SEATTLE (AP) – Bob Melvin was fired as manager of the Seattle Mariners on Monday, a day after the team ended the season with its 99th loss.

Melvin, who lasted two seasons, was told of the decision during a morning meeting at Safeco Field, and general manager Bill Bavasi called a news conference for later in the day.

In May, the Mariners exercised the option on Melvin’s contract for 2005 despite a 9-16 start. He led the team to a 93-69 record in 2003 after Lou Piniella left for Tampa Bay.

In a news release, Bavasi said it was a difficult decision to fire Melvin. He credited the manager, his coaches and the team for playing hard and trying to win through the end of the season.

“This decision is not meant to place blame completely on Bob. There is plenty of blame to go around for all of us,” Bavasi said.

The Mariners left spring training expecting to contend for a playoff spot. Instead, they finished 63-99 and barely avoided their first 100-loss season since 1983.

“What can you do? Anytime a team struggles the way we have this year, you have to make some changes somewhere,” Melvin said Sunday. “I’ll just play it a day at a time. If I’m here, I’m here. It would be great.”

Melvin was not immediately available for comment Monday.

The front office also told most of the coaching staff – hitting coach Paul Molitor, bench coach Rene Lachemann, first base coach Mike Aldrete, third base coach Dave Myers and bullpen coach Orlando Gomez – they are free to pursue other jobs, though each remains under contract with Seattle through Oct. 31.

The exception is pitching coach Bryan Price, who is under contract with the club through 2005.

It was the team’s worst season since going 64-98 in 1992. The Mariners last had a losing season in 1999, when they were 79-83. They had won at least 91 games every year since, and they tied an AL record by winning 116 games in 2001.

Some of Seattle’s biggest problems can’t be attributed directly to Melvin.

The Mariners ranked last in the American League in runs scored (857), RBIs (658) and home runs (136). Injuries in the bullpen, most notably to right-hander Rafael Soriano, didn’t help.

Before joining the Mariners, Melvin spent two seasons as bench coach in Arizona and was with the club during its World Series title in 2001. He also held the same job in Detroit (2000) and Milwaukee (1999).

AP-ES-10-04-04 1355EDT