Gardenhire, Gladden and Tovar elected to Twins Hall of Fame

Thursday, the Minnesota Twins announced former manager and coach Ron Gardenhire, former outfielder and radio broadcaster Dan Gladden and former infielder/outfielder César Tovar have been elected to the club’s Hall of Fame.

The team announced this will mark the first induction class of at least three members since the Twins’ inaugural class of six in 2000.

"The Minnesota Twins are thrilled about the election of Ron Gardenhire, Dan Gladden and César Tovar to the Twins Hall of Fame," club President and CEO Dave St. Peter said in a statement. "All three are most deserving of this honor and their impact—from the dugout to the broadcast booth and beyond—in the Twins organization and across Twins Territory has been felt for generations."

Gardenhire managed the Twins for 13 seasons from 2002-14. Gladden played five seasons as a leadoff hitter and left fielder from 1987-91 and won two World Series. He’s now the team’s radio analyst. Tovar played eight seasons for the Twins from 1965-72. He died in 1994.

The team stated Gardenhire, Gladden and Tovar will become the 35th, 36th and 37th members of the Twins Hall of Fame when they are inducted during separate pregame ceremonies on Aug. 20 and 21 at Target Field, when Minnesota hosts the Texas Rangers.