Royster latest skipper fired

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002 | 8:58 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

Last-place finishes for the New York Mets, Texas Rangers and Milwaukee Brewers meant no more last chances for managers Bobby Valentine, Jerry Narron and Jerry Royster.

Valentine and Narron were fired Tuesday, and Royster -- who previously managed the Las Vegas Stars -- was let go this morning.

Valentine and Narron were dismissed for the failures of their high-priced rosters. Royster's release brought the managerial firing count to six after the Chicago Cubs fired Bruce Kimm on Sunday, Detroit dropped Luis Pujols and Tampa let Hal McRae go on Monday.

Royster went 53-94 as interim manager after Davey Lopes was fired in April following the club's 3-12 start.

Valentine and Narron got the hook in different fashions. Mets owner Fred Wilpon axed Valentine directly while Texas boss Tom Hicks took a back seat on the decision to fire Narron.

"I decided it was in the best interest of the New York Mets to make a change," Wilpon said. "It was my decision to make and I made it."

In Texas, GM John Hart announced Narron's firing after the Rangers, equipped with a $105 million opening-day payroll, finished last for the third straight year. Hart said he and assistant GM Grady Fuson had talked the situation over with owner Tom Hicks.

Jodi Turner gave Roberts money, paid his rent and bought various items "for a significant period of time" in the late 1990s, lawyer Stephen Scaring said, Newsday reported tosday.

Roberts and agent Seth Levinson have said Turner tried to extort money from him before releasing a 1998 picture that appeared in Newsday showing the pitcher smoking marijuana. An accompanying article said at least seven Mets have used marijuana this season.

Jordan hit .285 with 18 homers and 80 RBIs in 128 games this season. He was picked the NL player of the month for September, when he hit .347 with a league-leading 30 RBIs for Los Angeles.

Richard Hidalgo has made public his unhappiness all summer, but he has now officially requested a trade, according to his agent.