Frank Lucchesi

It didn't take Frank Lucchesi long to find out--again--why managers often have short careers. Pittsburgh's 4-1 victory, their 11th over Chicago in 14 games this season, spoiled the debut of Lucchesi, who was named interim manager earlier Tuesday, replacing Gene Michael. Michael resigned. Lucchesi, 59, managed in the minor leagues for 17 years before taking over the Philadelphia Phillies from 1970-72.

It didn't take Frank Lucchesi long to find out--again--why managers often have short careers. Pittsburgh's 4-1 victory, their 11th over Chicago in 14 games this season, spoiled the debut of Lucchesi, who was named interim manager earlier Tuesday, replacing Gene Michael. Michael resigned. Lucchesi, 59, managed in the minor leagues for 17 years before taking over the Philadelphia Phillies from 1970-72.

The Chicago Cubs accepted Manager Gene Michael's resignation Tuesday and named Frank Lucchesi manager for the rest of the season. General Manager Dallas Green, in announcing Lucchesi's appointment, said: "Frank understands that it is for 25 games and no longer." In Lucchesi's debut Tuesday, the Cubs lost to Pittsburgh, 4-1, at Chicago. Michael, who resigned after spending a little more than a season and a half on the job, has frequently argued with Green about strategy and trades.

The Chicago Cubs accepted Manager Gene Michael's resignation Tuesday and named Frank Lucchesi manager for the rest of the season. General Manager Dallas Green, in announcing Lucchesi's appointment, said: "Frank understands that it is for 25 games and no longer." In Lucchesi's debut Tuesday, the Cubs lost to Pittsburgh, 4-1, at Chicago. Michael, who resigned after spending a little more than a season and a half on the job, has frequently argued with Green about strategy and trades.

Frank Lucchesi, a three-time major league manager, was named to manage the Nashville Sounds, becoming the triple-A team's fifth manager this season.

The Chicago Cubs today named Frank Lucchesi manager for the rest of the season, one day after Gene Michael resigned "for the good of everybody." Michael quit Monday and Cubs General Manager Dallas Green accepted the resignation today. Michael had expected to be fired after the season, his first complete year as Cubs manager. His overall record with the Cubs was 114-124, and he has argued all season with Green about strategy and trades.

Jim Frey, who managed the 1984 Chicago Cubs to the club's first title since 1945, will leave the broadcast booth he occupied last season and take over as the team's director of baseball operations. Frey, 56, replaces Dallas Green, who resigned last month as president and general manager. "We talked to many people and there was only one choice: Jim Frey," said John R. Madigan, the Tribune Co. executive who assumed the role of chairman after Green's departure.

One of the attorneys who played a key role in the baseball strike of 1994-95 went to bat Tuesday for Latrell Sprewell on the sixth day of his arbitration hearing in New York. Eugene Orza, the associate general counsel for the Major League Baseball Players Assn., was one of three witnesses to testify in a session that lasted 11 hours.

Howard Johnson hit a record-setting grand slam and Darryl Strawberry stole two bases to join Johnson in the exclusive 30-30 club Monday as the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs, 7-1, at Chicago. Johnson's eighth-inning homer off Cub reliever Ed Lynch was his 36th of the season, setting a National League record for most homers in a season by a switch-hitter. The record was set in 1934 by Rip Collins of the St. Louis Cardinals.

John McNamara, named Angel manager Tuesday for the rest of the season, previously ran the Indians, Red Sox, Angels, Reds, Padres and Athletics. Here's a look at other managers since 1986 who have worked for more than one team.

Could the Philadelphia 76ers pull off a miracle and win four straight from the Boston Celtics? Charles Barkley wouldn't advise you to bet on it. Even before Saturday's game, the 76er rookie said: "I ain't going to say but one thing. If we lose, we'll be in the Bahamas by the end of next week. "That's the bottom line." Cleveland's Benny Ayala lost a fly ball in the clouds during the second inning against Boston and was charged with a two-base error.