Minnesota Twins skipper Ron Gardenhire took home the American League's Manager of the Year Award today, Major League Baseball announced. Gardenhire led the Twins to a 94-68 record, the second-best in the American League and the third-best in the Majors overall, despite losing All-Star first baseman Justin Morneau for half the season due to injury, and never having the services of All-Star closer Joe Nathan, who injured his elbow in Spring Training and needed Tommy John surgery. Nonetheless, the Twins captured their second straight Central Division under Gardenhire's steady guidance.
"The thing that amazes me is there is never a complaint from him," Twins General Manager Bill Smith told MLB.com. "He always says, 'No one is going to feel sorry for us, we've got to go play the game.' He gets his guys ready to play."
This is Gardenhire's first Manager of the Year Award, having finished second five times in his eight previous seasons at the Twins' helm.