John Farrell

Toronto Blue Jays General Manager Alex Anthopoulos had interviewed 18 candidates for the manager's job and still couldn't make up his mind. In the end, Anthopoulos picked the person he'd felt a bond with right from the start: Boston Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell . Farrell, 48, was chosen to succeed Cito Gaston , who retired after the season ended. It will be Farrell's first managerial job. Anthopoulos declined to reveal the length of Farrell's contract or other terms of the agreement.

Toronto Blue Jays General Manager Alex Anthopoulos had interviewed 18 candidates for the manager's job and still couldn't make up his mind. In the end, Anthopoulos picked the person he'd felt a bond with right from the start: Boston Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell . Farrell, 48, was chosen to succeed Cito Gaston , who retired after the season ended. It will be Farrell's first managerial job. Anthopoulos declined to reveal the length of Farrell's contract or other terms of the agreement.

In four minor-league seasons, John Farrell lost 41 of 65 decisions. But the right-hander's six-week stint with the Cleveland Indians at the end of last season has the team convinced he can become a mainstay of the pitching rotation. Farrell, called up to the Indians on Aug. 18 after going 6-12 in 25 games with Buffalo of the American Association, pitched an inning of relief that night and was the winner in a 9-8 decision over Milwaukee.

Vicente Padilla took a no-hitter into the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night. That was not a big story, not this year. In April, Ubaldo Jimenez pitched the first no-hitter in the history of the Colorado Rockies. On July 26, Matt Garza pitched the first no-hitter in the history of the Tampa Bay Rays, the fifth in the first four months of the season. The outbreak of no-hitters reflects a larger change in the national pastime. After an era in which the home run was celebrated above all, pitchers have gained the upper hand.

The Angels, determining that they no longer can afford to remain patient with their rotation, made sweeping changes Wednesday that included optioning John Farrell to triple-A Vancouver. The Angels will call up rookie Hilly Hathaway from Vancouver (7-0, 4.

Angel starter John Farrell met privately Wednesday afternoon with Manager Buck Rodgers and was told that he likely will be removed from the starting rotation, and possibly be released. The Angels will sign veteran left-handed starter Joe Magrane today--if he clears waivers. Magrane will take Farrell's spot in the rotation and is expected to start Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

John Farrell's toughest task this spring isn't striking out batters, it is convincing the Angels that he is a viable candidate for a spot in their starting rotation. A two-year absence from the game to recover from reconstructive arm surgery is certain to cast doubts in the minds of many, and Farrell, who last pitched in the majors on Sept. 27, 1990, knows that well. "I'm sure it's always in the back of other people's minds," said Farrell, a starter for the Cleveland Indians from 1987 to 1990.

Two years ago, the Angels had only 32 players on their 40-man roster because of the organization's lack of talent. But if someone starts to struggle now, Angel Manager Buck Rodgers knows he has plenty of candidates available. Starting pitchers John Farrell (4-3, 3.06 earned-run average) and Russ Springer (2-4, 3.40 ERA) are ready to be called up, and first baseman J.T. Snow is batting .291 with four homers and 21 runs batted in.

John Farrell stood on the Anaheim Stadium mound Thursday, carrying a great weight on his shoulders. There was a lot riding on this performance, perhaps more than any Angel start this season. He knew that, but he also believed he wasn't the same pitcher he was the last time he pitched here. He still had to prove it to Angel management and the 20,595 fans. If Farrell fared poorly in his first major league start since Sept.

Two years ago, the Angels had only 32 players on their 40-man roster because of the organization's lack of talent. But if someone starts to struggle now, Angel Manager Buck Rodgers knows he has plenty of candidates available. Starting pitchers John Farrell (4-3, 3.06 earned-run average) and Russ Springer (2-4, 3.40 ERA) are ready to be called up, and first baseman J.T. Snow is batting .291 with four homers and 21 runs batted in.

John Farrell sat slumped in front of his locker, his voice flat and lifeless. He has spent the last three years trying to save his baseball career, despite two reconstructive elbow surgeries. He began pitching in mid-December to prepare himself for spring training, knowing it would be the most critical camp of his career, that he would be judged solely on performance and results. That is why his outing in the Angels' 11-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers was so traumatic for him Tuesday.

Angel starter John Farrell stood on the mound Thursday night, watching Dean Palmer slowly circle the bases after his second-inning home run, and became terrified. This was it, he told himself. It's all over. Two rigorous years of rehabilitation, and now he was going to be released, or at least banished to the bullpen for the remainder of the season. "I knew I was at the crossroads of my career," Farrell said. "They weren't going to keep watching me pitch like this.

Angel starter John Farrell stood silently on the mound Thursday night, watching Dean Palmer slowly circle the bases after his second-inning home run, and became terrified. This was it, he told himself. It's all over. Two rigorous years of rehabilitation, and now he was going to be released, or at least banished to the bullpen for the remainder of the season. "I knew I was at the crossroads of my career," Farrell said. "They weren't going to keep watching me pitch like this.