New Red Sox owners make first move, fire team's GM

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Dan Duquette was fired Thursday as general manager of the Boston Red Sox, less than 24 hours after the historic, hard-luck franchise was bought by new owners.

His former assistant, Mike Port, will be the interim general manager.

In his eight-year tenure, Duquette grew to be one of the most polarizing figures in Boston sports, guiding the team with a robotic style that never quite clicked with fans who are among the most passionate in baseball.

New team president Larry Lucchino and owners John Henry and Tom Werner met with Duquette in his hotel to give him the news on Thursday morning. Duquette scheduled a news conference for later in the day.

Duquette will continue to be paid until Jan. 26, 2004, as part of the $4.5 million, three-year contract extension given to him by the old owners.

The Red Sox went 656-574 record under Duquette, setting franchise attendance records but winning the AL East just once. They also earned wild-card berths in 1998 and 1999, advancing to the second round only once in three playoff appearances.

Umps regain MLB jobs

Five major league umpires regained their jobs after a 2 1/2-year struggle against the commissioner's office. Gary Darling, Bill Hohn, Larry Poncino, Larry Vanover and Joe West will start working spring training games Monday, the commissioner's office said. The five have not officiated major league games since Sept. 2, 1999, when 22 umpires were terminated by baseball after their failed resignation.

Grievance case in recess

Paul Beeston, baseball's chief operating officer, completed his testimony Thursday in the grievance by players against contraction, and the case recessed until March 18.

Arbitrator Shyam Das has heard 14 days of testimony in the case, which is continuing even though baseball, faced with an injunction it couldn't remove, dropped its attempt to eliminate the Minnesota Twins and Montreal Expos this year.

Players contend the Nov. 6 vote by owners to eliminate two teams violated the sport's labor contract, which expired the following day. If Das agrees with them, players would seek money damages from the teams.

Owners contend they can eliminate teams without an agreement from the union. Players say their approval is needed to fold franchises.

-- From wire services