DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire announced his immediate retirement prior to their game against the Cleveland Indians.
The announcement came in an abruptly called video conference around 5 p.m. Bench coach Lloyd McClendon is taking over as manager for the rest of the season.
This was Gardenhire's third season as Detroit's manager after he previously had a successful run with the Minnesota Twins. Detroit was 21-29 heading into Saturday night's game and was unlikely to make the postseason.
Gardenhire turns 63 next month. He says he hasn't been feeling well and needs to take care of himself.