Dodgers Exec VP & GM Fred Claire and Manager Bill
Russell "were fired late Sunday night when the team failed
to meet expectations accompanying" a $57M payroll, according
to Jason Reid of the L.A. TIMES. Claire was succeeded by
Tommy Lasorda and Glenn Hoffman, who managed the Dodgers'
AAA team, replaced Russell "in the latest stunning move in
the franchise's stormy season, its first under the Fox
Group." Both Lasorda and Hoffman will occupy their
positions on an interim basis. Reid reports that Dodgers
President Bob Graziano "made his decision Sunday afternoon.
He informed his Fox Group superiors, Chase Carey and Peter
Chernin, on what he was leaning toward Friday. The decision
was Graziano's" (Jason Reid, L.A. TIMES, 6/22). The moves
come the same day as the death of former Dodgers GM Al
Campanis, who died yesterday at the age of 81 (Mult., 6/22).
GOOD NEWS: In his "Heard on the Street" column, the
WALL STREET JOURNAL's John Lippman examines News Corp.
stock. Lippman reports that Wall Street "is pushing" for
"restructuring moves, possibly some kind of 'tracking stock'
or split-up of the company's entertainment and publishing
operations. Yet so far there's no sign that News Corp. will
bite" (John Lippman, WALL STREET JOURNAL, 6/22).
