Gardy remains the winning constant http://www.startribune.com/stories/509/4991541.html Jim Souhan, Star Tribune September 21, 2004 CHICAGO -- The Twins conducted their low-key celebration, then filed off U.S. Cellular Field. Twins fans packed behind first base watched Torii Hunter and Shannon Stewart and Johan Santana, and this was the chant they chose: "Gar-dy! Gar-dy! Gar-dy!" Ron Gardenhire, Twins manager, standup comedian and man of the people, waved, then sprinted to the clubhouse. He dedicated his latest AL Central title to the hurricane victims of Florida, where he has made so many friends, and almost choked up at the thought. For those who watch Gardenhire emote daily like Robin Williams on espresso, this was the man in brief -- fiery, sentimental and stunningly successful. "This is why I got into this," Gardenhire said while holding a beer and a stogie late Monday night. "Watching your players and coaches celebrate never gets old." Gardenhire -- the guy who, Monday night, looked like a champagne-soaked Burl Ives -- just became the first Twins manager to win three consecutive division titles. He needs two more victories to become the seventh manager -- and first since the Mets' Davey Johnson in the mid-'80s -- to win 90 games in his first three years on the job. Not bad for a guy who prides himself on getting you to pick up his electrified beer can. Gardenhire has won despite constant turnover, key injuries and payroll limitations. And he has done so while displaying a sense of humor that could land him on the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. He has won despite friction with a handful of key players -- including A.J. Pierzynski, Denny Hocking, Doug Mientkiewicz and whichever pitcher just got taken out of the game. "I guess if you can't get along with Gardy, you get traded," center fielder Torii Hunter said with a laugh. Gardenhire established his bona fides in 2002, winning as a rookie with a team that hadn't reached the playoffs in 11 years. He proved he can weather storms in 2003, as a Twins clubhouse riddled with monetary complaints overcame a 71/2-game deficit at the All-Star break. This season he proved that it is he and his coaching staff, not the baby Twins of 2002, who are the constants when it comes to Twins success. Since they celebrated the division title in 2002, the Twins have lost Eddie Guardado, LaTroy Hawkins, Pierzynski, Hocking, Mientkiewicz, Dustan Mohr, Bobby Kielty, Eric Milton, Rick Reed and (to arm problems) Joe Mays. Players win games. What Gardenhire and his staff have proved is that different talented players can win under the right circumstances. "He should get a lot of credit," Hunter said. "It's up to him to set the right atmosphere in the clubhouse. He comes in here every day in a good mood -- whether he's really in one or not. If he has a problem at home, he doesn't bring it in here. If he's mad at a player, he doesn't take it out on the others. "We have a lot of young players who come up here who wouldn't have played worth a dang up here before." After games Gardenhire often looks as if he's just undergone electroshock therapy. "I'll tell him I was up all night worrying," pitching coach Rick Anderson said. "He'll say, 'I couldn't sleep, so I got up at 4:30 to write out lineups.'" Gardenhire frets over every decision but has adapted to public life. "I'm a little more seasoned," he said. "I used to take things a lot more to heart, phone calls or letters from fans. You finally realize that no matter how much you win, somebody will come after you. So just be yourself." The reality of his job is that there is no formula. You could name great managers who have been grumps and comics, disciplinarian and laissez-faire, intellectual and homespun. "Playing for Gardy is fun," said pitcher Terry Mulholland, who has played pro ball since 1984. "He's a good manager in all aspects of the game. "He cares not only about the game but about his players. He's not afraid to pull a pitcher if he thinks it will keep him healthy. "He understands that we as players wouldn't perform well if we weren't enjoying the game." Gardenhire succeeded in downplaying his difficult relationship with Pierzynski. He found himself in a public dispute with Mientkiewicz, who complained about Gardenhire before and after he was traded. Gardenhire called Mientkie- wicz into his office to explain his role, once Just in Morneau claimed first base. Mientkiewicz blasted Gardenhire, who didn't respond. "I won't rebut anything," Gardenhire said. "I don't need to. With Doug, I know what was said -- I said it. "If you play it that way, it will come back and get you eventually. Because you're the one not getting it done." Gardenhire just made history. The players who left? "I think it says a lot that a lot of the guys who left aren't doing as well as they did here," Anderson said. "That tells you all you need to know about Gardy." --

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