The Minnesota Twins, after a fourth consecutive losing season, finally looked in their dugout and gave the man from Okmulgee, Oklahoma the axe. The Twins fired Ron Gardenhire. It is unknown who the Twins will go after to fill Gardenhire’s role as manager. Many fans will remember Ron Gardenhire for his fiery temper with umpires, especially umpire Joe West.

A well respected commentator from the Twins radio booth once told me a story about the former Twins manager and the major league umpire. When the former Twins manager was unhappy with a call from the ump, West told Gardenhire, “Don’t step on my dirt.” Ron was ejected for arguing balls and strikes.