CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Jack McKeon was fired as manager of the Cincinnati Reds today, possibly clearing the way for Ken Griffey Sr. to manage his superstar son.

The Reds announced today that they will not renew the contract of McKeon, who took the Reds to within one game of the playoffs in 1999 and was named National League Manager of the Year.

Cincinnati acquired Ken Griffey Jr. from the Seattle Mariners in a blockbuster trade in February, but slipped back to the pack in 2000. The Reds were 85-77 and finished 10 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central.

"That's the nature of the game. It's their prerogative to go in the direction they want to go," McKeon said. "They have to live with their conscience."

No immediate replacement was named, but Griffey Sr., the bench coach of the Reds, has been mentioned as a possible replacement. The possibility of playing for his father is believed to be one of the reasons Griffey Jr. agreed to the February trade. Bowden, however, refused to speculate on candidates.

"The process is going to be long and drawn out," general manager Jim Bowden said. "We will look at candidates from within the organization and outside the organization. The best may be an unknown."

Despite his success in 1999, McKeon was given only a one-year contract for this season. McKeon, who will be 70 in a month and celebrated his 50th anniversary in baseball last year, had asked for a two-year deal. The one-year deal bothers McKeon, who felt his authority was undercut.

"You read between the lines. They didn't have that kind of faith in you," McKeon said. "Anytime you have the success we did and get a one-year deal, you're a lame duck manager."

Under McKeon, the Reds improved 19 games in 1999, going 96-67. They advanced to a one-game playoff for the wild card where they lost to the New York Mets.

With high hopes for this season, the Reds lost 11 of 12 games in early June and never fully recovered. Griffey. Jr hit .271 with 40 homers and 118 RBI.

The Reds all but conceded the race in July, when they traded their best pitcher, Denny Neagle, to the New York Yankees and almost unloaded star shortstop Barry Larkin.

Cincinnati was 291-259 under McKeon, who brought stability to a young clubhouse after taking over for Ray Knight on an interim basis in 1997. McKeon had been with Cincinnati since January 1993, when he began assisting Bowden.

"The organization recognizes and appreciates his contribution both on the field and off, and we wish him nothing but the best," Bowden said.

Bowden also announced that hitting coach Denis Menke, first-base coach Dave Collins and instructor Harry Dunlop have received permission to contact other clubs regarding available positions. The contracts of the three coaches expire on October 31.

Griffey Sr., pitching coach Don Gullett, bullpen coach Tom Hume and third base coach Ron Oester are under contract for the 2001 season.

McKeon earlier in his career earned the nickname "Trader Jack" for his tendency to make deals at any time. He was the GM in San Diego from 1980-90.

The New Jersey native is 770-773 as a manager for Cincinnati, Kansas City (1973-75), Oakland (1977-78) and San Diego (1988-90).

McKeon began his career by signing a minor-league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1949.