Article: Is Lame Duck Gardy Good as Gone?

[Nick Nelson]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1251-Is-Lame-Duck-Gardy-Good-as-Gone

[Otwins]

I was thinking of Gardy when they signed Correia and all I could think of was it's time for Hawk Harrelson - He Gone

[h2oface]

Gardenhire should have been gone 3 or 4 years ago. He is the guest that stayed way, way too long.

[Seth Stohs]

I was thinking of Gardy when they signed Correia and all I could think of was it's time for Hawk Harrelson - He Gone

 

That's about right... Gardy has done a terrific job managing the Twins since he started in 2002. He's the same person and the same manager that won an AL Manager of the Year award and finished second five times. But if it's going to be guys like Correia in his rotation or guys like we saw last year, there's not a thing he can do. No manager alive, even Larussa or Maddon could have won with the Twins issues (injury and talent) the last two seasons. It's the way baseball works, and it may be a change for change sake is good, but it won't be because Gardy suddenly became a bad manager.

[Top Gun]

Gardy could fight his way back, he has dealth with young players before.

[Kwak]

The handwriting has been on the wall for some time. In most MLB organizations the GM gets to choose his Field Manager and the Twins need to do the same (similar philosophies and better communications). It was basically announced that Gardenhire is gone when he didn't receive a contract extention--not even a for 1 year! But, I don't think Molitor will be the next manager.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I was thinking of Gardy when they signed Correia and all I could think of was it's time for Hawk Harrelson - He Gone

 

That's about right... Gardy has done a terrific job managing the Twins since he started in 2002. He's the same person and the same manager that won an AL Manager of the Year award and finished second five times. But if it's going to be guys like Correia in his rotation or guys like we saw last year, there's not a thing he can do. No manager alive, even Larussa or Maddon could have won with the Twins issues (injury and talent) the last two seasons. It's the way baseball works, and it may be a change for change sake is good, but it won't be because Gardy suddenly became a bad manager.

 

I'm not sure terrific is the word I'd use to describe him... In some cases, yes... but Gardy has some pretty serious flaws, in particular dealing with rookies and his game management skills... I'm not convinced Gardy would be the right person to develop the young talent that will be hitting the bigs in the next few years.

[Squirrel]

Who will be next? Bruno? (And don't everyone say Molitor, I think that ship has sailed.) I have to think they already have a plan given the replacement of coaches, no extension, a team that won't be majorly improved next season.

[beckmt]

I think for Gardy to stay, he had to jettison Rick Anderson and did not want to do it. He has not become a worse manager, just very little talent here and not much for this year. It looks like he is setup to fail.

[JB_Iowa]

I HOPE that some other team fires its manager early to mid-season and then "lures" Gardenhire away from the Twins. I wish Gardenhire well but I do think its time for a change. And I don't think that it's time for Paul Molitor. I, too, think that ship has sailed.

[Boom Boom]

I'm going to disagree with most of the sentiment here. TR's recent comments about providing Gardy with personnel seems to indicate to me that Gardy's going to be given the benefit of the doubt (again) regardless of how the team performs this year.

 

Not offering Gardy a contract extension in this offseason is as close to firing the manager as the Twins will get in my estimation. I predict Gardy will receive at least a 2 year extension after 2013.

[old nurse]

Gardenhire makes under 2 million a year. If the Pohlads wanted him gone, he would be.

[nicksaviking]

I'd think Gene Glynn would be first in line. He's being shielded from the MLB mess right now sitting in Rochester. Anyone who comes from TB should get the first interview in my book.

 

Still, I haven't been a Gardenhire apologist in a long time, but this situtaion is a load of crap. Even though Ryan surely knows the likely disaster that will be 2013 is his fault, not Gardenhire's, Ryan also knows the fan restlessnes is going to cause him to ax the manager. Hopefully smarter minds prevail and the front office is wiped clean if the coaching staff is also taken out, they can start looking for replacements by talking to Glynn's old pals in Tampa.

[Texas Mike]

I was thinking of Gardy when they signed Correia and all I could think of was it's time for Hawk Harrelson - He Gone

 

That's about right... Gardy has done a terrific job managing the Twins since he started in 2002. He's the same person and the same manager that won an AL Manager of the Year award and finished second five times. But if it's going to be guys like Correia in his rotation or guys like we saw last year, there's not a thing he can do. No manager alive, even Larussa or Maddon could have won with the Twins issues (injury and talent) the last two seasons. It's the way baseball works, and it may be a change for change sake is good, but it won't be because Gardy suddenly became a bad manager.

 

 

Absolutely correct. The hyper fan tends to micro-manage every move made and then views in light of their micro-management, which always shades the view towards the negative. When you look at his body of work he is one of the best managers in the game and is highly respected among baseball fans and personnel in other markets. He has not been provided talent the last couple of years and no one could manage that junk. BTW, same thing happens here, many want Ron Washington gone.

