Dusty Baker Leaving the Giants

%mlink(STRY:; PHOTO:NY168-110602; AUDIO:%)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Manager Dusty Baker is leaving the San Francisco Giants less than two weeks after leading them to the World Series.

General manager Brian Sabean made the announcement Wednesday, the day Baker’s contract expired.

``It has become increasingly apparent that Dusty’s interest in exploring opportunities elsewhere is paramount in his mind,″ Sabean said. ``There remained non-compensation issues that he seemed reluctant to embrace.″

The Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners are likely to express interest in Baker.

Baker becomes the first manager in nearly three decades to leave a team right after guiding it to the World Series. Dick Williams led Oakland to the 1973 championship and then retired _ he was hired by the California Angels during the 1974 season.

MORE