Philadelphia, June 27 (Bloomberg) -- Dan Duquette spent the winter making trades and signing free agents as Boston Red Sox general manager. He'll spend the summer hitting fly balls as an assistant coach for his son's Babe Ruth League team.

Joe Kerrigan began spring training as Boston's manager, monitoring Pedro Martinez's shoulder and Derek Lowe's transition to the starting rotation. Now he watches the Red Sox by satellite dish from his home near Philadelphia.

As Boston continues to play some of the best baseball in the major leagues, Duquette and Kerrigan look on with mixed feelings. Fired in spring training, they're pulling for the team while wishing they could share in its success.

``I don't care if you're a milk man or a bread man or you work in the computer industry,'' Kerrigan said. ``Anytime you get fired, you feel somewhat violated.''

Duquette and Kerrigan lost their jobs in a purge by the new John Henry ownership group, which bought the team in January for a record $700 million. The new owners replaced Duquette with assistant Mike Port, and hired Cleveland bench coach Grady Little to replace Kerrigan.

While Duquette had $3 million left on his contract, which runs through 2003, the money doesn't eliminate the hurt.

``It's like having an antique car and spending a lot of time restoring it, tinkering and tuning it up so it's running like a Ferrari,'' Duquette said in a telephone interview. ``Then somebody steals it from your driveway. That's how I feel.''

`Understandable' Reaction

In the Red Sox offices, they're not surprised. Although Duquette called his firing ``personal'' and said the team never gave him an objective reason, Boston's new ownership is inclined to let him vent.

``It's understandable for someone to express sentiments of disappointment,'' said Charles Steinberg, the team's executive vice president of public affairs. ``We all might feel the same way if we were in that position.''

Running the Red Sox was a dream job for Duquette, a Dalton, Massachusetts, native and Amherst College graduate. He was 35 years old when he took the job in January 1994, and not afraid to make moves.

The Red Sox selected shortstop Nomar Garciaparra in Duquette's first amateur draft. Duquette acquired Martinez by trade from Montreal in 1997, and signed free-agent Manny Ramirez to an eight-year, $160 million contract in December 2000.

Duquette points to three playoff appearances, record revenue of $152.5 million in 2001 and the team's $700 million sale price - - which included Fenway Park and an 80 percent interest in the New England Sports Network -- as evidence the Red Sox thrived under his leadership.

Farm System

But Duquette's missteps cost him. Boston's minor-league system declined during his regime, the acquisition of outfielder Carl Everett created problems in the clubhouse, and his decision to fire manager Jimy Williams in August was heavily criticized.

Duquette also had a testy relationship with the Boston media, which considered him arrogant and aloof. Reporters objected when he communicated with fans through the team's Web site rather than give interviews. Duquette doesn't regret that approach, even if it cost him goodwill in the end.

``Ted Williams had the same type of relationship with the Boston media,'' Duquette said. ``Do you think it was reflective of Ted Williams's contribution to the Red Sox?''

Kerrigan, 48, worked with Duquette in the early 1990s in Montreal, earning a reputation as one of baseball's best pitching coaches. It carried over to Boston, where he coaxed winning records out of John Wasdin, Steve Avery, Butch Henry and several others.

Losing Finish

But after Duquette named Kerrigan to replace Williams as manager last summer, the Red Sox lost 26 of their final 43 games. The Henry group fired Kerrigan on March 5, five days after Duquette lost his job.

``When they acquired the team and six weeks went by and they didn't call me, that was a bad sign,'' Kerrigan said. ``Once they got the general manager and the scouting director, I knew chances were the manager would be next.''

On Camera

Kerrigan, back in his native Philadelphia, took a job as a studio analyst for Comcast Corp. cable company on Phillies broadcasts. He's comfortable in front of the camera, and well- versed on the mindset and mechanics of pitching.

``The guy really knows what's going on,'' said Phillies reliever Rheal Cormier, who pitched for Kerrigan in Boston. ``I'm sure somebody will give him a job if he wants it.''

Kerrigan has two years left on his contract, so he's willing to wait for the right position. In the meantime, he and his wife, Abigail, are busy moving into their new house in Montgomery County, 45 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

As for Duquette, he's busy with construction of the Dan Duquette Sports Academy, a camp for boys that's scheduled for completion in 2003. The camp, located in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts, will include four baseball fields and six basketball courts, and give Duquette a place to channel his energy until he determines his future in baseball.

Duquette has attended five Red Sox games this season, watching from box seats near the visitors' on-deck circle, and said the Fenway Park crowds have been positive and supportive.

More supportive, it appears, than when he ran the club.