Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Echo of the past: Camp begins transition Central Point launches language immersion program More smoke and stingy fire activity expected Sunday Victim's partner describes shooting in Kerby murder trial Dredgers might return to the Rogue next year Crime, Courts and Emergency Services More smoke and stingy fire activity expected Sunday Emergency Services Medford woman grazed by bullet while doing laundry Emergency Services Big illegal marijuana garden busted in forest outside Ashland Politics and Elections Senate race could be expensive Talent to consider taxing recreational, but not medicinal marijuana Candidate files false statements Just one seat will be contested for Central Point council Gold Hill mayor faces challenger; other races have one candidate each Education Central Point launches language immersion program UPDATED: Medford school bus in crash; no students hurt, officials say Free TED talk simulcast in Ashland Bear spotted near Central Point school Eagle Point helps students with first-day jitters Environment Dredgers might return to the Rogue next year Dubs' auction preview draws bidders and gawkers OR-7's pups are true wolves ODFW director Elicker will step down Medford hunter's exotic collection goes on sale State news Nation - World Obituaries Joseph Henry Bowden Jr. Thomas Vern Quinnin Irving �Ike� Eisenstein Duane George Daniels IN MEMORY Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Mariota sets school TD record as Oregon rallies past Michigan State Oregon State holds on to beat Hawaii 38-30 FIFA audit panel asks member to explain his arrest Virginia Tech stuns No. 8 Ohio State 35-21 Rejuvenated Sky challenge Mercury in WNBA Finals Varsity 541 College Sports Mariota sets school TD record as Oregon rallies past Michigan State Oregon State holds on to beat Hawaii 38-30 Virginia Tech stuns No. 8 Ohio State 35-21 Big game, big records for Mariota No. 14 USC holds off No. 13 Stanford in thriller Pro Sports Rejuvenated Sky challenge Mercury in WNBA Finals Keselowski routs Richmond field to grab top seed Division matchups spice NFL openers In BMW, Horschel gets shot at redemption Federer, Djokovic both lose in semifinals Community Sports Barry fires back into SOGC finals Super seniors strong at SOGC Crenshaw pulls off upset in SOGC Murphy claims victory in Stroke Play Championships South Korea downs Chicago for World Series title Business Latest Stories Pleasant weather, stable interest rates spurred summer home sales Sustainable Valley receives $50,000 SBA grant Blog: And the Award Goes to... Blog: Erickson ink 5-year fire supression deal with L.A. Business briefs Real Estate News Pleasant weather, stable interest rates spurred summer home sales People In Business Transportation Agriculture 1-800-Flowers.com buying Harry & David for $142.5 million Earlier than normal pear harvest coming up short of expectations Weisinger's Winery has earliest crush on record Amy's Kitchen begins expansion in White City Opinion Latest Dana Milbank: Proving trickle-down wrong Letters to the Editor, Sept. 7 Harry & David: the next chapter George Will: In a NATO state of mind Charles Krauthammer: Ukraine abandoned Editorials Harry & David: the next chapter An unresolved conflict; A judge declines to say if county laws trump city laws Cheers and jeers Our View: Make property owners pay for cleanup Committed to community Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Sept. 7 Letters to the Editor, Sept. 5 Letters to the Editor, Sept. 4 Letters to the Editor, Sept. 3 Letters to the Editor, Sept. 1 Guest Opinions Hazardous fuel treatments vital to protection from severe wildfires Wilderness for Kalmiopsis has served us well The summer of my discontent: An open letter to Bill Rauch The power of local philanthropy Lifestyle Latest stories Community blog: We Need to Talk Oregon's Top 5 wilderness areas Origin Story: 3 a.m. New Arrivals Puget Sound's south end offers solitude Food Community blog: 'Crispy Treats' a cut above rice-cereal originals The peace potential of cobblers and crisps Lunchbox recipes Community blog: Try this sweet treat for back-to-school snacking Put your kids through the school of good eats Home and Garden Trees aren't always the best companions for plants Hot tips for a cool (shade) garden An August checklist for your garden Green Scene: Diagnosing common tomato troubles Lawn talk Health Community blog: We Need to Talk Down-size is the right size Oregon Health Policy Board to meet in Medford Community blog: Health is More than Meets the Eye 'Super-Agers' are coming fast Hiking Faith Religion briefs Religion briefs Community Blog: Is Peace Possible in the Middle East - Part three of four Milestones and Achievements New Arrivals Engagement Wedding: Gibson-Hodnefield New Arrivals Engagements Columnist for a Day Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Live Music in Local Clubs Keith Greeninger and Matt Hill at the Rogue Theatre Jennifer Nettles plays Britt Rob Zombie plays Lithia Amphitheater Rodney Carrington at Britt Theater 'Freud's Last Session" at Ashland Contemporary Theatre OSF presents 'The Alchemy of Gender' Randall Theatre extends 'Godspell' 'Pump Boys & Dinettes' opens at Camelot Theatre Music Live Music in Local Clubs Keith Greeninger and Matt Hill at the Rogue Theatre Jennifer Nettles plays Britt Rob Zombie plays Lithia Amphitheater Britt Festivals adds to indoor fall concert lineup Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists 5 Things to Do This Weekend From business professor to artist Shady Cove Tie Days Swap Meet 'Prints From the Plateau' at the Rogue Gallery Dining Ami Sushi serves up Asian dishes Wild River Brewing & Pizza Co. NW Raw Kelly's Crepes Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Expect delays on I-5 near exit 43 ... OR-7's pups are true wolves ... A pair of recent arsons in northeast Medford have the attention of police ... Expect delays on I-5 near exit 43 ... OR-7's pups are true wolves ... A pair of recent arsons in northeast Medford have the attention of police ... MAJOR LEAGUES Diamondbacks fire former Tornado Towers Medford alum has been Arizona general manager for