Leo Mazzone to Baltimore Orioles, was he the real brains behind Atlanta success?

Journeyman · Oct 20, 2005

Joe Torre had Don Zimmer, and Bobby Cox had Leo Mazzone, a very familiar scene in the Braves dugout for years and years... No longer will Leo Mazzone be rocking alongside Bobby C...:howdy:

Baltimore Orioles have signed Leo Mazzone, longtime friend of O's newly appointed permanent manager Sam Perlozzo...

Orioles executive vice president Mike Flanagan declined comment, and Baltimore manager Sam Perlozzo, a longtime friend of Mazzone, did not return a phone call from The Associated Press.

Mazzone, 57, and Perlozzo grew up together in Cumberland, Md. They competed on different teams in American Legion ball, then became best friends. Perlozzo was the best man at Mazzone's wedding. Earlier Wednesday, the Yankees ended talks with Mazzone after their three-day window to negotiate with him expired.

Journeyman · Oct 20, 2005

Side note, long time O's pitching coach Ray Miller gave his blessing...Miller is battling a heart condition and will likely retire from baseball...Ray Miller was the Birds pitching coach as far back as the mid/late 70's , he then went on to manage the Twins, coming full circle back to Baltimore in his latest tenure.

sherman · Oct 20, 2005

if he you say most managers don't make a huge difference in the outcome of teams, i can see where your coming from.....but one exception is this guy....look over the years, when the Braves sign you as a pitcher, you shine and when they let you go, they did it for a reason, and you don't shine....i can't think of any exceptions or am i missing someone?

jimmythegreek · Oct 20, 2005

keep on rockin' in the free world...

royalfan · Oct 20, 2005

Wow this is a HUUUUUGEEEE acquistion for the birds.

t3a · Oct 20, 2005

Little Italy will be the place to be now!

Is there any way Angelos will step aside and the O's can get some dignity back?

t3a · Oct 20, 2005

jimmy the greek said:
keep on rockin' in the free world...

ok I get it now :103631605

Journeyman · Oct 20, 2005

t3a said:
Is there any way Angelos will step aside and the O's can get some dignity back?

One can only hope that happens....Angelos never shows his ugly Homer Simpson like mug anywhere around the baseball team...what a tool he is :finger:

hawkeye171 · Oct 20, 2005

Mazzone is likely the top acquistion the Birds have made in some time. Tejada is a very good player, but Mazzone will have a dramatic effect on the entire pitching staff.

PokerKingJim · Oct 20, 2005

Why has this guy never gotten a managing job? Did he not want to manage? There's no doubt that he had a huge influence on Atlanta's always strong pitching staff,

Fishhead · Oct 20, 2005

royalfan said:
Wow this is a HUUUUUGEEEE acquistion for the birds.

If true, the AL EAST just became even stronger!!

Fishhead · Oct 20, 2005

Also, if true, will make a prediction the Braves will not win their division next year.

Journeyman · Oct 20, 2005

Its a done deal Fish.

I'm wondering why Leo left Atlanta though...it's not like he's coming in as manager.

Fishhead · Oct 20, 2005

Best friend there!

Great upswing potential in Baltimore too!!

NEWPORT · Oct 20, 2005

Journeyman said:
Its a done deal Fish.

I'm wondering why Leo left Atlanta though...it's not like he's coming in as manager.

That was my first reaction......I think the Braves are going to be changing things...nice pick up for the O's

NEWPORT · Oct 20, 2005

t3a said:
Little Italy will be the place to be now!

Is there any way Angelos will step aside and the O's can get some dignity back?

The private room at Da Mimmos or Ceasar's Den LOL

SSI · Oct 20, 2005

Journey, its a very sad day for me.. I was definately a believer in Leo.. I hate this worse than losing Furcal..

Journeyman · Oct 20, 2005

I was thinking about you SSI....

Is Furcal definitely leaving?

Has Bobby Cox said anything about losing Leo?

Did this come out of nowhere, were there rumors Leo wasn't happy?

I have a feeling the Braves era is ending.

stump · Oct 20, 2005

why did Atltanta let him go? let's see how Mike Hampton pitches next year without Leo

SSI · Oct 20, 2005

there were absolutely no hard feelings.. Leo probably felt it was time to move on.. He joins his boyhood friend now.. They only won one in atlanta but he probably feels that: it was time for a change.. I hate to lose him (bitterly), my dad always liked Leo.. Funny how baseball makes me think of my dad.. Losing Leo and eventually the division, another era is ending..

From what im hearing, Furcal is gone.. Bettamit will replace him..