Minnesota Twins owner Jim Pohlad’s reverence for Terry Ryan has been evident for almost two decades, steadfastly supporting his general manager with a commitment uncommon in today’s game.

As the struggles on the field piled up over the last five years, even that enduring respect wasn’t enough to keep Ryan with the Twins.

Ryan was fired on Monday with the team holding the worst record in the American League and on pace to lose 100 games. The Twins entered the day 33-58, 21 games out of first place in the AL Central. Only Atlanta had a worse record in the majors.

“Sometimes you may have to do things that are hard,” Pohlad said. “I never try to shy away from hard decisions. I own this decision. We like to bring people from within up the organization. If we have to go outside we go outside. There’s new ways of thinking. They’re not tied into old organizational ways of thinking.”

Ryan said he is leaving with “immense pride in being part of the Twins organization for the better part of three decades.”

Rob Antony, in his 29th season with the organization and ninth as the team’s assistant general manager, will take over on an interim basis. Pohlad said he would be considered for the permanent job.

Antony became a bit emotional when talking about Ryan before Minnesota’s game Monday night at Detroit.

“It’ll be fine as long as nobody asks me what he means to me,” Antony said. “It’s been tough. Worked with the man for 20 years and have nothing but respect for him, and he’s been a mentor, he’s been like a second dad for me. So it’s been a tough day for a lot of people.”