Tom Kelly Retires

NetShrine · 10-13-2001, 10:38 AM

Any thoughts on Tom Kelly? BTW, whatever happened to MLB's rule of no "news" during the post-season as to not take away the spotlight?

Twins' Kelly retires after 15 seasons, two World Series titles

By DAVE CAMPBELL
.c The Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - In the words of the best player he managed in 15-plus seasons with the Minnesota Twins, Tom kelly was a fundamental freak.

``He was so excited to see a man tag up on the ball or break up a double play,'' said Kirby Puckett, the Hall of Fame outfielder who played for Kelly for 12 seasons before glaucoma forced his retirement in 1996. ``Just playing the game right. He tried to get the best out of every single individual in their own way.''

Kelly retired Friday with the longest current tenure of any coach or manager in major pro sports, two World Series titles, 1,140 victories, 1,244 defeats.

``It's just been a fantastic ride for me,'' Kelly said. ``Everybody's been wonderful to me. It's a good time for me to step aside and let somebody else take over.''

Bench coach Paul Molitor and third-base coach Ron Gardenhire are possibilities to replace him. Molitor, a Minnesota native, got his 3,000th hit as a member of the Twins in 1996.

``It'll take some time,'' said general manager Terry Ryan, who along with owner Carl Pohlad and president Jerry Bell tried to talk Kelly out of retiring several times after he told them his decision two weeks ago.

Kelly plans to remain with the organization in some capacity and will help Ryan choose his replacement.

``We'll try to find the best person for the job,'' Ryan said. ``I will certainly consult and discuss with Tom the various things he has a better feel for as a manager. That's going to be invaluable for me.''

The 51-year-old Kelly, who led the Twins to World Series titles in 1987 and `91, has long been one of baseball's most respected managers but came under fire after Minnesota's eighth straight losing season in 2000.

After persuading Pohlad to bring him back with a one-year contract, Kelly guided the young Twins to an 85-77 record and a second-place finish in the AL Central - their best since 1992.

He was extremely tough - some would say unfairly - on youngsters, and often sarcastic and sometimes sour with the media. But he was always quick to blame himself for mistakes he made managing and never accepted credit for the team's success.

When the Twins mobbed each other on the pitcher's mound after winning the World Series, he watched from the dugout.

``The game is about the players,'' Kelly said. ``It's not about the manager.''

His boss appreciated his loyalty.

``It'd be easy to be a manager for 15 years if he had a big payroll, a large revenue and you can keep the players coming,'' Ryan said. ``He certainly had the opportunity to go elsewhere through the years.''

Despite the Twins' success this year, Kelly's body was starting to tell him it was time to quit.

``Whether it's the travel catching up to me or the stress of the job, there were days where I felt somewhat tired,'' he said. ``A little worn out.''

Still, he disproved his doubters.

``I heard more than once that some people had thought the game had passed me by,'' Kelly said. ``That really upset me some. I knew I wanted to do it for one more year.''

He leaves behind a bright future for the small-market Twins, who struggled throughout the 1990s with one of the lowest payrolls in the game.

``It was a lot of hard work, but I think we've now found the right combination of people,'' Kelly said. ``I believe the ballclub is now set and ready to go in the right direction, as exemplified by what they did this year.''

Third baseman Corey Koskie, one of several young stars locked up to long-term contracts, will miss his manager.

``I guess I'm saddened because he's helped me out a great deal in my career,'' Koskie said. ``Hopefully, I can keep moving forward.''

Pohlad ordered the small-market Twins' payroll slashed in 1998 as the losses piled up and attempts at funding a new ballpark stalled, and Minnesota wound up using 18 rookies in 1999. The Twins led the AL in losses in two straight seasons, and Kelly seemed to be losing patience with the inexperienced, low-budget club.

But Kelly was invigorated in spring training and said he had grown attached to his young team. The Twins started 18-6 and led the Cleveland Indians by five games at the All-Star break.

A second-half slump dropped the Twins out of the pennant race. Kelly, though, was satisfied with what they accomplished and the way they closed the season by beating the Chicago White Sox for second place.

