The Minnesota Twins announced their three new team Hall of Famers:
Gardenhire began his managerial career as skipper of Minnesota in 2002 following the retirement of fellow MINHOFer Tom Kelly. He led the team for the next 13 seasons, leading the team to six American League Central crowns while being named the AL Manager of the Year in 2010. The Twins cratered in Gardy’s final four seasons at leading the team, finishing three times in the basement of the division, but Gardy’s leadership during the late playoff seasons should be remembered more. He finished his Twins tenure with a record 1,068 wins and 1,039 losses.
Gladden spent five seasons as a twin, ending his tenure with a pair of World Series titles. A starting left fielder and the team’s first lead hitter during his Minnesota days, Gladden amassed a .268/.318/.382 slant line, hitting 38 homers and stealing 116 bases. “Dazzle” is probably best known among Twins fans for his grand slam in Game 1 of the 1987 World Series and his brace in the final leg of the 1991 Fall Classic that led to him scoring the series winning race.
Tovar began his MLB career with the Twins as a part-timer in 1965, but became a regular the following season and remained a mainstay or near the top of the team’s roster until 1972. A super-utility man who played all nine positions in a single game in 1968, Tovar played at least 200 games at five different positions during his 12-year MLB career. As a twin, Tovar cut .281/.337/.377, leading the American League with 204 hits in 1971.
The three will be officially inducted during the Hall of Fame weekend on August 20 or 21.
Congratulations to all three, who will forever be remembered as key figures in Minnesota baseball.