This date 1993: Reds fire Tony Perez after 44 games

The 44 game mark and the firing of Tony Perez (May 24, 1993)

On this date 1993 the Reds fired first year manager Tony Perez.

Returning from a 1-6 West Coast trip that left them 20-24 and 9.5 games behind the Giants, Reds GM Jim Bowden called manager Tony Perez, woke him up and then fired him. 

Bowden also fired pitching coach Larry Rothschild and third base coach Dave Bristol. First base coach Ron Oester resigned in protest.

Davey Johnson, working as a consultant with the team was named manager. 

Former Reds player Ray Knight and former Rangers manager Bobby Valentine were named as coaching replacements. Jose Cardenal moved from outfield coach to first base coach.

Johnson hadn't managed or coached in the majors in three years.

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From the Associated Press that day: Ready, blame, fire

Bowden, running the team while controlling partner Marge Schott serves a one-year suspension, decided a major change was needed to make the team with the highest payroll in the National League--$42.8 million--start living up to its expectations. Perez is one of Schott's favorites, but her suspension bars her from involvement in the club's operations.

The fifth-quickest firing of a rookie manager in major league history stunned Perez, who fought back tears while talking to reporters at his apartment building.

"I don't think it's fair," Perez said. "Was I cheated? I don't know. But I don't think it's fair. I think I did a good job."

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Johnson guided the Reds to a 53-65 record over the remainder of the 1993 season.The Reds were 66-48, first place in the NL Central in 1994, prior to the season ending due to a strike. The Reds won the NL Central in 1995, beating the Dodgers in the NLDS, before losing to the Braves in the NLCS.