On Monday, rumors about ex-Cubs and an ex-Cub executive were flying around like San Diego Padre home runs in Wrigley Field.
The Orioles, who, I have to occasionally remind myself, are still in the American League, fired manager Sam Perlozzo. Under the stewardship of Perlozzo, who replaced Lee Mazzilli in 2005, the O’s went 122-164. The Orioles are currently last in the AL East at 29-40 and trail first place Boston by 15 games.
According to The Baltimore Sun, Orioles execs have targeted former Cub catcher and former Marlins manager Joe Girardi to replace Perlozzo, and they’ll be traveling to Chicago tomorrow to interview Joe G. In addition, sources tell the Sun that Davey Johnson, a longtime Oriole, short-time Chicago Cub and the last man to manage the O’s to a winning season, might be interviewed. Even Johnnie B. Baker could be in line for a sit-down, according to the paper.
While the managerial search is just beginning, the Orioles’ quest for a Chief Operating Officer is apparently over. As first reported Monday morning by Buster Olney of ESPN, the team is going to hire former Cub President Andy MacPhail as its new COO, pending the resolution of some minor contract issues between Andy Mac and the Orioles’ despicable owner, Peter Angelos.
Since MacPhail was widely rumored to be next in line for Bud Selig’s job, his hiring in Baltimore may be a benefit to baseball fans nationwide. As for the fans in Baltimore, I defer to David Pinto at Baseball Musings, who deftly points out that…
“…during MacPhail's twelve seasons running the Cubs (1995-2006), Chicago's record was 916-1011, a .475 winning percentage, 22nd in the majors. Twenty third were the Orioles at 911-1014, .473. If they're going to hire someone new, shouldn't it be someone with a track record that's different from your team's own history?"
