Major-league managers were on the phone last night.

The subject? Oakland A's manager Ken Macha.

"If Macha can be fired after winning his division, what security do we have?" one said to another.

Macha was fired after guiding the A's to a 93-69 mark to win the AL West. The A's swept the Twins in the AL Division Series, the first post-season victory in the Billy Beane era.

This is the fourth time an Oakland manager has led the team to 90 wins and post-season but not returned the next year. It happened to Dick Williams after 1973 and Alvin Dark after 1975 in the Charlie Finley era. Beane said goodbye to Art Howe after the 2002.

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By BOB ELLIOTT
Ottowa Sun