``Unfortunately the manager couldn't find a way to stop that prolonged bump,'' Kelly said. ``It was really important that we won (the Chicago series). Yes, it was for second. But it was for something.''

Something for the fans, too.

Kelly seemed just as satisfied that the Twins drew an average of 9,000 more fans per game than last season as he did with the team's success.

``I believe we generated interest again,'' Kelly said. ``The last few years, we probably lost some. That was very rewarding for me.''

AP-NY-10-13-01 0310EDT

Duque · 10-13-2001, 12:31 PM

I'm surprised he's only 51. I guess his tenure (or, as Rickey would say: "Tenure? Hell, 15 years!") made me think of him as kind of an implacable old icon of Minnesota baseball.

He's done some great things with his team this year, but regular turnover in sports is a good thing, and I think Kelly realizes it's time to pass the torch.

NetShrine · 10-13-2001, 01:06 PM

Gotta love Rickey-speak!

Kelly may be only 51, but, I'm sure that the 1990, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 seasons put many many more years on his life.

Two rings aside, half the time he was there, the Twins sucked.

jpalexa · 10-14-2001, 12:40 AM

Wonder if he'd consider a "retirement" home in Atlanta...

NetShrine · 10-14-2001, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jpalexa
Wonder if he'd consider a "retirement" home in Atlanta...

Not happy with Bobby Cox?

jpalexa · 10-14-2001, 02:02 PM

Is anyone? His post-season record speaks for itself. His players' lack of fundamental execution is glaring. I would welcome a season or two of Kelly -- though I wonder how the veterans would take to him after such a long stint with Cox?

NetShrine · 10-14-2001, 02:11 PM

Wow! I've never been a Cox fan. (Please, no jokes!) But, I had no idea that some in his town were down on him. I never liked him because he comes across as an uneducated sour puss - - and the wife beater thing. JP - - this just you or others in Hotlanta?

The guys is probably going to end up in Cooperstown, ya know.

jpalexa · 10-14-2001, 03:48 PM

The Bobby Haters are in the majority here in Atlanta, that's for sure. I don't like how he manages, I don't like that he slapped his wife around. I credit the majority of the Braves' success this past decade to Schuerholz, not Cox. Cox will get into the HOF at the expense of the Braves' front office, not because he is a good manager. Look at his managerial record pre-Schuerholz (pre-1991) versus post-Schuerholz (1991 to present):

+----+--------+-----+----+----+------+------+
Games Wins Losses PCT Place
+----+--------+-----+----+----+------+------+
1978 Atlanta 162 69 93 .426 6
1979 Atlanta 160 66 94 .412 6
1980 Atlanta 161 81 80 .503 4
1981 Atlanta 107 50 56 .472 4
1982 Toronto 162 78 84 .481 6
1983 Toronto 162 89 73 .549 4
1984 Toronto 163 89 73 .549 2
1985 Toronto 161 99 62 .615 1
1990 Atlanta 97 40 57 .412 6
+----+--------+-----+----+----+------+------+
1978-1990 1335 661 672 .495
+----+--------+-----+----+----+------+------+

1991 Atlanta 162 94 68 .580 NL 1
1992 Atlanta 162 98 64 .605 NL 1
1993 Atlanta 162 104 58 .642 1
1994 Atlanta 114 68 46 .596 3
1995 Atlanta 144 90 54 .625 WS 1
1996 Atlanta 162 96 66 .593 NL 1
1997 Atlanta 162 101 61 .623 1
1998 Atlanta 162 106 56 .654 1
1999 Atlanta 162 103 59 .636 NL 1
2000 Atlanta 162 95 67 .586 1
+----+--------+-----+----+----+------+------+
1991-2000 1554 925 599 .595
+----+--------+-----+----+----+------+------+
TOTAL 2889 1616 1271 .560
+----+--------+-----+----+----+------+------+

I am not convinced that Cox suddenly got better in 1991...not even with steroids! Sorry -- Cox sux, in my book.

NetShrine · 10-14-2001, 09:11 PM

Could some say that it was Cox' moves as GM that made the team so good?

