Marlins Name Fredi Gonzalez New Manager

Fredi Gonzalez puts on his jersey and smiles after being named the new Florida Marlins manager at a press conference Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2006 in Miami (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez) (Luis M. Alvarez - AP)

Girardi's departure after only one season had been expected after a rift with Loria boiled over two months ago in an on-field confrontation over the owner's heckling of an umpire. Beinfest said the Marlins decided to fire Girardi not because of the umpire incident, but because he failed to mesh with others in the organization.

"Joe is not returning because it was not a good fit," Beinfest said. "I will take some of that blame. I'm in charge, and it's my job to make sure everything runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible."

The cost-conscious Marlins wanted Girardi out so badly they were willing to let him go with two years left on a guaranteed three-year contract, which may cost them as much as $1.5 million. Florida also made the move even though Girardi's considered a strong candidate for NL manager of the year.

Girardi said he was fired during a short, unemotional meeting in his office with Beinfest, assistant general manager Mike Hill and team president David Samson. Loria did not attend the meeting but later spoke to Girardi by phone, a spokesman for the owner said.

Girardi, an Illinois native, Northwestern graduate and former Cubs catcher, becomes a potential candidate to replace Dusty Baker, whose four-year tenure with the Cubs ended Monday.

Girardi said he has no idea what he'll do next season, and plans to discuss options with his wife. His voice broke when he began discussing his dismissal with reporters in his office, but he was soon smiling and cracking jokes.

"I'll land on my feet," he said. "I talked to one of my mentors last night and I said, 'I've never been fired before.' And he said, 'Welcome to the club.'"

New York Yankees manager Joe Torre, who served as a mentor to Girardi, said he talked to his former catcher Sunday.

"There was no anger," Torre said. "He understood that managing is not always based on how well you do. There are certain things you need to do, and people you need to please."

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AP Baseball Writer Ron Blum in New York contributed to this report.