BetWWTS.com Lists Odd on First MLB Manager Fired

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua – (PRESS RELEASE) -- With the first month of the Major League Baseball season coming to a close, several teams are failing to meet pre-season expectations and owners may realize their teams will not be in playoff contention in September. Knowing that Major League managers are often "the fall guy" for their underachieving teams, BetWWTS.com today announced odds on which MLB manager will be the first to get fired or resign from his post during the 2004 season.

A leading offshore gaming company for over 10 years, BetWWTS.com has calculated odds on the most likely candidates to have their managerial reign cut short this year. Carlos Tosca, manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, has been installed as the favorite to be the first to get his walking papers this year at 4/1 odds. BetWWTS.com has listed Arizona Diamondbacks skipper Bob Brenly as the second most likely to make an early exit at 9/2 odds despite the Diamondbacks 2001 World Series win. Other managers who could either resign or receive a pink slip before any other coaches include: Frank Robinson, Montreal Expos (6/1); Bob Melvin, Seattle Mariners (6/1); Eric Wedge, Cleveland Indians (8/1); Larry Bowa, Philadelphia Phillies (8/1); Ned Yost, Milwaukee Brewers (10/1); and Dave Miley, Cincinnati Reds (10/1).

"The reality of professional sports today is that job security of head coaches and managers has reached an all-time low, with more franchises willing to make a major coaching change during the season in hopes of righting a sinking ship," said Simon Noble, CEO of BetWWTS.com. "The Toronto Blue Jays are off to their worst start in franchise history and have had abysmal home attendance to this point. Since being swept in their season opening series by the Tigers, Carlos Tosca hasn't been able to turn the Jays around and may get his walking papers before the All-Star break if the team continues its poor play. Despite bringing a world championship to Arizona, Bob Brenly must be on the hot seat in the desert with the Diamondbacks sporting the worst team ERA in the league and a miserable record to this point."

BetWWTS.com has also listed individual odds on a number of other Major League managers being the first to get the axe this season. The other top candidates include Clint Hurdle, Colorado Rockies (12/1); Art Howe, New York Mets (15/1); Alan Trammell, Detroit Tigers (18/1); Jim Tracy, Los Angeles Dodgers (20/1); and Tony La Russa, St. Louis Cardinals (25/1).

"Before the season began, Alan Trammell would have been one of the top candidates to get fired considering last year's pitiful 119-loss season the Tigers endured," continued Mr. Noble. "Trammel should be relatively safe however as the Tigers have surprised everyone and find themselves near the top of the pack in the American League Central. We calculated individual odds for Jim Tracy although he has the Dodgers leading their division because of the new ownership group in Los Angeles. At 25/1, Tony La Russa is the long shot of the group, but without a contract for next year in place, there's an outside chance Cardinals management could make a change if the team falls out of the playoff race early in the summer."

Bettors may also wager on no manager being fired or resigning by December 31, 2004 at 33/1 odds. All other head coaches not given individual odds have been included in "The Field," listed at 3/1 odds. All current odds are subject to change. For more information and a complete list of odds, please visit http://www.betwwts.com .