Former MLB infielder and manager Billy Gardner passed away last week at age 96, according to the Hall of Fame (X link). An obituary is available courtesy of The Day in Gardner’s hometown of New London, Connecticut.
Gardner, who was born in 1927, signed with the then-New York Giants out of high school. He played in their minor league ranks for almost a decade before reaching the majors in 1954. The right-handed hitter played sporadically at the MLB level from 1954-55, appearing in 121 games. He won a ring as a rookie when the Giants swept the Indians in the 1954 Fall Classic, although he didn’t make an appearance in the series. In April ’56, New York sold his contract to the Orioles. Gardner immediately stepped in as Baltimore’s starting second baseman.
He would have his greatest success as a player over the next four seasons. In 1957, Gardner led the American League in plate appearances (718) and doubles (36). While his overall .262/.325/.356 batting line was a little worse than league average, his durability and defensive reputation earned him some down-ballot MVP votes. Gardner continued to play regularly in Baltimore through 1959. The O’s flipped him across town to the Washington Senators in 1960. Gardner tallied 649 plate appearances with a .257/.313/.363 slash.
That wound up being the franchise’s final season in D.C. During the 1960-61 offseason, the organization uprooted to Minnesota and rebranded as the Twins. Gardner was briefly part of the original Twins team and was traded to the Yankees for lefty Danny McDevitt midseason. It proved a fruitful trade for him personally, as he finished the year in the Bronx and collected a second World Series title. He made one appearance in what would ultimately be a five-game triumph over the Reds.
Gardner closed his playing career in Boston after being traded yet again. He finished with a .237/.292/.327 line over parts of 10 MLB seasons. He hit 41 homers and 159 doubles in a bit under 3900 trips to the plate. Gardner played more than 8000 innings on defense, with the vast majority of that time coming at the keystone.
The end of his playing days didn’t mark the finale of his baseball career. Gardner transitioned to coaching with the Red Sox after his playing career concluded. He worked his way to an MLB staff with the Expos before rejoining the Twins as a coach in 1981.
Within a couple months, he was tabbed as manager to replace Johnny Goryl. Gardner held the managerial role in Minneapolis for parts of five seasons. The team only got to .500 once (an 81-81 record in 1984) and he was dismissed midway through the ’85 campaign. He got one more managerial opportunity, leading the 1987 Royals to a 62-64 mark before being replaced by John Wathan. His teams finished with a 330-417 record (44.2% win percentage).
MLBTR sends our condolences to Gardner’s family, friends and loved ones.
Vaya Con Dios, Amigo!
Baltimore to Washington wasn’t exactly “across town.”
“WELL ACKSHUALLY…”
Is that your Nutty Professor response?
Back then, yes.
These days, it can be faster to drive from DC to Baltimore than DC to the NoVA suburbs if you hit the traffic and the Potomac bridges at the wrong time.
I was referring to distance. They are different cities about 50 miles apart, only in the same metropolitan area by the loosest definition.
It kind of is
Heck of a career and a heck of a life. Well done.
Sorry, I love mlbtraderumors.com and don’t have anything against Baltimore beyond detesting the MASN deal, certainly nothing against the city itself, but Washington is not across town in relation to Baltimore. They are 50 miles and worlds apart.
No need to apologize.
Liked “detesting the MASN deal”
O’l Baron fighting the good fight once again for us! #BaronCarson2028
Never heard of this man in my life
The dude died – have a little empathy. I don’t know you either, but I’d feel bad for your family if you died.
At least show some respect
Well, I did. I watched him play. Maybe you’re to0 young to have seen him, but show respect.
Baseball didn’t begin in 1980, you know.
Have some respect for the dearly departed
You and 8 billion other people.
RIP Billy.
10-year career and even led the league in plate appearances and at-bats once. Which is more than most players can say. A good, solid career. RIP, Billy.
Led the league in dubs that year too with 36!
Yeah, and he got to experience one of the most magical seasons in Yankees history during the ‘61 HR race between the “M&M” boys.
I often wonder what it must be like for someone from that era (pre-WWII) to see our country and the world today. The changes to technology, law, science, society, etc, during his lifetime were unbelievable. He didn’t read about it, he lives it. From FDR to MLK & JFK, to Obama or Donald T.
Unfortunately, there are less than a handful of those ‘61 championship team members left (four, I think?).
Remember Billy as a manager. RIP.
Thank you for sharing Roger! Very cool. Many dream to have been in your shoes!!
RIP
I knew the name and the team when I read the link. I remember a baseball card taken from below at 10 o’clock, did they have manager cards in the late seventies/early eighties? (I googled it … 1983.)
For somebody who lived 1,700 miles away from there as a teenager, I remember. RIP
Baseball Reference says he bats right handed… the picture of him he’s batting left. Mirror image?
I remember him as a manager… he had a very solid playing career though. 2 time World Series champ… played on the ’61 yankees.
Nothing about Washington and Baltimore is “across town”. Cities separated by some 40 miles. And Marylanders really want nothing to do with DC.
He was a fine manager who got the most out of his teams. I was not old enough to see him play, but I knew some of those who did see him at the Polo Grounds thought his nickname of SLick was well-earned. RIP to a fine man and inspiring leader.
I wish Artie Moreno would follow him.