Macha Back With A’s After All

Ken Macha has a new job: His old one.

Out last week after three seasons managing the Oakland Athletics, he called General Manager Billy Beane one last time to say thanks -- and wound up Friday with a three-year deal to return.

“I think both of us felt this would be best for himself, best for myself and best for the club,” Macha said. “I think Billy has a lot of trust in what I do on the field, and I have a lot of trust in what he does off the field.”

Macha and Beane didn’t talk after the A’s announced negotiations on an extension broke down Oct. 5. Macha now acknowledges the two sides probably should have waited a week after an emotional season to begin the discussions.

“It all started with that call,” Beane said. “I think it took a lot for him to pick up that phone. It was probably not an easy call for him to make.”

Right fielder Nick Swisher sounded happy to have his old manager back.

“Macha’s a great manager and he knows the game. I’m excited for next season to get started,” Swisher said during a telephone interview from his home in West Virginia. “Billy knows what he’s doing. Just like everyone else in this organization, he’s always going to push us in the right direction.”

Macha interviewed for the opening in Pittsburgh that ultimately went to former Dodger manager Jim Tracy and had plans to talk with Tampa Bay.

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First base coach Davey Lopes and third base coach Rob Picciolo won’t be back with the San Diego Padres next season.

The Padres will not renew the contracts of Lopes, Picciolo and advance scout Jeff Gardner.

“We would like to express our sincere thanks to Davey, Rob and Jeff for the time they have invested in the organization and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors,” Padre General Manager Kevin Towers said in a news release. “However at this time we feel it necessary to head in a different direction entering the 2006 season.”

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The Dodgers have hired Camille Johnston as senior vice president of communications and eliminated the position of vice president of public relations held by John Olguin.

Olguin, a 14-year Dodger employee, was fired along with lower-lever public relations employees Chris Gutierrez and Paul Gomez. Kelly Mullins of the public relations firm Sitrick and Co. will end her six-month consulting role with the Dodgers on Oct. 24.

Johnston, a UCLA graduate, was spokeswoman for Rodale Inc., publisher of magazines including Men’s Health and Runner’s World, the last four years. Before that she was senior White House aide to the office of the vice president, communications director for Tipper Gore and Midwest communications director for the Clinton-Gore reelection campaign.

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Dodger reserve catcher Mike Rose was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Left-handed minor league pitchers Ryan Ketchner and Derek Thompson were designated for assignment and removed from the 40-man roster.

Times staff writer Steve Henson contributed to this report.