Dallas – Three minutes into his introductory press conference, Grady Little fielded his first question as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ manager. It was a sinking line drive.
So Grady, how much did you want this chance again after what happened in Game 7 of the 2003 American League Championship Series when you left in Pedro Martinez?
“It was in the past the day that season ended. I was confident in the job I did there,” Little said before adding later, “It wasn’t hurtful (the way he was vilified). It’s New England, Boston. All they want to do is win and that’s all we were trying to do.”
Little, the Dodgers’ 25th manager, takes over Team Turmoil, an organization scarred by unprecedented front-office upheaval. General manager Ned Colletti, picking up where his fired predecessor Paul DePodesta left off, decided on Little after a two-month exhaustive search in which 23 candidates were interviewed.
“I am confident we have the right man,” Colletti said.
Little, who spent the past two years working as a scout for the Chicago Cubs, was roundly criticized for leaving in Martinez against the Yankees as Boston squandered a 5-2 lead. He was fired not long after, a chilling loss that thawed considerably after the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series.
Short story
When agent Eric Goldschmidt asked Braves general manager John Schuerholz if he was interested in free-agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez, he indicated they were going in a different direction. He wasn’t kidding. The Braves, Red Sox and Devil Rays were on the verge Tuesday night of completing a blockbuster deal that would land Edgar Renteria in Atlanta, Andy Marte in Tampa Bay and Julio Lugo in Boston.
Renteria suffered through a miserable season with the Red Sox, committing a career high in errors. However, he is a previous Gold Glove winner in the National League with St. Louis, and his résumé trumps that of the departed Rafael Furcal.
Whether Lugo would remain at short depends on whether Boston lands San Diego second baseman Mark Loretta in exchange for catcher Doug Mirabelli. The Padres also are aggressively shopping Sean Burroughs.
Casey at the bat
Perhaps this was what commissioner Bud Selig had in mind with revenue sharing. The Pittsburgh Pirates took on the final $8.5 million of first baseman Sean Casey’s contract in exchange for pitcher Dave Williams. The Reds plan to move Adam Dunn to first base. Pittsburgh also is closing in on signing infielder Bill Mueller, who won a batting title with Boston two years ago.
Footnotes
After being granted permission, Cubs manager Dusty Baker met with Los Angeles outfielder Milton Bradley last week. The Cubs are considering swapping Corey Patterson for Bradley. The Dodgers also are making a play for Rangers second baseman Alfonso Soriano. …
Frank Thomas met with GM Billy Beane in his suite Tuesday and remains a strong candidate to sign as Oakland’s DH. …
Blue Jays GM Jay Ricciardi received a three-year contract extension. …
Boston first baseman John Olerud retired after 16 years. …
Making clear he has not retired, former Rockies catcher Charles Johnson said he would like to continue playing in the right situation. “I want people to know that I am still out there,” Johnson said. …
Outfielder Tom Goodwin, a one-time Rockie, hopes to return to the game. …
The Giants acquired Orioles reliever Steve Kline in exchange for LaTroy Hawkins.
