them to buy into hope again, or actually more importantly tickets again.

[Thrylos]

I don't think he survives another 90+ loss season, especially if attendance drops the way I think it will. I think the opposite of some here, with the next generation coming up it's the perfect time to bring in a new guy - he gets to be the guy who turned the franchise around and brought excitement to the park by better relating to the new players and embracing new thinking etc etc. .

 

Nope. That would be revisionist history. TK was the manager when the team kinda climbed off the dark hole of the 90s in 2001 with 85-77 and should be credited with the "turn around". Gardy inherited a winning team that he did not go far with it...

[sandbun]

Nope. That would be revisionist history. TK was the manager when the team kinda climbed off the dark hole of the 90s in 2001 with 85-77 and should be credited with the "turn around". Gardy inherited a winning team that he did not go far with it...

 

It's possible I'm missing the tone/intent of what you're trying to say, but I'm confused by your comment. I agree completely about it would be revisionist history if they did that again with Gardy and a new coach; the new coach's success would be more about the players in the minors becoming ready than anything he did, but I don't see why the team would care. They need a story to sell to their customers, and that's as good as any. Doesn't matter if it's true or not. And yes, it would be very similar to the story they sell with Gardy, who I agree didn't do enough with the team he got from TK. But it worked from a business standpoint, so I don't see why they wouldn't go with it again.

 

The other possibility though is that they love Gardy so much they'll make sure his last season is a winning one, or at least one that shows a lot of promise for the future. Then he rides out with that legacy, he was a good manager when the front office didn't blow it, and totally could've kept doing it, but wanted to spend more time with his family or some such nonsense. Which again would line up well with what they did last time they switched managers. And then him, and likely TR, ride off into the sunset.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I agree Sandbun. I just wonder if it's Gardy's style to let go of it voluntarily though.

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

If it comes from Ryan... With his health issues he may hang them up.... If does... The new GM may want to put his own stamp on things. Hence the change that could lead to change.

 

There is something merciful in a change--for health, for healing, and recovery. The Twins organization is not healthy, and one of the most debilitating ways to prolong illness is to feign health/recovery. Letting go of the need to manufacture a fix can actually benefit everyone.

 

For that reason it may be time for Terry Ryan to focus on his own personal health, while opening the door for systemic change within the Twins organization.

 

On the other hand, if there's still fire in the 'ol belly, love of the game, and passion in the pursuit of a better organization, go for it.

 

Just so, would you quit before the June draft? The trade deadline? The end of the season? What makes the most sense? Issues of personal health transcend the key operative dates on an organization's calendar.

 

In a nutshell: I think change will come sooner, rather than later, for everyone's wellbeing.

[Kwak]

Gardy will be back next year--100%. In fact, I am confident he will finish 2015 ven if the Twins lose 100 this yearand next year. After 2015??--that's when things get cloudy.

[zchrz]

I read the title and thought about Gardy's favorite Axe body spray brand.

 

"Grit" for ballers

 

"Puntorquise"

[sampleSizeOfOne]

I read the title and thought about Gardy's favorite Axe body spray brand.

 

"Grit" for ballers

 

"Puntorquise"

 

I read it, and thought it was a set up for a guitar joke.

 

And a timely one too. Isn't Gibson pitching next?

 

(Someone's avatar already makes that joke though.)

 

Regarding Coach Gardenhire's tenure. I personally expect the team to turn around enough this season and the next that his seat isn't as hot as some think it is. I may be a stary-eyed optimist, and I'm okay with that.