Billy Gardner from the Chronology

Aug 27, 1987 - The Royals fire manager Billy Gardner‚ who replaced Dick Howser in spring training‚ and replace him with John Wathan‚ the former Kansas City catcher who was managing the club's Triple A Omaha affiliate. In Wathan's ML managerial debut‚ the Royals win 3-2 on George Brett's 10th-inning home run to move within 3 games of first-place Minnesota.

Feb 23, 1987 - Just 3 days after training camp opens‚ an extremely frail Dick Howser abandons his attempt to come back from a brain tumor and gives up his position as Royals manager. Billy Gardner is named his successor.

Jun 21, 1985 - Twins manager Billy Gardner is fired and replaced by Baltimore pitching coach Ray Miller.

May 22, 1981 - Coach Billy Gardner replaces the fired John Goryl as manager of the Twins. Minnesota (11-25) had lost 8 consecutive games‚ but shuts out Kansas City 7-0 in Gardner's managerial debut.

Jun 12, 1962 - The Yankees trade INF Billy Gardner to the Red Sox for Tommy Umphlett and cash.

Jun 14, 1961 - Sound familiar? The KC A's ship P Bud Daley‚ their top winner the past 2 seasons‚ to the Yankees for P Art Ditmar and OF Deron Johnson. The Yanks then send P Danny McDevitt to the Twins for infielder Billy Gardner.

Apr 3, 1960 - The Orioles pickup C Clint Courtney‚ along with SS Ron Samford‚ from the Senators for 2B Billy Gardner.

Apr 21, 1956 - The Orioles buy 2B Billy Gardner from the Giants for $20‚000. Gardner will be a starter for the Birds over the next four seasons.

May 28, 1954 - At the Polo Grounds‚ the Giants whip the Dodgers 17-6 with a 6-HR barrage. Four of the HRs come in the 8th as Davey Williams‚ Alvin Dark‚ Monte Irvin‚ and Billy Gardner connect off Ben Wade. Whitey Lockman‚ in the 1st‚ and Willie Mays‚ in the 2nd account for the other two. Brooklyn scores a run in the 6th when Giants P Marv Grissom balks home Rube Walker from 3B. Catcher Ray Katt is at fault‚ having called a time out when Grissom is in his windup.