Manager Purgings Start Fast

Dodger Manager Davey Johnson will have company.

The Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates fired their managers Monday in continuing a purge expected to leave many seeking work.

Buck Showalter of the Diamondbacks, Jack McKeon of the Reds and Gene Lamont of the Pirates were among the first victims of increased payrolls and unfulfilled expectations, being ousted a day after the regular season ended.

They joined Terry Francona, whom the Philadelphia Phillies fired Sunday in initiating the tumultuous process.

The list figures to increase soon.

The Dodgers are planning to announce that Johnson will not return to complete the final year of his contract, and Tom Kelly, who led the Minnesota Twins to two World Series championships, might have worn out his welcome.

Tampa Bay Manager Larry Rothschild, whose club finished last in the American League East at 69-92, survived after being on the hot seat. However, the Devil Rays fired three coaches, including former Dodger player and manager Bill Russell.

Others are expected to come under scrutiny as non-playoff teams begin assessing what went wrong.

The Phillies, Diamondbacks, Reds and Pirates apparently didn’t need much time.

The ax fell first on Francona.

The Phillies finished last in the National League East and tied the Chicago Cubs for the worst record in the league at 65-97. Philadelphia lost 11 of its last 14 games, but Francona surmised that a strong finished wouldn’t have helped.

“I’ve been fired 25 times over the last week,” Francona said, alluding to speculation he would not return despite being owed about $1 million.

“This was not exactly a shock, which takes away some of the sting. With what I was given, I didn’t do a good enough job.”

The Diamondbacks, Reds and Pirates viewed their managers’ performances similarly.

Few managers were in as strong a position as Showalter last season.

The Diamondbacks finished first in the West in only their second season, winning 100 games and a division championship faster than any franchise.

Showalter was considered the second most powerful club official behind Managing Partner Jerry Colangelo. But many were weary of his sweeping influence.

Showalter reportedly fell in disfavor with Colangelo because of Showalter’s desire to expand his power. Then players began grumbling about Showalter’s supposedly dictatorial approach.

The Diamondbacks fared poorly after acquiring hard-throwing Curt Schilling in a four-for-one trade with the Phillies, finishing third in the West at 85-77.

“Five years is an eternity in pro sports for a coach, for a general manager, for a manager,” Colangelo said. “Buck had five years with us, and I owe him a great debt of gratitude.”

McKeon was only one season removed from leading the small-market Reds to 96 victories.

Cincinnati lost a playoff with the New York Mets last season for the final postseason slot, but McKeon was selected NL manager of the year for his efforts.

The Reds refused to give the 69-year-old manager a multiyear extension after the surprisingly successful season, indicating they had other plans in preparation for moving into a new ballpark in 2003.

In addition to his shaky contract status, McKeon also faced high expectations because of the arrival of Ken Griffey Jr. in a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Mariners.

Griffey batted .271 with 40 home runs, 118 runs batted in and 100 runs. But the perennial all-star center fielder didn’t make the impact management had hoped, and Griffey was one of several veterans who questioned McKeon’s style.

The Reds finished 85-77, 10 games behind the Central-winning St. Louis Cardinals. Much more was expected, and McKeon saw the handwriting on the wall.

“Unfortunately, that’s the way the game goes,” said McKeon, who conceded that some players wanted anyone else in the manager’s chair.

“It’s a business decision and management had that prerogative. It’s a sad day. On the other hand, it’s not so sad. It’s the way it is.”

Lamont was on the spot from the outset this season because owner Kevin McClatchy predicted the Pirates would win 90 games.

They were 69-93--finishing fifth in the six-team Central. It was Pittsburgh’s second 90-loss season in three years, and too much for Lamont to overcome with an owner who believed more should have been accomplished.

“I wish I could have gotten it done,” said Lamont, who had a 295-352 record with the Pirates, failing to reach the postseason. “Maybe it’s time for someone else to manage this team.”

Lamont, fired by the White Sox after an 11-20 start in 1995, had known for some time that he would not return next season.

He complied with club officials who had asked him not to comment until after the final homestand against the Cubs, featuring Sunday’s celebration of the last baseball game at Three Rivers Stadium.

The Dodgers said Monday’s activity has not affected their timetable regarding Johnson and General Manager Kevin Malone, although Malone boldly told reporters last week he is confident he will return.

Derrick Hall, senior vice president, said Chairman Bob Daly and President Bob Graziano are in the process of determining the organization’s course.

“At this point, it doesn’t matter what other teams have done or are doing,” Hall said. “Our evaluation process will not change.

“We have to go by our own timetable. We have to do that to make sure we make the proper decisions.”

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The Associated Press contributed to this story.