Joe Maddon ends decade-long Rays tenure (AFP)

Joe Maddon, who led Tampa Bay Rays to a World Series berth in 2008, has stepped down after almost a decade at the helm, the Major League Baseball club said. The long-time manager's exit came after Maddon exercised an opt-out clause in his contract. The 60-year-old presided over the Rays during their most successful period in the franchise's 17-year history. It followed the departure of longtime executive Andrew Friedman, who was hired by the Los Angeles Dodgers last week.