Showalter Steps Down As Yankees Manager Despite Lucrative Offer

Buck Showalter told the New York Yankees he will not return as manager next season.

Showalter, whose contract expires Oct. 31, met twice this week with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner to discuss an extension.

He called Steinbrenner, rejecting what the Yankees said was a $1.05 million contract covering two years. The Yankees called the parting “amicable.”

In a statement released an hour before Game 5 of the World Series, Steinbrenner said he attempted to get Showalter to meet with him to discuss two issues - length of contract and coaching staff.

Yankees officials, speaking on condition they not be identified, have said the owner wanted to fire at least two coaches, including first-base coach Brian Butterfield.

Steinbrenner said Showalter was satisfied with the contract offer. He said he also offered to give Showalter the right to select his coaching staff “almost in total,” and to discuss the possibility of lengthening his contract.”

Showalter could not be reached for comment.

The Baltimore Orioles will give Davey Johnson a three-year contract to become the team’s next manager, a National League source told the Baltimore Sun.

Center fielder Brian McRae underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist, the Chicago Cubs said.

Kevin Rogers, a left-hander who hasn’t pitched in the majors since June 1994, signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates.