Gardenhire signs extension with Twins
The Minnesota Twins have missed the playoffs only once in Ron Gardenhire’s five seasons running the team. That was the year he learned the most about managing.
Using those lessons learned in 2005, Gardenhire helped guide a remarkable turnaround this summer that led to another American League Central title for the Twins. He agreed Friday to a two-year contract extension with the team that will keep him in the dugout through 2009.
Fresh from a stressful season marked by conflicts in the clubhouse, a lifeless lineup and an 83-79 record, Minnesota was just 25-33 this year before starting a surge in early June that ended with a dramatic win of the division on the final day of the regular season.
The Twins, who were swept in the first round by the Oakland Athletics, won 96 games, one fewer than the New York Yankees and Mets among the major league leaders.
Their comeback was largely fueled by three changes: left-hander Francisco Liriano’s promotion to the starting rotation; the release of Tony Batista and subsequent takeover at third base by Nick Punto; and Jason Bartlett’s recall from the minors to play shortstop and prompt a trade of Juan Castro.
“You see how different people react when it’s not going exactly the way you want it to,” Gardenhire said, thinking back to 2005. “We saw that this year, early in the year. We figured that out a lot quicker, that we knew we needed to make some adjustments. I think if we had waited much longer, we wouldn’t have made it.”
Rested duo set for Game 1
Sean Casey and Joel Zumaya of the Detroit Tigers made it a worthwhile week off.
Sidelined by injuries during the A.L. Championship Series, they rested and rehabbed and got themselves ready for the World Series. They’re set to play tonight in Game 1 against St. Louis.
Casey hurt his left calf in the ALCS opener and did not play again during the sweep over Oakland. That forced Detroit to find another first baseman and put someone else in the No. 3 slot in the batting order.
“I’m going to be ready to go,” Casey said. “I’m glad we had the waiting because it definitely helped me.”
Casey was traded from Pittsburgh to the Tigers on July 31. A three-time All-Star and career .302 hitter, he made his major league debut in 1997 and had never played in the postseason until this year.
“I didn’t want to miss this,” he said.
Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he was leaning toward using Casey as the designated hitter in Games 1 and 2. There will be no DH when the Series shifts to the National League park.
“He will play in St. Louis, as it appears right now, unless there’s some type of setback,” Leyland said. “Don’t etch it in stone, but it looks like he’s going to be ready to go.”
Zumaya, the rookie reliever who routinely throws fastballs more than 100 mph, was limited to one inning in the ALCS because of a right wrist problem.
Around the league
The Boston Red Sox hired Dave Magadan to replace Ron Jackson as hitting coach, after the team had the third-worst batting average in the A.L. this season. … Red Sox manager Terry Francona has accepted an offer to manage a team of major leaguers on an exhibition tour of Japan in November. … Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Jason Repko underwent a high-frequency ultrasound to promote healing of the plantar fascia in his left foot. … Lawyers for baseball players and owners met into the evening as they pushed to reach a labor deal. The current contract expires Dec. 19, and the negotiations have been held without public acrimony for the first time in more than three decades.