DETROIT (AP) - After watching his team tumble to a nine-game losing streak, Motown Miracles GM Cory Muzyka has fired manager Triple H. In a move that is sure to send shockwaves around the league Muzyka handed Triple H his pink slip, citing his "total lack of professionalism" as a main reason for the firing.

"Triple H was a better wrestler than a Weaverball manager", said GM Muzyka. "To be honest, the moment I met the man I knew that I was going to have to replace him as manager. Better to do it now than to waste this entire season."

"We're moving in a new direction and trying to rebuild this franchise from the ground up. The first step was to clean house upstairs, and now we're going to concentrate on improving the future prospects of the team. At this time we would like to introduce the new manager of the Motown Miracles, Ryne Sandberg. Also joining Ryne will be his new pitching coach - former Weaver Leaguer and future hall of famer Greg Maddux."

Sandberg, a career .266 hitter in Weaverball, stepped up to the microphone.

"I'm really happy to be here and hope I can help lead the ballclub into a new era. Obviously, it's going to take a lot of work and a lot of time to make this team competitive, but I feel that with some luck and good drafting and trading we can be up amongst the best teams in the league in two or three years."

Maddux, whose career record in the Weaver League was an incredible 171-63, with a 1.88 ERA, joined Sandberg at the microphone.

"I'd like to thank both Ryne and Cory for giving me this chance to get back into baseball. I love Detroit and hope that we can turn things around and the team can stay here. My first job is going to be to assess the talent we have in the organization and to familiarize myself with the rest of the league's pitchers. This is a great opportunity for me and I hope to, along with Ryne, bring an attitude of winning back to Motown."

When asked about the impending vote on the new stadium proposal, GM Muzyka was not making any rash comments.

"Look, the vote is coming up soon and we'll know what's going to happen then. I want to give the fans something to cheer about, something to show them that the new-look Miracles mean business. The hiring of Sandberg and Maddux, this is only the first step. We're planning to have a couple of new appointments to our staff in the next few days, completing our coaching staff."