Article: Reflecting on the Ron Gardenhire Era

[Nick Nelson]

It's ironic when you consider his views on blogs and online coverage in general, but really, Ron Gardenhire was the one who first inspired me to start writing about the Twins.I remember it vividly. The year was 2004 and I was a freshman in college. I had come back to the dorms after a night class, and I parked on a couch in the common room to watch the end of an ALDS game against the Yankees.

 

As was typical of playoff games during that era, the Twins had squandered an early lead and they wilted in the late innings. In this case the management from Gardenhire was especially baffling.

 

You might remember this particular game. A plainly overmatched rookie named Jason Kubel went 0-for-6 while Lew Ford (who was in prime "LEWWW!" form) sat on the bench. Joe Nathan was sent out to pitch a third inning of relief after the Twins had taken a 12th-inning lead, and he coughed up the game while running on fumes.

 

I was so mad at the decision-making that I went back to my dorm and typed out some angry post full of vitriol about Gardy on whatever Blogspot thing I had at the time. I found it cathartic, and some friends seemed to get a kick out reading of it.

 

I was 18 then. It was a decade ago, damn near exactly.

 

The next spring I started an actual blog with a friend, and over the years I stuck with it, continuing to cover the team on a platform that continually evolved into what you read here today.

 

Through all those seasons, the manager of the team I covered was always the same guy. Gardenhire held the position for 13 years. That's pretty crazy. His was the second-longest active tenure in the majors. Across the rest of baseball, only five current managers have had their jobs for more than five years.

 

As I grew from dumb teenager into slightly-less-dumb adult, and developed from amateur blogger dude into occasionally-credentialed pseudo-media member, the lens through which I viewed Gardenhire changed dramatically.

 

Reading his quotes on a screen, I would often perceive an air of smugness, small-mindedness and maybe even pettiness. His snide comments about digital media, in particular, sometimes struck me that way.

 

But when you sit in a room with the man, and you hear him playfully bash "dot-com" along with anything else he can set his sights on, you see it in a different light. He's folksy. He's sarcastic. He's a master of deadpanning.

 

And yeah, he's old school. But while he might not always understand the changing dynamics of the way the game is covered and analyzed, at the end of the day, he gets it.

 

That's the thing that stuck with me on Monday afternoon as I watched the press conference held by the organization to announce Gardenhire's dismissal. He gets it.

 

Despite all the good arguments I've read over the past couple weeks explaining why Gardy might be on the way out, I had a hard time taking them seriously. I just couldn't picture this particular press conference playing out.

 

And how could anyone have pictured what actually ended up transpiring? Here you had Gardenhire, sitting next to the man who had just fired him, cracking jokes and pleasantly answering questions about his termination. It was bizarre.

 

It shouldn't have been bizarre, though. In fact, as I watched it unfold, I found myself wondering why more teams and managers can't part so amiably. Usually the firing of an executive or coach is an awkward and drama-filled affair, but there wasn't a shred of contention in the room Monday.

 

Gardy confessed that he would like to keep managing and would have preferred to do it here, but said he understands the situation and the need to move on. He acknowledged that "sometimes people need to hear a different voice." That's a rare level of self-awareness.

 

People can justifiably complain about the culture of the Twins being overly chummy, and loyal to a fault; in many ways Gardenhire's tenure -- and certainly his departure -- embodied that. But when the team on the other side of downtown is holding bumbling press conferences about child abuse, it's refreshing to watch a strangely amicable presser like the one that took place at Target Field this week.

 

At the end of the day, I think this was the right move, and I agree with Gardy. A different voice is probably needed -- hopefully one that is a little more in-tune with analytics and modern game strategy theory.

 

But I will miss the guy. He's been the skipper ever since I truly started paying attention to the Twins, and it's going to be weird analyzing decisions and dissecting quotes from someone different.

 

Gardenhire represented a longstanding continuity in the organization, one which will be shaken to the very core in the likely event that most of the coaching staff is replaced.

 

I tend to think that a manager's impact on game outcomes is generally overstated, but certainly, the identity of this club is going to change. Maybe for the better. That's intriguing -- not just to me and the hardcores, but to the general public.

 

This is what the Twins needed right now. We'll see where they take it from here.

 

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[Brock Beauchamp]

You might remember this particular game. A plainly overmatched rookie named Jason Kubel went 0-for-6 while Lew Ford (who was in prime "LEWWW!" form) sat on the bench. Joe Nathan was sent out to pitch a third inning of relief after the Twins had taken a 12th-inning lead, and he coughed up the game while running on fumes.

I was sitting in Angel Stadium that night, watching the Angels face the Red Sox in the playoffs. I was wearing a Twins hat and people kept shouting updates to me. Surrounded by BoSox fans (including my friends sitting with me), we were all united against the Yankees.

 

And then Nathan came out for a third inning. Despite the fact that the Red Sox were beating the Angels, the entire section deflated a bit because Sox fans were so desperate to see the Yankees lose (and subsequently not face them in the ALCS) that the entire section briefly became Twins fans.

 

I was livid at Gardenhire that night.

[Mike Sixel]

That was a terribly managed game, imo......

 

I always said this about Gardy,

 

1. Seemed a bit condescending, but most coaches do. I think in person, I'd love his personality, on the radio, it came off, off to me. Kind of like my posts on line, frankly.

 

2. He clearly does something right in managing the personalities (as a whole, maybe not for every individual, but who could). Something he does/did worked a lot over his career.

 

3. His tactical decisions often left me wondering about his understanding of probability. 

 

That was about the classiest firing we will ever witness, probably. You feel bad for the man, while at the same time being hopeful about the future. My point with wanting him gone was mostly about the fresh voice. Companies don't usually run well with the same person in charge for over a decade. 

[Gernzy]

I agree with Mike. I've never had any real issues with Gardy, but I am looking forward to a fresh start. Next season is going to be interesting.

[Badsmerf]

Funny how that decision has remained vivid for so long. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

As was typical of playoff games during that era, the Twins had squandered an early lead and they wilted in the late innings. In this case the management from Gardenhire was especially baffling.

I don't know how typical it was -- the Twins only blew one playoff game lead in 10 games in 2002, and none in their 4 games in 2003.

 

Even in 2004, only Game 4 really felt like a blown lead.  In Game 2, we only briefly held leads in innings 2-3 and then again in the top of the 12th.  It really was a comeback game for the Twins, on the road no less, not that there wasn't an unhealthy dose of mismanagement involved.

 

And I don't know how far your era extends, but in the 2006 playoffs, the Twins never held a lead which to squander.  (2009 and 2010 actually fit your remark best -- the Twins led, albeit mostly early/briefly, in 5 of the 6 games, with 2009 Game 2's blown save and 2010 Game 1's 6th inning being the biggest/worst.)

 

These are minor nitpicks, though.  I certainly share your feelings about that 2004 Game 2.  What's weird is while that game featured several memorable poor decisions by Gardenhire, it really was the 2006 playoffs that seems to best capture the Twins playoff ineptitude under Gardy: no obvious mistakes or blown games, just thorough (if sometimes fairly close) losses.

[bird]

Tactical blunders by managers in important games will always be vividly recalled by a team's most rapid fans. Those decisions get dumber by the year in the retelling of them, in my opinion. Even smart decisions that backfire in important games will often later become dumb moves as memories fog up. A manager's better tactical decisions will be forgotten. 

 

The consensus view of Gardy's weakness as a manager is as a tactician. Gardy may always be under-appreciated compared to the Billy Martins and Gene Mauchs in my view, because they were thought of as strong tacticians, although I personally question whether either of them managed a bullpen staff as well as Gardy. Both were perhaps weaker when it came to maintaining harmony in the clubhouse. 

 

Having seen every Twins manager in action since 1961, I'll remember Gardy as being up there with the Mauchs, Martins, and Kellys rather than down there with the Irmers, Gardners, and Lavagettos.

[Boom Boom]

It's always been my impression that Gardenhire had his favorites - I'm thinking guys like Punto, Blackburn, and Capps, whose on-field play probably didn't warrant the rope they got under Gardenhire.

