General manager Ned Colletti and manager Grady Little named former American League batting champ Bill Mueller to replace Murray on an interim basis, although all three left open the possibility that Mueller could take on the position long term. Mueller has been a special assistant to the general manager since retiring last winter with a deteriorating knee.
"We'll find the right person, the perfect fit," said Colletti. "It might be Bill Mueller, it might not be Bill Mueller. It might be Bill Mueller, and he might say it's not his cup of tea."
Mueller was hoping his front-office role would allow more time with his family in Arizona, and he indicated he was uncertain if he was ready to return to the grind of a 162-game schedule.
"It's very difficult to think long term. It's happened so fast," said Muller, who accepted the job after Wednesday night's game, when Murray was told of the decision.
Colleti said Mueller will serve as "a bridge" to a permanent choice without disrupting the Minor League system by promoting someone internally, but indications are that there will be no immediate aggressive search for a replacement unless Mueller withdraws from consideration.
Mueller's knee is at least partly to blame for the chain of events that led to Murray's dismissal. Colletti was expecting Mueller to be the Dodgers' third baseman through this season, and his absence resulted in a scramble to find a replacement. Wilson Betemit was acquired from Atlanta last year, and he did a reasonable job, but then lost the role this May to Andy LaRoche, who was followed by Tony Abreu. Now Betemit appears to have won it back.
Mueller, 36, won the 2003 AL batting title and was a key member of the 2004 World Series champion Boston Red Sox. Still due $4.5 million this year on the contract he signed when he came to the Dodgers prior to the 2006 season, Mueller will be charged with assisting an influx of young hitters now on the Dodgers' roster.
His said his presence as a teammate through last season and a part-time instructor during Spring Training will accelerate the process of developing relationships with the hitters.
congrats billy!
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