four seasons By John Marshall The Associated Press MailTribune.com By John Marshall The Associated Press Posted Sep. 5, 2014 @ 6:58 pm By John Marshall The Associated Press Posted Sep. 5, 2014 @ 6:58 pm » Social News PHOENIX — Kevin Towers appeared to have a tenuous hold on his job as Arizona’s general manager when the Diamondbacks hired Tony La Russa to run their baseball operations. Though the Hall of Fame manager said he was going to evaluate the entire organization, it seemed only to be a matter of time before the reins were taken away from Towers, a Medford High alum. The change came on Friday, when Arizona fired Towers in the midst of a third straight disappointing season, less than four months after La Russa was named chief baseball officer. “Over the past three months, I have had the opportunity to evaluate all aspects of our baseball operations and have decided to restructure our staff in order to improve our decision-making process,” La Russa said. “I have the utmost respect for Kevin and a friendship with him that dates back many years which has allowed me to appreciate his talents and experience.” Towers graduated from Medford High in 1979 and was a 2007 inductee into the Medford Sports Hall of Fame. A former pitcher in San Diego’s farm system, Towers was hired by the Diamondbacks in 2010. He had spent 14 seasons as San Diego’s general manager and was the architect of a Padres team that won four division titles and reached the 1998 World Series. He had almost immediate success in Arizona, pulling off all the right moves to help win the 2011 NL West crown, its first division title since 2007. Since then, Towers’ moves haven’t paid off quite as well and the Diamondbacks have suffered, following a pair of .500 seasons with a nosedive this year. “You can see it coming but you don’t want to believe it,” catcher Miguel Montero said. “It’s really sad that it’s come to this.” Plagued by injuries and subpar seasons from players it had counted on, Arizona lost 22 of its first 30 games to plummet into last place and never really recovered, entering Friday night’s game at 59-81 — 11 1-2 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers. “It’s a bummer,” first baseman Mark Trumbo said. “You never want to see anyone relieved of their role in the organization, especially when it comes as a result of the team under performing.” Towers said La Russa told him he wanted to restructure the front office a couple of weeks ago and was offered another position within the organization. Towers plans to stay with the organization at least until the Diamondbacks hire a new GM and decide on his future once he knows who the new person will be. La Russa said current agent Dave Stewart, a pitcher under La Russa with the Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis farm director Gary LaRocque are on Arizona’s list of potential replacements. He also has talked to Diamondbacks scouting director Ray Montgomery, and asked permission to speak with New York Yankees assistant GM Billy Eppler and Los Angeles Angels scouting director Hal Morris. “When I took this job in 2010, we wanted to win a World Series and we won very early here, set high standards for ourselves,” Towers said. “Since 2011, we haven’t met the standards that we hoped, ownership had hoped for and our fan base hoped for, and ultimately I’m going to be held accountable for that.” With manager Kirk Gibson at the helm, Arizona had a dramatic turnaround in 2011, winning 94 games and the NL West after losing 97 games the season before. The success didn’t continue. Arizona went 81-81 the next two seasons despite a slew of moves by Towers and took another step backward this season after Gibson and Towers were given contract extensions. “I look at K.T. and the thing that comes to my mind is how much better the organization is right now than when he arrived,” Gibson said. “He’s done a great job.” Injuries were a big part of the fall this season. The Diamondbacks lost their No. 1 starter and setup man before the season even started, when Patrick Corbin and David Hernandez underwent Tommy John surgery. Trumbo, the team’s key offseason acquisition, was tied for the NL lead in homers and second in RBIs, but went down with a stress fracture in his foot less than a month into the season. Outfielder A.J. Pollock also missed significant time with a broken hand and All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was lost for the season last month with a broken hand. “Wish we could have stayed healthy and enjoyed success year after year, but this season was a very trying year and when you don’t meet expectations, things like this happen — and I know that,” Towers said. Even before the injuries struck, the Diamondbacks labored after a series of deals by Towers didn’t pan out. The big trade under Towers came before the 2013 season, when the Diamondbacks sent outfielder Justin Upton to the Braves for top pitching prospect Randall Delgado and three minor leaguers. Upton has continued to produce in Atlanta while the players Arizona got in return have yet to have much of an impact. Towers also traded away several starting pitchers, including Ian Kennedy, Trevor Bauer, Jarrod Parker and Tyler Skaggs, along with outfielder Adam Eaton. With the team out of contention, Towers and the Diamondbacks began dismantling the team around the trade deadline, pulling off deals that sent right-hander Brandon McCarthy, third baseman Martin Prado — the cog in the Upton trade — and outfielder Gerardo Parra out of the desert. By John Marshall The Associated Press MailTribune.com By John Marshall The Associated Press Posted Sep. 5, 2014 @ 6:58 pm » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. fantasy football Panthers Bench Cam with Eye on Future Sep. 7, 2014 at 4:22 pm Instant Fantasy Reaction for Eagles RBs Sep. 7, 2014 at 3:35 pm Best Case, Worst Case for Tyler Eifert Injury Sep. 7, 2014 at 3:16 pm Final Week 1 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Sep. 7, 2014 at 10:00 am Last-Minute Outlook for Week 1 Flex Players Sep. 7, 2014 at 9:00 am Last-Minute Fantasy Stat Predictions Sep. 7, 2014 at 7:30 am calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501