A's fire Macha despite run to ALCS
So apparently winning Oakland's first postseason series since 1990 wasn't enough for Ken Macha to keep his job.
FOXSports.com has learned that the A's have fired Macha.
The A's averaged 92 wins and captured two AL West titles in Macha's four years as manager. Macha, however, had an uneasy relationship with general manager Billy Beane and, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, also had problems communicating with players.
Macha, 50, had two years remaining on his contract — a deal he agreed to last off-season after rejecting the A's initial three-year offer and pursuing other options. His overuse of relievers was another source of contention with Beane, and according to the Chronicle, Macha also displayed a callous attitude toward injured players.
The A's beat the Twins in the ALDS — their first triumph in five postseason series under Beane — but were swept by the Tigers in the American League Championship Series, four games to none.
A's bench coach Bob Geren and third-base coach Ron Washington will be the leading internal candidates to replace Macha; both interviewed for Macha's job when he was briefly a free agent last off-season.
Beane also had planned to interview former Rangers pitching coach Orel Hershiser, Rockies bench coach Jamie Quirk and Yankees third base coach Larry Bowa before Macha agreed to return.
Ken Rosenthal is FOXSports.com's senior baseball writer.
