Major League Baseball Player, Coach & Manager. For ten seasons (1954 to 1963), he was a second baseman, shortstop and third baseman with the New York Giants, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox. Born William Frederick Gardner, he attended Chapman Technical High School in Connecticut, prior to being signed as an amateur free agent by the New York Giants in 1945. Following high school graduation, he served with the United States Army shortly after the conclusion of World War II. He made his Major League debut on April 22nd, 1954 and played in 62 games with the New York Giants' team which won the world championship (1954). After he was acquired by the Baltimore Orioles, he saw his playing time dramatically increase and in 1957, he led the league in doubles with 36. He experienced a world championship in 1961 with the New York Yankees and recorded one at bat during the 1961 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. In 1,034 career regular season games, he compiled 841 hits, with a .237 lifetime batting average. After retiring as a player, he began a lengthy coaching career, initially with the Boston Red Sox (1965 to 1966), followed by more than a decade as a Minor League manager. He served on the Montreal Expos' coaching staff from 1977 until 1978 and succeeded John Goryl as manager of the Minnesota Twins (1981 to 1985). His final field assignment was a brief stint as manager of the Kansas City Royals (1987). His son Billy Gardner Jr. was a longtime Minor League coach and manager.
Major League Baseball Player, Coach & Manager. For ten seasons (1954 to 1963), he was a second baseman, shortstop and third baseman with the New York Giants, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox. Born William Frederick Gardner, he attended Chapman Technical High School in Connecticut, prior to being signed as an amateur free agent by the New York Giants in 1945. Following high school graduation, he served with the United States Army shortly after the conclusion of World War II. He made his Major League debut on April 22nd, 1954 and played in 62 games with the New York Giants' team which won the world championship (1954). After he was acquired by the Baltimore Orioles, he saw his playing time dramatically increase and in 1957, he led the league in doubles with 36. He experienced a world championship in 1961 with the New York Yankees and recorded one at bat during the 1961 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. In 1,034 career regular season games, he compiled 841 hits, with a .237 lifetime batting average. After retiring as a player, he began a lengthy coaching career, initially with the Boston Red Sox (1965 to 1966), followed by more than a decade as a Minor League manager. He served on the Montreal Expos' coaching staff from 1977 until 1978 and succeeded John Goryl as manager of the Minnesota Twins (1981 to 1985). His final field assignment was a brief stint as manager of the Kansas City Royals (1987). His son Billy Gardner Jr. was a longtime Minor League coach and manager.
Bio by: C.S.
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