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Two third-base coaches, Atlanta's Fredi Gonzalez and Oakland's Ron Washington, have joined New York Yankees bench coach Joe Girardi as managerial candidates contacted by the Marlins.

 

The Marlins will begin interviews next week, apparently starting with Washington on Tuesday in New York.

 

With the Braves and Yankees in the playoffs, Gonzalez and Girardi will interview on an off day or between series. The Yankees were off Thursday, but a National League source said Girardi had not met with the Marlins.

 

Washington expressed confidence Thursday in his ability to replace Jack McKeon.

 

"I believe I'm the guy. Now it's just a matter of answering whatever questions they have,'' said Washington, 53, a former infielder who played for five clubs during 10 seasons in the majors.

 

For the past 10 years, Washington has coached for Oakland, building a reputation for helping to improve the club's defense. Third baseman Eric Chavez, a four-time Gold Glove winner, gave Washington one of his Gold Gloves and wrote, ''Not without you, Wash."

 

Washington said he knows Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria from Loria's days as owner of the Oklahoma City 49ers, a Class AAA team of the Texas Rangers. Washington played in Oklahoma City in 1990, his last year in pro baseball.

 

A native of New Orleans, Washington said he plans to return to his hometown today for the first time since Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of his house. After he interviews in New York with the Marlins, he will return to New Orleans.

 

"My house is destroyed. My brother-in-law was in it last week and said it was in shambles," Washington said. "I may have to pitch a tent on I-10.

 

"But I want this job, so I'm going to New York.''

 

Washington said he has interviewed for one other managerial job, with Oakland, before the A's hired Ken Macha in 2003. Macha will not return next year, leaving the Oakland coaching staff in flux.

 

Macha's agent called the Marlins this week to express his client's interest in replacing McKeon, but Macha has not been asked to interview.

 

The Associated Press reported Thursday that Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Dave Littlefield expects to have interviews with Macha and ex-Dodgers manager Paul Tracy in the coming days.

 

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/conte...rlins_1007.html

Who's Paul Tracy?

Who's Jim Depodestra?

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