BASEBALL NOTES: TOP AL SKIPPER SKIPS AWAY.

Byline: Associated Press 

The American League's manager of the year is looking for a team to manage.

Davey Johnson ended his feud with Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos by quitting Wednesday. Hours later, he was named AL Manager of the Year.

Johnson, who led the Orioles to a league-best 98-64 record, had been fighting with Angelos since the team was eliminated by Cleveland in the AL championship series.

``I thought I needed to do this. There have been some strained relationships,'' Johnson said. ``It's been a great two years for me. I love the city of Baltimore, the fans have been great. We didn't get in the World Series, but hopefully they will get in it next year without me.''

Johnson, who had finished second three times in voting for NL Manager of the Year but never won, received 10 first-place votes, twice as many as anyone else. He received 88 points, 38 more than second-place finisher Buddy Bell of Detroit.

Then again, he lost what he often called his ``dream job'' - managing the team with which he broke into the majors as a rookie second baseman in 1965.

Two days after the World Series, Johnson's agent sent Angelos a letter requesting a contract extension or a buyout of the final year. A day later, word leaked that Johnson ordered Roberto Alomar to pay $10,500 in fines to a charity that retains Johnson's wife as a fund-raiser.

Johnson, who led the Orioles into the playoffs in both his seasons, faxed Angelos a letter Wednesday morning asking for a decision on his fate by the end of the day ``to put this matter to bed.''

Angelos faxed back a letter to the manager, claiming that Johnson failed ``to recognize the real issue posed by your imposition and handling of the Alomar fine and your divisive statement to the press in July that unless the Orioles got to the World Series, you would not be permitted to return for the final year of your contract.

``Such a statement, during a pennant drive, was ill-advised and potentially a harmful distraction. Your own actions and conduct - not mine - have produced the fulfillment of your prophecy.''

Angelos will be beginning the search for his fourth manager in five years. Orioles pitching coach Ray Miller and batting coach Rick Down are considered strong candidates.

Coming and going: Deion Sanders filed for free agency after declining to exercise his $2.5 million player option with Cincinnati, and Jack McDowell filed a day after the Indians turned down his $4.8 million option.

Doug Strange was the third player who filed Wednesday, increasing the total to 131. Up to 10 more players are potentially eligible to file by Monday's deadline.

Two players agreed to new contracts. Tim Wakefield got a $12 million, three-year contract with Boston and John Jaha agreed to a one-year contract with Milwaukee worth $3,387,500, the same salary he had in 1997.

The envelope please: Ken Griffey Jr. was named ``Player of the Year'' and Mark McGwire was picked ``Man of the Year'' at the Major League Players Choice Awards show in Orlando, Fla.

Ten awards were announced at the ceremony at Walt Disney World. Others included NL top player Larry Walker, AL top pitcher Roger Clemens and NL top pitcher Pedro Martinez.

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Photo: Davey Johnson says being manager of the Baltimore Orioles was his ``dream job.''

Associated Press