Graziano Out as President, Sources Say

The shake-up of the Dodger front office apparently will continue. Multiple baseball sources said Monday that Bob Graziano is out as team president.

Graziano, 46, Dodger president since 1998, was conspicuous by his absence from Monday’s news conference to introduce Paul DePodesta as the team’s new general manager.

Asked about it, Dodger owner Frank McCourt said that Graziano “is the president of this organization” but “could not say” why he was not in attendance.

Two baseball officials, speaking on the condition that they not be identified, said Graziano was at the ballpark before the news conference in the Dugout Club.

Graziano, reached at home, declined to comment.

Graziano’s contract would pay him $500,000 this season. Sources said a financial settlement has yet to be worked out.

McCourt could not be reached for further comment Monday night.

Graziano joined the Dodgers in 1986 as the director of financial projects, hired by Peter O’Malley.

He became a vice president in 1987, and took over day-to-day operation of the business side of the franchise when he was named executive vice president in 1997.

Graziano was fired by News Corp. after the 1999 season but quickly rehired when Bob Daly took over day-to-day operation of the franchise before the start of the 2000 season.

-- Jason Reid