 Two Managers get extension; Three dismissed
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CINCINNATI, Ohio / PHOENIX, Arizona / NEW YORK, New York / MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin / PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (USA) -
On Monday, less than a day after completion of the regular season, two Major League-Managers got an extension of their contracts, being Dusty Baker and Kirk Gibson, while three clubs decided to dismiss their Field Managers.
Dusty Baker, who led the Cincinnati Reds this season to the championship in the National League Central Division with a 91-71 record, got a contract extension for two years on Monday. Also, his complete coachingstaff also was offered 2-year contracts.
The 61-year old Baker was hired in October 2008 and then signed a 3-year contract.
In 17 seasons as Major League Manager, Dusty Baker's record is 1405-1284 and he became only the sixth Manager in history to lead three different teams to a division championship. Legendary Billy Martin is the only Manager to have led four teams to the postseason (Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Oakland A's).
Besides the Reds, Baker also led the San Francisco Giants (1997, 2000) and Chicago Cubs (2003) to a Division-title.
While being with the Giants, one of Baker's players was Dutch outfielder Rikkert Faneyte, who currently is playing with Amsterdam Pirates-2 in the best-of-3 First Division Overall Championship Series vs. Jeka.
As a player, Dusty Baker played for 19 seasons in the Major League for the Atlanta Braves (1968-1975), Los Angeles Dodgers (1976-1983), San Francisco Giants (1984) and Oakland A's (1985-1986).
The Arizona Diamondbacks signed its Manager Kirk Gibson on Monday to a 2-year contract with an option for 2013. Gibson was the interim-Manager of the D-Backs since A.J. Hinch was fired on July 1.
Under Gibson's guidance, Arizona was 34-49.
Before taking over as Manager, Gibson was the Bench Coach of Arizona since 2007.
Gibson also had served as Bench Coach (2003-2005) for the Detroit Tigers, where he had played almost entirely during his 17 year Major League-career (1979-1987; 1993-1995). Gibson also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates before returning to Detroit.
Gibson became famous for hitting a pinch-hit game-winning 2-run homerun while being injured for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game One of the 1988 World Series against the Oakland A's.
The coachingstaff of the Diamondbacks underwent some changes.
1B Coach Matt Williams and Bullpen Coach Glenn Sherlock (who is with the team since 1998) remained, but Bench Coach Bo Porter and Hitting Coach Jack Howell were dismissed, while Pitching Coach Mel Stottlemyre, Jr. and 3B Coach Joel Youngblood will get other positions within the organization.
Porter was the 3B Coach under Hinch, then took over as Bench Coach when Gibson was promoted.
Youngblood, who was the Outfield/Baserunning Coordinator, then was named to take over as 3B Coach.
Did Dusty Baker and Kirk Gibson got contract extension, three other Managers were fired on Monday.
The New York Mets declined to extend the one-year option in the contract of Manager Jerry Manuel and also dismissed General Manager Omar Minaya.
Manuel, whose contract expired on Monday, took over the Mets as Manager on June 17, 2008, replacing Willie Randolph.
Minaya came to the Mets in 2005 and had two years left on his contract.
This season, the Mets were 79-83 and finished in fourth place in the NL East
In 8 1/2 years as Manager (he also led the Chicago White Sox), Manuel's record is 704-684.
Manuel played in the Major League in 1975-1976; 1980-1982 for the Detroit Tigers, Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres.
The Milwaukee Brewers parted with Manager Ken Macha, who led the team for two seasons since being hired in October 2008.
The Brewers were 77-85 this year to finish in third place in the NL Central.
As a player, Macha was in the Major League for six seasons (1974; 1977-1981), playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Montreal Expos and Toronto Blue Jays.
The Pittsburgh Pirates dismissed John Russell, who had one year left on his contract.
Russell led Pittsburgh for three seasons in which his record was 186-299.
The Pirates got a disappointing season, finishing with a 57-105 record to end in last place in the NL Central.
The 105 losses are the most by Pittsburgh since the format of 162 games per season was introduced.
Besides that, Pittsburgh also ended in last place in Batting Average (.242), ERA (5.00) and Fielding Average (.979) to become the first team since the New York Mets in 1965 to accomplish this in these three categories.
Russell played in the Major League from 1984-1993 for the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers.
During the regular season five Managers were fired.
In May, the Kansas City Royals replaced Trey Hillman for Ned Yost.
In June, the Baltimore Orioles named Juan Samuel interim-Manager for Dave Trembley, then replaced Samuel in August for Buck Showalter.
Also in June, the Florida Marlins fired Fredi Gonzalez and named Erwin Rodriguez their new Manager.
In August, the Seattle Mariners dismissed Don Wakamatsu and named Daren Brown.
On August 22, Lou Piniella (Chicago Cubs) retired due to family-circumstances and was replaced by Mike Quade.
After completion of the season, Joe Torre (Los Angeles Dodgers) and Cito Gaston (Toronto Blue Jays) retired.
When the Atlanta Braves are finished with their postseason, its longtime Manager Bobby Cox also will retire.
(October 4)
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