Hal McRae Is Fired by Royals

Hal McRae, one of five black managers in the major leagues, was fired by the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.

McRae, 49, was one of the most popular players in team history but did not achieve the same success as a manager.

“I think Hal has done everything possible with the club he had,” said Royal General Manager Herk Robinson. “He’s done a good job. But as we move forward we feel we can find a manager who can better lead us into the next several years with the younger players.”

Taking over from the fired John Wathan in May 1991 with no previous experience, McRae compiled a 286-277 record.

“I want to thank (the Royals) for giving me the opportunity to manage,” McRae said from his home in Bradenton, Fla. “I’m a better person because I’ve managed. I believe I improved as a manager.”

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The Vancouver Canadians, the Angels’ top farm club, defeated the Albuquerque Dukes, the Dodgers’ triple-A team, 6-4, at Vancouver to take a two-games-to-one lead in the Pacific Coast League’s championship series. Billy Ashley and Jose Offerman hit home runs for the Dukes. . . . John Cotton’s two-run home run in the fifth inning helped the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes win the California League championship with a 6-5 victory over the Modesto A’s at the Epicenter. The Quakes won the best-of-five series, three games to one.

Track and Field

World record-holder Sergei Bubka won the pole vault at 19 feet 4 1/2 inches at the Toto International Super Track Meet in Tokyo.

World record-holder Mike Powell of the United States lost the long jump to China’s Huang Geng when officials ruled he had fouled on his longest jump. Huang and Powell both jumped 25-11, but Powell lost because he had fouled on all his other jumps.

Hockey

Defenseman Anatoli Fedotov of the Mighty Ducks has retired, citing personal reasons. Fedotov, 28, who played only three games for the Ducks last season, will return to his native Russia. . . . Goaltender Ed Belfour ended his holdout and reported to the Chicago Blackhawks, one day before the team’s exhibition opener.

Basketball

The Phoenix Suns waived forward Jerrod Mustaf, apparently clearing the way for the team to sign unrestricted free agent Wayman Tisdale. The Suns also said guard Winston Garland has signed a one-year contract and rookie forward Antonio Lang has signed a three-year contract.

Golf

Jeff Sluman ran off five consecutive birdies in shooting an eight-under-par 63 for a one-stroke lead over three players after the first round of the B.C. Open at Endicott, N.Y.

Rookie Annika Sorenstam shot a five-under-par 67 for a one-stroke lead after the first round of the LPGA Safeco Classic at Kent, Wash.

Names in the News

Ross MacDonald of Canada, sailing with Eric Jesperson as crew, became the first sailor to win two races this week at the 73rd Star Class world championships at San Diego, overcoming a two-minute lead by Italy’s Pietro D’Ali to win by 55 seconds in winds of only six to seven knots. . . . U.S. national soccer team winger Cobi Jones of Westlake Village has obtained a work permit in England and is cleared to play for Coventry City in the Premier League. . . . U.S. Open champion Andre Agassi will play Michael Chang at the Forum at 7 p.m. Sept. 22 in the Forum Tennis Challenge.