I know some (not me) that say Torre bascially took over a team that Showalter primed. (I don't agree - - this Yankee team of the last few seasons is much different than the one in 1995.)

jpalexa · 10-15-2001, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NetShrine
Could some say that it was Cox' moves as GM that made the team so good?

Hey, you know? That's not a bad observation at all. And I'll bet Cox has had his say (somewhat) as to what talent to bring in and ship out.

But it is not his judgment of talent that I question, but how he handles it on the field. In general, it seems like the Braves of the '90s are one of the most underachieving organizations of all time.

My gut feeling is that if the Joe Torre were managing the Braves with Schuerholz as GM, then it would be a Tomahawk Dynasty, not a Pinstripe Dynasty.

NetShrine · 10-15-2001, 01:40 PM

Any whispers on who would be next in line if Cox retires? Leo M?

mainsr · 10-15-2001, 02:29 PM

Don't you think it's a little funny that Kelly retired after having a decent season?

I was never a big Kelly fan. I think he messed with young players' minds, for the most part (although he has been bizarrely patient with LaTroy Hawkins). Still, the Twins have always been cursed with astonishingly cheap ownership, and he did get the franchise its only two WS championships, so who knows.

Apparently Ron Gardenhire and Paul Molitor are the current front-runners for the field job. I have a hunch that Molitor would be a flop.

NetShrine · 10-15-2001, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mainsr
Don't you think it's a little funny that Kelly retired after having a decent season?

I think he may just un-retire soon if the right job comes along. His pricetag has to better for him coming off a good year.

Not sure on Molitor? What makes you think this?

mainsr · 10-16-2001, 09:40 AM

1. The history of good ballplayers being crummy managers. (Yes, I know the words "Joe Torre" are already on your lips, but he's the exception and, of course, not as good a player as Molitor.)

2. I don't think Molitor has the temperment. Actually, he's hard to figure out. On one hand, he seems like a classic Minnesota nice guy. On the other hand, he's a former cokehead. Neither tend to make great managers.

3. I think Molitor would have a harder time making something of the meager talent the Twins will always have as long as Pohlad owns the team than Gardenhire. Just a hunch.

NetShrine · 10-16-2001, 10:37 AM

Heard that Terry Ryan just finished interviewing Gardenhire for the job.

I NEVER get this - - the guy has been your 3B coach for what, a million years?, and you have to interview him? You should know without asking him whether you want him or not.

Rob - good point on great players/bad MGRs. See: Ted Williams.

