CINCINNATI -- A muddled search for a manager gave Bob Boone another chance to do what he loves best: run a major-league team.

The Cincinnati Reds introduced Boone as their next manager Friday after two other candidates -- Yankees third base coach Willie Randolph and their own Ron Oester -- balked at below-market contract offers.

	Boone's father, Bob, was a big-league catcher for 19 seasons and currently works as the Reds manager.

Boone, 52, agreed to a two-year contract with a club option for a third, meaning he's not guaranteed to lead the team into its new ballpark in 2003.

Money and security didn't matter to Boone, who managed Kansas City (1995-97) and wondered if he'd ever get the chance to do it again.

"I've done this one other time in my life and found out how much I loved it," Boone said. "I had the opportunity to manage in Kansas City and found that I loved managing more than I loved catching."

Boone caught 2,225 games for the Phillies, Angels and Royals in 19 seasons, a major league record until Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk surpassed it.

He had been a special assistant to Reds general manager Jim Bowden the past three years and was one of at least nine candidates interviewed after manager Jack McKeon was fired the day after the season.

As he stepped to the lectern Friday morning in the Reds' offices, there were as many questions about how he got the job as there were what he'd do with it.

Unable to lure Lou Piniella from Seattle, the Reds brought Randolph in for a second interview on Wednesday night.

The next morning, they offered the job to Oester, who spent all of his 17-year career in the Reds organization. He was elated at the chance, troubled by the offer -- $300,000 for the first year, $350,000 for the second.

That's substantially less than Pittsburgh, which has a smaller payroll than the Reds, gave to Lloyd McClendon, another first-time manager. McClendon's three-year contract averages $500,000.

When he rejected the offer and asked for more money, Oester said he was led to believe that club officials would ask owner Carl Lindner about an increase. The Reds took it as a rejection and turned to Randolph, who had headed home to New Jersey.

Randolph -- who gets more than $300,000 each year just from his World Series share -- also rejected the contract offer as inadequate, so the club turned to Boone, who had no problems with it.

"This job is not about money for me, never has been," he said.

Oester learned that Boone had gotten the job during a call from team spokesman. Stunned by the news, he drove to the stadium and cleaned out his dressing cubicle, unsure whether he wanted to fulfill the last year on his coaching contract.

"I was shocked this morning," Oester said in a telephone interview. "It's tough for me. It's hard on my kids. The problem I have is they never got back to me. I don't understand it. I guess they considered this a take-it-or-leave-it deal. I was just misled a little bit. I don't know."

Boone said he would like Oester to stay. Pitching coach Don Gullett and bench coach Ken Griffey Sr. also are under contract for next year.

Griffey Sr. also was interviewed for the job initially. His son, Ken Jr., had hoped he would get it. Boone called Griffey Sr. on Friday morning to talk about next season.

"I had a very nice conversation with Senior," Boone said. "He's very excited about it, asked me about his role. I said I'm not exactly sure right now, probably a bench coach role."

Boone will get to coach his son, Aaron, who plays third base. He's the sixth person in major league history to coach his son, along with Connie and Earle Mack, Yogi and Dale Berra, Cal Ripken Sr. and sons Billy and Cal Jr., Hal and Brian McRae and Felipe and Moises Alou.

"I think there's some trepidation by me taking it, having Aaron here," Boone said. "I think Aaron is enough of a professional that he will handle it. I think he's a big factor in this ballclub and is going to be into the future. I was weighing some of the pressures that may be on him."

Aaron said it wouldn't be a problem.

"I don't think it will be weird at all," he said. "Probably the first day he stands up in spring training it might be a little weird. After that, it will be business as usual. I'm just excited for him to get this opportunity. He loves managing."