 

I'm sure every manager gets criticized for that to a degree, whether better options exist at the time or not.

[Seth Stohs]

The one remaining option in the bullpen was Jesse Crain, who at that time had about 4 weeks of big league time. The reasoning certainly was that it wasn't fair to bring him in in that situation at that time... But in retrospect, which is a wonderful thing, he maybe should have.

[Otto von Ballpark]

The one remaining option in the bullpen was Jesse Crain, who at that time had about 4 weeks of big league time. The reasoning certainly was that it wasn't fair to bring him in in that situation at that time... But in retrospect, which is a wonderful thing, he maybe should have.

Seth, this is all kinds of incorrect.  Nathan was only the 4th reliever used by the Twins that night.

 

In addition to Crain, J.C. Romero was also available among traditional relievers (indeed, Romero was called upon once Nathan tied the game and loaded the bases with only one out).  Lohse and Mulholland were also on the roster if we were worried about the game continuing beyond the 12th inning (it would have been Lohse's "throw day" even if they wanted him to start Game 4 of that series).

 

Furthermore, Crain was quite effective that season, and was only used to face 2 batters, both during the Game 3 blowout loss, and none during the two games we lost in extra innings with Nathan on fumes and mop-up man Lohse.  I am sure the team was glad we were "fair" to him, though!  (An aside, do you think starting rookie Jason Kubel -- who's MLB career was even shorter than Crain's at that point -- at DH was fair?  How about letting him bat against Mariano Rivera in a key spot with Ford on the bench?)

Edited September 30, 2014 by spycake

[Otto von Ballpark]

And I don't even mind that Nathan started the 12th inning -- pushing your best players in close, important games is a great thing, IMO.  8-9-1 batters due up, try to ride the hot hand.  But you've got to have a backup plan when your closer is past 40 pitches (not to mention, pitching for the second consecutive night) -- IIRC, Gardy didn't even have another reliever warming until Nathan was well into trouble.  (And Nathan, for his part, made it clear as day when he was losing it -- four straight balls to the number 9 hitter is about as clear a signal as you will see.)

 

Thanks for bringing this up, Nick.  

Edited September 30, 2014 by spycake

[JB_Iowa]

I have always thought that Hardy's greatest strength was also his greatest weskness--that was his unbounding loyalty. It led to the continued presence of Anderson and sometimes to sticking with players that were clearly hurting Morneau when he had the back problem). But I also think that sense of loyalty was what got the team to stick together in some of those magical seasons.

 

Nevertheless it was time tor a change.

[JB_Iowa]

autocorrected badly -should have speller out Gardenhire

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I always thought Hardy's greatest strength was his glove.

[Devereaux]

2004 ALDS Game 2 was the game I fell out of love with Jacque Jones. He didn't even try to get Jeter out at home from right field on Matsui's fly, instead throwing to 1B Matthew LeCroy.

 

[Kwak]

I don't know how typical it was -- the Twins only blew one playoff game lead in 10 games in 2002, and none in their 4 games in 2003.

 

Even in 2004, only Game 4 really felt like a blown lead.  In Game 2, we only briefly held leads in innings 2-3 and then again in the top of the 12th.  It really was a comeback game for the Twins, on the road no less, not that there wasn't an unhealthy dose of mismanagement involved.

 

And I don't know how far your era extends, but in the 2006 playoffs, the Twins never held a lead which to squander.  (2009 and 2010 actually fit your remark best -- the Twins led, albeit mostly early/briefly, in 5 of the 6 games, with 2009 Game 2's blown save and 2010 Game 1's 6th inning being the biggest/worst.)

 

These are minor nitpicks, though.  I certainly share your feelings about that 2004 Game 2.  What's weird is while that game featured several memorable poor decisions by Gardenhire, it really was the 2006 playoffs that seems to best capture the Twins playoff ineptitude under Gardy: no obvious mistakes or blown games, just thorough (if sometimes fairly close) losses.