10-13-2001, 10:38 AM	#1
NetShrine Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 4,617	Tom Kelly Retires Any thoughts on Tom Kelly? BTW, whatever happened to MLB's rule of no "news" during the post-season as to not take away the spotlight? Twins' Kelly retires after 15 seasons, two World Series titles By DAVE CAMPBELL .c The Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - In the words of the best player he managed in 15-plus seasons with the Minnesota Twins, Tom kelly was a fundamental freak. ``He was so excited to see a man tag up on the ball or break up a double play,'' said Kirby Puckett, the Hall of Fame outfielder who played for Kelly for 12 seasons before glaucoma forced his retirement in 1996. ``Just playing the game right. He tried to get the best out of every single individual in their own way.'' Kelly retired Friday with the longest current tenure of any coach or manager in major pro sports, two World Series titles, 1,140 victories, 1,244 defeats. ``It's just been a fantastic ride for me,'' Kelly said. ``Everybody's been wonderful to me. It's a good time for me to step aside and let somebody else take over.'' Bench coach Paul Molitor and third-base coach Ron Gardenhire are possibilities to replace him. Molitor, a Minnesota native, got his 3,000th hit as a member of the Twins in 1996. ``It'll take some time,'' said general manager Terry Ryan, who along with owner Carl Pohlad and president Jerry Bell tried to talk Kelly out of retiring several times after he told them his decision two weeks ago. Kelly plans to remain with the organization in some capacity and will help Ryan choose his replacement. ``We'll try to find the best person for the job,'' Ryan said. ``I will certainly consult and discuss with Tom the various things he has a better feel for as a manager. That's going to be invaluable for me.'' The 51-year-old Kelly, who led the Twins to World Series titles in 1987 and `91, has long been one of baseball's most respected managers but came under fire after Minnesota's eighth straight losing season in 2000. After persuading Pohlad to bring him back with a one-year contract, Kelly guided the young Twins to an 85-77 record and a second-place finish in the AL Central - their best since 1992. He was extremely tough - some would say unfairly - on youngsters, and often sarcastic and sometimes sour with the media. But he was always quick to blame himself for mistakes he made managing and never accepted credit for the team's success. When the Twins mobbed each other on the pitcher's mound after winning the World Series, he watched from the dugout. ``The game is about the players,'' Kelly said. ``It's not about the manager.'' His boss appreciated his loyalty. ``It'd be easy to be a manager for 15 years if he had a big payroll, a large revenue and you can keep the players coming,'' Ryan said. ``He certainly had the opportunity to go elsewhere through the years.'' Despite the Twins' success this year, Kelly's body was starting to tell him it was time to quit. ``Whether it's the travel catching up to me or the stress of the job, there were days where I felt somewhat tired,'' he said. ``A little worn out.'' Still, he disproved his doubters. ``I heard more than once that some people had thought the game had passed me by,'' Kelly said. ``That really upset me some. I knew I wanted to do it for one more year.'' He leaves behind a bright future for the small-market Twins, who struggled throughout the 1990s with one of the lowest payrolls in the game. ``It was a lot of hard work, but I think we've now found the right combination of people,'' Kelly said. ``I believe the ballclub is now set and ready to go in the right direction, as exemplified by what they did this year.'' Third baseman Corey Koskie, one of several young stars locked up to long-term contracts, will miss his manager. ``I guess I'm saddened because he's helped me out a great deal in my career,'' Koskie said. ``Hopefully, I can keep moving forward.'' Pohlad ordered the small-market Twins' payroll slashed in 1998 as the losses piled up and attempts at funding a new ballpark stalled, and Minnesota wound up using 18 rookies in 1999. The Twins led the AL in losses in two straight seasons, and Kelly seemed to be losing patience with the inexperienced, low-budget club. But Kelly was invigorated in spring training and said he had grown attached to his young team. The Twins started 18-6 and led the Cleveland Indians by five games at the All-Star break. A second-half slump dropped the Twins out of the pennant race. Kelly, though, was satisfied with what they accomplished and the way they closed the season by beating the Chicago White Sox for second place. ``Unfortunately the manager couldn't find a way to stop that prolonged bump,'' Kelly said. ``It was really important that we won (the Chicago series). Yes, it was for second. But it was for something.'' Something for the fans, too. Kelly seemed just as satisfied that the Twins drew an average of 9,000 more fans per game than last season as he did with the team's success. ``I believe we generated interest again,'' Kelly said. ``The last few years, we probably lost some. That was very rewarding for me.'' AP-NY-10-13-01 0310EDT

10-13-2001, 12:31 PM	#2
Duque NetShrine's Desperado Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Southern CA Posts: 2,638	I'm surprised he's only 51. I guess his tenure (or, as Rickey would say: "Tenure? Hell, 15 years!") made me think of him as kind of an implacable old icon of Minnesota baseball. He's done some great things with his team this year, but regular turnover in sports is a good thing, and I think Kelly realizes it's time to pass the torch. __________________ Bad Andy It's such a fine line between stupid and clever.

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10-13-2001, 01:06 PM	#3
NetShrine Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 4,617	Gotta love Rickey-speak! Kelly may be only 51, but, I'm sure that the 1990, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 seasons put many many more years on his life. Two rings aside, half the time he was there, the Twins sucked.

10-14-2001, 12:40 AM	#4
jpalexa Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 397	Wonder if he'd consider a "retirement" home in Atlanta...

10-14-2001, 02:02 PM	#6
jpalexa Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 397	Is anyone? His post-season record speaks for itself. His players' lack of fundamental execution is glaring. I would welcome a season or two of Kelly -- though I wonder how the veterans would take to him after such a long stint with Cox?

10-14-2001, 02:11 PM	#7
NetShrine Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 4,617	Wow! I've never been a Cox fan. (Please, no jokes!) But, I had no idea that some in his town were down on him. I never liked him because he comes across as an uneducated sour puss - - and the wife beater thing. JP - - this just you or others in Hotlanta? The guys is probably going to end up in Cooperstown, ya know.

