Yeah, let's fire Dierker. Alou's much better. Stupid Expos. Have a tiny payroll, then blame losing on the manager. Twirps. ------------------ A few years back on the Senate floor... Phil Gramm: "If Democrats could, they'd tax the air we breathe." Ted Kennedy (jumping up): "By God, why didn't I think of that sooner!" Boston College - NCAA Hockey National Champions 2001
I'm so happy for Alou, he deserves SO MUCH MORE than the Expos. And I agree, he would look great in the dugout at Enron. ------------------
Yeah, and like they had a choice in how ginormous their payroll should be. The sagging Canadian dollar, the ridiculous salary structure in baseball (or lack thereof), soaring taxes in Quebec and the lack of a baseball market in Montreal have all contributed to the sad situation in Expoland. To call the franchise a bunch pf twirps just relects ignorance on the situation. Just want to clarify that I agree dumping Alou was a bad decision. But I can see why they did it; as good as a job he did over the past decade, the team needed a change. Firing him did not send the message that he was to blame, it was more a mutual parting. Azim da Dream ------------------ Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, either. Just leave me the hell alone. http://www.clutchtown.com [This message has been edited by Azim da Dream (edited May 31, 2001).]
There are two coaches in MLB right now that I would drop any other coach like a hot rock to get....Dusty Baker and Felipe Alou. Felipe is available! I wish the Astros would make the move, but I doubt they will. ------------------
Hire Felipe as a bench coach. Slowly push out Dierker. Smooth move by hiring Torborg . What's up with all these broadcasters wanting to become managers? Nice record as manager too. Let's be happy. The Expos are one step closer to shutting down permanently. I'm sure people in Montreal are fed up with the Expos. [This message has been edited by Smokey (edited May 31, 2001).]
Felipe will probably do a better coaching job than Dierk. ------------------ I eat nutria now..courtesy of mc mark!!!
MONTREAL -- Felipe Alou was fired Thursday as manager of the Montreal Expos and was replaced by Jeff Torborg. Alou, Montreal's manager since May 22, 1992, was let go with the Expos last in the NL East at 21-32. His overall record with the Expos is 691-717. In an interview broadcast on the RDI, the CBC's French all-news channel, Alou said he wasn't entirely surprised by the move after recent speculation. "I almost feel relieved, you know," Alou said. "I could feel it coming. "I must take it as a firing, another change in my career," he added, saying he had no immediate plans. In 1994, Alou had the Expos in first place when a players strike ended the season in August. He was voted NL Manager of the Year. "The decision to change managers was very difficult, but one that I felt necessary," Expos owner Jeffrey Loria said in a statement. "Our team has been underperforming for some time. Before the season started, and many times since, I have reiterated the fact that we expect to win and that excuses of past years will not be accepted. "Jeff Torborg understands that the pressure for this team to turn around starts tonight." Torborg, who signed a three-year contract, previously managed Cleveland (1977-79), the Chicago White Sox (1989-91) and the New York Mets (1992-93). He had been working as a broadcaster with Fox. He has a 492-551 record in parts of eight seasons. "Felipe and I have been friends since 1964 and I have tremendous respect for him, admiration for him," Torborg said. "I learned a great deal being around him that it makes a day like this very difficult." Alou turned down a chance to leave the Expos after the 1998 season, when the Los Angeles Dodgers wanted to hire him. "He is a tremendous baseball man, and a very popular sports figure in this city," Loria said. "I believe it's in the best interest of the organization to proceed in this new direction. We have a lot of baseball yet to play this season, and we feel this change is a positive one that is needed to turn our team around." Montreal has not finished with a winning record since 1996, when the Expos were 88-74. The Expos, who have the lowest attendance in baseball with an average of 9,605 going into Thursday night's game against Philadelphia, are widely thought to be the major league team most likely to relocate or fold. Repeated efforts to gain a new stadium have stalled. Alou, one of the most respected managers in professional baseball, spent 27 years with the Expos as manager, coach and player. He signed a three-year contract worth $6 million in October 1998. The Expos have the third-worst record in the National League and the worst attendance in the majors, but Alou, 66, had been considered the strong point of the franchise for he last 10 years. Alou is one of the highest-paid and most respected managers in the majors, but Loria, who bought the Expos after Alou was already one year into a three-year, $6 million contract, has soured on him, the report said. Alou's career record is 691-717 and has spent 27 years with the Expos as a manager, coach and player. Montreal (21-32) is on pace to lose 90 or more games for the fourth straight year. The Expos last had a winning record under Alou when the club was 88-74 in 1996. He was named National League manager of the year in the strike-shortened 1994 season. Alou was supposed to be announced as a coach on Bobby Valentine's staff for the National League All-Star team, but Major League Baseball delayed Wednesday's announcement for one day because the Expos told baseball officials of the imminent dismissal. Valentine will select another manager to join Dusty Baker of the San Francisco Giants on his staff. http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2001/0530/1207665.html ============================ A sad day indeed. Doubly so if this is a prelude to the Expos leaving Montreal. ------------------ All hail Fadeaway's Cyberfish -- your 2000-2001 BobFinn* Fantasy Basketball League Champions! [This message has been edited by fadeaway (edited May 31, 2001).]
Let's get him to Houston to manage his son! ------------------ I don't want to waste my time And become a casualty of society. I'll never fall in line Become a victim of your conformity and back down.
no way Felipe accepts as a job as a bench coach. it's all or nothing. may have to be at the end of the season...but by then Moises may have played his last game as a 'stro...wonder how that would affect Felipe's decision. ------------------
Azim: I'm not blaming them for having a low payroll, just firing Alou for losing when it's not his fault. Even if there's no blame, the guy's still the best coach in baseball (I think), and he was loyal. When your organization is so low budget, you should be delighted to keep such a guy. ------------------ A few years back on the Senate floor... Phil Gramm: "If Democrats could, they'd tax the air we breathe." Ted Kennedy (jumping up): "By God, why didn't I think of that sooner!" Boston College - NCAA Hockey National Champions 2001
I wish we would consdier a change.. but drayton keeps saying no.. we were in an 8 game losing skid.. in which a lot of mistakes were made in managing etc..and mclane was like larry is doing a great job.. we are not even thinking about firing him. ------------------ Shane "Save Our Rockets" "Life without basketball in Houston........without an arena that is what it will be"
larry gets a long leash because they're paying him a lot; he has a long history with the organization; he won three consecutive division titles ------------------
Right place at the right time. Players had lost respect for Terry Collins and Dierk stepped right in. During that impressive three consecutive division titles, how many games and/or series did the Astros win? Dierk wasn't on the field so if he shares blame for the losses, he shouldn't get all the praise for the division titles. The Astros should get rid of Dierk, the sooner the better. ------------------ [This message has been edited by Smokey (edited June 01, 2001).]
