Reds Keep Miley as Their Manager

Dave Miley was hired Thursday to manage the rebuilding Cincinnati Reds, who removed the interim tag from his job title.

Miley went 22-35 as interim manager last season. He took over after Bob Boone and General Manager Jim Bowden were fired on July 28.

Miley, a 24-year veteran of the organization, received a one-year contract with a club option for another season, General Manager Dan O’Brien said.

O’Brien turned to Miley, 41, who managed the club’s young players at triple-A Louisville before being promoted to Cincinnati.

*

As expected, Terry Francona was hired as Boston manager, joining Curt Schilling, his former ace with the Philadelphia Phillies, in an effort to bring the Red Sox their first World Series championship since 1918.

Francona said he knew it was a perfect fit as soon as he came to Boston to interview with General Manager Theo Epstein.

“I went home knowing this was a place I wanted to end up,” Francona said.

*

St. Louis Cardinal center fielder Jim Edmonds underwent shoulder surgery Thursday, but the club expects him to be healed by spring training.

*

The man who attacked umpire Laz Diaz at a Chicago White Sox game this season has pleaded guilty to aggravated battery.

Eric Dybas, 25, was immediately sentenced to six months in jail and 30 months of probation.

*

Rights for Puerto Rican television are holding up a deal that would bring the Montreal Expos back to San Juan for 22 games next season. The dispute should not jeopardize an agreement, promoter Antonio Munoz said.