Twins Extend Manager Gardenhire's Contract
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Ron Gardenhire's contract as manager of the Minnesota Twins has been extended for two more years.
It's the latest piece of good news for Gardenhire. Just yesterday, he was named the American League Manager of the Year, after finishing runner-up five times, including each of the past two seasons.
"We are thrilled to have Ron Gardenhire and one of the best coaching and training staffs in baseball returning for the next two years," said the Twins' general manager Bill Smith.
Gardenhire's contract extention will cover him through the 2013 season, as the 2011 season was already covered by his previous contract extension.
The Twins also worked out deals with a number of other staffers, including pitching coach Rick Anderson, bench coach Steve Liddle, bullpen coach Rick Stelmaszek, third base coach Scott Ullger, hitting coach Joe Vavra, first base coach Jerry White, head athletic trainer Rick McWane, assistant athletic trainer Dave Pruemer and strength and conditioning coordinator Perry Castellano.
"Our major league staff did a marvelous job dealing with that adversity without complaint and led the Twins to the sixth AL Central Division championship in the past nine years," said Smith.
A couple of hours after he was told he won the AL Manager of the Year award, Gardenhire called Michele Tafoya on WCCO radio. He was in Ft. Myers, Fla. with his wife when he got the call from the BBWAA in New York.
NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Michele Tafoya Interviews AL Manager of the Year Ron Gardenhire
Podcast
Gardenhire received a total of 108 votes from members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA), including 16 first-place votes.
