MIAMI — Mike Redmond was fired Sunday as manager of the Miami Marlins, moments after they were nearly no-hit in a loss that completed a three-game sweep.
Atlanta’s Shelby Miller was one out from a no-hitter when Justin Bour singled in the Marlins’ 6-0 defeat, which dropped them to 16-22.
Redmond’s replacement will be announced Monday, the Marlins said. Bench coach Rob Leary also was fired.
“I feel bad for them,” reliever Steve Cishek said. “It’s not their fault.”
Owner Jeffrey Loria might be recalling that a managerial change paid off once before when the Marlins were 16-22. He fired Jeff Torborg after 38 games in May 2003, and replacement Jack McKeon led a turnaround that resulted in an improbable run to the World Series title.
The Marlins haven’t been to the post-season since.
“We are looking for a new voice,” president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. “We haven’t played up to our abilities, and we hope that a new voice will spark our team.”
Following a busy off-season highlighted by the signing of slugger Giancarlo Stanton to a record $325 million contract, the Marlins had high hopes of ending an 11-year playoff drought. But their bullpen has been woeful, and the batting order has struggled aside from major-league RBIs leader Stanton and batting leader Dee Gordon.
The Marlins have lost nine of their past 13 games and are fourth in the NL East.
“I think the solution is in that clubhouse,” Hill said. “We are looking for that consistency.”
Loria has a reputation for impatience with managers. Along with the early-season firing of Torborg, he dismissed Fredi Gonzalez in June 2010, and fired Joe Girardi and Ozzie Guillen after one season each.
Redmond went 62-100 in his first year as a major-league manager with the Marlins in 2013. They improved to 77-85 last year, ending a streak of three consecutive last-place finishes in the NL East. Their 15-win improvement tied for the best in the National League by a 100-loss team since 1986.
On the final day of last season, Redmond’s contract was extended two years through 2017. Guillen is in the final year of his contract, which means Loria will be paying three managers this year.
Redmond became the second big league manager to lose his job this season. Milwaukee fired Ron Roenicke on May 4 and replaced him with Craig Counsell.
Steven Wine, The Associated Press
Thanks for Reading!
Energeticcity.ca is the voice of the Peace, bringing issues that matter to the forefront with independent journalism. Our job is to share the unique values of the Peace region with the rest of B.C. and make sure those in power hear us. From your kids’ lemonade stand to natural resource projects, we cover it–but we need your support.
Give $10 a month to Energeticcity.ca today and be the reason we can cover the next story.
