Valentine and Narron Join the Unemployed

Bobby Valentine was fired Tuesday as manager of the New York Mets, two days after the team finished last in the National League East and two seasons after it reached the World Series.

The Mets put together a $95-million payroll last winter, bringing in Roberto Alomar, Mo Vaughn, Roger Cedeno and others, but they struggled all season and were embarrassed by accusations last month that at least seven players were smoking marijuana this season.

“We put very good players in place who didn’t play very well. It’s best to jump-start and get a manager to motivate these players and get the best out of the veterans and the young players,” owner Fred Wilpon said at a news conference.

Valentine just finished the second year of a three-year contract, and the Mets will be responsible for his 2003 salary of about $2.7 million.

The Mets finished 75-86, in last place in the NL East for the first time since 1993. In six-plus seasons with the Mets, Valentine was 536-467, reaching the playoffs in 1999 and 2000.

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Jerry Narron was fired as manager of the Texas Rangers, who finished last in the AL West for the third consecutive season.

Narron went 134-162 after taking over in May 2001, including a 72-90 mark this season. He replaced Johnny Oates after the team started 11-17 last season.

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Dodger left fielder Brian Jordan underwent surgery to repair the patella tendon in his left knee Tuesday, the same day he was selected National League player of the month for September.

Dr. Frank Jobe and Dr. Ralph Gambardella performed the one-hour procedure, and Jordan was expected to be released from the hospital Tuesday night. He is expected to make a full recovery for 2003.

Jordan hit .347 with five home runs, seven doubles, 10 runs and a league-leading 30 runs batted in during September, helping the Dodgers remain in playoff contention until the final weekend of the season.

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Two former college basketball players pleaded guilty to the armed robbery of $44,102 in cash and jewelry from Cleveland Indian pitcher C.C. Sabathia in May at a Cleveland hotel. Damon Stringer, 24, and Jamaal Harris, 23, former teammates at Cleveland State, face four to 11 years in prison.... Detroit received permission from the San Diego Padres to interview first base coach Alan Trammell, a former star shortstop with the Tigers, for the team’s vacant managerial job.... Bill Virdon, 71, who has more than 40 years of major league experience as a player, manager and coach, has retired. He was Pittsburgh’s bench coach the last two seasons.