AMERICAN LEAGUE: INSIDE THE A.L.: BLUE JAYS PASSED ON THIS BUCK.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Buck Martinez went from the broadcast booth to the manager's seat with the Toronto Blue Jays, and now he's unemployed.

Martinez became the fifth manager fired this season after the Blue Jays struggled the first two months of the season, battling with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to stay out of last place in the AL East.

Much more was expected from the Blue Jays this season, and Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi was among those who expected more, so Ricciardi made the move to replace Martinez with third-base coach Carlos Tosca.

``You look at (Shannon) Stewart, you look at Jose Cruz, you look at Raul Mondesi and you look at Carlos Delgado,'' Ricciardi said. ``That's four major-league guys who have track records of having decent years. You look at it and something ain't right. So why wouldn't anybody think you could be competitive with those four guys in your lineup and then you throw a Felipe Lopez, a Vernon Wells and Eric Hinske in there.''

--Change of heart: Angels manager Mike Scioscia spent 13 seasons in the National League and had no reason to favor the designated hitter. But as a manager in the minor leagues (1999 at Triple-A Albuquerque) and major leagues, Scioscia is changing his mind.

``At first, I didn't like it. I felt that everybody on the field, including the pitcher, should hit,'' Scioscia said. ``But now since I've coached in the minors and in the American League, I like it. People say the National League relies more on little ball. But I think there can be more little ball in the American League, because with the No. 9 hitter you can do more things.''

--Dropping two spots: Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki won the MVP last season and generally is regarded as the best leadoff hitter in baseball. But manager Lou Piniella batted Suzuki No. 3 in a couple games last week and will consider doing it more as long as DH Edgar Martinez remains out with a hamstring injury.

``We're going to take a look at it,'' Piniella said. ``If I like what I see, it'll stay.''

Suzuki went into the weekend leading the league in hitting (.384), on-base percentage (.454), multi-hit games (27), triples (five) and hitting with runners in scoring position (.521).

--Meeting of minds: A seven-game losing streak sent the White Sox behind closed doors for another team meeting.

``We're still missing that one piece,'' third baseman Jose Valentin said. ``And it's not hitting or the pitching. It's about everyone coming to the park every day and wanting to play.''

First baseman Paul Konerko said: ``It's stuff that we can control: attitude, intensity, having our heads in the right places, the mental part of the game. There are teams that have it, but not the talent that we do. That's inexcusable.''