CLEVELAND — Manny Acta’s record didn’t overwhelm the Indians. They looked much deeper than at his wins and losses — lots of losses.
Acta, fired as the Nationals’ manager in July after 2 1/2 seasons, was hired Sunday by the Indians, who gave him a three-year contract with a club option for 2013.
The club will introduce the 40-year-old Acta — the Indians’ 40th manager — at a news conference today. He’s the first Cleveland manager hired from outside the organization since John McNamara in 1990.
Acta’s communication skills impressed the Indians, who see the Dominican Republic native’s ability to communicate with the team’s Latino players as a positive. The Indians chose Acta over two other known finalists: Triple-A manager Torey Lovullo and former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine.
La Russa rumblings
ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported the Cardinals will hold a news conference today to announce manager Tony La Russa has agreed to return for a 15th season.
The newspaper also said La Russa was negotiating with Mark McGwire to be the team’s batting coach.
ESPN fires Phillips.
Analyst Steve Phillips has been fired by ESPN after admitting to an affair with an assistant at the cable network.
An ESPN spokesman said the network determined Phillips’ ability to be an effective analyst was “significantly and irreparably damaged.”
The Associated Press
