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Au revoir Alou expected to be fired as Expos manager
Don't look for Felipe Alou to return next season as Expos manager. Even though he's signed through 2001, the much-respected Alou is expected to be fired after nine seasons at the helm and a quarter century in the organization. First-year Expos owner Jeffrey Loria tried to get the 65-year-old Alou to quit by firing two of his coaches at midseason. Loria's longtime friend and neighbor, Jeff Torborg, is in line to replace Alou. One National League executive says Torborg, now a Fox broadcaster, has already been sitting in on Expos organizational meetings. As for Alou, the source said his managing days are most likely over. "Felipe's up there in age and he's tired," the source told me. "All that losing makes you tired."
Helton a worthy .400 chaserRod Carew never got to play in a pinball shop like Coors Field, but that doesn't mean the seven-time batting champion resents Todd Helton's run at .400. In fact, Carew, now the Brewers hitting coach, seems to consider the Rockies first baseman a worthy successor. Carew told me that what sets Helton apart is that he is using the whole field now instead of being too pull-conscious."There's really no one way to pitch him," Carew said, "and if you try to come up with one, you end up making a mistake and paying for it."
Familiarity breeds contempt?The Indians have closed the gap on the White Sox in the past three weeks. And now that Cleveland has its pitching in order and Manny Ramirez back in right field, things could really get interesting in the AL Central.One scout told me he noticed a "mental stress" among the White Sox and said manager Jerry Manuel's insistence on a set lineup could cost them some games down the stretch. Frank Thomas has sat out one game all year. Magglio Ordonez has had two days off since early May. Ray Durham has gotten two days off in the last two months. Carlos Lee has had three days off since the opening month. "They run that same lineup out there all the time," the scout said. "Everywhere except third base and catcher, it's been the same guys every day." Mike Berardino covers baseball for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com.
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