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Wally Backman was hired as Arizona's manager, taking over a team coming off one of the worst seasons in major-league history.
A former New York Mets second baseman with a reputation for intensity, Backman was selected minor-league manager of the year this season by The Sporting News after leading Class A Lancaster to the best record in the California League.
Backman, 45, was given a two-year contract with two team options.
CAMINITI AUTOPSY: A drug overdose killed former NL MVP Ken Caminiti, 41, who admitted using steroids during his playing days and tested positive for cocaine in the days before he died.
Coronary artery disease and an enlarged heart were listed as contributing factors in his death, Grace Brugess, spokeswoman for the New York City Medical Examiner, said.
Tissue and toxicology tests confirmed Caminiti's cause of death as "acute intoxication due to the combined effects of cocaine and opiates," Brugess said.
ATHLETICS: Oakland agreed to a one-year contract with right-hander Seth Etherton. Etherton spent last season in the Reds farm system, going 9-7 with a 3.07 ERA in 26 starts at Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville.
ASTROS: Houston general manager Gerry Hunsicker resigned, less than two weeks after the team came within one win of reaching the World Series for the first time.
Tim Purpura, Hunsicker's assistant and the team's director of player development, will succeed him.
During Hunsicker's tenure, the Astros won four NL Central titles.
RED SOX: Right-hander Derek Lowe and catcher Jason Varitek led a parade of 10 Red Sox who filed for free agency Monday, two days after they were honored in Boston following the team's first World Series title since 1918.
Shortstop Orlando Cabrera and backup catcher Doug Mirabelli also filed along with right-handers Curtis Leskanic, Ramiro Mendoza and Scott Williamson; left-hander Mike Myers; first baseman Dave McCarty and second baseman Pokey Reese.
METS: Yankees coach Willie Randolph, Texas coach Rudy Jaramillo and former major-league manager Terry Collins were invited back for a second round of interviews by the Mets, who hope to hire a new manager this week.
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