From the AP:
BOSTON (AP) _ Kevin Kennedy was fired today after his second season as manager of the Boston Red Sox.
General manager Dan Duquette blamed Kennedy for the team’s worst start in history and criticized his ability to integrate young players and veterans and to support the rest of the front office.
``Our relationship was not one that was going to be productive for the team,″ Duquette said at a news conference. ``We cannot gamble the future of this franchise, the future of the Red Sox in the Eastern Division, probably baseball’s toughest division.″
The Red Sox, who won the AL East title with an 86-58 record in 1995, finished the season Sunday at 85-77, seven games behind the New York Yankees.
They had the best record in the American League in August and September (38-18), but missed the playoffs, largely because of their 6-19 start.
``Coming out of spring training our team just was not prepared to play,″ Duquette said. ``I thought in particular the team had a hangover from ’95 going into the ’96 season.″