Leyland’s Buddy Becomes Pittsburgh’s New Manager

The Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t look beyond their own dugout to find Jim Leyland’s replacement, hiring third-base coach Gene Lamont as only their third manager in 20 years.

Lamont, the Chicago White Sox manager from 1992 until June 1995, was given a three-year contract worth about $1 million on Thursday. Pirates general manager Cam Bonifay also got a two-year extension through the 2000 season.

Lamont, 49, is Leyland’s best friend in baseball and was on his staff for seven seasons, but insisted the Pirates aren’t getting Jim Leyland II.

“I’m not going to manage the way Jim Leyland managed. I’ve got to manage the way I manage,” said Lamont, who was 252-210 with the White Sox.

“I’ve got to be my own man. My bench demeanor might not be the same as Jim’s, but I want to have the rapport with the players he does and be as prepared as him.”

Leyland succeeded Chuck Tanner, who managed the Pirates from 1977-85, including their last World Series championship team in 1979.

Leyland may decide today

There soon will be two losers and one big winner in the Jim Leyland derby.

Leyland, who spent Thursday studying three offers that may make him baseball’s highest-paid manager, expects to choose his new team today.

Sitting by their phones are the Florida Marlins, Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox, all of whom offered the former Pittsburgh Pirates manager contracts in the $1.5 million-a-year range.

On Wednesday, Leyland turned down a California Angels offer worth as much as $2 million annually. Tony LaRussa of the Cardinals is the highest-paid manager at $1.5 million.

“All of the teams were very professional and very thorough,” Leyland said. “(The offers) are very close.”

Mecca for squeeze plays

Goodbye ThunderDome, hello Tropicana Field.

The St. Petersburg, Fla., stadium that will house one of major league baseball’s two expansion teams beginning in 1998 was renamed after a juice brand owned by The Seagram Company Ltd., a Canadian beverage and entertainment company.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Seagram’s Tropicana Dole Beverages North America division did not disclose the financial terms of their 30-year agreement.

Fans get charge out of Indians

The price of winning for Cleveland Indians fans: The cost of luxury boxes at Jacobs Field has gone up more than 40 percent for next season, and some occupants are being asked to add an extra year to their new leases.

In addition to paying more, holders of expiring leases must sign a fouryear deal instead of three years.

Indians officials did not return calls Thursday for comment.