TOM KELLY

Position: Manager
Number: 10
Height: 5-11
Weight: 205
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Born: August 15, 1950 in Graceville, MN
Resides: Maplewood, MN
How Obtained: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Twins in 1971.
Career Stats »

Minnesota's record under Kelly's leadership is 1,140-1,244. He led the Twins to their first World Championship over the St. Louis Cardinals in 1987, his first full season on the job. A second World Series title followed in 1991 after a dramatic Game 7 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

During his storied career, the man known as 'TK' has had the chance to manage hundreds of players, including current and future Hall of Famers like Steve Carlton, Dave Winfield and Paul Molitor. Then of course, he managed the most popular Twin of all, Kirby Puckett.

Kelly was the 11th manager of the team and his tenure as manager was the longest in team history. Under his tenure, the Twins won two World Series crowns in the span of five years (1987 and 1991); however, from 1994 to 1997 a long sequence of retirements and injuries (including superstars Kent Hrbek and Kirby Puckett) hurt the team badly, and Kelly spent the remainder of his managerial career rebuilding the Twins.

A run of eight consecutive losing seasons ended in 2001, when the Twins led the division for much of the year before fading, finishing at 85–77, second to Cleveland. He then resigned at age 51, citing burnout, and the threat of contraction. Kelly was succeeded as manager of the Twins by Ron Gardenhire, and his rebuilding efforts paid off the year after he retired from the Twins, with a repeat of divisional championships in 2002, 2003, and 2004.

Tom Kelly currently serves as a Special Assistant to the General Manager for the Twins.

PERSONAL: Jay Thomas Kelly . . . nickname: 'T.K.' wife Sharon (Kemper) . . . daughter Sharon (10/27/76) and son Tom (9/11/78) father Joe pitched in New York Giants' system . . . 1968 graduate of St. Mary's High School in South Amboy, NJ . . . attended Mesa (AZ) Community College and Monmouth College in West Long Branch, NJ . . . designates time and effort in support of the Special Olympics of Minnesota.

2012: The Minnesota Twins announced on January 26 that they would retire Tom Kelly's jersey number, No. 10, before a game on September 8 . . . Has jersey number, No. 10, officially retired, September 8.

2002: Inducted into the Twins’ Hall of Fame, April 20.

2001: Recorded 1100th career win, 7-6, June 26 vs. Chicago . . . Tom Kelly steps down as Twins manager on October 12, finishing with 1140 career wins and 1244 losses, saying "It's just been a fantastic ride for me. I feel right that it's a good time for me to step aside and let somebody else take over".

2000: Earned 1000th career win, 4-0, May 7 vs. Detroit . . . Fifth and final ejection as Twins' manager, by Mike Everitt for arguing a call at 1B, May 25 at home vs. Anaheim.

1999: Fourth ejection as manager, by Durwood Merrill for arguing balls and strikes, September 1 at Toronto.

1998: Recorded 900th career win, 7-6, July 25 vs. Texas . . . third ejection as manager, by Dale Scott for arguing balls and strikes, September 15 at home vs. Seattle . . . rated American League's second-best manager by Baseball America.

1997: Recorded 800th career win, 12-2, May 12 vs. Toronto . . . rated American League's third-best manager by Baseball America.

1996: Signed three-year contract extension, through 2000, July 25.

1995: Recorded 700th career win, 10-4, in second game of doubleheader, September 18 at Kansas City.

1994: Recorded 600th career win, 9-6, April 13 at Seattle . . . Signed two-year contract extension, through 1997, September 13 . . . rated second-best manager in league by Baseball America . . . 1 of 4 active managers to lead team to three 90-win seasons (LaRussa, Leyland and Cox).

1993: Signed one-year contract extension, through 1995, March 15.

1992: Guided American League All-Stars to 13-6 win, July 14 at San Diego . . . recorded 500th career win as manager, 5-0, August 2 vs. Milwaukee . . . passed Sam Mele for most games by Twins' manager (954), August 20 . . . won 4-0 to become Twins' all-time winningest manager (523), September 27 vs. Kansas City ... rated American League's Best Manager by Baseball America . . . managed team of major league All-Stars that toured Japan to 6-1-1 record, October 30-November 8.

1991: Coach in All-Star Game, July 9 at Toronto . . . won 397th game, 11-7, moving past Gene Mauch into second place on Twins' all-time list, June 15 at Cleveland . . . earned 400th win as manager, 7-4, July 27 vs. Milwaukee . . . signed two-year contract extension on 5-year anniversary as manager, September 12 . . . guided Twins to fourth-highest win total (95) in club history . . . became first Twins' manager to lead club to 2 division titles . . . became third manager ever to have managed in 2-or-more World Series without a defeat (Boston's Bill Carrigan in 1915 & '16 and Pittsburgh's Danny Murtaugh in 1960 & '71; Toronto's Cito Gaston 1992 & '93 has done so since) . . . named American League Manager of the Year by BBWAA, receiving 27 of 28 first place votes, and 138 of 140 points . . . named American League Manager of the Year by The Sporting News.

1990: Recorded 300th career win, 3-2, June 22 vs. Kansas City . . . Second ejection as manager, by Jim Joyce for arguing balls and strikes, June 9 at home vs. Chicago.

1989: Recorded 200th career win, 4-2, May 8 at Boston.

1988: Recorded 100th career win, 7-6, April 12 at Cleveland . . . Managed American League's 2-1 win in All-Star Game, July 12 at Cincinnati . . . guided Twins to first 90-win season since 1970.

1987: First ejection as Twins' manager, by Rocky Roe for arguing a call at 1B, May 20 at Cleveland . . . team was earliest clincher in division races youngest manager (37) to lead club into American League Championship Series became 18th rookie manager to guide team to World Series and fifth to win it . . . named American League Manager of the Year by UPI.

1986: Named manager of Twins, September 12 . . . fifth person to be Twins' player, coach and manager (Billy Gardner, Johnny Goryl, Billy Martin and Frank Quilici).

1983: Named Twins' third base coach, becoming first Minnesotan to become member of Twins' managerial staff.

1981 & '82: Managed Southern League All-Stars.

1981: Manager of the Year in Southern League after guiding Orlando to league championship.

1980: Manager of the Year in California League for second consecutive year after Visalia team won second straight divisional title.

1979: California League Manager of the Year.

1978: Led International League in walks.

1977: Player-manager of Tacoma over last half of season . . . named outfielder and Most Popular Player on Tacoma's 25th Anniversary All-Time team.

1975: Appeared as pinch-hitter, becoming twelfth native Minnesotan to play for Twins, May 11 at Baltimore . . . singled off Joe Coleman for first big league hit, May 19 vs. Detroit . . . sole major league home run, off Vern Ruhle, May 26 at Detroit.

1972: Led Pacific Coast League in fewest grounded-into double plays (4), and took part in most double plays by an outfielder.

1971: Signed with Twins as free agent, April 28.

1968: New York-Penn League All-Star . . . led league in stolen bases.