Sad: Former player and manager dies

Billy Gardner, a former MLB infielder and manager, died last week at the age of 96, according to the Hall of Fame (X link).

The Day in Gardner’s hometown of New London, Connecticut, has published an obituary.

Gardner, who was born in 1927, signed as a high school free agent with the then-New York Giants. He spent nearly a decade in their minor league system before breaking into the majors in 1954. From 1954 to 1955, the right-handed hitter appeared in 121 games for the major league club.

He won a ring as a rookie when the Giants swept the Indians in the 1954 Fall Classic, despite not playing in the series. The New York Yankees sold his contract to the Baltimore Orioles in April 1956. Gardner took over as Baltimore’s starting second baseman right away.

Over the next four seasons, he would have the most success as a player. Gardner led the American League in plate appearances (718) and doubles (36) that year. While his overall batting line of.262/.325/.356 was somewhat below league average, his longevity and defensive reputation garnered him some down-ballot MVP votes.

Gardner remained a regular in Baltimore until 1959. In 1960, the Orioles traded him to the Washington Senators. Gardner batted.257/.313/.363 in 649 plate appearances.

That was the franchise’s final season in Washington, D.C. During the 1960-61 offseason, the team relocated to Minnesota and was renamed the Twins. Gardner was a member of the first Twins squad before being dealt to the Yankees in the middle of the season for lefty Danny McDevitt.

It was a profitable trade for him, since he ended the year in the Bronx and won his second World Series triumph. He appeared in just one game during the Reds’ five-game winning streak.

Gardner’s playing career came to an end after he was traded yet again. Over parts of ten MLB seasons, he finished with a.237/.292/.327 batting line. In little over 3,900 plate appearances, he hit 41 home runs and 159 doubles. Gardner played over 8,000 innings of defense, the vast bulk of which were spent at the keystone.

His playing days did not mark the end of his baseball career. Gardner went on to coach for the Red Sox after his playing career ended. He worked his way up to an MLB coaching position with the Expos before returning to the Twins as a coach in 1981.

Within a few months, he was named manager to succeed Johnny Goryl. Gardner was the manager of the Minnesota Vikings for parts of five seasons. He was fired midway through the 1985 season after the team only reached.500 once (an 81-81 record in 1984).

He was given one more chance as a manager, leading the 1987 Royals to a 62-64 record before being removed by John Wathan. His teams completed with a record of 330-417 (44.2% win percentage).

MLBTR sends our condolences to Gardner’s family, friends and loved ones.