Leyland Chooses Marlins

Jim Leyland paused during his news conference Friday to try on a new Florida Marlins jersey, then jokingly complained that it was a bit big.

To the Marlins, it looks like a perfect fit.

Florida finished first in a furious four-team race for Leyland, who flew down from Pittsburgh early Friday and signed a five-year contract to manage a team that has not had a winning season in its four-year existence.

“We’re here to get better and better, and to one day win a world championship,” Marlin President Don Smiley said. “We believe we’ve increased our chances dramatically today.”

Leyland, 51, decided late Thursday to choose Florida over the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox. He had earlier rejected an offer from the Angels.

Financial terms weren’t disclosed, but Leyland’s contract was believed to be close to the $1.5 million earned annually by St. Louis’ Tony La Russa, the highest-paid manager in baseball.

Leyland picked the team that he felt could become a championship contender the quickest and said he likes Florida’s mixture of youth (shortstop Edgar Renteria, catcher Charles Johnson) and experience (slugger Gary Sheffield, pitcher Kevin Brown).

“I just felt this was the best overall situation for me,” the former Pirate manager said. “And having an opportunity to win here for the first time ever was really intriguing.”

John Boles, who replaced Rene Lachemann at the All-Star break, returns to his previous job as vice president of player development.

“I think it’s great,” Boles said. “We got the guy we wanted. We just got better today.”

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The Houston Astros admitted to an unusual move, but did it anyway by firing Manager Terry Collins and replacing him with broadcaster Larry Dierker.

“It is an unconventional decision, but being in a small market and being forced to compete with the best revenue teams, if we have to do everything they’re doing, we’re not going to get it done,” owner Drayton McLane said.

Dierker, a former Astro pitcher and the teams’ first 20-game winner, has no coaching experience. He’s been the Astros color commentator since 1979 and admitted he was stunned.

“It’s like someone says, ‘We’re putting you in a rocket ship and sending you to the moon,’ ” Dierker said. “You may not want to get on a rocket ship, but to go to the moon, how could you refuse?”

Dierker, 50, was given a two-year contract. Terms were not announced.

“It surprised me very much but no, I’m not bitter,” Collins said. “I got a chance. That’s all you can ever ask, and I got a chance here. We just didn’t win and now you’ve got to move on.”

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The San Francisco Giants bought out the contract of second baseman Robby Thompson, making him a free agent.

Thompson, 34, has not played 100 games in a season since 1993 because of injuries.

Thompson earned a reported $4.9 million this past season, the final year of a three-year, $12-million contract. The Giants had the option to pay Thompson $3.4 million in 1997, or buy out his contract for $375,000.

“I think Robby knows how we feel about him and fully understands the reasons behind our decision,” General Manager Brian Sabean said.