Cleveland Rocks

Poor Charlie Manuel. To get fired right after representing your team in the All-Star game.

I just don't get why a team that has made public their intent to build for the future would release a manager who has won whenever he has had the talent to win. Manuel was in the last year of his contract, and Mike Shapiro claims to have let Manuel go after being presented by him with an ultimatum for a commitment for next season. I can't believe that's it's that simple, but then again, nothing really is.

As far as Joel Skinner is concerned, it's nice to see a team make the unconventional move to hire a former catcher as manager. How many are there now, 10? There's Boone, Torre, Brenley, Bochy, Scioscia, Pena, McClendon, and Narron. Well, 8. And Buck Martinez also managed this year.