FORT MYERS, Fla., March 5 (UPI) -- Even a late show of support from his players could not save Joe Kerrigan's job as Boston manager as the new ownership of the Red Sox completed their housecleaning Tuesday by firing the popular former pitching coach who relieved Jimy Williams last August.
Third base coach Mike Cubbage will handle the managerial duties for the immediate future.
"This kind of decision is always difficult to make," interim general manager Mike Port said. "We have the utmost respect for Joe and admire his work ethic and his achievements as a pitching coach."
Port, who replaced Dan Duquette last week, admitted that the decision came from the new management.
"John Henry, Tom Werner, Larry Lucchino and I have discussed this decision at great length, and we firmly believe that this action is in the long term best interest of this franchise. On behalf of the entire Boston Red Sox organization, we wish Joe well in his future baseball endeavours and thank him for his valuable contributions to the Red Sox."
