The Florida Marlins do not renew the contract of John Routh, the 43-year-old man who has been known as mascot “Billy the Marlin”, since Florida’s first game in 1993. Although Billy will return next season, a new person will be hired to wear the 35-pound costume as the team seeks to increase the mascot’s visibility by changing the overall role of the character.

ByBaseball

The Florida Marlins do not renew the contract of John Routh, the 43-year-old man who has been known as mascot “Billy the Marlin”, since Florida’s first game in 1993. Although Billy will return next season, a new person will be hired to wear the 35-pound costume as the team seeks to increase the mascot’s visibility by changing the overall role of the character.

Mets unable to sign Pinella make Art Howe there manager

Mets unable to sign Pinella make Art Howe there manager

ByBaseball

The New York Mets, after being unable to get permission to talk to manager Lou Piniella from Seattle, and deciding not to wait ten days after the World Series for the availability of San Francisco skipper Dusty Baker, give Art Howe a four-year, $9.4 million deal to manage the team. Howe managed the Oakland Athletics to two AL West titles in 2000 and 2002 with his teams winning 383 games during the last four seasons, matching Joe Torre’s total for the Yankees. A day later, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays will name Piniella as their team’s new skipper, signing him to a four-year contract. As compensation to sign Piniella away from Seattle, Tampa Bay will send All-Star outfielder Randy Winn, who hit .298 with 14 home runs and 75 RBI, to Seattle for minor leaguer Antonio Perez.