This team was left for dead when his best pitcher (arguably best pitcher in all of baseball) and his best position player (arguably best all around center fielder in baseball) bolted for better money and a change of scenery. Add to that the fact that Liriano didn't pitch this season til about the 2/3 mark. Fast forward and with 3 games left in the season, the Minnesota Twins are poised to win the AL Central division. The only issue with Gardenhire is his woeful post season record. To date, the Twins have yet to win a playoff series.
i have no idea but the talking heads seem to think so. they were saying last night he puts on a show with fundamentals in spring training and is the most respected guy out there.
I still go with LaRussa. The Cardinals had approximately 100 pitchers on the DL and they still hung around until the end this year. LaRussa has a lot more on his fingers than Gardenhire, too.
LaRussa bats his pitcher in the 8th spot. He cannot be considered based solely on that. The best manager in baseball is Mike Scioscia. And he wins in the playoffs (see World Series ring).
so 1100+ wins and 2 rings are erased because he bats his pitcher 8th? And Scioscia is a good, safe pick, too... But give me Anderson, Vlad, Tex, Hunter, etc... in the middle of my lineup with K-Rod and one of the best bullpens, I could win my share of games, too.
id go with sciosia just due to his style. he never lets up and his players bust ass. opposing pitchers hate facing his team from what I gather. I hate larussa. always have. plus he cant win without mascot eckstein.
The real credit for the Twins success should go to Terry Ryan. If someone gives me my own baseball team, and I can choose any manager I want, I'm taking La Russa.
