Thursday, November 13, 2008

Opposite Day: Gardenhire Fired!

With today being opposite day and all, we may as well take a look at what it would be like if Ron Gardenhire weren't given a 2 year extension, and was no longer managing the Twins.

AP - Ron Gardenhire was fired today as manager of the Minnesota Twins, just one day after finishing 2nd in the AL Manager of the Year voting. Gardenhire's Twins finished above expectations in 2008, nearly winning the division despite key departures in Johan Santana and Torii Hunter last offseason. It was the first time a Twins manager has been fired since Ray Miller in 1986.

Gardenhire is known as a players manager, while still preaching the baseball philosophies of his predecessor, Tom Kelly. He was named manager of the Twins on Jan. 4, 2002. He has led the Twins to the American League Central Division title in four of his seven seasons as manager, and has posted a winning record in six of his seven years as manager.

He has a career record of 622-512 (.549) as a Major League manager, and trails only Tom Kelly on the Twins All-Time win list (1,140). Since the beginning of 2002, Gardenhire has the fifth most wins among all managers (Joe Torre - 675, Mike Scioscia - 646, Tony LaRussa - 634 and Bobby Cox - 623).

But Gardenhire clashed with owners and management, calling first year GM Billy Smith's style, "Tyrant-like."

In other news:

- Pat Neshek was cleared by doctors to begin his regular off-season throwing program today. It's a good sign for the Twins, whose bullpen let them down several times down the stretch last season. Neshek attributed his vegan diet to his great health and durability.

- The Twins have been in contact with the Padres about Jake Peavy. San Diego has shown a strong interest in super utility guy Nick Punto, who would be the centerpiece of any package for Peavy.

- Michael Cuddyer, when asked about his opinion on moving back to third base, "I'd be open to it. It's something [we've] discussed, and it's definitely an option."

14 comments:

brex said...

Punto for Peavy? Great trade for the twins!

(opposite day)

haasertime said...

i'm confused. If today is opposite day, that would mean that it's not opposite day.

TwinsWin83 said...

If its opposite day does that mean today Delmon Young wont swing and whif at the 0-2 slider away in the dirt?

haasertime said...

if it's opposite day, does that mean Delmon Young will take the first pitch?

if it's opposite day, does that mean it'll be a beautiful November afternoon?

if it's opposite day, does that mean 30 rock will really suck tonight?

if it's opposite day, will my lego baseball stadium not be totally awesome?

tfrezac2002 said...

If its opposite day the Twins are going to throw a big time deal at a high profile free agent at 11:01.

If its opposite day the Royals are a contender? Nah, they don't even get one day a year.

If its opposite day, I absolutely love the vikings, they are the best thing going in this town.

Anonymous said...

Opposite year: Duante Culpepper wins NFL comeback player award.


--- SoCalTwinsFan

Dan said...

If it's opposite day, doesn't that mean Punto for Peavy is a bad trade for the Twins?

bizmarkie507 said...

if its opposite day then you're supposed to say: it's not opposite night.

and i had a dream last night that I was watching a 1988 NBA Charity game and Nick Punto was playing in it. He made a lay up.

brex said...

really? i had the same dream only it wasn't a lay up, it was a 360 tomahawk dunk

Daymonster said...

If you said 2018 and he was the one receiving the benefits of said charity I would believe it.

haasertime said...

Nick Punto has stated that he wants to start a pro basketball league for 6ft and shorter folks.

Holmer said...

If its opposite day, don't those managers have -2000 some odd wins?
Or however many losses they have on any other day?

11:01 you say?

...and the Raiders aren't in the PREP BOWL.

bizmarkie507 said...

yeah orono was a joke. how were they ranked no 1?

TwinsWin83 said...

northfield raiders hats off to thee