Reds to Name Pete Mackanin as Interim Manager

The Reds will name scouting executive Pete Mackanin to temporarily replace Jerry Narron as field manager, according to a broadcast late last night by the 50,000-watt WLW radio station in Cincinnati. Narron has been fired.

The radio station said an official announcement will come during a press conference scheduled for noon at Great American Ball Park. Though sudden, the decision was not unexpected as the Reds have performed poorly with a 31-51 record and virtually no shot at the playoffs.

Mackanin will hold the title of interim manager while another candidate is sought for next season, according to sources on the ground at Cincinnati. It was not clear whether Mackanin would be considered to keep the job permanently.

An advance scout for the team since last year, Mackanin, 55, managed the Reds Triple A club in Nashville in 1990-92, and briefly served as interim manager in Pittsburgh in 2005 when Pirates skipper Lloyd McClendon was fired. Mackanin also has managed minor league clubs in Ottawa, Ont., Lynchburg, Va., and in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

Mackanin formerly served as a utility infielder for the Rangers, Expos, Phillies and Twins.