PHILADELPHIA - Pat Gillick will become the Phillies' general manager, the Associated Press reported Tuesday night.
Gillick will replace Ed Wade, fired after failing to get the Phillies into the playoffs during eight years on the job.
Ready to take charge of his fourth major-league team, Gillick, 68, was chosen over former Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker, expected to join the Devil Rays this week; Phillies assistant general managers Ruben Amaro Jr. and Mike Arbuckle; and Indians assistant general manager Chris Antonetti.
A special consultant in the Mariners front office the past two seasons, Gillick led Toronto to consecutive World Series titles in 1992-93. He was also a GM with Baltimore and Seattle.
Philadelphia went 88-74 this season and finished one game behind NL wild-card winner Houston. It was the Phillies' third consecutive winning season and fourth in five years, but they missed the playoffs for the 12th straight season and 21st time in 22 seasons.
Gillick helped his teams go 2,010-1,773 in his 24 seasons as general manager.
GOLD GLOVES: Mariners rightfielder Ichiro Suzuki, Twins centerfielder Torii Hunter and A's third baseman Eric Chavez won their fifth straight AL awards.
Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek, Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira and Blue Jays second baseman Orlando Hudson were first-time winners, and Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and Blue Jays centerfielder Vernon Wells won for the second straight season. Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers won for the fourth time overall and second in a row.
NL winners will be announced today.
UMP CHIEF BACKS CREW: World Series crew chief Joe West defended umpires against criticism of their postseason performance, saying, "I think we did just fine."
"Instead of criticizing the umpires, the media should be thankful," he wrote in an e-mail to the Associated Press. "But sometimes I wonder if the media doesn't like the controversy because that gives you more to write about or talk about."
The AP e-mailed questions to West on Oct. 24, the off day between Games 2 and 3, but he did not respond until after the White Sox completed their four-game sweep of the Astros.
CAPITAL PLAN: Members of the District of Columbia Council approved a measure to strengthen the city's financing plan for a new stadium for the Washington Nationals. The 10-2 vote approved changes sought by Wall Street bond traders, enabling the city to pursue a $535-million bond sale at investment grade, saving the city millions in debt service costs.
PADRES: Right-hander Trevor Hoffman's agent made a counteroffer to the team but wasn't optimistic the closer would remain in San Diego. "Trevor's first choice has always been to remain a Padre. But it's looking more and more like it won't happen," agent Rick Thurman said. The club last week offered $10-million over two years. Thurman is seeking between $25-million and $27-million over three years.
PIRATES: Pitching coach Jim Colborn and bench coach Jim Lett are following former Dodgers manager Jim Tracy to Pittsburgh. The hirings had been expected since Tracy was hired Oct. 11.
YANKEES: Larry Bowa is ready to be George Steinbrenner's third-base coach and all that it entails. "I don't think it's going to be as tough as everyone thinks it's going to be as far as the atmosphere," Bowa said after the team finalized his contract. "I managed in Philadelphia for four years." ... The team has warned third baseman Alex Rodriguez that frequenting illegal city poker clubs is dangerous, but it is powerless to stop him, the New York Daily News reported. Rodriguez hasn't been ordered to stay out of the clubs, but commissioner Bud Selig is "keeping an eye" on him and would step in "if necessary," according to the paper.
