MIAMI – The lingering backlash caused by Ozzie Guillen’s praise of Fidel Castro contributed to another Miami Marlins managerial shakeup Tuesday.

Guillen was fired Tuesday after one year with the Marlins, undone by too many losses and one too many ill-advised remarks.

A promising season began to derail in April with Guillen’s laudatory comments about Cuba’s former leader. Six months later, the episode was a factor in the decision to fire Guillen, Marlins officials said.

“Let’s face it. It was not a positive for the team; it was not a positive for Ozzie,” president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said. “It was a disappointment, no doubt about it.”

A lousy team didn’t help, either. The Marlins took high hopes into their new ballpark following an offseason spending spree but finished last in the NL East at 69-93, their worst record since 1999.

Miami’s next manager will be the fifth for owner Jeffrey Loria since early 2010. Two managers he fired made the playoffs this year.

The latest change comes even though the Marlins still owe Guillen $7.5 million for the three years remaining on his contract.

Marlins officials believe the damage of Guillen’s comments was lasting. They blame disappointing attendance at the new ballpark in part over lingering fan resentment about the Castro comments.

 

WHITE SOX: Adam Dunn was named The Sporting News’ American League comeback player of the year.

To fully appreciate his .204 batting average, consider that it was more than 40 points higher than the previous year. His 41 homers not only came close to denying Tigers star Miguel Cabrera a Triple Crown but amounted to 30 more homers than he hit in 2011. And he drove in 96 runs, more than twice his total a year earlier.

“It’s an award I hope I never win again,” said Dunn.

 

DODGERS: Reliever Kenley Jansen underwent surgery on his heart to return it to normal rhythm.

 

CUBS: Chicago hired former major leaguer David Bell as its third-base coach and removed the interim tag from hitting coach James Rowson.

The moves complete Manager Dale Sveum’s staff.

• Chicago agreed to a three-year contract extension with assistant general manager Randy Bush.

Bush is entering his seventh season as assistant GM and ninth in the organization. He joined the club as a special assistant to the general manager before the 2005 season.

 

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