Johnson Signs Three-Year Deal To Take Over Struggling Orioles
Davey Johnson finally got the job he coveted, and the Baltimore Orioles signed the manager they rejected in favor of Phil Regan a year ago.
Johnson, who guided the Cincinnati Reds to the National League Central title this season, received a three-year contract Monday from the team he played for from 1965-72.
“I’m a firm believer in the adage that things happen for the best,” Johnson said. “I really wanted to be here last year… . I really felt like I was the man for the job. I felt like I was a perfect fit.”
An hour earlier, the Reds formally introduced Ray Knight as their manager, completing a transition that was set in motion a year ago.
Cincinnati agreed to a two-year contract with the 43-yearold Knight.
Gary Sheffield was shot during an attempted robbery when the Florida Marlins outfielder stopped at a traffic light on the way to pick up one of his children in Tampa, Fla.
Sheffield was wounded - not seriously - in the upper left shoulder and was released from the hospital.
The Detroit Tigers finally confirmed they had hired Randy Smith as general manager.
Smith, who signed a three-year contract, actually accepted the Detroit job more than 10 days ago. He had previously served as the general manager for the San Diego Padres.
Cleveland exercised its 1997 option on the contract of manager Mike Hargrove.
Astros owner Drayton McLane met with county political leaders and city business leaders, saying he needs to know within a week whether there’s enough fan support to keep the team in Houston.
Several businessmen and the Libertarian Party filed suit in the Milwaukee County Circuit Court to block construction of a new stadium for the Brewers, saying a sales tax hike to pay for it constitutes “taxation without representation.”
New York Yankees outfielder Ruben Sierra had arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn muscle in his left shoulder.
The Japanese gave up a high-profile piece of America’s national pastime as Suntory International Corp. sold the Birmingham Barons, the Class DoubleA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, to a California company.