The story broke early this afternoon that Twins have terminated manager Ron Gardenhire, per several media sources:
I can confirm: Ron Gardenhire has been let go by the #MNTwins.
— Phil Mackey 🎙 (@PhilMackey) September 29, 2014
Ron Gardenhire is out.
— Patrick Reusse (@Patrick_Reusse) September 29, 2014
Reports: Ron Gardenhire out as #MNTwins manager http://t.co/BQ8pin0BcA
— Twins Daily (@twinsdaily) September 29, 2014
There has been no official statement from the organization, but it appears that Gardenhire has managed his last game for the Minnesota Twins. UPDATE: The Minnesota Twins Twitter account has announced that the organization has, in fact, terminated Ron Gardenhire.
The #MNTwins announced today that they will replace Ron Gardenhire as manager in 2015.
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) September 29, 2014
The team has scheduled a 3pm CT press conference to announce the move.
UPDATE: (1:09PM) Gardenhire makes public comments regarding termination:
UPDATE: (1:30pm) Players and staff’s comments are beginning to be made public on the decision to terminate Gardenhire:
(1of2) Tough day inside @Twins family. So grateful for what Ron Gardenhire has contributed - on and off the field - since joining org in '87
— Dave St. Peter (@TwinsPrez) September 29, 2014
(2of2) Ton of W's, developed many players, but's it's the way Gardy treats people that I will always remember. Ron & Carol are 100% class.
— Dave St. Peter (@TwinsPrez) September 29, 2014
Fien: "It’s sad to see (Gardenhire) go. He’s a players’ coach and a guy you want to fight for and win for." (1 of 5)
— RandBall (@RandBall) September 29, 2014
Just talked w/@BrianDozier: "Pretty saddening. Gardy's the only manager I've had. I respect the heck out of him. Unbelievable manager."
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) September 29, 2014
I have nothing but the utmost respect for Gardy and the rest of our staff. They worked their asses off day in and day out.
— Coach Trev (@trevorplouffe) September 29, 2014
UPDATE: (2:09PM) Twins send email out to season ticket holders, explaining decision. Per Eric Perkins:
Twins to season ticket holders via e mail: Ron Gardenhire will not return... as a season ticket holder you remain among our most valued fans
— Eric Perkins (@PerkatPlay) September 29, 2014
2/2.../and we felt it was important to share perspective surrounding this decision and the direction of the franchise.
— Eric Perkins (@PerkatPlay) September 29, 2014
UPDATE: (2:42PM) Gardenhire hints that his refusal to change staff may have played into the decision to terminate him. Per Aaron Gleeman:
Ron Gardenhire indicated he wouldn't have stuck around if Twins had asked him to change coaching staff, saying "that wouldn't have flown."
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) September 29, 2014
UPDATE: (2:55PM) For those looking to watch the press conference at 3pm, it will be on television on all local television stations. For those looking to stream it online:
Today's press conference with Ron Gardenhire and Terry Ryan will be streamed live in roughly 10 minutes at http://t.co/uFEQEDLKNy
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) September 29, 2014
UPDATE: (3:10PM) Quotes from today’s press conference:
General Manager Terry Ryan:
“Ron and I met…and it was mutually agreed upon we would go in this direction”
“This a little bit of a difficult day for a lot of us.”
“He’s (Ron Gardenhire) a big part of the history of this franchise. He’s won a lot of games.”
“I thank his family for letting us borrow him for this many years”
“The reason for this change, I think it’s safe to say, the last couple years we haven’t won enough games.”
“This isn’t just one person’s opinion. We decided to make this change.”
“He (Gardy) has been offered a position in this organization”
Ron Gardenhire:
“I’m very proud that I’ve ran this organization as the manager for so many years.”
“This organization has been very good to me”
“I’m out of here because we didn’t win. That’s what it gets down to in baseball.”
“I’ll move forward and see where it takes me from here.”
“Pohlad family has been great to me.”
In regards to the media: “You guys have been very kind to me — not lately.”
“I’m not done managing, I don’t think.”
“Didn’t know which way it was going to go. I had questions to ask myself to Terry. Maybe this is time. Time for a change.”
FINAL UPDATE: (3:48PM) Press conference concludes with some hugs and some laughs. A very surreal scene for a press conference announcing a firing. Very Minnesota and very Ron Gardenhire.
I’ll have some thoughts about all this later. For now, I hope this assisted with your keeping up to speed!