O's Fire Mazzilli

stolidog · Aug 4, 2005

From the Baltimore Sun -

Orioles fire Mazzilli

Manager fired after team loses 16 of last 18; Perlozzo takes over on interim basis
By Roch Kubatko

Sun Staff

Originally published August 4, 2005, 1:55 PM EDT
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- With the Orioles having lost 16 of their last 18 games, manager Lee Mazzilli was fired Thursday morning and replaced on an interim basis by bench coach Sam Perlozzo.

Mazzilli was hired before the 2004 season to replace Mike Hargrove. He went 129-139 in his first stint as a major league manager, including 51-55 this year.

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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The Orioles are 4-16 since the All-Star break and have fallen 10 1/2 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East. They spent 62 straight days in first place, but currently are in fourth. They're closer to last place than first.

This is the first time majority owner Peter Angelos has fired a manager during the season.

Perlozzo never has managed in the majors, but he was runner-up to Mazzilli during the most recent search.

JudgeWapner · Aug 4, 2005

Mazzilli wasn't the problem. Pitching is the problem.

SALTHEITAL · Aug 4, 2005

Gotta' admit...

Pretty good scapegoat.

Sal

Brock Landers · Aug 4, 2005

Great way to distract the team, for a day anyway, from the Palmeiro stuff...

This team WAS good at a time this season too.

5teamparlay · Aug 4, 2005

Bring back Earl Weaver for a 3rd stint.

stolidog · Aug 4, 2005

Being from the Balto area all my life and reading stories day after day, Mazzilli had lost complete control of this team LONG before the Palmiero disaster and long before the post All-Star game losing streak.

His misuse of the pitching staff, inability to talk to players like men and overall lack of clubhouse presence led to his demise.

Baltimore Sun reporters have been using 'inside sources' and 'veteran players on the team' quotes for the past several months that have made it clear the players did not want Mazzilli.

And for the first time mid-season, Angelos didn't want his manager as well.

If the O's and Angelos hadn't burned every bridge with Cal, he'd be a logical choice. Now we get to look forward to another middle aged throw away skipper who has been fired four or five times.

Maybe Albert Belle, Chris Hoiles or Glenn Davis are available. The O's are probably still paying them all ....

Journeyman · Aug 4, 2005

Peter Angelos has always been the problem...

This is the perfect time to hire Eddie Murray or myself (lol)

stolidog · Aug 4, 2005

Angelos needs to stick to his law firm and winning millions in tobacco settlements. Something tells me Flanagan and Beattie are not far behind Mazzilli.

OMNIVOROUS FROG · Aug 4, 2005

It did appear they were rolling over. Plus the effort and enthusiasm just missing. A zombie team. Blame Mazz, blame Raffy, blame their lame losing pitching staff. Lot of blame to go around in a 2-16 run. But do they step it up today, now that hard ass Mazz has been kicked to the curb? Or are they heartless and gutless, with Maz and Raffy just sub plots to the entire meltdown. One of the monumental collapses I have witnessed, as they were in first place for quite sometime. They were even 4-1 to win Pennant at BCN. You know, that shitbook. Oops, back to the O's. Tonight is a telling game. If they step it up, show some effort and hustle, and at least keep it close, I will buy some of the Mazz was the problem. If they get blasted again, they just suck.

Best Wishes...OF:howdy:

Brock Landers · Aug 4, 2005

gotta blame whoever the jackass was the wanted to bring a stiff like Sosa there too, And wasn't Palmeiro a free agent too???

stolidog · Aug 4, 2005

Rumor around town was that Sosa supplied Palmiero the roids, and Raffy did not want to rat out Cork Boy, hence his odd statements.

I honestly think Rodrigo pitches a gem tonight and the O's win 4-1. Short term, the O's go on a bit of a roll and play .500 ball the rest of the season. Long term they need someone that will actually get off their ass and fight for the team like he gives a crap ALA Bobby Cox or Lou Pinella.

Frog - I agree there is plenty of blame to go around. The teammates hate each other and Palmiero was one of only two or three to really try to get his team pumped up - I just don't think anyone realized he was that kind of 'pumped up'

Brock Landers · Aug 4, 2005

stolidog88 said:
Rumor around town was that Sosa supplied Palmiero the roids, and Raffy did not want to rat out Cork Boy, hence his odd statements.

I honestly think Rodrigo pitches a gem tonight and the O's win 4-1. Short term, the O's go on a bit of a roll and play .500 ball the rest of the season. Long term they need someone that will actually get off their ass and fight for the team like he gives a crap ALA Bobby Cox or Lou Pinella.

Frog - I agree there is plenty of blame to go around. The teammates hate each other and Palmiero was one of only two or three to really try to get his team pumped up - I just don't think anyone realized he was that kind of 'pumped up'

You would put money on this team right now?? I have been betting, and will continue to bet against Baltimore religiously till they prove otherwise, have been as good as gold since the all star break, last nights line of -136 on LA Angles was an absolute joke.

stolidog · Aug 4, 2005

Brock

In selective spots, yes I would put $$ on them.

I will pick my spots (like tonight) and see how the lines look each day. I stayed off of the -136 last night because it seemed fishy.

I really do believe they will play hard for Perlozzo. Absoltely no one wanted to play for Mazzilli but Perlozzo is much tighter with the coaching staff and players.

Just my 2 cents - I guess we'll see.

coconutman · Aug 4, 2005

Brock totally agree. Angels are money right now.

Brock Landers · Aug 4, 2005

coconutman said:
Brock totally agree. Angels are money right now.

Angels today and Texas after that, anyone Baltimore plays for the forseeable future...

opportunities like this don't come along all that often, nail it hard while we can.

stolidog · Aug 4, 2005

You Illinois kids love just love seeing other teams suffer -

Oh, that's right. You are Cubs fans. You're used to the misery.

Time to start making cash with the O's tonight .

Brock Landers · Aug 4, 2005

stolidog88 said:
You Illinois kids love just love seeing other teams suffer -

Oh, that's right. You are Cubs fans. You're used to the misery.

Time to start making cash with the O's tonight .

What are you talking about? I have money on PHILLY today and love it, only loyalty to me is to Illinois Basketball when they are playing liek they did last year, and any other team i have cash on.

mson · Aug 4, 2005

Yeah, thats the answer.

stolidog · Aug 4, 2005

Brock and Coconut

Great call with the Angels !!! 4-1 final as predicted and the O's played with HEART today.

Keep playing those soft trends "Well they lost 8 in a row, they must suck and I will continue to pound whoever the O's are playing."

Perlozzo a perfect 1-0 and counting. Now that's a trend.

coconutman · Aug 4, 2005

Hey why not? Had to play against Baltimore untill the they show some life.. it only makes sense.

I won yestarday with Angels RL and lost today on the RL so im still in profit. No biggie.

Good luck with your new trend.