overdue

The Minnesota Twins refused to let the Chicago White Sox make a move on them in the American League Central. In a crucial series for the Sox at U.S. Cellular Field over the previous three days, the Twins won all three games, expanding their lead in the division to nine games. So, essentially, it’s over. The Twins are going to win the division for the sixth time in Ron Gardenhire’s nine years as their manager. Here’s an interesting fact: Former Jackson Met Gardenhire has been runner-up for the AL manager of the year award five times. He’s never won it. Practically every year he takes a team with a middle-of-the-pack payroll and steers it into the playoff chase. He hasn’t won a pennant yet, but just getting to the playoffs these days is tough enough. Doing it six times in nine years, in Minnesota, that’s impressive. Surely Gardenhire will get his just reward this year.