Ron Gardenhire: 'If people are fired up at me, I understand'

The Twins manager had some telling things to say Friday in a radio interview.

May 4, 2012 at 8:15PM
Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, left, continues to yell at umpire Greg Gibson after Gardenhire was thrown out of the baseball game against the New York Yankees during the third inning at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, April 17, 2012.
Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, left, continues to yell at umpire Greg Gibson after Gardenhire was thrown out of the baseball game against the New York Yankees during the third inning at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, April 17, 2012. (Associated Press - Ap/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

1500-AM recorded a pretty telling interview with Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, which is set to air at 12:35.

A sneak peak at what Gardy had to say, as posted on the station's web site:

"I laid it on the line and probably hurt some feelings, which that's OK too. We have to play better. We have to get some things done here, and some people aren't living up to what we thought out of spring training, and there's going to be changes. There's no doubt there's going to be changes. We can't continue like this."

"(GM) Terry (Ryan) and I have already talked today. We're going to try to figure things out. He's got to do what he's got to do, but I know I'm accountable. I put this ball club together out of spring training. We thought we took the best players, and right now it's not working out. ... If I'm a fan I'd probably doing the same thing. We're not playing very good baseball, we lost 99 games last year. ... I don't blame people for being upset. ... They can point it at me and I'll take it. I'll wear it all day long. I know the guys are trying, I know my staff's trying. ... If people are fired up at me, I understand."

Gardenhire also talked about perhaps putting Joe Mauer in the No. 2 spot in the lineup. Your thoughts, as always, in the comments.

about the writer

about the writer

Michael Rand

Columnist / Reporter

Michael Rand is the Minnesota Star Tribune's Digital Sports Senior Writer and host/creator of the Daily Delivery podcast. In 25 years covering Minnesota sports at the Minnesota Star Tribune, he has seen just about everything (except, of course, a Vikings Super Bowl).

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