After taking a day to collect his thoughts following his dismissal as GM by new owner Bob Castellini, O'Brien felt the club was headed in the right direction and that his legacy would likely emerge through the foundation he helped build with young players.

"What's been accomplished to date will play an important role in the future success of this franchise," O'Brien said in a conference call with the media. "The quality of the work that has been done will stand the test of time and validate the decisions that have been made."

In two seasons after his being named GM Oct. 27, 2003, the Reds posted a 149-175 (.460) record. The club worked under a low-end 2004 payroll in the $40-million range before it was increased to nearly $62 million in 2005 with several attempted upgrades of the pitching staff. That group ranked at the bottom of the National League last season after key acquisitions Eric Milton and Ramon Ortiz struggled.

But O'Brien pointed to strides taken in rebuilding Cincinnati's once barren Minor Leagues and its development system in Latin America.

"When I originally accepted the job, I was very honest in portraying the current condition of the organization and what our plan was to rebuild the Reds into a championship-caliber organization," O'Brien said. "The only means to accomplish this goal was by building a solid organizational foundation with a productive Minor League system. I promised that we would not take shortcuts, and I never wavered from that commitment."

O'Brien, a patient and deliberate executive, was permitted to take that kind of time from former majority owner Carl Lindner. Castellini made clear since taking over as chief executive officer Thursday that he expected quicker results. But O'Brien had no ill will for the man who terminated his employment.

"I believe Mr. Castellini is going to be a good owner and a very good steward for this franchise," O'Brien said. "I just wish I could be a part of it."

What did O'Brien feel after being summoned into Castellini's office Monday?

"Two words -- deep disappointment," he said. "Obviously, anyone in this business would like the opportunity to see their plan through to its conclusion. When it doesn't happen, a natural response is deep disappointment."

O'Brien commended the work of his Minor League staff, scouting department and manager Jerry Narron, whom he hired in June after firing former skipper Dave Miley. Narron was re-signed last fall to manage through the 2006 season.

"Jerry is the right man for this job, and I'm very certain that the team will play to its potential under his leadership," O'Brien said.

O'Brien had one year remaining on his three-year contract with the Reds, but is allowed to pursue other opportunities. The timing of the firing with three weeks left until Spring Training could make finding something immediately more difficult.

"I'll continue to look for the right situation," he said. "I plan to be involved in the game in the future, hopefully sooner than later."

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.