I don't know the way things were before I got here. But I can tell you this: There is nothing...

I don't know the way things were before I got here. But I can tell you this: There is nothing further from the truth than the idea that he (Angelos) is meddling. He calls me fewer times than any other owner I've ever worked for.

Comments

I find this remarkable.

I just do.

From the Land of Pleasant Living...

by OEutaw on Feb 13, 2009 8:56 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

To a degree...

it’s what Andy has to say if he wants to stay employed. OF COURSE he and Angelos get along just great – what else is he gonna say?.

But I also think Angelos is a smart guy. And somewhere in 2007, he thought to himself, “I’ve been doing it my way for 11 years. We suck. Maybe it’s me. Let’s hire the best guy and let him run things.” Even as egotistical as Angelos is, even he has to have seen things weren’t going to get better doing what they had been doing.

After all, if this doesn’t work, he can always go back to running things himself, and with the benefit of thinking “I told you so.”

Duck Around - a progressive blog about the Eastern Shore of Maryland. And getting off my lawn.

by duck on Feb 13, 2009 9:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that might be wishful thinking...

I give him a year or two of the rebuilding process before he starts losing patience and meddling again.

by O'sFan21 on Feb 13, 2009 10:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

oh man

I get the feeling the old man is sort of phasing himself out and letting Jr. eventually take over. Perhaps Peter’s days of directly mucking up the organization are dwindling, and we’re going to see how far the apple rolled from the tree. No matter what, MacPhail is an employee (i.e. temporary) and the other guys are permanent. Given how well the spring training facilities negotiations went, under Jr.’s guidance, I think questioning the outlook for the franchise is still warranted.

by drj on Feb 13, 2009 11:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He gave Flanagan and Beattie plenty of freedom too. Not complete freedom, he did nix the Hayden Penn, Julio Jorge, and Larry Bigbie for AJ Burnett deal back in 05 (and nix drafting Chris Nelson), but for the most part, his GMs are responsible for mucking up the O’s roster.

"fuck the Yankees and fuck the Red Sox and all their players and fans and former players and fans and their loved ones and pets as well!" sickuvitall

by birdman on Feb 13, 2009 12:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You don’t know what leeway people were given. I’m guessing Flanny/Beattie/Duquette were never given the go ahead to strip the club as is MacPhail. Seems to me there was a lot of pressure to assemble some pieces that might get over .500. MacPhail knew that was a fools game and was given the authority to tear the club apart. That being said, I’m glad it’s him as opposed to the other guys.

by drj on Feb 13, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m guessing Flanny/Beattie/Duquette were never given the go ahead to strip the club as is MacPhail.

That’s true, although I think Flanagan/Beattie/Duq were hired because they believed they could build a winner now.

"fuck the Yankees and fuck the Red Sox and all their players and fans and former players and fans and their loved ones and pets as well!" sickuvitall

by birdman on Feb 13, 2009 2:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It goes back to Gillick

Gillick wanted to trade Bonilla and start trying to rebuild or reload. Then the Wren mess and you really couldnt get a legit GM or free agent to come near. Then the drafting messes, the wasted seven picks, etc. Why would Davey Johnson leave? Why would Jon Miller leave?

The other problem was the Roberts and Penn trade for Laroche and Giles. Peter nixed that one. What the hell was Flanagan thinking on that? What I particulairly remember thinking is the Braves need a power hitting first baseman and have Giles and yet they are trading them both….why? This kind of crap empowered Peter. Like in the end he was always holding their hand.

IN the end, the drafting debacles are what set this club back the most. So GM selection, who then hires scouting department would be the key. And for the O’s this was a freaking mess for a long, long, long, time.

Lets hope we are now back on course. I think we are.

by sanders833 on Feb 14, 2009 5:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Philosophically, we believe that you should grow the arms and buy the bats.

What up?

by snakethejake on Feb 13, 2009 1:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

easy to say

when all you have in the minors is arms…but I tend to agree.

by sanders833 on Feb 14, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather have too much pitching in the minors

than too much hitting.

Duck Around - a progressive blog about the Eastern Shore of Maryland. And getting off my lawn.

by duck on Feb 14, 2009 7:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"Peter Angelos is not meddling. He’s not a meddling meddler. Really. He doesn’t call me to meddle. I’ve heard that he is a meddler, but he doesnt meddle. Really. I’m on record here that my boss is not a meddler.

Uh…

Can I have a do-over on this question please?"

by typozzz on Feb 13, 2009 1:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs