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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 7:36 p.m., Friday, October 17, 2008

MLB: Brewers extend GM Melvin; Sveum won't be manager

By JAMES A. CARLSON
Associated Press Writer

MILWAUKEE — Doug Melvin will get a 3-year contract extension as the general manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, but the team also said today that Dale Sveum is no longer under consideration to become manager.

Sveum was promoted from his coaching position and served as interim manager after Ned Yost was fired with 12 games left in the regular season.

The Brewers reached the postseason for the first time since 1982, but lost to Philadelphia in four games in the opening round of the playoffs.

Brewers owner Mark Attanasio said the team reached a "significant milestone" by getting to the postseason, "and this could not have been accomplished without the efforts of Doug Melvin and his staff."

Among the major moves this season was the July trade that brought pitcher CC Sabathia from Cleveland to Milwaukee, where he became the most dependable member of the rotation, going 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA in 17 starts.

The Brewers went 7-5 under Sveum, clinching the wild-card berth on the final day of the regular season with Sabathia's 3-1 complete game win over the Chicago Cubs.

Melvin, whose deal now runs through 2012, said he would recommend to the next manager that Sveum stay on the coaching staff. He was the third base coach before the late-season promotion.

Ruling out Sveum "allows us to widen our search to experienced managerial candidates," Melvin said.

Sveum told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel by phone from his Scottsdale, Ariz., home that he was shocked when Melvin told him the team decided to look for someone with more experience.

"Basically, my heart was ripped out of my chest," he said, adding the odds are against his returning to coach under a new manager.

"The most disappointing part of it all is that I'm no longer going to wear a Brewers uniform," he said. "That hurts more than anything. I loved the Brewers and the organization."

The team said hitting coach Jim Skaalen won't be offered a contract for next year. He held that job the last two seasons.

The Brewers plan more announcements about the coaching staff in coming days.

Among the team's big challenges is trying to keep Sabathia, who like starter Ben Sheets is eligible for free agency.