Jim Tracy was fired as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday after two seasons filled with long losing streaks and little discernible progress.
Tracy’s patience and back-patting weren’t enough to turn around the Pirates. He produced records of 67-95 in 2006 and 68-94 this season, the shortest run of any non-interim Pirates manager since Bill Virdon was fired late into his second season in 1973.
“What we needed to do is change the culture here to a culture of success,” new team President Frank Coonelly said. “We needed a new direction and a new focus.”
*Padres outfielder Milton Bradley was fined $750 but not suspended for his confrontation last month with umpire Mike Winters. Winters previously was suspended for inciting Bradley. Bob Watson, baseball’s vice president in charge of discipline, said that Bradley was not suspended “because no contact was made” during game at San Diego on Sept. 24. Bradley tried to get at Winters but was spun to the ground by manager Bud Black. Bradley suffered a torn knee ligament and missed the rest of the season. … Mets pitcher Tom Glavine declined his $13 million option with New York, making himself eligible for free agency. Glavine, 41, went 13-8 with a 4.45 ERA in 34 starts. … The A’s Eric Chavez will have back surgery next week and is expected to be ready by spring training. The injury-plagued six-time Gold Glove third baseman had surgery on his right shoulder in early September. Chavez appeared in only 90 games for the A’s in 2007. He batted .240 with 15 home runs and 46 RBIs.
