Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire retired today, effective immediately, and will be replaced by bench coach Lloyd McClendon for the rest of the season.
Gardenhire, 63, has been dealing with various health issues, and recently they’ve led to shaking in his hands.
Avila said Gardenhire announced his intention to retire in a meeting this afternoon.
"He mentioned to me he was going to retire and he wasn't feeling well from a health perspective," Avila said.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) September 19, 2020
Gardenhire he has been getting shakes in his hands from the stress involved.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) September 19, 2020
Gardenhire released a statement through the Tigers as well, thanking the organization for their support:
A message from Gardy. pic.twitter.com/xmkPqLe33I
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) September 19, 2020
Gardenhire took the Tigers job ahead of the 2018 season, embarking on what was always going to be a rebuilding project. At the time it was seen as a curious fit; Gardenhire, after all, had most of his success grinding out wins with the Minnesota Twins, taking them to a series of playoff appearances (and inevitable losses to the Yankees.)
And the rebuild did indeed come to pass, with Gardenhire’s Tigers winning 64 games in 2018 and just 47 last year. This season had been better in the small sample, pandemic-shortened year, but they were still just 21-29 with 10 games remaining and the playoffs likely out of reach.
Gardenhire was likely not going to return anyway, and obviously given the health issues, this is a very scary situation, and given Covid-19 it makes all the sense in the world for Gardenhire to return home. Hopefully he makes a full recovery.
Lloyd McClendon takes over, and he also has a lengthy managerial career to draw upon, having managed over 1,100 games across stints with the Pirates and Mariners.
About Jay Rigdon
Jay is a columnist at Awful Announcing. He is not a strong swimmer. He is probably talking to a dog in a silly voice at this very moment.