Reds give Miley 2-year extension

There was no confirmation of the status of shortstop Barry Larkin.
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Dave Miley, who was given just a one-year contract when he was hired a year ago to manage the Cincinnati Reds, will keep his job for at least two more seasons.
The team's front office extended Miley's contract Monday through the 2006 season -- a long-awaited show of confidence for a member of the organization as a player, coach or manager since 1980.
"I think it's very important, when you're putting together a long-term plan, that we have continuity," said general manager Dan O'Brien. "And obviously I think that Dave, in the season and a half that he has been manager of the Cincinnati Reds, has demonstrated clearly his ability to provide the necessary leadership for this ball club going forward."
The 42-year-old Miley took over for the fired Bob Boone in July 2003. He finished that season as the interim manager, then got only a one-year extension with a club option for 2005.
New deal
The team picked up the option last month. His new deal runs through 2006, with a club option for one more year, giving him some security.
"I'm very happy about it, and I think we're heading in a very good direction," Miley said. "When we reap the benefits, I want to be part of it."
Players had lobbied for Miley to keep his job, pointing out that he brought stability to a team that was in chaos after Boone and general manager Jim Bowden were fired.
The Reds lost 93 games in 2003, their first season at Great American Ball Park. But they had the best record in the NL last June before the pitching staff imploded and injuries gutted the starting lineup.
"We worked very hard in spring training. We came out of the gate and did a lot of things right," Miley said. "You can say injuries, but every team goes through that. We may have got off track a little bit."
Reds in slump
Cincinnati finished 76-86. It was the Reds' fourth straight losing year, their longest such stretch since going from 1945-55 without a winning record.
"Obviously, there's some things we have to continue to work on and work harder at," Miley said.
O'Brien said the current coaching staff has been invited back, but individual contracts have not been negotiated.
Miley has been in the Reds' organization 25 years, mostly as a coach, instructor or minor league manager. He first signed with the club as a catcher in 1980, and played seven seasons in the minors.
Miley finally made it to the majors in 1993 as the bench coach for Tony Perez, who was fired by Bowden only 44 games into the season. He stayed with the organization and had managed the Reds' Triple-A affiliates in Indianapolis and Louisville for most of eight seasons before succeeding Boone.
Miley declined to discuss the unresolved question of whether longtime shortstop Barry Larkin would be re-signed for another year.
"I'm not going to comment on any player personnel at this time," Miley said. "That will be for the future."