The Minnesota Twins have missed the playoffs only once in Ron Gardenhire's five seasons running the team. That was the year he learned the most about managing.

Using those lessons learned in 2005, Gardenhire helped guide a remarkable turnaround this summer that led to another A.L. Central title. He agreed yesterday to a two-year contract extension with the team that will keep him in the dugout through 2009.

Fresh from a stressful season marked by conflicts in the clubhouse, a lifeless lineup and an 83-79 record, Minnesota was just 25-33 this year before starting a surge in early June that ended with a dramatic win of the division on the final day of the regular season.

The Twins, who were swept in the first round by the Oakland Athletics, won 96 games, one fewer than the New York Yankees and Mets among the major league leaders.

Their comeback was largely fueled by three changes: left-hander Francisco Liriano's promotion to the starting rotation, the release of Tony Batista and subsequent takeover at third base by Nick Punto, and Jason Bartlett's recall from the minors to play shortstop and prompt a trade of Juan Castro.

"You see how different people react when it's not going exactly the way you want it to," Gardenhire said, thinking back to 2005. "We saw that this year, early in the year. We figured that out a lot quicker, that we knew we needed to make some adjustments. I think if we had waited much longer, we wouldn't have made it."

The 48-year-old Gardenhire also managed his health better this season. After issues with a rapid heartbeat the summer before, he made a point to eat right, rely on less caffeine and keep a calmer approach to his job.

"Each year brings you something different," Gardenhire said. "You learn from it. You try to put it all in your memory bank and go from there."

The team also announced that the entire coaching staff was signed through the 2008 season: pitching coach Rick Anderson, bench coach Steve Liddle, bullpen coach Rick Stelmaszek, third base coach Scott Ullger, hitting coach Joe Vavra and first base coach Jerry White.

ROUNDUP

DODGER RECOVERING: Dodgers outfielder Jason Repko underwent a high-frequency ultrasound yesterday to promote healing of the plantar fascia in his left foot. Dr. Kenneth Jung performed the procedure at the Kerlan/Jobe Clinic and said it went well. Repko will wear a walking boot for the next two weeks, Jung said, and then begin physical therapy. The 25-year-old Repko hit .254 in limited duty last season with three homers and 16 RBI. He was sidelined from May 10 to July 23 because of a severely sprained left ankle. He was hitting .304 with three homers and 12 RBI in 24 games at the time of his injury.

BACK TO NORTHWEST: Given the choice of working for the Seattle Mariners or the Chicago Cubs, John McLaren's decision to return to the Northwest came down to a page of 20 questions. "I made a ledger of 20 things to consider for Chicago and Seattle, kept one and gave my wife one," McLaren said, "and it was overwhelmingly for the Mariners for both of us -- they were almost identical." Those questions answered, the 55-year-old McLaren agreed to serve as manager Mike Hargrove's bench coach for the 2007 season, picking up where he left off in 2002. Hiring McLaren completed the Seattle staff for next season, with Rafael Chaves (pitching), Jeff Pentland (batting), Carlos Garcia (third base), Mike Goff (first base) and Jim Slaton (bullpen) returning.