Marlins fire manager Redmond, former Zags star

An old baseball adage maintains that managers are hired to be fired. Spokane native Mike Redmond found that to be true Sunday afternoon when he was fired as manager of the Miami Marlins.

The Marlins are 16-22, one-half game out of last place in the National League East. Interestingly, the only other Spokane native to manage in the major leagues, Hall of Fame player Ryne Sandberg, guides the last-place Philadelphia Phillies.

Sandberg’s job was rumored to be in jeopardy recently, but the Phillies have won five in a row to improve to 16-23. Like Redmond, Sandberg is not working with an abundance of talent.

Redmond, who turned 44 May 5, starred at Gonzaga Prep and Gonzaga University. He compiled a 155-207 record at Miami in his first major league managing job. His only previous managing experience came as a Class A manager in the Marlins’ farm system, where he compiled a 155-115 record.

Redmond spent the first seven of his 13 years as a major league player with the Marlins. He hit .287 with 13 home runs, primarily as a backup catcher.