NEW YORK — Stung by a rash of blown calls in the playoffs, Major League Baseball is breaking tradition and sticking with only experienced umpires for the World Series.

Longtime crew chiefs Joe West, Dana DeMuth and Gerry Davis, along with Brian Gorman, Jeff Nelson and Mike Everitt will handle the games, three people with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press this week.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because an official announcement has not been made.

In 24 of the last 25 World Series, the six-man crew has included at least one umpire working the event for the first time — baseball likes to reward newer umpires, plus replenish the supply of umps with Series experience.

In each of the last two years, there were three new umps working the World Series.

CB Bucknor was in line to work the World Series for the first time this year. But he missed two calls in Game 1 of the division series between the Red Sox and Angels, damaging his chance to get picked, one of the three people said.

DODGERS

CEO MCCOURT FIRED

Los Angeles Dodgers CEO Jamie McCourt was fired yesterday by her estranged husband, team owner Frank McCourt, a day after the Dodgers lost the National League championship series.

Jamie McCourt's attorney, Dennis Wasser, said his client learned she was no longer employed by the Dodgers, who ended their season Wednesday after being bounced in the NLCS by the Philadelphia Phillies for the second straight year.

"Jamie is disappointed and saddened by her termination," Wasser said. "As co-owner of the Dodgers, she will address this and all other issues in the courtroom."

Frank McCourt's attorney, Marshall Grossman, declined to comment. A Dodgers spokesman said the team doesn't comment on personnel matters.

INDIANS

VALENTINE INTERVIEWS

Bobby Valentine got his chance to convince the Cleveland Indians that they should hire him as their manager.

He may still need to convince himself.

The former New York Mets manager, who didn't lose an ounce of charisma during an extended stay in Japan, had his second interview with the Indians yesterday. After meeting with team officials, Valentine, 59, spent more than 35 minutes stating his case — for and against — to the media.

Valentine expressed a strong desire to take on the rebuilding Indians, who finished in a tie for last in the AL Central with Kansas City.

"This is an opportunity to manage a major league team with a group of major league, classy people," Valentine said. "I almost have to ask: Why wouldn't I want this opportunity?"