Tom Kelly

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Kelly's managerial journey began in the minor leagues after his playing days ended. He joined the big-league staff as third-base coach in 1983 under Billy Gardner and Ray Miller before succeeding Miller on September 12, 1986. His leadership style was defined by intense loyalty; he famously told reporters prior to the 1991 World Series that managing without a designated hitter was "right up there with rocket science," though he admitted he was being facetious about the difficulty of double switches and substitutions. The 1991 season saw the Twins set a club record with 15 consecutive wins, propelling them from last place in 1990 to the World Series title.

In Their Own Story

The 1991 World Series against the Atlanta Braves featured dramatic moments that defined Kelly's career. In Game 3, after emptying both bullpens with double switches, Kelly was forced to pinch-hit for pitcher Rick Aguilera in the top of the 12th inning and prepared to send outfielder Dan Gladden to the mound; however, the Braves won in the bottom of the 12th. The series culminated in Game 7, a scoreless contest through nine innings where Kelly planned to remove starter Jack Morris after the ninth. Morris argued repeatedly to stay in, and Kelly finally relented, saying, "What the hell... It's only a ballgame." Morris pitched 10 scoreless innings as Kirby Puckett hit the winning run off Charlie Leibrandt in the bottom of the 10th, securing Minnesota's second title in five years. Earlier in Game 6, Puckett made a leaping catch against center field acrylic glass to prevent a Braves run before hitting his own walk-off home run.

Reader's Guide

Kelly took over mid-season in 1986, leading a team criticized for having the worst winning percentage (.525) of any eventual World Champion until 2006. The Twins defeated the Detroit Tigers in five games to win the 1987 title. Following a rebuild period from 1994 to 1997 due to injuries and retirements, Kelly led the team back to contention. On May 7, 2000, he won his 1,000th game as manager in a 4-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers at the Metrodome, becoming the 46th manager to reach that milestone after managing 2,092 games total. An eight-year streak of losing seasons ended in 2001 when the Twins finished second with an 85–77 record. Kelly resigned shortly after, succeeded by Ron Gardenhire. His legacy was honored when the Twins retired his jersey number #10 on September 8, 2012, and unveiled a bronze statue outside Target Field on July 21, 2017.

Did You Know?

• Kelly managed the Twins for over 15 consecutive seasons, the longest such term in franchise history.
• He won his 1,000th game on May 7, 2000, with a 4-0 victory against the Detroit Tigers.
• Before becoming manager, Kelly spent part of 1977 as a player-manager for the Tacoma Twins.
• In the 1991 World Series Game 3, he was prepared to pitch outfielder Dan Gladden after his bullpen was exhausted.