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Jocketty Out As Cards GM After 13 Seasons, 1 Title

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The Associated Press

Published: October 4, 2007

Updated: 10/04/2007 01:13 am

ST. LOUIS - Walt Jocketty is out after 13 seasons as general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, one year after the team won the World Series for the first time since 1982.

Team president Mark Lamping said Jocketty's departure with a year remaining on his contract was a mutual decision, and that he would be paid. Team CEO Bill DeWitt Jr. said Jocketty and the Cardinals had 'cordially and respectfully parted ways.'

'We were in agreement our arrangement had likely run its course,' DeWitt said.

It's unclear how Jocketty's departure affects the status of Manager Tony La Russa, whose contract expired after the season. Jocketty hired La Russa in 1996.

DeWitt spoke with La Russa on Wednesday, reaffirming the franchise's commitment to building a competitor after injuries and ill-advised moves led to a 78-win team that collapsed in the final month.

'I think he'll make a decision in the reasonably near future,' DeWitt said.

Jocketty oversaw the team making seven postseason appearances, one of the best stretches in franchise history.

BREWERS: Ned Yost will return next season as manager, although GM Doug Melvin didn't sound as if the team was giving him a long-term commitment.

'I'm not prepared to make a change with Ned at this point. But again, the bar is raised for all of us. I don't take anything for granted,' Melvin said Wednesday.

Milwaukee went started 24-10 and led the NL Central by as many as 8 1/2 games in June, then slid to an 83-79. Still, it was the team's first winning season since 1992.

DEVIL RAYS: Third-base prospect Evan Longoria was among 24 players named to represent the United States at the 2007 International Baseball Federation (IBAF) World Cup in Chinese Taipei from Nov. 6-18. The roster is made up of professional, non-25-man roster players of the 30 MLB organizations.

MARLINS: Shortstop Hanley Ramirez had surgery Wednesday on his injured left shoulder.

Ramirez had the shoulder scoped to repair torn labrum tissue, and he is expected to be ready for spring training. He dislocated his shoulder while swinging at a pitch during a July 22 game against Cincinnati.

Ramirez finished the season with a .332 batting average, 212 hits and 29 home runs.

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