Giants partner Magowan to leave

Rocky staff and wire reports

Originally published 01:45 p.m., May 16, 2008
Updated 11:54 p.m., May 16, 2008

Associated Press

Giants partner Peter Magowan plans to spend more time with his family.

Peter Magowan, the owner who brought Barry Bonds to San Francisco, built a new ballpark and kept major league baseball in the city, is stepping down as managing partner of the Giants.

The 66-year-old Magowan will retire from his duties at the end of the season on Oct. 1 but maintain an ownership stake, the team said Friday.

"I feel happy, I feel relieved, in some ways I feel a little bit nostalgic," Magowan said. "The memories I have are some very, very good memories, and some memories not so good."

American Bar Association president and longtime Microsoft attorney Bill Neukom, a current partner in the Giants group, will take over for Magowan. Also, executive vice president Larry Baer will become team president effective Oct. 1.

These changes are subject to the approval of Major League Baseball. The Giants expect that to happen when the owners next meet, Aug. 13-14.

"I couldn't resist it," Neukom said of the opportunity. "I couldn't have done this a year ago."

Magowan informed the ownership group of his decision during a meeting Friday morning. He plans to spend more time with his family, including seeing more of his 10 grandchildren.

"I'm sure there are a lot of you who will say there have to be other reasons," he said. "'You're fed up with last place or the Bonds investigations or the Mitchell Report or Bud Selig or whatever. And I'm going to tell you whether you believe it or not, it's the truth for me, that's not right. I'm leaving because I think the time is right for me and my family."

WHITE SOX SCOUTS FIRED: The White Sox fired director of player personnel David Wilder along with two other scouts in the club's Latin American operation.

Victor Mateo and Domingo Toribio also were terminated after a two-month investigation by Major League Baseball's Department of Investigations, the team said.

Findings from baseball's investigation have been turned over to federal authorities. The White Sox said the three were dismissed "for actions in Latin America that were violations of club policy and standards" but didn't elaborate.

General Manager Kenny Williams said he could not comment further on what wrongdoing led to the firings.

FIRST TEST FOR RODRIGUEZ: Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez reported no problems with his strained right quadriceps Friday, one day after running the bases for the first time since being sidelined last month. Rodriguez is scheduled to play in the first of three extended spring training games today. He is scheduled to rejoin the team Tuesday.

ALL-STAR COACHES: Managers Joe Girardi of the Yankees and Willie Randolph of the Mets have been asked to serve as coaches for the All-Star Game in New York.

Rockies manager Clint Hurdle will lead the National League side and Red Sox manager Terry Francona will guide the American League team.

Hurdle asked Randolph and San Diego manager Bud Black to be on his staff. Francona invited Girardi and Detroit manager Jim Leyland to be AL coaches.

Hurdle said Black "has handled an All- Star Game pitching staff (when he was a coach with the Angels) and I wanted to bring someone with that kind of experience to help Bob Apodaca."

Of Randolph, Hurdle said, "Willie Randolph has a lot of All-Star experience with Joe Torre. He is part of the Yankee tradition. He is a contemporary of mine. I have tremendous respect for Willie from when he was a player."

ETC.: Jason Isringhausen was put on the 15-day disabled list after the Cardinals say he pitched three times after cutting his pitching hand, apparently from striking a television in frustration. . . . Royals catcher John Buck was granted three days of bereavement leave because of health concerns for his wife, Brooke, after she gave birth prematurely to twins. . . . Rafael Betancourt has lost his job as interim closer for the Indians, who plan to use several relievers until Joe Borowski returns from an arm injury.

Staff reporter Tracy Ringolsby contributed to this article.