Minnesota Twins Fire Baseball Manager Ron Gardenhire: “I’m Out Of Here Because We Didn’t Win"

The Minnetona Twins have fired manager Ron Gardenhire and his entire coaching staff, the team announced today.

Gardenhire managed the club for 13 seasons – leading the Twins to six playoff appearances and an AL Central title in 2010 – but had most recently notched four consecutive 90-loss seasons.

"The #MNTwins announced today that they will replace Ron Gardenhire as manager in 2015," the team wrote on its official Twitter page.

Gardenhire and General Manager Terry Ryan appeared at a press conference this afternoon to address the firing.

"I'm gone," Gardenhire said, according to the Star Tribune. "I'm out of here because we didn't win. That's the way it is in baseball. It's all about wins and losses. ... I'll move forward and see where it takes me from here."

Gardenhire does not believe, however, that his career as a coach has come to a close. "I'm not done managing, I don't think," he said.

He also says he has no hard feeling toward his longtime club, stating, "Sometimes people need to hear a different voice. They need a new face. I just want this organization to win; I'll be rooting just like everybody else."

And if Ryan has it his way, Gardenhire may continue rooting from the confines of Target Field. The GM revealed during the presser that he offered his former manager a new position with the team, though he did not specify what the new role would be.

"The reason for this change. I think it's safe to say, is the last couple of years we just haven't won enough games," Ryan said. "He will be very welcome to work here, if he so chooses."

As for Gardenhire's replacement, Ryan says he will consider candidates from both within and outside the Twins organization.

"It would nice to get a guy who is inside because they know the organization and how it works," Ryan said.