[HotHotHeat]

Ricciardi finally out as Jays GM...

BALTIMORE -- The Toronto Blue Jays fired general manager J.P. Ricciardi on Saturday, ending an eventful eight-year reign marked by frequent controversy and mediocre teams never good enough to reach the post-season.

The news was announced in a three-paragraph release.

"This was a tough decision and a difficult one for me personally as I have enjoyed J.P.'s friendship and his perspective on the game," said Paul Beeston, acting president, and CEO. "J.P. has put an incredible amount of effort into improving the team and he has brought along a number of great young players. However, I feel that it is time for a change and accordingly we have decided to move on."

Ricciardi, who joined the Jays in 2001, had one year left on his contract. The 75-85 Jays are finishing off a mediocre season in Baltimore, with the team embroiled in locker-room unrest with manager Cito Gaston.

The Jays said Montreal native Alexander Anthopoulos, vice-president of baseball operations and assistant general manager will take over for Ricciardi whose firing was widely expected.

http://tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=293555