Toby Gardenhire

Toby Gardenhire
Gardnehire with the New Britain Rock Cats in 2006
Minnesota Twins – No. 66
Shortstop / Manager / Coach
Born: (1982-09-11) September 11, 1982
Manhasset, New York, U.S.
Bats: Right[1]
Throws: Right[1]
Teams
Career highlights and awards
  • FSL Coach of the Year 2019

Toby Joel Gardenhire (born September 11, 1982) is an American professional baseball manager and former shortstop who currently serves as the field coordinator for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). The son of Ron Gardenhire, Toby grew up around baseball and was drafted by the Twins.

After spending time in the minor leagues, he retired from playing and began a coaching and managing career. He was the manager of the Twins-affiliated St. Paul Saints beginning in 2021. He was hired as the Field Coordinator for the Minnesota Twins in 2025 under new manager Derek Shelton.

Early life

Toby Joel Gardenhire was born on September 11, 1982, in Manhasset, New York. He is the son of former MLB player, coach, and manager Ron Gardenhire and Carol Gardenhire.[2][3] Growing up, the Gardenhire family lived in Kansas. However, for part of the year they would live wherever Ron was managing. As such, Toby would occasionally attend Roseville Area High School, where he once played against Cretin-Derham Hall and Joe Mauer at Midway Stadium.[2]

Gardenhire was originally selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 38th round of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft, but instead chose to attend the University of Illinois, playing for their baseball team.[4][5]

Playing career

Toby Gardenhire was again drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 41st round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft, spending most of his time as a utility player, and playing for the New Britain Rock Cats and the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings.[6][1] Like his father, Toby was known more for his glove than his bat. After hitting .247 in 103 games at Rochester in 2011, Toby finished with a career line of .232/.291/.274, with six home runs, in 533 minor league games, while seeing playing time at all nine defensive positions, including 2+2⁄3 innings as a pitcher.[1]

Coaching career

In 2012, Gardenhire became the head coach for the University of Wisconsin-Stout baseball team. He joined the Twins system in 2016, spending time with the Rochester Red Wings and the Cedar Rapids Kernels on the coaching staff.[7][8] He became the manager of the Kernels in 2018.[8] In 2019, he managed the Fort Myers Miracle, for which he received the Florida State League Coach of the Year award.[3][2] In his first two years managing, his record was 151–121.[2][4] From 2021 to 2025, Toby managed the Twins' Triple-A affiliate, the St. Paul Saints.[9]

On November 14, 2025, Gardenhire was hired to serve as the field coordinator for the Minnesota Twins.[10]

Personal life

Gardenhire competes in a bowling league in West Saint Paul.[2] He and his wife Sara have a son, Bodie.[11]

Managerial record

Team Year Regular season Postseason
Games Won Lost Win % Finish Won Lost
Cedar Rapids Kernels 2018 139 77 62 .554 4th ? ?
Fort Myers Miracle 2019 133 74 59 .556 3rd – –
St. Paul Saints 2021 120 61 59 .508 10th 6 4
St. Paul Saints 2022 150 74 76 .493 10th (tie) – –
St. Paul Saints 2023 150 84 64 .568 3rd – –
St. Paul Saints 2024 149 70 79 .470 13th – –
Saints total 567 289 278 .510
Total 839 440 399 .524

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Toby Gardenhire Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e Helfand, Betsy (January 22, 2021). "New Saints manager Toby Gardenhire forges his own path". Pioneer Press. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Toby Gardenhire Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  4. ^ a b Hayes, Dan (May 26, 2018). "In first year as Cedar Rapids manager, Toby Gardenhire following dad's lead". The New York Times. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  5. ^ "Back Again, Gardenhire Returns For Fifth Season As Saints Manager, Joined Again By Schlechter, Three New Coaches Join Staff". MiLB.com. January 21, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  6. ^ "41st Round of the 2005 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  7. ^ Johnson, Jeff (December 9, 2017). "New Cedar Rapids Kernels Manager Toby Gardenhire returns to pro ball after 5 years coaching in college". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  8. ^ a b Bernreuter, Hugh (July 24, 2018). "Gardenhire having fun in minors at Cedar Rapids with father in bigs at Detroit". The Muskegon Chronicle. p. C3. Retrieved January 28, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Park, Do-Hyoung (January 19, 2021). "Toby Gardenhire to manage St. Paul Saints". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  10. ^ "Twins Hire Mark Hallberg As Bench Coach". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  11. ^ "New Dad, Toby Gardenhire, Gets Perfect Father's Day Gift, Wins 100th Game As Saints Manager While On Paternity League, 11-10 Over Clippers". MiLB.com. June 19, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
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