Ron Gardenhire enjoys visiting Cedar Rapids Kernels, being back in baseball

CEDAR RAPIDS — Peoria Manager Joe Kruzel blew a gasket Friday night.

He disagreed vehemently with a foul-ball call on a line drive one of his players hit down the left-field line in a game against the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Kruzel argued with the home-plate umpire, argued some more, got ejected, then went into full blown-gasket mode, turning his helmet backward and screaming some more before finally departing.

From the opposing dugout, Ron Gardenhire was admiring it all.

'He reversed a helmet. Only catchers do that,' Gardenhire said with a smile, prior to Saturday night's rain-delayed Kernels' 9-2 win over Peoria. 'But you know what, it's part of the game. They've kind of gotten rid of a lot of that up there (in the big leagues) with challenges and all of that stuff. Like you said, last night, that was fun. I enjoyed it. He entertained me.'

Gardy was known for a few spirited arguments during his 13 years as manager of the Minnesota Twins. He was let go after the 2014 season but rehired by the Twins this spring as a special assistant to General Manager Terry Ryan.

Part of his duties include touring around the Twins minor-league system, including a weekend stop here, evaluating and helping tutor players, managers and coaches.

'Pretty much all of that,' Gardenhire said. 'Answer questions, see how they're doing, help them with anything they need ... Kind of look over the players, watch them and see how they are progressing.

'You're always on the development side (including the) major leagues, when you're managing and coaching, whatever. It's all about development, no matter where you're at. In the major leagues, the players are just a little more refined. But you know what, this has been fun. I've been through Rochester, then to Chattanooga, to Fort Myers and now here. I've covered them all up to this point. It's been fun to see all the different levels. Takes you back to when you managed in the minor leagues and watching them play. The growing experiences, the growing pains, as they say. I've gotten to see a little bit of all of it.'

It says a lot about Gardenhire that the Twins thought enough of him to bring him back into the organization after his managerial career ended. He'd been in the organization as a minor-league manager and big-league manager or coach since 1988.

He interviewed for the manager's job this past offseason with the San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals but didn't get them and reportedly turned job an offer from the Padres to be their bench coach.

'Wonderful,' he said, of his year away from baseball. 'I didn't really get nervous watching the games last year on TV. And I got to where I was watching a lot of them. It was fun watching the Twins as it went along. It was a little tough early because I'd been there. Then also being down in Fort Myers (where he lives) when spring training was going on, that was a little different. But it's been enjoyable. I spent a lot of time with my new grandbaby, who is about 18 or 19 months old now. A little boy, Ronnie Jr. My wife and I spent a lot of time traveling, seeing family and visiting different places. It was refreshing.

'But it is nice to get back into the game. To sit in the dugout, hear all the BS flying around.'

Gardy will head to the Twin Cities after his stay here to spend time with Ryan and observe the Twins. It'll be his first trip to Target Field since the fall of 2014.

He admits he's a bit trepidatious.

'It's going to be different going back to the ballpark,' he said. 'I want them to do their thing. They've got enough going on for me to interrupt. I want to say hi to the guys, haven't done that in a long time. I've stayed away on purpose, letting them have their freedom and everything. I've had a lot of guys ask me 'Where in the hell are you?' I want to go up there and say hi, sit and watch a game at Target (Field). It's a beautiful stadium.'

Gardenhire was asked if he felt he would get another opportunity to be a manager in the majors.

'That's not up to me,' he said. 'If somebody is interested in me, and they want to talk, I'm always willing to talk with them and see what we've got. Would I like to? Absolutely. I loved managing in the big leagues, running a ballclub. If I get another opportunity, great. If I don't, I'm content and know I've had a good career in the game. The Twins have given me a helluva career.'

The Kernels (31-24) scored seven runs the first three innings against fireballing Peoria starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (4-4) to win going away. Alcantara touched 100 miles per hour with a first-inning fastball, but Cedar Rapids torched him for eight hits.

J.J. Fernandez had a long two-run home run over the 403-foot sign in right-center as part of a four-hit night. He also walked, coming up a triple shy of the cycle.

Zander Wiel and Sean Miller also had three hits apiece. Starting pitcher Cody Stashak (3-3) threw the first six innings to pick up a win on his 22nd birthday.

The game began an hour and 41 minutes late because of rain. The teams conclude their three-game series Sunday afternoon at 2:05.

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