Phillies extend Manuel’s contract

The Philadelphia Phillies and manager Charlie Manuel agreed to a two-year extension with a club option for 2010 on Tuesday night, keeping around the folksy manager who led the franchise to their first N.L. East title since 1993.

The 63-year-old Manuel led the Phillies to an 89-73 record in his third season with the team. The Phillies were swept 3-0 by the Colorado Rockies in Philadelphia’s first postseason appearance in 14 years.

Clearing the bases

The Detroit Tigers decided Ivan Rodriguez was worth another $13 million. The Tigers exercised an option on the All-Star catcher’s contract, retaining him for a fifth season. Rodriguez batted .281 with 31 doubles, 11 home runs and 63 RBIs in 129 games this season. … The Toronto Blue Jays hired Gary Denbo as their new hitting coach. The 47-year-old Denbo was the New York Yankees’ roving hitting coordinator. He was the Yankees’ hitting coach in 2001. … The San Francisco Giants fired hitting coach Joe Lefebvre and first-base coach Willie Upshaw. General manager Brian Sabean said both Lefebvre and Upshaw have been offered other positions. … The Chicago White Sox hired former Kansas City Royals manager Buddy Bell as the director of minor league instruction. Bell, 56, who was hired by the Royals in May 2005, announced in August he would step down as manager to spend more time with his family. … The Milwaukee Brewers dismissed third-base coach Nick Leyva, while keeping the rest of the coaching staff intact. … Longtime Astros radio announcer Milo Hamilton, 80, was recovering in a Houston hospital after having a heart attack over the weekend.