10-14-2001, 03:48 PM	#8
jpalexa Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 397	The Bobby Haters are in the majority here in Atlanta, that's for sure. I don't like how he manages, I don't like that he slapped his wife around. I credit the majority of the Braves' success this past decade to Schuerholz, not Cox. Cox will get into the HOF at the expense of the Braves' front office, not because he is a good manager. Look at his managerial record pre-Schuerholz (pre-1991) versus post-Schuerholz (1991 to present): +----+--------+-----+----+----+------+------+ Games Wins Losses PCT Place +----+--------+-----+----+----+------+------+ 1978 Atlanta 162 69 93 .426 6 1979 Atlanta 160 66 94 .412 6 1980 Atlanta 161 81 80 .503 4 1981 Atlanta 107 50 56 .472 4 1982 Toronto 162 78 84 .481 6 1983 Toronto 162 89 73 .549 4 1984 Toronto 163 89 73 .549 2 1985 Toronto 161 99 62 .615 1 1990 Atlanta 97 40 57 .412 6 +----+--------+-----+----+----+------+------+ 1978-1990 1335 661 672 .495 +----+--------+-----+----+----+------+------+ 1991 Atlanta 162 94 68 .580 NL 1 1992 Atlanta 162 98 64 .605 NL 1 1993 Atlanta 162 104 58 .642 1 1994 Atlanta 114 68 46 .596 3 1995 Atlanta 144 90 54 .625 WS 1 1996 Atlanta 162 96 66 .593 NL 1 1997 Atlanta 162 101 61 .623 1 1998 Atlanta 162 106 56 .654 1 1999 Atlanta 162 103 59 .636 NL 1 2000 Atlanta 162 95 67 .586 1 +----+--------+-----+----+----+------+------+ 1991-2000 1554 925 599 .595 +----+--------+-----+----+----+------+------+ TOTAL 2889 1616 1271 .560 +----+--------+-----+----+----+------+------+ I am not convinced that Cox suddenly got better in 1991...not even with steroids! Sorry -- Cox sux, in my book.

10-14-2001, 09:11 PM	#9
NetShrine Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 4,617	Could some say that it was Cox' moves as GM that made the team so good? I know some (not me) that say Torre bascially took over a team that Showalter primed. (I don't agree - - this Yankee team of the last few seasons is much different than the one in 1995.)

10-15-2001, 01:40 PM	#11
NetShrine Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 4,617	Any whispers on who would be next in line if Cox retires? Leo M?

10-15-2001, 02:29 PM	#12
mainsr NetShrine All-Century Team Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Posts: 1,557	Don't you think it's a little funny that Kelly retired after having a decent season? I was never a big Kelly fan. I think he messed with young players' minds, for the most part (although he has been bizarrely patient with LaTroy Hawkins). Still, the Twins have always been cursed with astonishingly cheap ownership, and he did get the franchise its only two WS championships, so who knows. Apparently Ron Gardenhire and Paul Molitor are the current front-runners for the field job. I have a hunch that Molitor would be a flop.

10-16-2001, 09:40 AM	#14
mainsr NetShrine All-Century Team Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Posts: 1,557	1. The history of good ballplayers being crummy managers. (Yes, I know the words "Joe Torre" are already on your lips, but he's the exception and, of course, not as good a player as Molitor.) 2. I don't think Molitor has the temperment. Actually, he's hard to figure out. On one hand, he seems like a classic Minnesota nice guy. On the other hand, he's a former cokehead. Neither tend to make great managers. 3. I think Molitor would have a harder time making something of the meager talent the Twins will always have as long as Pohlad owns the team than Gardenhire. Just a hunch.

10-16-2001, 10:37 AM	#15
NetShrine Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 4,617	Heard that Terry Ryan just finished interviewing Gardenhire for the job. I NEVER get this - - the guy has been your 3B coach for what, a million years?, and you have to interview him? You should know without asking him whether you want him or not. Rob - good point on great players/bad MGRs. See: Ted Williams.

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