:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59830385/949185472.jpg.0.jpg)
The Tigers were in town this week to take on the Twins for the first time this season, and one of the big story lines was obviously the return of Ron Gardenhire. After managing the Twins for 13 years, Gardy now manages the Tigers. Though many Twins fans resented Gardy near the end of his tenure in Minnesota, fans now seemed eager to welcome back an old friend. Gardy got a hardy applause when announced before the game, and fans were eager to cheer for him during the game.
In fact, a little too eager, as Twins fans started giving Tigers pitching coach Chris Bosio a standing ovation when he went to visit pitchers on the mound.
Chris Bosio gets ovation from Twins fans who have mistaken him for Ron Gardenhire as he makes mound visit for Matthew Boyd, who has walked first two batters of fifth inning.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) May 23, 2018
Did the fans just think that was Ron Gardenhire? That was Chris Bosio.
— Dan Hayes (@DanHayesMLB) May 22, 2018
Fans are again cheering loud as Chris Bosio visits the mound.
— Brandon Warne (@Brandon_Warne) May 23, 2018
What
Okay, so Bosio does look creepily a lot like Ron Gardenhire — especially the old, fatter version of Gardy Twins fans are used to. The real Ron Gardenhire is much more slim these days, thanks to a healthier lifestyle he picked up after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
I mean, try drinking three beers and telling me this is not Ron Gardenhire:
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/11371545/960278914.jpg.jpg)
Seriously. I was just looking through AP pictures of Ron Gardenhire, and even they mislabeled this picture of Chris Bosio walking out to the mound:
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/11371657/usa_today_10848871.jpg)
I’m sure you can understand why Twins fans were confused, especially since most of them were sitting far away. I mean, I’m sitting right here in front of my computer and I’m still pretty confused.
But, it was still embarrassing, so the good people at Target Field decided to go something about it.
Yessssssss pic.twitter.com/JQ77eokRkj
— Brandon Warne (@Brandon_Warne) May 23, 2018
It's certainly been an emotional series for Ron Gardenhire in his return to Minnesota as an opposing manager. For #Tigers pitching coach Chris Bosio, though....well, this may be the most confusing series for him. Why? He has constantly been mistaken for the skipper! #NotGardy pic.twitter.com/GKxFzDuJ3J
— FOX Sports Detroit (@FOXSportsDet) May 23, 2018
There. Problem solved.
P.S. - Gardenhire wears glasses. Chris Bosio does not.
P.S.S. - Do you think Nick Punto has a secret twin out there too?!