Schmidt Will Quit Minor League Post

Philadelphia Phillie Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt will step down after one season as a manager in the organization’s minor-league system.

Schmidt has managed Philadelphia’s Clearwater affiliate in the Class-A Florida State League to a 54-80 record. The season ends Sunday.

Schmidt, 54, said in a statement that the “experience was wonderful and rewarding, but for several reasons does not work for me and my family.” He didn’t elaborate.

It was the first managerial job for Schmidt, who had worked with the Phillies as a part-time hitting instructor in previous seasons.

*

Jerry Colangelo resigned as chief executive officer of the Arizona Diamondbacks, four months ahead of schedule.

Colangelo, who agreed last month to leave Dec. 31, will remain as chairman of the team through the 2005 season. Colangelo was forced out of his position as CEO on Aug. 6 by four businessmen who became majority owners two years ago. In the same power move, player agent Jeff Moorad was hired as Colangelo’s replacement. Moorad will take over as CEO on Oct. 15.

*

Ichiro Suzuki’s 56 hits in August are still impressive -- only they’re not the most in a month by a major leaguer in 68 years as originally reported.

According to ongoing research by the Elias Sports Bureau, Suzuki’s total is the highest since Jeff Heath got 58 for Cleveland in August 1938.

When Suzuki got his third hit of the game Tuesday night for Seattle against Toronto, it was announced at SkyDome that he had matched the most since Cleveland’s Roy Weatherly also got 56 in July 1936.

*

White Sox reliever Cliff Politte had an appendectomy shortly before Chicago played the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night.... Reliever Steve Karsay was activated by the New York Yankees after sitting out nearly two seasons because of injuries.