Gardenhire out as Twins manager

Updated 5:15 p.m.

Ron Gardenhire will not return as the Minnesota Twins manager next year, the team said Monday.

Tell us: Was it time for Gardy to go?

The news comes a day after the team finished its fourth year of 90-plus losses. Gardenhire had one year remaining on his contract and had expressed hope he would return.

The team will begin an immediate search "internally and externally" for the next manager the Twins said.

Gardenhire's coaching staff is also gone. The new coaches "will be determined by the new manager" together with General Manager Terry Ryan, the team said in its statement.

Gardenhire sat by Ryan this afternoon as Ryan confirmed to reporters that Gardenhire was out as manager.

Ryan said the decision was mutual and came down to the fact that the Twins simply haven't won enough games with Gardenhire.

Gardenhire first came to the Twins from the Mets in 1986 as a player. He spent a few years in the minor leagues before working a variety of coaching positions.

Ryan said that 28-year history with the team and their time together in New York made the decision especially tough.

"I feel like he's my brother, not my manager," Ryan said. "He's just a good baseball man."

Gardenhire took over as manager in 2002. He led the team to 1,068 wins and 1,039 losses in his 13 seasons at the helm.

His future seemed bright in 2010 when the Twins moved into Target Field and made the playoffs. He was named American League Manager of the Year.

But the team has stumbled badly since then while ex-players have succeeded elsewhere. Former Twins first baseman Justin Morneau won the National League batting title Sunday, after being traded in 2013.

Gardenhire was relaxed and matter-of-fact about everything on Monday, even joking around a bit with reporters. He certainly wasn't emotional and said the decision to let him go was the right one.

"I've been here a long time. I've been doing this a long time. Sometimes people need to hear a different voice," he said. "You know what? I have no problem with this."