Billy Gardner

William Frederick Gardner (July 19, 1927 – January 3, 2024) was a right-handed second baseman who played ten seasons in Major League Baseball for the New York Giants, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox. His most productive stretch came with Baltimore, where he spent four consecutive full seasons from 1956 to 1959. In 1957 he led the American League in doubles (36) and at-bats (644), appeared in all 154 games, and batted .262 with 6 home runs and 55 RBIs. After his playing career, Gardner managed the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals during the 1980s.