Twins look for new manager

The Minnesota Twins fired manager Ron Gardenhire on Monday, saying it was time for a new voice after his 13-season tenure concluded with at least 92 losses in each of the last four years.

The move was made with one season left on Gardenhire’s contract, ending the second-longest active tenure in the major leagues behind Mike Scioscia of the Angels.

“The reason for this change, I think it’s safe to say, the last couple years we have not won enough games,” Twins general manager Terry Ryan said. “That’s what it comes down to. It’s nothing more, nothing less than that.”

Gardenhire played an integral role in the franchise’s renaissance, guiding the Twins to their first of six American League Central Division titles in 2002 in his first year on the job. But Gardenhire’s teams only got out of the first round once, and his postseason record was 6-21 with the last win coming in 2004.

Cubs begin renovation

Hard hats have replaced baseball caps at historic Wrigley Field as the Chicago Cubs prepare to start a massive renovation project.

The first phase of the $575 million project is to include new bleachers and seven outfield signs. One sign will be bigger than the existing manual centerfield scoreboard.

The project is starting despite a legal fight between the team and owners of rooftop businesses across the street.

Clearing the bases

Rookie right-hander Matt Shoemaker and outfielder Josh Hamilton are both making progress in their hopes of returning from injuries for the Los Angeles Angels’ postseason. … The Twins say former manager Tom Kelly is recovering after suffering what the team calls a minor stroke last week. … MLB attendance has dipped slightly for the second straight season, as teams drew 73,739,622 for an average of 30,458, a 0.2 percent drop from last year’s average of 30,515. … A.J. Hinch has been introduced as the new manager of the Astros.