Former Twins manager Billy Gardner dies at 96

He managed Minnesota from 1981-85.

Billy Gardner, who managed the Twins from 1981-85, died on Wednesday. He was 96.

Gardner was involved in baseball for 22 years, both as a player and manager. The Waterford, Conn., native played for five different teams across his 10-year MLB career and was the Twins’ second baseman on Opening Day in their inaugural season in 1961.

Gardner joined the Twins as a third-base coach during the 1981 season and was promoted to manager on May 23, 1981, to replace Johnny Goryl. While Gardner never led the Twins to the playoffs, he did begin the foundation of the Twins’ World Series teams by incorporating young players like Kent Hrbek, Kirby Puckett, Frank Viola and Tim Laudner into the lineup.

He had a 268-353 record during his time in Minnesota.

Gardner hired to be the third-base coach for the Kansas City Royals in 1987 but eventually became the manager after then-Royals manager, Dick Howser, was diagnosed with a brain tumor and forced to retire during the team’s spring training.

Gardner is survived by his wife, Barbara, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Billy Gardner / Minnesota Twins