"There were times over the last four years where there were players who haven't been able to adjust to his style," general manager Ed Wade said.

The Phillies failed to reach the playoffs for the 11th straight season after coming in as favorites to win the NL East. They were 85-75 when Bowa was dismissed before a game against Florida.

When Wade arrived at the ballpark, he received a call from Bowa.

"He said he's been getting inundated with questions about his job status and wanted to know sooner rather than later," Wade said.

Wade chose sooner, dumping Bowa with a year left on his contract.

Bench coach Gary Varsho was to manage the last two games for the Phillies. The fate of the rest of the coaching staff will be determined this week, and the search for a manager will be expedited.

MARLINS: Jack McKeon will return to manage Florida in 2005.

The team announced Saturday that McKeon, 73, signed a one-year contract extension for next season. He led Florida's dramatic turnaround from last-place team to World Series champions after being hired 38 games into the 2003 season, winning National League Manager of the Year honors.

BLUE JAYS: Toronto fired pitching coach Gil Patterson and first base coach Joe Breeden.

CARDINALS: Woody Williams has the fewest victories of any St. Louis starter. But he, and not Matt Morris, will get the honor of starting their playoff opener.

"More than anything else, he's feeling physically the best he's felt all year," manager Tony La Russa said.

The rotation had been aligned to give Morris the nod in Game 1, and Williams had been scheduled to pitch in the regular-season finale today and then go in Game 3 on the road. Instead, Dan Haren will fill in today and Morris moves to what had been Williams' playoff slot.

Jason Marquis will pitch in Game 2 and Jeff Suppan will work in Game 4.

BRAVES: Atlanta Braves starter John Thomson and cleanup hitter Chipper Jones left Saturday's game against the Chicago Cubs with injuries, just days before the NL East champions begin the playoffs.

Thomson, slated to start Game 2 of the divisional series next week, pitched just three innings before leaving with a stiff back. Jones was exited in the fifth inning after being hit with a pitch near his right wrist.

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