Baseball
JOHNSON OR JOHNSON: Paul Molitor has taken himself out of the running as manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, leaving Johnson . . . or Johnson.
Blue Jays general manager Gord Ash said Thursday he will give former Baltimore Oriole manager Davey Johnson an initial interview in Phoenix next Wednesday.
Ash suggested he already has an idea who is the best candidate from the four finalists to replace Cito Gaston. "I've got a pretty good idea, but I'm not going to tell you," Ash told the Toronto Globe and Mail.
Tim Johnson, a former Blue Jays infielder who has gained rich experience in the game since retiring as a player, appears to be the leading candidate.
Tim Johnson has been a bench coach, basically an assistant manager, with two major league teams, a scout and a minor league manager.
Other finalists revealed by Ash last week were Molitor, Larry Bowa and Buck Martinez. Bowa had his second interview Thursday.
Molitor took himself out of contention Thursday. "I almost tried to convince myself or find a way to internally justify a way that it (becoming a player-manager) would make sense," Molitor told the Tornto Star. "It just never happened."
CANSECO ACCUSED OF ABUSE: Jose Canseco was released on bond after being arrested and charged with beating his second wife.
The arrest and court appearance Thursday came five years after the 33-year-old Oakland Athletics slugger had a violent confrontation with his first wife.
Police charged the outfielder with battery for hitting his wife, Jessica. The incident took place during an argument in a friend's car in Miami at 2:30 a.m. Thursday.
Several hours later, Canseco posted $2,000 bond and was released from the Dade County jail.
RAYS CONSIDER ROOKIE: Like the team he's going to lead, the first manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays will be a newcomer.
The AL expansion team could hire its field boss as early as today, selecting from a group of five finalists that have no previous major league managerial experience.
A second round of interviews concluded Thursday when general manager Chuck LaMar and managing general partner Vince Naimoli met with Marlins bench coach Jerry Manuel.
Earlier in the week, the Devil Rays talked to Orioles hitting coach Rick Down, Indians scout Ted Simmons, Marlins pitching coach Larry Rothschild and Tigers bench coach Larry Parrish.
Naimoli, head of a group that paid $130 million for the franchise, has been involved throughout the search, but has said he'll follow LaMar's guidance on the final decision.
"I've always been hands on, but I've always been a great believer in letting people do their jobs," the Tampa businessman said.
"I've been with a lot of companies . . . and one thing I've figured out is if you don't like how a plant is run, get rid of the plant manager. Don't go in and be the plant manager for them."
Davey Johnson, the 1997 American League manager of the year, became available Wednesday when he resigned from his position with Baltimore. However, LaMar said the Devil Rays aren't interested.
"Because we are extremely pleased with both our interviewing process and the quality of our five finalists, he will not be considered for our manager's position."
RED SOX, RANGERS SWAP: After a dismal year on the mound, the Texas Rangers took an agressive step toward returning to postseason play.
Texas catcher Jim Leyritz and center fielder Damon Buford were traded to the Boston Red Sox on Thursday for pitcher Aaron Sele, right-handed reliever Mark Brandenburg and catcher Bill Hasel- man.