Runnells Calls Firing ‘Unjust’

The Padres’ firing Wednesday of Greg Riddoch turned Greeley, Colo., into a hotbed for deposed major league managers.

Tom Runnells, who lives six blocks from Riddoch in the northern Colorado town of 53,000, was fired May 22 as manager of the Montreal Expos and replaced by Felipe Alou. Runnells, who once played American Legion baseball for Riddoch, said the first phone call he made upon his dismissal was to Riddoch.

Runnells called Riddoch’s firing “unjust and unfair.”

“This really does hurt,” Runnells told the Greeley Tribune. “I know this type of thing happens in the game of baseball, and it comes with the territory. But I don’t think Greg has anything to be ashamed of.”

What would Runnells tell his friend?

“I’d say that I love him and my prayers and thoughts are with him. Doggone it, he’ll be back in baseball sooner than we imagine. Somebody’s going to get an awfully great person.”