Marlins fire manager Girardi after rift with owner

MIAMI (AP) _ Joe Girardi has been fired as manager of the Florida Marlins. <br/><br/>Despite the fact he led a young, untested team to 78 victories, Girardi got the boot after just one season. In his first

Tuesday, October 3rd 2006, 10:40 am

By: News On 6

MIAMI (AP) _ Joe Girardi has been fired as manager of the Florida Marlins.

Despite the fact he led a young, untested team to 78 victories, Girardi got the boot after just one season. In his first major league managerial job, Girardi took the club, which featured 22 rookies and a payroll of just 15 (m) million dollars, well beyond the preseason expectations.

He was involved in a high-profile disagreement with owner Jeffrey Loria during the season. During a game on August sixth, Loria berated an umpire from his seat behind the plate. From the dugout, Girardi, according to witnesses, asked the owner to stop. Loria angrily left his seat and confronted his manager after the game in a 90-minute clubhouse meeting.

Girardi says he was fired today during a brief meeting in his office with the team officials -- but was not given a reason. Loria did not attend the meeting.

Girardi says he has no idea what he'll do next season and plans to discuss options with his wife.