A Roundup Of The Sports Information Of The Week

FIRED: After managing the Minnesota Twins from a seventh-place finish, 24 games out, in 1968 to an American League division title this season, BILLY MARTIN. "I feel a change will benefit the future of the Twins," said President Calvin Griffith.

FIRED: After 3� seasons as manager, DAVE BRISTOL, whose Cincinnati Reds finished four games back of the 1969 Western Division champion Braves. His replacement will be George (Sparky) Anderson.

NAMED: To replace JOE GORDON as manager of the Kansas City Royals, by Gordon himself, CHARLIE METRO, former minor league manager and Royal coach for the last five weeks of the 1969 season. Said Gordon, "It takes a very firm hand to manage today, and I'm not a firm-hand type of manager."

REHIRED: DANNY MURTAUGH, manager of the 1960 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates, who retired in 1964, ostensibly for reasons of health. He replaces Larry Shepard, fired after one season.

RETIRED: NEVELE PRIDE, Harness Horse of the Year in 1967 and 1968 and winner this year of 10 of his 14 starts and $221,375 (see SCORECARD). Trainer-Driver Stanley Dancer said of his 4-year-old bay prot�g�, "He is the fastest 2-year-old, 3-year-old and aged trotter ever and has trotted the fastest miles over the half-mile, ?-mile and mile tracks.... He can rest on his records."

TRADED: Talented and troublesome slugger RICHIE ALLEN by Philadelphia to St. Louis in a seven-player deal that sent Cardinal Catcher TIM McCARVER and Outfielder CURT FLOOD to the Phillies.

DIED: DON HOAK, 41, star third baseman of the 1960 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates; of a heart attack. Hoak, whose playing career ended in 1964, managed two Pirate farm teams—Salem to the Carolina League championship in 1968 and Columbus to the International League playoff this year. He had been considered a leading contender for the Pirates' managing job (see REHIRED).

DIED: SONJA HENIE, 56, 10 times world figure-skating champion—first at the age of 14—and Olympic gold medalist in 1928, '32 and '36; of leukemia; while traveling from Paris to her home in Oslo.