Reds Fire Fiery Knight, Make Mckeon Manager

Ray Knight was fired as the Cincinnati Reds’ manager because he failed to win games and his players’ respect.

With the team out of contention and the clubhouse bristling over Knight’s confrontational style, the Reds decided Friday to replace him with Jack McKeon, who will bring a more player-friendly approach to the job for the rest of this season.

“I hate to go out like this, but that’s just not the way life is,” Knight said as he packed his car to leave the stadium Friday night. “You can’t choose your spots.

“It boils down to being able to get your players to play. If mine were resentful for whatever reason, I treated them like men.

“Nobody in that clubhouse wanted to win more than I did, and maybe my intensity rubbed some people the wrong way.”

McKeon, 66, managed in the major leagues for eight years, most recently with San Diego in 1990, and has been a Reds adviser for the past five seasons. The Reds think his style is a better fit for their younger players, who will move to the forefront with the team 9 games back in the N.L. Central.

“I’m a very patient guy,” McKeon said. “I’m a low-key guy. I’m not going to throw any water coolers or kick any dugouts. I don’t think I will - occasionally I’ve done it.”

Knight, in the second and final year of his contract, did it all during his brief tenure. He was suspended for flinging third base during an argument with an umpire this season, had a public feud with pitcher Mike Morgan and made himself a third-base coach temporarily as the team struggled.

No matter what he did, the team failed to respond. The Reds were 81-81 last season and 43-56 when he was called to the office Friday by general manager Jim Bowden.

Knight’s intensity, his impatience and his propensity to blame players for mistakes and take credit for successes led to a strained relationship with the clubhouse. Knight suggested Friday that team captain Barry Larkin and others had talked to the front office about replacing him.

“I heard a lot of stuff,” Knight said. “I hope it’s not them, but now it looks like maybe it was.”

Larkin wasn’t surprised by the firing, but denied he talked to Bowden about Knight.

“I didn’t make this happen,” Larkin said. “No player on this team made this happen.” Bowden said no players spoke to him about firing Knight.

‘Pudge’ could be traded

All-Star catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez has rejected the Texas Rangers’ latest $38 million offer that would have kept him with the team at least five more years.

Rangers president Tom Schieffer said Friday the offer will not be increased after three rejections and that the team would consider trading the catcher before Thursday’s major league deadline. Rodriguez reportedly has been seeking $44 million.

Rangers trade Palmer for Goodwin

Dean Palmer hit a three-run homer and a go-ahead single Friday night for the Texas Rangers in their victory over the Chicago White Sox, then was traded minutes after the game to the Kansas City Royals for outfielder Tom Goodwin.

The 28-year-old third baseman was in his sixth full season with the Rangers after coming to the majors. He was hitting .246 with 55 RBIs in 94 games.

Goodwin, who turns 29 Sunday, is hitting .272 with two homers and 22 RBIs in 97 games. He has stolen 34 bases.

“I thought somebody was going to be traded, but I had no idea it was going to be me,” said Goodwin.