The Gardenhire Apocolypse

[Bark's Lounge]

A lot has been said on the site about wanting Gardenhire to be fired because he has lost his edge or worse things, also, a lot has been said about how he should retain his managerial position because the Twins roster is not his fault and the blame should fall on the Front Office.

 

The scenario is this....

 

Gardenhire is fired at the conclusion of this season.

 

Who do you want to get the managerial job and make the difference that Gardenhire could not procure?

(If you are a Gardenhire supporter and want him to stay - give your 2nd choice)

 

P.S. Please leave Terry Ryan out of this.... that is for a thread you can start. Also, if someone already threw out a similar kind of thread, I apologize, I did not want to dig through the archives.

[Seth Stohs]

As of right now, I'd say Dave Martinez...

 

1.) comes from the Joe Maddon school in Tampa, but he's coached and been very well respected since his playing days.

 

2.) He had a long and solid, productive career despite rarely being a full-time player. Like Gardy, he understands how difficult this game is and that players make mistakes and errors and such.

 

3.) I want a first-time manager because I don't like retreads.

[John Bonnes]

Tony LaRussa

[Seth Stohs]

Tony LaRussa

 

 

That would be interesting... Because it would be the one choice that I think might make me consider not being a Twins fan anymore.

[greengoblinrulz]

As of right now, I'd say Dave Martinez...

 

1.) comes from the Joe Maddon school in Tampa, but he's coached and been very well respected since his playing days.

 

2.) He had a long and solid, productive career despite rarely being a full-time player. Like Gardy, he understands how difficult this game is and that players make mistakes and errors and such.

 

3.) I want a first-time manager because I don't like retreads.

 

Excellent choice.....love the way Tampa/Maddon play the game & get the most out of their players.

 

Not that Gardy wouldnt be picked up right away as he is a respected manager, but even Joe Torre was let go. There comes a time when a change of scenery is needed as players tune out a guy. Gardy has been here 20yrs with 10 as a mgr. I would love a new guy in charge.

IF Gardy stays....his contract is up after nxt yr so he either needs to be extended/let go this offseason IMO...then the changes to the coaching staff for that same change of scenery/new eyes approach

[Thrylos]

Tony LaRussa

 

 

That would be interesting... Because it would be the one choice that I think might make me consider not being a Twins fan anymore.

 

Nothing will make me not being a Twins' fan, but if they get Tony LaRussa, I would feel the same way I felt when the Vikings got what's his face to quarterback them.

[John Bonnes]

Tony LaRussa

 

That would be interesting... Because it would be the one choice that I think might make me consider not being a Twins fan anymore.

 

Yeah, god knows you wouldn't want the 3rd winningest manager of all time, a guy whose teams have finished 350+ games over .500 and has won three World Series as you favorite team's manager.

 

But just to throw out another name, how about Ken Macha? Four very good years coaching the A's and a couple of decent years overseeing the Brewers.

[greengoblinrulz]

LaRussa----may be a prick, but 3 world series appearances in last 8 yrs makes gardy look little league.

Same with 'whats his name'.....take NFC championship over what the purple have now/before

[Winston Smith]

Mike Redmond would be interesting. Not sure good but interesting.

[Bark's Lounge]

1. Seth - Dave Martinez would be one of the best choices.

2. John - LaRussa, Can't go wrong with that, but I am assuming he is done and not coming back. I agree with Seth in the wanting a manager that is not a retread... but LaRussa would be the exception to the rule.

3. Seth - Why no love for LaRussa?

4. Winston Smith - Your choice is my choice... why? Not too sure, but that is the one I would like to see.

[JB_Iowa]

I'm not a LaRussa hater like some of you but I'd prefer someone more youthful than LaRussa.

 

I'd also like someone from outside the Twins organization and without many ties to people in the organization.

 

Martinez would work for me but I'm sure that there are others as well -- I'd just like them to think a little creatively instead of going with someone they "know well".

[Thrylos]

For the ones who do not remember (or were not alive then) :

 

Tony LaRussa was the manager of the steroid cheat Oakland A's who stole a few AL West titles from the Twins. As a Twins' fan I used to hate everything about those As, including LaRussa, ever before the cheating became apparent.

[Craig Arko]

Gene Glynn, and his coaching staff.

[roger]

Gene Glynn, and his coaching staff.

 

+1. As for those who don't want someone from within the organization, Glynn is new to the organization this year. The people in Rochester, such as Jim Mandelaro, speak very highly of Glynn as a manager and person. Huge improvement over Tom Nieto who was hated there. Has a ton of coaching experience with several good organizations.

 

Have wathced a lot of Rochester games this year and he has a mediocre team playing very well. Also has a local tie as he is originally from Minnesota.

[Seth Stohs]

Well, if Mandelaro approves of Glynn... When Glynn was hired, it was known that he was a very good person and wonderful with the media. I don't know if "wonderful with the media" is one of the top criteria I'd be looking for. What I do like about Glynn, however, is his background as an advanced scout, and his ability to watch other players and know if they're ready to help a big league club. That's why I think he's great for Rochester, and who knows, maybe with the Twins. Seems like a perfect bench coach.

