Former infielder, coach, and manager Billy Gardner died Wednesday at the age of 96:

Gardner spent 22 seasons in professional baseball as a player, including 10 seasons in the major leagues. Nicknamed “Slick” — he said it wasn’t because of how he did his hair, but rather “because of the way I made the double play. I could turn a double play in a phone booth” — he spent three seasons with the Minneapolis Millers and part of the 1961 season with the Twins. He played on two World Series championship teams — the New York Giants in 1954 and the New York Yankees in 1961.

StarTribune.com

My thought go out to his family and friends.

Gardner fit the definition of a light-hitting middle infielder, very common in the era he played. He posted a career .237/.292/.327 slash line, but was a regular for five seasons, four of them with the Orioles. His best season came in 1959 when he hit .262/.325/.356 and produced a 3.7 rWAR, the only season his rWAR came in greater than 1.0. He did manage to play for two World Series champions, the 1954 Giants and the 1961 Yankees.

He managed the Twins in the early 1980s and brought along the core group of youngsters that would go on to win two World Championships. Gardner was the understanding teacher. Tom Kelly came along to be the tough, win at all costs leader that team needed to finally win. Gardner played a crucial role in the development of that team.