MPR's Tom Scheck reports that the Minnesota Twins may not be a team next year but at least they have a new manager. The team announced third base coach Ron Gardenhire will receive a two year guaranteed contract to replace Tom Kelly, contraction or not.
Gardenhire has been a coach with the Twins since 1991 and says he's preparing for next season even though the Twins are at the top of the list for folding under baseball's contraction plans.
TOM SCHECK: Twins general manager Terry Ryan and new manager Ron Gardenhire say they're excited about the Twins' future. They say, the young team has the potential to build on last year's second place finish in the American League Central. But both Ryan and Gardenhire acknowledge the team's bright on-the-field prospects could be darkened by Major League Baseball's contraction plans.
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig announced in early November, his plans to eliminate two teams. The teams haven't been identified. But Twins owner Carl Pohlad said, his club is at the top of the list. Gardenhire says, even so, he'll move forward with his plans to field a team on April 1.
RON GARDENHIRE: Opening day seems like it's going to be very mild compared to this winter. As far as this all hanging over your head, I can't control a lot of those things. All I can do is try to get this team ready now to play baseball.
TOM SCHECK: Ryan said he was ready to move forward with his plans to sign a new manager after Tom Kelly retired at the end of the season. But he suspended his hiring efforts after contraction was announced in early November. He says, Gardenhire was a top candidate, along with bench coach Paul Molitor. Molitor withdrew his name from consideration for the job last month because of the team's uncertain future.
In the past two weeks, the Twins finally started moving ahead with their plans for next season. The team announced its 2002 schedule, its spring training schedule, and now, Gardenhire as manager. Ryan says, Major League Baseball told all 30 teams last week to operate as if they were going to play in 2002 but to remain flexible.
TERRY RYAN: Contraction's a serious issue, and this is just a step that if we play, we want a manager. We want to have a recognizable figure to lead this ball club. There's a chance that we could be decent this year.
TOM SCHECK: Ryan says, Gardenhire's two year contract will be guaranteed even if the team folds. Major League Baseball officials were unavailable to comment.
Twins third baseman Corey Koskie says, he's happy with Gardenhire's promotion and relieved the team finally named a manager. He says, he'd like to see. Major League Baseball end contraction talk.
COREY KOSKIE: In some aspects, I think it's a relief. And I wish they just give us the 100% go ahead to just get going here. I'm the kind of guy who hopes for the best and plans for the worst kind of thing. And until contraction is off the table, that's when I believe it kind of thing. But it's exciting that we're able to take a step forward here.
TOM SCHECK: While Koskie, Gardenhire, and the players are moving ahead with plans to start spring training in six weeks, lawyers for the Twins and Major League Baseball are trying to eliminate one of the hurdles to contraction. The League and team have appealed to Hennepin County judge's injunction, requiring the Twins to play in the Metrodome next season.
The Minnesota court of Appeals has not said when it will issue a ruling. Gardenhire says, he hopes to name the rest of his coaching staff in the next week. I'm Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio.
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