 

And, Glynn fits my "no retreads" criteria!

[beckmt]

Gene Glynn - he has done a great job with what he was given in AAA

[one_eyed_jack]

I became intrigued by Ken Oberkfell as a possible Gardy replacement after reading this article earlier this year:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120205&content_id=26582426&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

 

Jose Oquendo is another guy I'd consider.

 

I don't want any retreads, and I don't want to promote from within. It feels like a certain staleness has set over this organization, and it's time for some fresh ideas and approaches.

[Top Gun]

I like Redmond, but TLR would be great, just what the team needs.

[Highabove]

Scotty Ulger

 

Case Closed

[minn55441]

How realistic would it be fore TR to sit down with Gardy at the end of the season and ask him replace all of his coaching staff? Two consecutive 100 loss (give or take a few) seasons call for some consequences. If faced with the choice of everyone going or Gardy sticking around with an entire new staff, I think he would decide to just end it.

 

I have always been a big Gardy supporter and would hate to see him leave, but we have all seen that a change is needed at this point. I think Gardy is loyal to a fault and would rather fall on the sword himself than start replacing the guys that have been with him since the beginning.

[oldguy10]

I believe that what the Pohlads will do is simply bring up the entire Rochester managerial staff but will that work? One poster at least thinks Glynn is terrific so it might. I would rather see them get an entire management crew from some other MLB organization that really knows what they are doing. One example for sure is Tampa Bay. What other organization?

[DaveW]

Tom Kelly

[Fire Dan Gladden]

As good as LaRussa has been,I don't think he would be a good fit here. Like Torre, he is a better manager of high end players, his strength does not lie in managing youth and rebuilding. I think the Twins would want to go young and new with the hopes of landing a Mike Scossia type coach. Red Dog would be an interesting flyer, especially if he brought in in experienced coaches to help him out.

[Monkeypaws]

Francona

[Rosterman]

Gene Glynn

 

 

add coaches Bobby Cuellar, Tom Brunansky, maybe Jake Mauer. Talk to Coomer and Gladden. Bring in Mike Redmond or Matthew LeCroy. I might keep Jerry White.

 

But then the Twins need to find a whole passel of coaches for the minors.

 

I seem them standing pat for a year...maybe jettisoning Gardy and Anderson late-2013 if things don't change and giving the Rochester guys a look.

 

Or buyout Ozzie's contract from Florida!

[Mike Sixel]

Bo Porter:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/qa-bo-porter-future-big-league-manager/

 

Anyone learning from Joe Madden.

[mnfireman]

Agreed on Gene Glynn and staff, especially if the rave reviews of Cuellar and Brunansky coaching abilities are true and can lead to success at the major league level. As far as restocking the minor league coaching staffs, players are still retiring every year, many of whom are wanting to begin a coaching career.

[PeanutsFromHeaven]

I tend to think that managers likely don't make much difference to the overall performance of a team, their presence in the clubhouse and with the guys involved is crucial (see Valentine, Bobby). Gardy has been great with a gang of guys who came up with him on staff and nurtured them into his way of doing things. I think he can still do it but as clubhouse culture changes (see Valencia, Danny), they may need another similar hand. Like Gene Glynne rather than someone from outside the organization)

 

OR: Since Earl Weaver's only 82 we could ask him to pop in and pull a Jack McKeon (we'd even get to see him pull some classic tantrums)!

[Riverbrian]

I tend to place more faith in on the field leadership amongst your ball players than faith in a manager changing a culture.

 

Granted it is just my personal belief but I believe winning momentum comes from the big hit, the extra base taken and the great defensive play.

 

I believe losing montentum comes from coasting into the base, letting balls drop in front of you, botched run downs and double plays, errors along with big innings against you and a general lack of believing in your team because the baseball you are playing is uninspired.

 

A player busting his ass, leads to more players busting their asses and it will carry on through the team and result in wins. Even on a team that appears to be weaker on paper.

 

A manager may be able to get a fire lit under a player or two but the entire team is very hard to do. A Manager who has been with a club a long time... in my opinion... will have a much harder time lighting those fires when dealing with vets who have been through it and heard it all.

 

It's pointless to blame the manager... It's the players and always will be.

 

If we have to make a change in Managers... And I think we should just for a new start at momentum (that will still have to come from the players).

 

I would like a Manager who is very aggressive. I can't give you any names but I'd like someone like Scioscia or Madden.

 

If you want to jump start a team, you have a better chance if you provide some voltage, instead of trying to win games through attrition or something. Give me a manager who let the boys run on the bases and understands the need for D. Someone who will attack teams aggressively and get pissed at players when the go through the motions.

 

With that said... Gardy has been great and he is great... It's time for a change... And Gardy deserves thanks and a nice gold parachute.

[Bark's Lounge]

If Gardenhire keeps his job it will not bother me and if Gardenhire gets fired it will not bother me - but I think a change would be exciting for the fan base and it would be interesting to see what some new blood could bring to the table. I liked what the Cards and Sux did by bringing in a former player who was well respected with a very good baseball IQ. For me Red-Dog fits that bill.