Butler County Special Olympians brought home gold medals in soccer and bocce at the Allegheny County Fall Competition in Hampton Township recently.

Clint Atkinson, Roz Burns, Madelin Burns, Nicole McKinnis, Melissa McKinnis, Carla Steffy and Tom Hastings were unbeaten in three games of soccer to win the gold. Ryan Deegan won gold and Steven Keck claimed silver in soccer individual skills competition.

In bocce, Kristen Lindsey and Jeff Walsh won the gold medal, Tim Spence and Don Monn won silver, and Dottie Bowen and Mike Mezynski won bronze.

Butler County soccer and bocce athletes will compete in the Western Fall Sectional Sunday at Slippery Rock University.

MIAMI — Once the runner-up to Joe Girardi for the job of managing the Florida Marlins, Fredi Gonzalez became his successor.The Marlins fired Girardi Tuesday, and five hours later announced that he'll be replaced by Gonzalez, third-base coach for the Atlanta Braves the past four years. Girardi's departure after only one season had been expected after his rift with owner Jeffrey Loria boiled over in an on-field confrontation two months ago.Gonzalez, 42, interviewed with the Marlins a year ago after Jack McKeon resigned. Instead they hired Girardi, but his relationship with Loria and general manager Larry Beinfest soon soured.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson had right hip replacement surgery.Team spokesman John Black said Tuesday there is no timetable for the 61-year-old coach's return to training camp, which opened with assistant coach Kurt Rambis running the drills.Jackson, who will be re-evaluated next week, said Monday at the team's media day that he plans to be ready when the Lakers open the season Oct. 31 against Phoenix.