Billy Martin Fired Again

Billy Martin was fired as manager of the New York Yankees today and replaced by Lou Piniella, whom Martin replaced as manager Oct. 19. Martin had been serving his fifth term as manager of the Yankees, who are in second place in the American League East, 2 1/2 games behind the Detroit Tigers.

The Yankees lost four in a row going into tonight’s game against Cleveland and had just returned from a 2-7 road trip. The managerial change is the 15th for the Yankees since George Steinbrenner bought control of the team in 1973. Steinbrenner has fired Martin several times before.