Sources: Girardi on way out in Florida

Marlins manager's feud with Loria to cost him his job

News Wire Services

Published September 23, 2006 at midnight

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PHILADELPHIA - When Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria fired manager Joe Girardi after a testy exchange Aug. 6, Loria quickly was talked into changing his mind.

But as Florida makes its final run at an improbable playoff berth, the Loria-Girardi relationship remains as chilly as ever, with Loria prepared to fire his manager when the season ends, multiple sources said Friday.

"I can't see any scenario with him coming back," one of them said.

Asked about Girardi's future in a telephone call Friday, Loria said, "I have no comment."

With the Marlins beginning a crucial series against the Philadelphia Phillies, a front-office source said no official decision has been made.

"Nothing has been decided," that person said. "Everybody is taking the stance of, 'Let's get through the season and see where we are.' Until Jeffrey and Joe sit down to talk, anything outside of that is the million-dollar question.

"It's going to be largely to do with Jeffrey. It was his hire. He's got to feel comfortable about it, and right now he's putting on that poker face."

Before Friday night's game, Girardi stuck to his policy of not discussing his future.

"The focus should not be on me. It shouldn't be on anything but winning games," he said.

"I've been through a lot worse distractions than this."

Girardi and Loria have been at odds since spring training, persons familiar with the situation said.

The rift became public during an Aug. 6 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dolphin Stadium, when Girardi scolded Loria for yelling at an umpire, and the two exchanged harsh words.

Afterward, Loria was ready to announce the firing until other front-office officials talked him out of it.

"After what happened, it would shock me if he came back," a source said. "The front office can't stand him. They feel totally disrespected by him."

Despite having a lineup that many people predicted would lose more than 100 games and despite the friction with management, Girardi is a prime candidate for National League Manager of the Year honors.

HALLADAY'S SEASON OVER: Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay (16-5, 3.19 ERA) will miss the rest of the season because of a strained right forearm.

The former Arvada West athlete said the forearm has bothered him off and on all season. He missed a start in April because of it and left his last start against New York in the fourth inning.

"I realized this was the best and smartest thing to do," said Halladay, who had only two scheduled starts left.

ROSE BASEBALLS SOLD: Thirty baseballs that Pete Rose signed and inscribed with an apology for betting on baseball were sold for $1,000 apiece.

The baseballs were scheduled to be put up for bid in April by Robert Edwards Auctions, which is selling sports memorabilia from the estate of former New York Yankees limited partner Barry Halper.

ESI Entertainment Systems Inc., a British Columbia company that provides gaming products and services, offered $30,000 for the 30 balls. The auction house consulted Halper's family, which accepted the offer.

Auction house president Robert Lifson said he recommended accepting the offer after Rose started selling identical apology baseballs on his Web site for $299 apiece. The baseballs feature "I'm sorry I bet on baseball" printed in block letters above Rose's autograph.

Lifson said the Canadian company was aware that Rose is selling cheaper baseballs online.

ETC.: The Cardinals have extended general manager Walt Jocketty's contract through the 2008 season, the team announced . . . Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp (.264, 8 homers, 36 RBI) will have season-ending surgery on his left index finger Monday. . . . Tigers second baseman Placido Polanco is coming off the disabled list today. Polanco went on the DL on Aug. 16 after separating his shoulder the day before while diving for a ball in shallow center in Boston.

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