Yankees Fire Hitting Coach

The New York Yankees fired hitting coach Gary Denbo after they batted .183 during their World Series loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Denbo, in the Yankee organization for 12 years, replaced Chris Chambliss as hitting coach a year ago.

He spent the previous four seasons as the organization’s hitting coordinator and was the team’s assistant director of player development in 2000.

The Yankees batted .267 during the regular season, sixth best in the American League.

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Manager Bob Brenly, three days removed from leading the Diamondbacks to the first professional sports championship in Phoenix, told a celebrating crowd to get ready for another one.

After cheers and confetti rained on the World Series champions in a parade attended by an estimated 300,000 people, Brenly praised the crowd at Bank One Ballpark and guaranteed there will be another reason to celebrate in 2002.

“Spring training starts in 98 days,” Brenly said. “We’ll be back up here a year from today.”

Brenly and the World Series trophy rode on the fire engine that led the parade through downtown to the ballpark.

Most of the fans were dressed in purple and many were wildly waving American flags as the players rode past on 18 fire trucks.

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First baseman Andres Galarraga filed for free agency after the San Francisco Giants declined a $7-million option with a $250,000 buyout.... Right-hander Kevin Tapani filed after the Chicago Cubs declined a $6.5-million option, triggering a $500,000 buyout.... The Giants declined an option on right-hander Mark Gardner.

The Diamondbacks turned down a $2.15-million option on pitcher Russ Springer.... The Houston Astros declined a $9-million option on pitcher Pedro Astacio and a $2.5-million option on pitcher Doug Brocail.... Chicago White Sox pitcher Cal Eldred, and Seattle Mariner third baseman David Bell and catcher Pat Borders filed for free agency.

The Baltimore Orioles exercised options on utility man Jeff Conine and reliever Buddy Groom. Conine batted .311 and led the Orioles with 97 runs batted in.... Right-hander Scott Elarton and the Colorado Rockies agreed to a $1.4-million, one-year contract. Elarton started four times with the Rockies last season after being acquired from Houston on July 31.

Right-hander Rocky Coppinger signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics. Coppinger played with the Milwaukee Brewers the last two seasons, but spent most of 2001 in the minors.