Blue Jays fire general manager

TORONTO, Quebec, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- With six games left in a disappointing season, the Toronto Blue Jays have fired general manager Gord Ash.

Ash, a Toronto native, has been with the organization since 1978 and has been general manager since 1994. He took over for Pat Gillick, the architect of World Series championship teams in 1992 and 1993.

Blue Jays CEO Paul Godfrey said Tuesday that assistant general managers Dave Stewart and Tim McCleary would share expanded duties, pending the appointment of Ash's replacement.

"The recruitment of a new general manager will be defined as a search for the vision and experience we need in this position to transform a talented ballclub into a winner," said Godfrey, who added that the task must be shared with manager Buck Martinez.

Under Ash, the Blue Jays went from the best team in baseball to an also-ran in the American League. They had losing seasons from 1994-97 and never won more than 88 games, playing in front of sparse crowds at once popular SkyDome.

Ash supplied the organization with plenty of talent, but the team was unable to develop into a winner, something Godfrey wants to change.

"We must see on this ballclub, without further delay or disappointment, the necessary emotions, attitude and appetite for winning, which our club must demonstrate day in and day out over the course of a 162-game season," Godfrey said.

Ash was responsible for signing Roger Clemens, who won two Cy Young Awards with the Jays but was sent to the New York Yankees in a deal for David Wells in the spring of 1999.

Wells may have been involved in Ash's worst moment as GM. He sent the veteran to the Chicago White Sox last year in a deal for fellow southpaw Mike Sirotka, who has never pitched for the Jays because of an injury.

Toronto still has had quality arms on its staff and a solid offense, led by slugger Carlos Delgado, but has not been able to jell under four managers.

In 1997, Ash fired Cito Gaston, who guided the Jays to their first two World Series wins, and replaced him with Tim Johnson, who led the team to an 88-74 mark in 1998 but lied about serving in Vietnam and was fired the following spring.

Jim Fregosi was named manager in 1999 but in two seasons failed to lead the Blue Jays to a finish better than third in the AL East. Martinez took over this year and has gone 76-80.

Even with the massive overhaul in managers, Godfrey saluted Ash for his contributions. During Ash's reign, the team was sold twice, most recently to Rogers Communication in September 2000.

"(He) guided the club following the aftermath of the players' strike (1994), through a difficult period when the Blue Jays' ownership was in limbo to the current season, and I applaud him for that," Godfrey said.

Ash began his stint with the Blue Jays in ticket sales and stadium operations until moving into the baseball department in 1984. He was promoted to assistant general manager in 1989 and vice president and GM in 1994. In 1999, he added the title of president of baseball operations.

Ash's replacement likely will have to lure quality free agents, specifically those with a veteran presence, to a team laden with young talent.

Godfrey said the most powerful marketing strategy the Blue Jays can employ is winning.

"Therefore, my message to this entire organization, on and off the field, is that winning, being competitive in the postseason, is categorically our mission," he added.