Mike Redmond fired by Marlins
MIAMI -- Twelve years ago, when the Marlins were 16-22, owner Jeffrey Loria fired his manager and the team went on to win the World Series.
Now Miami is hoping for a repeat.
With that same 16-22 record, Loria fired manager Mike Redmond on Sunday after the Marlins were nearly no-hit in a 6-0 loss to Atlanta that completed a three-game sweep.
As the outs mounted, Loria left his seat near home plate in the fourth inning. After the game, he left it to president of baseball operations Michael Hill to explain the managerial change.
"We haven't played to our capabilities," Hill said. "We're hopeful that a new voice will spark and motivate our guys."
Redmond's replacement will be announced Monday, the Marlins said. Bench coach Rob Leary also was fired.
"I feel bad for them," reliever Steve Cishek said. "It's not their fault."
In his final game, Redmond had a hard time finding anyone who could get a hit. Shelby Miller was one out from a no-hitter when Justin Bour singled.
In May 2003, Loria fired Jeff Torborg after 38 games. Replacement Jack McKeon led a turnaround that resulted in an improbable run to the World Series title.
The Marlins haven't been to the postseason since.
Following a busy offseason highlighted by the signing of slugger Giancarlo Stanton to a record $325 million contract, the Marlins had high hopes of ending their playoff drought. But their bullpen has been woeful, and the batting order has struggled aside from major-league RBIs leader Stanton and batting leader Dee Gordon.
The Marlins have lost nine of their past 13 games and are fourth in the NL East.
"We're looking for that consistency," Hill said. "We're swinging the bat well at times, but not when we need to do it. We're pitching well at times, but not when we need to do it. I think the solution is in that clubhouse."
Loria has a reputation for impatience with managers. Along with the early-season firing of Torborg, he dismissed Fredi Gonzalez in June 2010, and fired Joe Girardi and Ozzie Guillen after one season each.
Redmond went 62-100 in his first year as a major-league manager with the Marlins in 2013. They improved to 77-85 last year, ending a streak of three consecutive last-place finishes in the NL East. Their 15-win improvement tied for the best in the National League by a 100-loss team since 1986.
On the final day of last season, Redmond's contract was extended two years through 2017. Guillen is in the final year of his contract, which means Loria will be paying three managers this year.
Redmond became the second big league manager to lose his job this season. Milwaukee fired Ron Roenicke on May 4 and replaced him with Craig Counsell.
