Cleveland Indians Dismiss Manager Manny Acta

With the Cleveland Indians long eliminated from the playoffs and tied for last place in the AL Central, the club fired manager Manny Acta on Thursday, according to Fox Sports' Jon Morosi.

"

Manny Acta fired as #Indians manager.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) September 27, 2012"

The move's timing seems rather curious as the team comes into Thursday night's game with two straight victories and just six games remaining in the season. Nonetheless, the team is just 65-91 for the season, and it's likely that management wanted to get the search started as soon as possible.

Acta, 43, was hired in 2010 as one of the youngest managers in baseball with the goal of developing the Indians' young roster. After a rough first season, it seemed like Acta was well on his way to building a solid foundation in 2011, leading Cleveland to an 80-82 record and a second-place finish in the AL Central. 

Nevertheless, that promise went unrealized this season. Going into Thursday's action, the Indians have a team ERA of 4.79 (28th in the league) and have scored a total of just 634 runs (tied for 22nd in the league).

For Acta, Cleveland may have been his last chance as a manager in the big leagues. Though young, this is his second opportunity to lead a club, the first coming with the Washington Nationals from 2007-09. With a career record of just 372-518, it seems unlikely that teams will come knocking on his door when openings arise.

Cleveland, meanwhile, will attempt to pick up the pieces this offseason and hope a new manager will help the young roster recover from an embarrassing second-half collapse.

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