White Sox, Orioles fire managers

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Sep 30, 2003 | by WIRE REPORTS

Managers Jerry Manuel of the Chicago White Sox and Mike Hargrove of the Baltimore Orioles were fired after both of their teams had disappointing seasons.

The White Sox held a two-game lead over Minnesota in the AL Central division on Sept. 10 before losing 10 of their last 18 games, including five to the Twins.

Chicago finished with an 86-76 record, four games behind division winner Minnesota, and missed the postseason for the third straight season.

"We have nothing but the highest regard and respect for Jerry Manuel, the person and the man," White Sox general manager Ken Williams said in a press release. "However, since reaching the playoffs in 2000 and despite high expectations, this team has not won enough baseball games."

Manuel, who had a year left on his contract, compiled a 500-471 record in six seasons as the White Sox manager. He led Chicago to the Central title in 2000 and was named AL Manager of the Year.

The Orioles failed to make the playoffs for the fourth straight year under Hargrove, who compiled a 275-372 record in Baltimore. The team, which went 71-91 this season, never finished higher than fourth in the AL East during Hargrove's four-year tenure.

"On behalf of the Orioles organization, we want to thank Mike for his contributions to the ballclub and for the professional manner in which he handled the team," Jim Beattie, the team's vice president for baseball operations, said in a press release.

Hargrove replaced Ray Miller as Baltimore's manager after the 1999 season, when the Orioles had the third-highest payroll in the major leagues. After trimming its budget, Baltimore had the 15th-highest payroll on opening day this season.

The Orioles said Hargrove's entire coaching staff would be asked to return next season.

Royals fire Gamboa

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Royals have fired Tom Gamboa, the coach attacked last year during a game against the White Sox in Chicago.

Gamboa was dismissed as bullpen coach less than two hours after the Royals' final game of the season.

General manager Allard Baird said Sunday that a replacement would probably be chosen within a few days from within the Royals organization.

"Tom is a good baseball person as you well know, but we felt the need to upgrade in that position," Baird said after a 5-1 home loss to the Chicago White Sox closed out the season.

Gamboa did not return calls to his cell phone on Monday.

Gamboa, 55, was hired as the Royals' bullpen coach in October 2000 under then-manager Tony Muser, then spent 2002 as first-base coach before returning to the bullpen this season.

He was coaching first base in a game against the White Sox in Chicago on Sept. 19, 2002, when a father and son ran on the field and attacked him. Gamboa was left with damage to the hearing in his right ear.

Mariners dump hitting coach

SEATTLE -- The Seattle Mariners parted ways Monday with hitting coach Lamar Johnson, characterizing the move as a mutual decision.

In his only season with the Mariners, Seattle finished with a .271 batting average, which ranked fifth in the AL. The Mariners ranked third in walks, fourth in on-base percentage and seventh in runs scored.

But Seattle hitters slumped throughout the second half.