Ron Gardenhire retired today as manager of the Detroit Tigers. He notified the team prior to today’s game. He’s previously dealt with cancer, has diabetes, and has had stomach problems this year. His decision was based on his health and stress.
He was the Minnesota Twins manager for 13 seasons, led them to six division titles, accumulated a 1068-1039 record, and garnered the 2010 AL Manager of the Year award. He led the Tigers through the depths of a tear-down/rebuild. With a .420 record, they’d shown definite improvement thus far this year, but are still not likely to make the playoffs this year. His overall record with the Tigers was 138-241. Lloyd McClendon will skipper the Tigers for the remainder of the season.
He was Tom Kelly’s bench coach with the Twins, 1991-2001, prior to taking over as manager. As such, he has a World Series ring as a member of the 1991 team. He was also bench coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks between his stints with the Twins and Tigers. As a player, he spent 5 seasons as a replacement-level infielder with the NY Mets, 1981-1985.
A long, happy and healthy retirement to him.
Fan Interference 
His contract was up after this season and general consensus was that he wasn’t interested in returning. He also had said if the team had a Covid outbreak he would have to seriously consider leaving. Fortunately the Tiggers have avoided the plague. I don’t blame Gardy one bit for putting his health first. I just hope this doesn’t make it easier for the Tiggers to carry over to 2021 with Lloyd McClendon as manager. I want someone from another organization with experience developing young players but I don’t think Avila and Ilitch are interested in doing a proper search. The spector of Jim Leyland still has a big say in the decision making process and he won’t want someone who won’t lick his boots.
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