Marlins get rid of Girardi, hire Gonzalez
Thanks to a managerial shuffle Tuesday, Florida Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria can now yell at umpires with the skipper’s approval.
The Marlins fired Joe Girardi, and five hours later introduced as his replacement Fredi Gonzalez, third-base coach for the Atlanta Braves the past four years. Girardi’s departure after only one season had been expected after his rift with Loria boiled over two months ago in an on-field confrontation over the owner’s heckling of an umpire.
Gonzalez, 42, interviewed with the Marlins a year ago after Jack McKeon resigned but finished runner-up to Girardi. Gonzalez became the first manager in the Marlins organization when they hired him to run their first minor league team in Erie, Pa., in 1992.
“It’s a long way from Erie, man,” a smiling Gonzalez said at a news conference. “I hope I’m here for a lot of years.”
Gonzalez said he has no problem with the owner razzing umps.
“If he wants to yell, he can yell,” he said. “He paid for the team. He has the most expensive seat in the stadium.”
Mets hear more bad news
Already missing Pedro Martinez, the New York Mets suddenly might have to replace pitcher Orlando Hernandez in Game 1 of the playoffs because of a calf injury, too.
El Duque felt discomfort in his right calf while he was jogging in the outfield as the National League East champions tuned up for their first-round series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“Obviously, we’re up in the air on who our starter is right now,” Mets manager Willie Randolph said. “We have some options, but we’re going to wait and see how he feels.”
Complaint filed against Rogers
Detroit police were interviewing witnesses to find out what happened between Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers and a man who filed a complaint against him after an incident near Comerica Park.
Rogers was driving out of a parking structure near the ballpark after Saturday night’s loss to Kansas City when a man started beating on Rogers’ car, Detroit police spokeswoman Yvette Walker said.
She said Rogers got out and exchanged words with the man, who wanted an autograph. The man told officers that Rogers grabbed him by the collar and had to be restrained, but multiple witnesses said there was no physical contact, Walker said. Rogers got back in his car and drove away.
Clearing the bases
Barry Bonds‘ personal trainer Greg Anderson wants to withdraw his guilty plea because prosecutors based their steroid distribution case on an illegal recording, his lawyer Mark Geragos said in a court hearing. … The Washington Nationals released six pitchers: right-handers Brian Lawrence, Pedro Astacio, Ryan Drese, Felix Rodriguez and Zach Day, and left-hander Joey Eischen. … The Cleveland Indians exercised contract options for 2007 on starter Jake Westbrook and utilityman Casey Blake. The club also declined a mutual option with third baseman Aaron Boone, making him eligible for free agency. … The Boston Red Sox sent outfielder Adam Stern to the Baltimore Orioles, essentially completing the trade that brought catcher Javy Lopez to Boston in August. … Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox said that longtime bench coach Pat Corrales will not be back with the team next season. … The Philadelphia Phillies let go three coaches, an indication manager Charlie Manuel will keep his job for another year. First-base coach Marc Bombard, third-base coach Bill Dancy and bench coach Gary Varsho did not have their contracts renewed.