Friday, September 13, 2013

#213 - Billy Gardner


What a card: Billy Gardner was entering his final season as the Twins' manager at the time this card was issued. He wouldn't make it through the 1985 season, getting fired near the end of June.

My observation on the front: Gardner does not seem to be enjoying what he sees from his 1984 Twins.

More opinion from me: Gardner was one of those managers who I had never heard of when he was hired. I thought he was a career minor leaguer, when in fact he played in the majors for 10 years and actually had 169 hits for the 1957 Orioles.

Something you might know: Gardner took over as manager for the Royals in 1987 after Dick Howser was forced to abandon his comeback attempt while battling a malignant brain tumor. Gardner didn't last the season, getting fired in August and replaced with John Wathan.

Something you might not know: Gardner started at second base in the first game played by the Minnesota Twins. In a 6-0 loss to the Yankees on April 11, 1961, Gardner went 1-for-3 with a single.


My observation on the back: I know the bio writer wants you to think that 241 wins is a lot, but Gardner's won-loss record with the Twins was 268-353.

The blog wants to speak now: The Movies category is updated.

1 comment:

Rob said...

1985 Topps was my first factory set as a kid, and this card scared me.