Section B·Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Friday, October 2, 1998
Jayhawks Defense
Jason Benavides/KANSAN
Marlin's manager resigns position
Leyland weighing options, looking for new franchise
The Associated Press
MIAMI — Jim Leyland, having seen his World Series championship team broken apart in less than a year, left the Florida Marlins yesterday.
Leyland announced that he would not return as the Marlins' manager next season, using an escape clause that allows him to take a $500,000 buyout if he quits within two weeks after the season.
"From a business standpoint, it didn't quite work out," Leyland said. "I had to determine whether I was willing to go at the pace that new ownership's going to set. I decided that I don't want to do that."
The Marlins had no plans to immediately appoint a successor, general manager Dave Dombrowski said.
Leyland said he revealed his decision Wednesday to his wife and their two children, and informed the Marlins yesterday morning. He had told reporters he wanted to shock the world but his departure had been largely expected.
"When I said major shock in the papers, I think this is a major shock." Leyland said. "Maybe some of you don't. Some of the coaches thought I'd make the decision to stay."
"I wanted to get away from things and make what I thought was the best decision," said Leyland, who led the Marlins to the World Series championship in 1997.
I make the decision to remain with a team that is in ownership limbo coming off a 54-108 season, the worst in the National League since 1969.
Leyland had been mulling his options since the season ended Sunday.
There has been speculation he would become the next manager of the Colorado Rockies, who fired Don
Baylor on Monday. Leyland and Rockies owner Jerry McMorris are good friends, and the Rockies have been awaiting permission from the Marlins to interview Leyland.
"I've talked to nobody about a contract, but I've got a feel for what's out there," Leyland said. "Nobody has offered me anything. I've had people inquire. What are you going to do? But has any anybody sat down and said. We'd like to offer you a contract? Absolutely not."
Millionaire commodities trader John Henry hopes to complete his $150 million purchase of the team next week, but he has feuded publicly with owner H. Wayne Huhenga during negotiations, raising doubts as to whether they would reach a deal.
If Henry completes the purchase of the 6-year-old franchise
he faces the challenge of lobbying for a new stadium.
Dombrowski, meanwhile, must find a manager willing to work with a young roster — the Marlins played 27 rookies in 1998 — not expected to contend for a few years.
"You have to be realistic about your situation," said Dombrowski, who agreed last month to a $5 million contract that would keep him in South Florida for the next five years.
"We're a young club that's growing," he said. "Some managers are better with young talent, some are better with veteran talent. Nobody knows what our timetable is right now."
The leading candidate to become the Marlins' fourth manager appears to be its second manager. John Boles, Florida's vice president for player development, finished out the 1996 season after Rene Lachemann was fired.
Boles is familiar with Florida's youth brigade and well respected for his work with young players. Fredi Gonzalez, who managed this year at Florida's Triple-A Charlotte affiliate, also has been mentioned as a candidate.