Marlins give manager Gonzalez contract extension

[February 18, 2009]  JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -- Florida Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez has received a contract extension through the 2011 season.

Gonzalez, hired after Joe Girardi was fired following the 2006 season, is 155-168 with Florida. He became the third manager to lead the Marlins to a winning record last year, when they went 84-77.

The 45-year-old Gonzalez grew up in Miami and started with the Marlins organization in 1992, the year before their first major league game. He was their first minor league manager, and he returned to Florida as manager after five seasons with the Atlanta Braves, including four as their third base coach.

[Associated Press; By STEVEN WINE]

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