By james art 
The 2025 season will not mark the first time Jeff Gardner was a manager in the Little League. But it’s been a long time.
Gardner was named Reno Aces manager earlier this month, replacing Blake Lalie, who was hired as a coach on the first base in Miami Marlins last week.
Gardner is entering his 12th season with Arizona DiamondBes organization, most recently as a quality control coordinator. He was the last manager of the Little League from 2001-03, doing so in the organization of San Diego Padres at the levels of the short season and class A.
“The exciting one is a word,” Gardner said. “There is some fear. It will definitely be something I have not done in a while. But at the end of the day you manage the game and manage people, and I already know so many of these children, so it should go great.”
Gardner did not expect to run this season, but Lalie turned to Marliners in early January and received a call for the big leagues. This opened a place for ACES staff, as the 60-year-old Gardner became the eighth manager in franchise history after moving from Tuson to Renault in 2009.
“The fact that Blake left was one of the reasons,” Gardner told this move. “We needed someone. The more I thought, I decided it would be a fun challenge. I think this is something I will enjoy, and I look forward to it. As I thought, I was, like,” you know What?
Gardner’s work with Ace will be to develop the next wave of Leaguers specialties for Diamondbacks. Gardner himself was a great interest playing for New York Mets in 1991, San Diego Padres in 1992-93 and Montreal Expos in 1994. He appeared in 186 games and strikes .246 with one Homer (outside Dave Telgeder in 1993). Gardner committed suicide when he talked about his career.
“I remember my first hit,” Gardner said that getting off Mark Gardner (not connected). “I hit a household so obviously I remember this. My first day in the big leagues. It took me seven years for me to get to the big leagues, so when I finally got there and that feeling to reach my first blow, It was “Okay, I have achieved what I set out.”
Gardner is with Diamondbacks for his recent rise, which includes a performance in the 2023 World Series, a loss of five Rangers games after an incredible run to Fall Classic. Gardner said his job would be to help players know how to play a winning baseball.
“I think our work in the development of players is to develop not only big Lichors, but also to win big Lichors,” Gardner said. “And I think it comes with learning how to play the game to win. We are lucky in the last two years that we have made the playoffs in the big leagues of the game and missed the playoffs of the game. And it’s so easy to say To our boys, that the person who missed us in April costs us.
ACES had a profitable story since moving to Renault, capturing 52.5 percent of IT games, including the Troika 2012 championship. Renault set a franchise record for victories in 2023 when he went 88-62 and made last year’s Pacific Series League, losing from sugar land, 2-0. He won five division titles and two League championships.
Gardner said he was excited to call Renault at home for the summer after making many trips to North Nevada while in the Diamondbacks organization.
“I’ve always loved to come here,” Gardner said. “I accidentally friendly with many of these old managers and they have always admired this place, so I’m very excited. It’s a great atmosphere. The Balpark is great. The league is good. The way we are treated for now is great.
You can watch the full interview with Jeff Gardner below.