The Cleveland Indians yesterday hired Manny Acta to be their manager, giving him the job about three months after he was fired by the Washington Nationals. Acta signed a three-year contract with a club option for 2013, Indians spokesman Bart Swain said yesterday. Additional terms were not disclosed. “I am very excited to become part of the Cleveland Indians family,“ Acta said. “I look forward to working with this talented group of young men who seem to possess a lot of energy and passion for their work.“

CLEVELAND—Manny Acta had his second interview with the Cleveland Indians, who also plan to sit down with ex-New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine about their managerial opening. Acta, fired by the Washington Nationals in July, spent eight hours at Progressive Field yesterday. He interviewed with owners Larry and Paul Dolan, General Manager Mark Shapiro and others.

CLEVELAND - Former Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta will interview a second time with the Cleveland Indians. Acta, fired by Washington in July, will meet with Indians owner Paul Dolan, General Manager Mark Shapiro, assistant GM Chris Antonetti and other front-office personnel today at Progressive Field. The Indians will make Acta available to the media afterward.

WASHINGTON—So much for the plan to have Manny Acta’s patient optimism lead the Washington Nationals out of the doldrums. The abysmal won-loss record became too much to stomach, costing him his job at the All-Star break and adding another layer of instability to the worst team in baseball. Acta was fired after the team reached the unofficial halfway mark of the season with a 26-61 record, on pace to clear the 100-loss mark for the second consecutive year. Acting general manager Mike Rizzo announced Acta’s dismissal yesterday morning.

Manny Acta was fired after the team reached the unofficial halfway mark of the season with a 26-61 record, on pace to clear the 100-loss mark for the second consecutive year.

The old saying goes that success has many fathers while failure is an orphan. Look at the success of the Los Angeles Lakers. Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, Mitch Kupchak, Jeanie Buss, even Jeanie Buss’ dog, the one she dresses in Lakers gear, all share credit for the Lakers’ NBA championship. Now, look at the failure of the Washington Nationals.