Tracy will not return to manage Dodgers in 2006

LOS ANGELES -- Jim Tracy became the latest to be shown the door in Paul DePodesta's restructuring of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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Tracy's tenure as manager ended Monday, one day after he finished his first losing season in five years with the team. He and general manager DePodesta cited "philosophical differences" as the reason for the mutual decision to call it quits.

The 49-year-old Tracy, in the second year of a two-year agreement, was denied the contract extension he sought, and said he didn't want to be in the Dodgers dugout next year as a lame duck manager.

"No, I was not fired," Tracy said in a conference call.

He did not opt out of the final year of his contract, meaning the Dodgers will pay him for next season if he doesn't take another managing job.

"At the end of the day, I think everybody needs to be on the same page to move forward," DePodesta said in his portion of the call. "We decided we needed to make a change and Jim decided to move on as well."

Jim Tracy had 'philosophical differences' with GM Paul DePodesta. (Getty Images)

DePodesta has made a lot of changes since new Dodgers owner Frank McCourt hired him in February 2004.

Among his moves, DePodesta cut ties with several key players from the 2004 division championship team, including Adrian Beltre, Alex Cora, Shawn Green, Steve Finley and Jose Lima. He also dealt Paul Lo Duca and Dave Roberts midway through the 2004 season.

One acquisition last winter, Jeff Kent, had a fine 2005 season, but other newcomers such as J.D. Drew, Jose Valentin and Derek Lowe didn't contribute much.

Last year, Tracy guided Los Angeles to its first division championship since 1995, but the Dodgers finished 71-91 this season. It was the franchise's second-worst record since moving from Brooklyn in 1958.

Tracy pointed to a difference of opinion with the organization regarding the evaluation of players as a major reason why he won't be back. How things turn out on the field for the team will show whether the philosophy is going to work out, Tracy said.

DePodesta said that, because of the differences with Tracy, even if the Dodgers had won 95 games this year, "We'd still be having this discussion (on the conference call) sometime this month."

Tracy had a 427-383 record in five seasons. The Dodgers began this season 12-2, but then losses and injuries started to add up.