Gardenhire gets 2-year extension from Twins to '11

[November 14, 2008]  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Twins have signed manager Ron Gardenhire to a two-year contract extension through the 2011 season.

Despite trading ace Johan Santana, the Twins went 88-75 and nearly made the playoffs, losing a tiebreaker to the Chicago White Sox for the AL Central title.

Gardenhire has led the Twins to four division titles in seven seasons, and the team has finished with a winning record six times.

Minnesota also re-signed pitching coach Rick Anderson, bench coach Steve Liddle and the rest of Gardenhire's top staff.

[Associated Press]

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