Your  memory is a bit hazy.  Game 1--challenged Thomas--HR.  Game 2--Twins had a lead late, I believe two baserunners, Gardenhire calls "prevent defense" retreating OFers just about to warning track.  A shallow pop-up to CF, and Hunter goes "all-in" to catch it--he doesn't. Ball scoots by him for an inside-the-park HR.  Game 3--started a damaged Brad Radke--predictable result.  Garza was left off of the playoff roster.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Your  memory is a bit hazy.  Game 1--challenged Thomas--HR.  Game 2--Twins had a lead late, I believe two baserunners, Gardenhire calls "prevent defense" retreating OFers just about to warning track.  A shallow pop-up to CF, and Hunter goes "all-in" to catch it--he doesn't. Ball scoots by him for an inside-the-park HR.  Game 3--started a damaged Brad Radke--predictable result.  Garza was left off of the playoff roster.

If that's the case, then Baseball-Reference is also a bit hazy.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2006_ALDS2.shtml

[notoriousgod71]

To me Gardenhire's worst move was taking Santana out in Game 4 with a low pitch count after five innings.

 

A close second is his over-managing with his bullpen. There is never a need to burn four relievers in an inning.

 

Honestly, I thought he got progressively worse (or perhaps just let everyone pass him up). In 2002 he made the right moves in leading off Jones and naming Guardado closer.

 

The reluctance to use Santana in the rotation was baffling.

 

Bringing Brian Bass into the eight inning of a tie game is beyond stupid.

 

Batting Brendan Harris second on a consistent basis is awful.

 

Having Guerrier face A-rod countless times despite complete ownage is ridiculous.

 

I can't even really comment on the last four years as there was really nothing he could do with this lineup.

[ashbury]

I always thought Hardy's greatest strength was his glove.

J.J. Gardyhire - first player/manager since Rose!

[Otto von Ballpark]

To me Gardenhire's worst move was taking Santana out in Game 4 with a low pitch count after five innings.

I believe Santana told him he was done.  Wouldn't have mattered anyway, even if he went 7, Rincon was the "8th inning guy" and blew that game very quickly.

[one_eyed_jack]

That particular game in '04 doesn't stand out in my memory as a mismanaged one.  But the various postseason disappointments kinda blend together for me at times, I just remember throwing things and swearing a lot.

 

But seriously, if we're talking about dubious Gardenhire post season moves, the one that stands out to me is Game 1 of the 2010 ALDS - he left Frankie in one batter too long, and Granderson made him pay with a 2-run triple that turned a 3-2 lead into a 4-3 deficit.  

 

Frankie cruised for much of the night, but the Yanks started to hit him, and you could tell Liriano was a bit rattled.  I would have brought in Fuentes to face the Grandyman there.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

To me Gardenhire's worst move was taking Santana out in Game 4 with a low pitch count after five innings.

 

which sounds a lot like what Ned Yost did with James Shields tonight, pulling him with a lead early in the sixth inning and bringing in another starting pitcher, who promptly surrendered a crushing home run. Bet Yost would like to have that one back.

 

The Guerrier-A-Rod thing was pretty ridiculous thanks for reminding. But a lot fell on Nathan and the players too. What can you do. Gardy got stubborn as the years went on but as we see with Yost and Ausmus, Gardy was not really any worse than any other manager, and probably better than the ones representing the Central this season. Again though, just time for both sides to move on.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

2004 ALDS Game 2 was the game I fell out of love with Jacque Jones. He didn't even try to get Jeter out at home from right field on Matsui's fly, instead throwing to 1B Matthew LeCroy.

again, thanks for the reminder.

[Otto von Ballpark]

which sounds a lot like what Ned Yost did with James Shields tonight, pulling him with a lead early in the sixth inning and bringing in another starting pitcher, who promptly surrendered a crushing home run. Bet Yost would like to have that one back.

Santana was on short rest that day.  Shields was on full rest today.

 

And as I mentioned above, it didn't really matter.  Balfour was lights out in the 6th and 7th innings.  Rincon was going to pitch the 8th inning any way you slice it.

 

It's one of the reasons I like to keep pitching changes to a minimum -- you never know when one guy just isn't going to have it one day, and before you know it, it will be too late.  But that's awfully hard to do with a starter on short rest.