Rays/MLB

Showalter fired after another mediocre year

By TIMES WIRES
Published October 5, 2006

ARLINGTON, Texas - Though Buck Showalter wasn't the only person to blame for the Rangers missing the playoffs again, the manager got fired for it.

"There's a shared responsibility there, some of which is Buck's, some of which is mine, and a good deal to the players," general manager Jon Daniels said Wednesday. "This is an organizational goal to win. When we don't do it, it falls on all of us."

The axe fell on Showalter after his fourth season. The Rangers went 80-82, their sixth losing season in seven since last making the playoffs in 1999.

Showalter was 319-329 with the Rangers, his third managerial job. Texas never finished above third place.

"You never heard me make an excuse all year, and I'm not going to start now. We just didn't get it done," Showalter said. "They want to go in a new direction with a new voice. With the shelf life of managers, I feel fortunate."

Freedom for Bonds' trainer

SAN FRANCISCO - A federal appeals court has ordered Barry Bonds' personal trainer to be released from prison today unless a lower court again holds him in contempt for refusing to testify before a grand jury investigating the Giants slugger for perjury.

Mark Geragos, Greg Anderson's lawyer, has been demanding Anderson's release. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed, giving U.S. District Judge William Alsup a day to issue another contempt ruling or to set Anderson free.

Alsup responded by setting a hearing this morning.

Anderson, who served a three-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to steroid distribution and money-laundering charges in the BALCO steroids case, has been imprisoned twice for refusing to testify whether Bonds knowingly used steroids.

On Monday, Bonds had surgery to remove bone chips from his troublesome left elbow that caused pain and swelling throughout this season. Bonds wrote on his Web site that he expects to resume his offseason workout regimen this month.

Navarro's son has surgery

The 1-year-old son of Devil Rays catcher Dioner Navarro was released from a Tampa hospital after surgery to remove a kidney.

Dioner Navarro Jr. was born with cysts on his kidney, a condition known as multicystic kidney dysplasia. He had to have surgery when the cysts and kidney became abnormally large, said Kendall Almerico, Navarro's agent.

Navarro missed the Rays' final six games last week as his son underwent extensive tests. "He's doing much better and the doctors think he's going to be fine," Navarro said. "I really want to thank the Rays for letting me be with my family when they needed me."

The surgery was the latest in a series of troubles for the Navarros. His wife, Sherley, had surgery in 2003 after suffering a brain aneurysm. Shortly after being acquired by the Rays in June, the Navarros were victims of a hit-and-run accident near their Riverview home.

MARLINS MOVE: A new potential location for a Marlins stadium has emerged: Pompano Beach. City and Broward County officials have been negotiating with the Marlins since May on an agreement to build a ballpark with a retractable roof, county Mayor Ben Graber said. A proposal might be ready for consideration by the County Commission in a couple of weeks.

CANSECO SUIT: Former slugger Jose Canseco and twin brother Ozzie lost an appeal of a $1-million judgment in a lawsuit filed by two men beaten by the former players at a Miami Beach bar in 2001.

ASTROS: Manager Phil Garner's contract was extended through 2008. His contract was to expire after next season. The team also fired pitching coach Jim Hickey.

PHILLIES: Catcher Mike Lieberthal had surgery on an injured abdominal muscle. Rehabilitation is expected to take six to 10 weeks.

PIRATES: Kevin McClatchy is remaining as chief executive officer and managing general partner, even though the franchise hasn't had a winning season since he took control in 1996.

[Last modified October 5, 2006, 02:16:35]