DETROIT — Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire announced his immediate retirement Saturday about an hour before a game against the Cleveland Indians, saying he has been “stressed out” and not feeling well.
The news came in an abruptly called video conference around 5 p.m. as the Tigers prepared to play the Indians at Comerica Park.
Bench coach Lloyd McClendon is taking over as manager for the rest of the season, which is scheduled to end Sept. 27. The Tigers were 21-29 heading into their game Saturday and unlikely to make the postseason.
Gardenhire, who turns 63 next month, was in his third season in Detroit after he a 13-year run with the Minnesota Twins that included six American League Central titles.