Kim Klement – USA Today Sports
The Minnesota Twins have lost 85 games this season, the most recent being a 1-12 defeat at the hands of the Chicago White Sox.
Let’s just take a second to reflect on that one: 1-12, to the White Sox.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire is in the midst of leading his team, guns blazing, to 100 losses. It’s not that one man is to blame for the Twins’ third consecutive losing season, but that doesn’t mean a major change won’t do the organization good.
Losing Gardenhire would be a tough break for all of Minnesota. Gardy has been with the organization since 1991, and has been the manager since 2002. Over those years, Twins fans have learned to love their hot-headed manager, whose 67 ejections rank ninth most among all managers in MLB history.
Despite his short fuse on the field, Minnesota fans know Gardy as a down-to-earth family man who is passionate about his players.
Those in support of keeping Gardenhire would encourage us to look at what he has done for the Twins, including maintaining a winning record (996-936 in 12 years). Since 2002, the Twins have finished above .500 in eight of 12 seasons. Gardy has also led the Twins to six NL Central titles and was even named AL Manager of the Year in 2010. Not too shabby.
While we could reminisce on the glory days all we want, what matters is that Gardenhire has led his squad to three consecutive losing seasons. The numbers don’t lie. Gardy has not performed his managerial duties in recent years and for this, the Twins should let him go.
I’m not going to act like it won’t be difficult to say goodbye to Gardenhire, but it seems like the best decision for the organization right now. The Twins’ upper management needs to make some significant changes to avoid half a decade of losing seasons, and a fresh outlook in the dugout is just what Minnesota needs.
For now, we will all have to play the waiting game. If the Twins decide to give Gardy another shot, they will likely be disappointed. It’s time to let go and move on. Rip the Band-Aid already, Minnesota — it’s better for everyone in the long run.
Caroline Ponessa is a Minnesota Twins writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter @sweetCaro_____