[gunnarthor]

Gardy gets way too much blame from fans. He's a good manager. For whatever reason, fans always complaint that he's not good with young players yet he's often had some of the youngest teams in baseball. He has some issues - I hate the piranha ball that he likes - but I think he's a net positive for the team.

[Twins best friend]

As much as I've loved watching the Twins in the Gardenhire years, it just has the feel of time to move on. This isn't Gardy's team anymore. Cuddyer's gone, Santana's long gone, Span's gone, Kubel's gone, Morneau will most likely be gone by the end of this year. I want to see what a fresh approach from a new coach can do with what will be a squalling bunch of youngsters coming up from the minors.

[Shane Wahl]

You know how George W. Bush talked to Americans like they were stupid, but he wasn't actually stupid at all? Is that how Gardy is as well, because he certainly talks to Twins fans like they are stupid.

[adjacent]

It is a really bad deal for Gardy, but from the institutional point of view, it makes perfect sense. You let the departing manager, take the "give away" season, and bring a new manager for the start of the new era. That is what they did with Tom Kelly as well. When they thought they finally had a team that had a chance, they let Kelly go (well, Kelly retired on his own, but he is not stupid either) and started with a new manager. It is going to be interesting to see what happens at the end of 2013. If Gardy is given a one year extension, then you know the Twins are not going for 2014. If thye start with a new manager in 2014, it is because they think that is the year they can start winning again.

[DaveW]

I'd be pissed if they fire Gardy

[greengoblinrulz]

Im not a Gardy guy at all.....but he is getting NO shot to compete this season.

Dont think he's good with young players & after this yr, they will go really young...so its time to move on

[tjsyam921]

After signing Correia I can't help but think TR is trying time get Gardy to quit knowing it's only a matter of time before he's out with this roster.

[ashbury]

I'd think Gene Glynn would be first in line.

 

Glynn seems kind of old to be getting his first major league managing job. I also don't see what's in his resume that someone hiring would find so fascinating. Not saying he'd be bad, just that there's probably 100 other guys just like him and a bit younger so if he succeeds he'll be around a good long while.

[ashbury]

If thye start with a new manager in 2014, it is because they think that is the year they can start winning again.

 

I think the brain trust sees 2015 as the first season they'll really contend, but if 2014 is the "turn the corner" season then in your scenario it still makes sense for this to be when to bring in the new guy.

[JB_Iowa]

I'd think Gene Glynn would be first in line.

 

Glynn seems kind of old to be getting his first major league managing job. I also don't see what's in his resume that someone hiring would find so fascinating. Not saying he'd be bad, just that there's probably 100 other guys just like him and a bit younger so if he succeeds he'll be around a good long while.

 

I think Molitor is older than Gardenhire or Glynn (looked this up a while ago and didn't go back today). They are all actually quite similar in age. Yes, Molitor has the HOF credentials but I'm not sure that matters too much in managing -- and he has less recent experience (despite the special instructor role --or whatever it is called).

 

I'm not advocating for Glynn but I don't think age is a reason to disqualify him.

[Riverbrian]

I'd guess that this will be his last year with the Twins and I base that guess on the possibility of another losing season.

 

If the Twins have a winning season in 2013. We very likely will see Gardy in 2014.

[ashbury]

I'm not advocating for Glynn but I don't think age is a reason to disqualify him.

 

It doesn't disqualify him, any moreso than being young disqualifies someone, but the usual age for a first managing gig is younger than Glynn is and I am not seeing what makes him the guy who should buck the trend. The upside of going with someone similar but 10 years younger is that if you happen to really click with your pick, you've potentially got him for a couple of decades.

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

My hunch--Gardy (who is no dummy) knows he is gone...I hope he is looking at other jobs when they do come open and leaves the Twins during the year...our next manager should be younger (born in 1960s) to relate to kids who will be here in 2014 and 2015...that eliminates Molitar, Glynn and Ryno. Brunansky was born in 1960...

[Kwak]

It seems to me that professional sports team managers (or head coaches if you will) are better suited for certain types of teams: a) seasoned veterans up-and-comers c) new-kids-on-the-block etc. Gardy took over a team of up-and-comers and did quite well but when the team change to a different mix, well let's say not so well. The "new Twins" are going to be "new-kids-on-the-block" and I don't think these are the types of players that benefit from a "Gardenhire". The Twins are going to a "new blood" team--so get a new manager, not someone who is a relic from the past who will constantly remark "...we did things ...and won before...". They want someone who will say something like "...forget about the past, and its' losing way, we have new ideas that will put us onto 'winning ways'...", or something like that.

[lecroy24fan]

I can see something similar to what Tom Kelly did by getting the team turned around, then announcing his retirement.

[Mike Sixel]

While I do not always agree with Gardys tactical decisions, he must do something well because the team has generally been successful with him here. I believe with a bench coach to help temper a few decisions that he can be a successful manager again.