BREAKING: Brewers fire Roenicke
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After a 7-18 start to the season, the Milwaukee Brewers have fired manager Ron Roenicke. Brewers GM Paul Melvin issued the following statement:
Roenicke relieved of managerial duties: pic.twitter.com/MKPngn9ykO
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) May 4, 2015
As recently as two weeks ago, Melvin had said that Roenicke’s job was not in jeopardy, and seemed more interested in calling out the underperforming players on the roster:
Right now, my examinations are focused on how to improve our performance on the field. Relative to me, I’m not looking at the manager or the general manager right now.
I know how bad we’ve played. But we’re 14 games into the season, and Ron didn’t give up two grand slams [Tuesday]. I think we have to kind of parse through it. Everybody needs to be accountable, but we have to look at what people are responsible for, and then hold them accountable for what they’re responsible for.
Ironically, Milwaukee just won 2 straight to finish a weekend series against their division rival the Chicago Cubs.
Roenicke finishes a stint of 4-plus seasons as Milwaukee’s manager with an overall record of 342-331, with his best finish coming in his first season at the helm in 2011, as the Brewers reached the NLCS, only to lose to the St. Louis Cardinals in 6 games.
As announced by Melvin, there will be an official announcement on Monday morning by the club about a new head coach. Whomever is hired faces the daunting task of rallying the team as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Dodgers, starting with ace Clayton Kershaw on Monday and then Zack Greinke on Tuesday.
(UPDATE)
Fox Sports is reporting that former player and 2-time World Series champion Craig Counsell will be banned the new manager.
