Gardenhire given contract extension

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Minnesota Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire, one day after winning American League manager of the year honors, has been given a two-year contract extension.

The Twins announced Thursday that Gardenhire, 53, is under contract through the 2013 season. Gardenhire on Wednesday learned he won the AL manager of the year award. It was his first after finishing runner-up five times in eight years.

"We are thrilled to have Ron Gardenhire and one of the best coaching and training staffs in baseball returning for the next two years," Twins General Manager Bill Smith said in a statement. "Gardy and his staff have done tremendous work over the past nine seasons and they have played a critical role in our success on the field."

The Twins are 803-656 over the nine seasons Gardenhire has been their manager. In that time they've won six division titles and never finished lower than third. Gardenhire's win total is second only to Tom Kelly (1,140) for the franchise record.

Minnesota also announced Thursday that it signed pitching coach Rick Anderson, bench coach Steve Liddle, bullpen coach Rick Stelmaszek, third base coach Scott Ullger, hitting coach Joe Vavra and first base coach Jerry White to two-year contracts, which will run through the 2012 season.