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League puzzles over Bosox firing

By KEVIN KELLY

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 19, 2001

Jimy Williams had to know he was going to get gone sometime.

But he can at least take some satisfaction knowing most in the majors were stunned when Boston general manager Dan Duquette fired him last week instead of waiting until Williams' contract expired at the end of the season.

The consensus is that Williams did an excellent job, considering the obstacles he navigated.

Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra missed the first 103 games and pitcher Pedro Martinez, catcher Jason Varitek and outfielder Carl Everett have missed all or part of the season because of injuries.

Boston was first in the AL East from May 31 to July 3 but had fallen five games behind New York and two behind Oakland in the wild-card standings when the announcement was made Thursday.

"You're breezing along trying to catch Oakland and trying to catch the Yankees, and all the sudden you have a shakedown like that," said Rays batting coach Wade Boggs, who played 11 seasons with the Red Sox. "Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I think he did a remarkable job with what he had to work with."

Duquette's action was nothing new for the franchise. Of the past six managers Boston has fired, five won more games than they lost: Don Zimmer, John McNamara, Joe Morgan, Kevin Kennedy and Williams.

McNamara was replaced by Morgan after a 43-42 start to the 1988 season. The Red Sox went on to win the East. Morgan was fired three seasons later.

"We just continued to win," Boggs said of McNamara's firing. "Everybody in the clubhouse liked John McNamara. So it was sort of a shock on our part. We're winning, so why fire the manager?"

Don't expect Williams to remain out of the game for long. Winning managers don't stay unemployed.

MR. MILD WENT WILD: Before Kansas City's clubhouse opened after its fight-filled game against the Tigers on Aug. 10, Royals players were heard cheering taped replays of the fight between mild-mannered first baseman Mike Sweeney and Detroit starter Jeff Weaver.

"Sweeney is a very passionate player who leaves it out there every day," Royals reliever Blake Stein said. "To see that from him is an example of someone being as involved in a game as you can get.

"A lot of guys see the good guy, but he's an intense person. When he gets on the field, he's ready to play."

Sweeney bruised his right hand and wrist in a fight that started when he and Weaver began jawing at each other. He missed two games and was handed a 10-game suspension Thursday.

GOING DEEP: Mark McGwire's streak of 11 hits, all home runs, ended Wednesday.

Of the 40 hits McGwire has this season, 21 are homers. Manager Tony La Russa met with McGwire last week in Montreal and told him he would sit if the slugger, who is still slowed by his bothersome right knee and leg, couldn't produce.

"He's got to do what he needs to do to put the best guys out there," McGwire said. "If he feels I'm not that, then I don't have any problem with it."

ON THE CHEAP: The Indians got one of the best bargains in baseball last week when they picked up Jim Thome's $7.5-million option for 2002.

"In some ways, Jimmy picked up his own option," Cleveland assistant general manager Mark Shapiro told the Associated Press. "He's had a year that made this a very simple decision.

"Simplifying it more was what Jimmy has meant to our fans, our community and our organization."

A 13-veteran in Cleveland, the first baseman is hitting .311 with 42 homers, 106 RBI and a league-leading .689 slugging percentage.

ODDS AND ENDS: With their 7-2 win against Colorado on Wednesday, the Braves ended a six-game losing streak. It was their worst skid since September 1996. ... Phillies closer Jose Mesa, who has 31 saves, hasn't blown one since May 28. ... Seattle outfielder Mike Cameron had struck out in 26 straight games entering Saturday. It was the longest streak in the majors in at least 26 seasons. ... The Rangers are having the same hiccups with top draft pick Mark Teixeira as the Rays have had with Dewon Brazelton. Texas offered the third baseman a four-year deal worth nearly $8-million. Agent Scott Boras wants more than $10-million or his client will go back to Georgia Tech.

THE LAST WORD: "A play at the plate, it's not going to be cookies and cream." -- Pirates first baseman Kevin Young after Tuesday's game in which Arizona catcher Mike DiFelice stood over and taunted him following a collision at home in the second. Young flipped the former Rays catcher on his back.

-- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.

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