First, there was then-Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi ordering the towels and post-game food removed from the clubhouse and demanding that the players stand at their lockers in response to continuing lethargic play.

Then came Toronto general manager J.P. Riccardi not only publicly criticizing Cincinnati outfielder Adam Dunn, whom he has never met. He criticized him not only for his abilities on the field but his personal life. He later announced that he talked with Dunn on the phone and apologized on Saturday, only to have Dunn show up in Toronto with the Reds on Tuesday and make it clear he had never spoken to Riccardi and had no desire to talk to him.

Now comes the saga of Houston general manager Ed Wade and pitcher Shawn Chacon, suspended then released this week after publicly admitting that a confrontation with Wade resulted in Chacon grabbing Wade by the neck, throwing him to the ground and jumping on the GM.

There's no excuse for him physically attacking Wade.

Leadership, however, let the Astros down in this instance, too.

Having moved Chacon from the rotation to the bullpen earlier in the week, Astros manager Cecil Cooper initially requested that Chacon come to his office to discuss issues that were being raised during the week. Chacon declined.

That prompted Wade to approach Chacon in the players' lounge prior to Wednesday's game.

Chacon again declined to go into the office, told Wade that the general manager should be free to say whatever he had to say there in the lounge and Wade, by Chacon's description lost his cool, yelling and cursing. That's when Chacon lost it, and the next thing anyone knew, Chacon had thrown Wade to the floor.

Chacon was out of line. Now, at age of 31, he is likely out of baseball, first suspended by the Astros and then, on Thursday, released.

But that doesn't exonerate Wade, who is supposed to be the leader of the franchise and has a responsibility to owners to handle his job with dignity, which doesn't include profanity-filled shouting matches with players.

INFIELD CHATTER

—Oakland assistant general manager David Forst is quick to decline interview requests for GM jobs because he figures to be the head man with the Athletics as early as next season. While Billy Beane will be around, Beane has indicated he plans to put his focus on developing the pro soccer team that he and Athletics owner Lewis Wolf are involved with.

—Former outfielder and current Giants scout Ted Uhlaender has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, the same form of cancer that former Rockies manager Don Baylor has battled.

—Milwaukee right-hander Ben Sheets says in light of the Brewers deciding not to try to negotiate an extension during the season, he expects to explore the free-agent market in the fall.