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ATLANTA -- For nearly a quarter-century, the Atlanta Braves have been all about stability. That changed Monday. In their first major off-the-field firing since 1990, the Braves dismissed general manager Frank Wren less than 24 hours after being eliminated from the NL playoff race. The move came with a week remaining in the regular season. Former Cleveland and Texas general manager John Hart will serve as Wrens interim replacement. "It was time," team President John Schuerholz said. "It was time for the organizations well-being." For the Braves, it was the most jarring change of direction since manager Russ Nixon was fired 65 games into the 1990 season. He was succeeded by Bobby Cox, who remained in that job until his retirement in 2010. Schuerholz was the general manager for 17 seasons before moving up to president in 2007, handing over the GM job to his hand-picked successor, Wren. Now the focus turns to the current manager, Fredi Gonzalez, a protege of Coxs who is finishing up his fourth season. Schuerholz said the new GM would have a big say in determining if Gonzalez returns in 2015, though the fact no change was made at manager indicates he still has the support of a three-man search committee that will hire the new GM, comprised of Schuerholz, Hart and Cox. Cox said he believes Gonzalez has done a "remarkable job," leading the Braves to a wild-card berth in 2012 and an NL East title last season. They were 76-79 going into Monday nights game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, in danger of only their third losing season since 1990. "I love Atlanta. I love our organization. I would love to get another shot at it like anybody else would," Gonzalez said. "I want to be here." The Braves also dismissed Wrens right-hand man, assistant general manager Bruce Manno. Wren did not immediately return a message left on his cellphone. While the Braves made the playoffs three times during Wrens tenure, he drew heavy criticism for the big-money contracts of second baseman Dan Uggla and centre fielder B.J. Upton. Uggla was released in July, even though he was still owed $13 million this season and next. Upton may go down as one of the biggest free-agent busts in baseball history, with three more years remaining on a $75.25 million, five-year contract. The outfielder was hitting .207 with 11 homers and 34 RBIs, which is actually an improvement on his first year with Atlanta. "Its just one of those things that you kind of deal with and you have to live on," Upton said. A half-game behind the Washington Nationals for the NL East lead July 29, the Braves plummeted out of contention by winning just 18 of their next 49 games. Wren and Manno didnt help their cause with what some perceived as a dictatorial style. "In this job, youve got to be able to delegate. Youve got to be able to encourage. Youve got to be the guy who walks in the door when youve lost four straight and picks your manager up," Hart said. The 66-year-old Hart said he wasnt looking to make the job permanent, but Schuerholz had a bit of a different take. "We have not completely closed or opened that door," Schuerholz said, looking at Hart with a smile. Also likely to be considered: Kansas City general manager Dayton Moore, who began his career with the Braves and has the Royals in position to make the playoffs for the first time since 1985, and Braves assistant general manager John Coppolella, who will serve as Harts top aide during the transition. The Braves have one of the NLs best team ERAs, despite losing projected starters Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy to season-ending injuries in spring training. But a feeble offence has plagued the team all season and could lead to changes on the coaching staff. It seems likely that hitting coaches Greg Walker and Scott Fletcher will not return in 2015, even if Gonzalez keeps his job. Wren was fired after the Braves were swept at home this past weekend by the New York Mets, scoring only four runs in three games. They were shut out five times during a stretch of 14 losses in 18 games. A former GM of the Baltimore Orioles, Wren served eight seasons as Schuerholzs lieutenant before moving into the top job. Hart joined the Braves last November as a senior adviser for baseball operations. He was general manager of the Indians for a decade through 2001, then spent four years in the same job with the Rangers. He is now an analyst with MLB Network along with his role with the Braves. "Im not seeking the job," Hart said. "Its been discussed, but at this particular stage its not what Im looking to do." Fake Jerseys Outlet . The Cavs announced the move Saturday, one day after LeBron James said hes returning to Cleveland. A 12-year veteran, Haywood has played in 794 NBA games, averaging 6. Fake MLB Jerseys . Smiths former Atlanta teammates were glad to hang on for an ugly win. http://www.fakejersey.com/. The Packers, Lions and Bears were a combined 35-15 and as long as Jay Cutler can say healthy, all three could make the playoffs in 2012. Fake Hockey Jerseys . Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley told local media in comments published Wednesday that John Tomic would not be allowed into Melbourne Park in any official capacity or as a spectator. Fake Puma Jerseys . After two months of mediocrity, perhaps the Washington Nationals have turned the page. Strasburg struck out 11 in seven innings Wednesday night and the Nationals kept the Philadelphia Phillies bats quiet yet again in an 8-4, rain-interrupted win. KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. Seth Sinovic hadnt found the net since last years Eastern Conference semifinals. But the Argentinian centre forward and the hard-working hometown left back both came up big on Wednesday night, with clutch goals that lifted Sporting Kansas City into the East finals with a 3-1 overtime victory over the New England Revolution. Sinovic scored in the 79th minute to force the extra period, nine minutes after Dmitry Imbongos goal forced a 1-all tie in Wednesdays match and gave the Revolution a 3-2 aggregate lead in the two-match series. Then, 23 minutes into overtime, Bieler -- a late second-half substitute -- delivered the series-winner off a cross from Benny Feilhaber. "I think this game shows the character that our team has," said Sinovic, whose only previous career goal came last year in Sportings East semifinal loss to Houston. "We were down two goals in New England and needed a goal to make things a little more realistic coming home, and then they tied it tonight and we needed another goal. So hopefully we can bring that to the next round." Bieler, who entered in the 84th minute, led Sporting with 10 goals in the regular season. But the designated players minutes had fallen off iin recent months, and he last scored on a penalty kick on Sept.dddddddddddd. 7 against Columbus. "He and I had a talk here last week," manager Peter Vermes said. "I said to him, Theres more soccer to play here. You dont understand yet what the playoff environment is like, but the opportunities are going to come and youre going to stick one away for us, maybe two, and theyre going to be big goals. He is what he is. Hes a goal-scorer, and its great to see him get his confidence on that goal because we need him down the stretch here." Defender Aurelien Collin also scored for Sporting, who will open the conference finals against Houston on Saturday. Collin knocked in a deflection in the 41st minute for his second goal of the post-season, but Dimitry Imbongos goal, a free kick in the 70th minute tied Wednesdays leg at 1 and put the Revolution up 3-2 on aggregate. Sporting finished with a 32-5 advantage in shots and could have put in one more goal late in overtime, but Graham Zusi hit the crossbar with Revolution keeper Matt Reis injured outside of the penalty area. "We tried, and I felt we had a couple chances here and there," New England coach Jay Heaps said. "We were hoping to get to penalties because we were hanging on and we thought we had the advantage there." ' ' '