Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Marlins Cut Bait, Fredi Gonzalez Fired As Manager

[HT: MLB.com, Miami Herald]

We have our first manager's head to roll in the Major League Baseball season. The Florida Marlins fired Fredi Gonzalez as well as two coaches, hitting coach Jim Presley and bench coach Carlos Tosca.

Here's the official release from the club.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20100623&content_id=11486276&vkey=pr_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla

"It is never easy to make a change in managers," Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said in a written statement. "Fredi has been with our club for four years. We have become close, and I am extremely fond of Fredi. I, along with all our fans, am grateful for Fredi's contributions. At the same time, we can't let personal feelings get in the way of taking steps that we believe are necessary to improve our ballclub."

Edwin Rodriguez who has managed the New Orleans Zephyrs, the Marlins Triple A franchise, will take over as the interim manager.

In two and a half season with the Gamefish Gonzalez compiled a 276-279 record and winning season in 2008 and 2009.

High expectations were placed on Gonzales by Marlins owner Jeff Loria to produce a winner. The 2010 season has been a headache from the start for the Game fish. First back in May Hanley Ramirez was pulled from a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks for not hustling on a play. Then Ramirez said he lost respect for his manager because he never played the game.

The bullpen has been mess using 17 relievers this season walking 104 batters, fourth worst by a bullpen in the majors.

Then during an 11 inning 9-8 loss to Tampa Bay, the Marlins batted out of order in the ninth inning.

Those of us at the OSG HQ are wondering if the Atlanta Braves are looking toward Fredi Gonzales to replace Bobby Cox following his retirement.


Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

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