Yost Is Chosen Manager of Brewers

Atlanta Brave coach Ned Yost was hired as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, returning to the team where he was a backup catcher in the 1980s.

“This is needless to say a very special day in my life,” Yost said during a news conference at Miller Park. “To be able to come back here ... it’s just like being a 4-year-old at Christmas time.”

Yost agreed to a two-year contract that includes a club option for 2005.

“Ned showed great determination for this opportunity,” General Manager Doug Melvin said.

In other manager news, as expected the Oakland Athletics promoted bench coach Ken Macha to take over for Art Howe, who left for the New York Mets, and the Cleveland Indians hired Eric Wedge, 34, a former big league catcher who becomes the majors’ youngest manager.

Wedge, who managed Cleveland’s triple-A team at Buffalo last season, said his predecessor, interim manager Joel Skinner, will go back to his previous job as the team’s third base coach.

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Jeff Kent filed for free agency, two days after the San Francisco Giants lost in Game 7 of the World Series.

Atlanta’s Greg Maddux, winner of four Cy Young Awards, was also among the 32 players who filed on the second day of the 15-day filing period. Among others filing were Yankee third baseman Robin Ventura and Seattle first baseman John Olerud.

Three players filed for free agency after teams declined their options: Philadelphia right-hander Terry Adams ($5.4 million), Seattle right-hander James Baldwin ($4 million) and Oakland catcher Greg Myers ($1.1 million).

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Right-hander Bartolo Colon’s $6-million option was exercised by the Montreal Expos.... Right-hander Todd Jones’ $3-million option was exercised by the Colorado Rockies.... The Toronto Blue Jays signed left-hander Doug Creek to a one-year contract.