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Mets, Rangers ax managers

NEW YORK -- For Bobby Valentine and Jerry Narron, last place meant no more last chances.

Two more managers paid the price Tuesday for disappointing seasons as the Mets and Rangers decided to change dugout direction.

That brought to five the number of managers dismissed since Sunday, the last day of the season. The Cubs fired Bruce Kimm that day, and Detroit let go Luis Pujols and the Rays dropped Hal McRae on Monday.

The rapid rate of firings was not unprecedented. In 1999, there were seven managerial changes in the offseason.

Valentine sensed he was in trouble during a 12-game losing streak and a National League-record 15-game home losing streak that doomed the Mets' season. Owner Fred Wilpon repeatedly said the manager and general manager Steve Phillips would be back next season for the final year of their contracts.

The owner fired Valentine two days after the Mets finished last and two years after they played in the World Series. Phillips survived largely because Wilpon thought the Mets' problems were on the field, not the front office.

"We put very good players in place who didn't play very well," Wilpon said. "I believe the guys are as good as we all thought, a very competitive team. I still believe it's a very competitive team. I think they'll play far, far better next year."

Narron's Rangers finished 72-90 and in last place for the third straight season. Like Valentine, he had one year left on his contract.

"This has been a very difficult decision because I like and respect Jerry Narron," Texas general manager John Hart said. "But we have to make some tough decisions now. Our fans deserve better than the record and performance of the 2002 Texas Rangers."

Like Valentine, Narron may have been doomed by a bad finish. Texas lost 13 of its last 16, including a closing 1-9 road trip. The Rangers finished 31 behind AL West champion Oakland.

Labor deal official

NEW YORK -- Players and owners signed off on their new labor contract, approving a memorandum that outlines the agreement that avoided a strike.

Union head Donald Fehr and Rob Manfred, the owners' top labor lawyer, signed the "memorandum of understanding" separately at their offices. Just before the start of the playoffs, they sent the signed copies to each other by messenger.

The binding agreement ensures baseball will have labor peace through the 2006 season.

DODGERS: Rightfielder Brian Jordan had successful surgery on his left knee and is expected to be fully recovered by spring training.

INDIANS: Two former college basketball players pleaded guilty to robbing pitcher C.C. Sabathia at gunpoint May 17. Damon Stringer, 24, and Jamaal Harris, 23, who were teammates at Cleveland State University, face four to 11 years in prison.

PADRES: Dick Freeman rejoined the team as president and chief operating officer after six seasons as executive vice president of the Pirates. Freeman was with San Diego from 1981-96, the final nine as club president.

TIGERS: The team got permission from the Padres to interview first-base coach Alan Trammell, a former star shortstop in Detroit, for its managerial opening.

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