Nanner
10-16-2003, 01:17 PM
Well, Rich Dauer had his interview yesterday!
10/15/2003 9:19 PM ET
Dauer would manage 'Oriole Way'
Former Oriole is third candidate to interview
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/images/2003/10/15/4oemi7PX.jpg
Rich Dauer talks with reporters following interviews on Wednesday. (Roberto Borea/AP)
BALTIMORE -- The few blocks that separates Rich Dauer's hotel and the Warehouse at Camden Yards served as a walkway of reflection for the former Orioles second baseman.
It has been 18 years since Dauer was released by the Orioles, thus ending his playing career, and 20 years since he was a key player in the team's World Series title run. Now, the Milwaukee Brewers bench coach wants to return as the Orioles' next manager and interviewed with the management duo of Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan on Wednesday.
Dauer then met with the local media for an entertaining session that included many jokes, philosophies and self-depreciating comments.
"I've walked here many times as a coach," he said. "But it was the most amazing walk I have had for five minutes. I'm here to win this job. This is where I want to be. "
Dauer, who played with the Orioles from 1976-85, is the third candidate to interview, following Hall of Famer Eddie Murray and Orioles bench coach Sam Perlozzo. He is considered a long shot because of his managerial inexperience.
He expressed a passion to return to manage the only Major League team he played for. Dauer was enthusiastic, confident and knowledgeable of the Orioles' roster. He watched the club for three games when the Brewers visited Baltimore in June.
"I believe I can manage in the big leagues," he said. "It's no longer about X's and O's. Getting the players to play on a consistent basis, at or above their level of skill for as long a period of time is what a manager does. I have no doubts, that if I was the manager of the Baltimore Orioles at the end of Spring Training it would be 25 guys coming to Baltimore to be Baltimore's team, not 25 guys coming to play summer ball in Baltimore."
While there was confidence in his ability to coach, Dauer definitely was realistic about his playing career. He was a .257 hitter in 10 years with 43 home runs. He was released after hitting .202 in 1985 and became a minor league coach two years later.
He briefly returned to the O's as a roving minor league infield instructor in 1992.
When asked whether he adopted the philosophy of former manager Earl Weaver, Dauer said: "Everybody kept saying that Earl Weaver was a wait for the three-run homer-type guy. I am not sure, but I believe I bunted Eddie Murray right to the Hall of Fame. Because I don't remember hitting a lot of three-run homers."
And his sense of humor was biting.
About receiving an invitation to interview for the job: "Well, actually when they said they were going to fly me in, I thought they were giving me the job. I didn't know you had to interview for it."
Dauer said he applied for Oriole coaching jobs on two occasions. When asked who was hired ahead of him, he replied: "Everybody."
On being interviewed by Flanagan, a former teammate and friend: "I didn't realize that Flanny was so smart and had so many questions."
Aside from the one-liners, Dauer wanted to emphasize that he knows the "Oriole Way." A No. 1 pick in 1974 out of USC, he recalled a defining moment with Double-A Charlotte manager Cal Ripken Sr.
"Ripken Sr. grabbed me around the throat and threw me against the wall and said, 'I don't care where you went to school, I don't care what round you got drafted in and I don't care who you are, and I don't care if you hit .300 but if you play and give me 110 percent then we are going to get along fine.'" Dauer said. "That's the way I am in everything I do. I would be more than happy to have this team have my personality."
Beattie said the interview process should run perhaps another week and the club wants to make a decision about Nov. 1.
"We have been very pleased with what we have learned so far," he said. "It's been a good experience."
If Dauer does not get the job, he can likely use this interview as a springboard for other managerial positions. But he said his heart remains in Baltimore, despite the 18-year absence.
"I want to manage and every time I see myself and dream and I am jumping on that pile, I am always wearing an Oriole uniform," said Dauer, who had 86 straight errorless games in 1978. "I wanted this opportunity. There is nothing else I've ever wanted any more."
Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
10/15/2003 9:19 PM ET
Dauer would manage 'Oriole Way'
Former Oriole is third candidate to interview
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/images/2003/10/15/4oemi7PX.jpg
Rich Dauer talks with reporters following interviews on Wednesday. (Roberto Borea/AP)
BALTIMORE -- The few blocks that separates Rich Dauer's hotel and the Warehouse at Camden Yards served as a walkway of reflection for the former Orioles second baseman.
It has been 18 years since Dauer was released by the Orioles, thus ending his playing career, and 20 years since he was a key player in the team's World Series title run. Now, the Milwaukee Brewers bench coach wants to return as the Orioles' next manager and interviewed with the management duo of Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan on Wednesday.
Dauer then met with the local media for an entertaining session that included many jokes, philosophies and self-depreciating comments.
"I've walked here many times as a coach," he said. "But it was the most amazing walk I have had for five minutes. I'm here to win this job. This is where I want to be. "
Dauer, who played with the Orioles from 1976-85, is the third candidate to interview, following Hall of Famer Eddie Murray and Orioles bench coach Sam Perlozzo. He is considered a long shot because of his managerial inexperience.
He expressed a passion to return to manage the only Major League team he played for. Dauer was enthusiastic, confident and knowledgeable of the Orioles' roster. He watched the club for three games when the Brewers visited Baltimore in June.
"I believe I can manage in the big leagues," he said. "It's no longer about X's and O's. Getting the players to play on a consistent basis, at or above their level of skill for as long a period of time is what a manager does. I have no doubts, that if I was the manager of the Baltimore Orioles at the end of Spring Training it would be 25 guys coming to Baltimore to be Baltimore's team, not 25 guys coming to play summer ball in Baltimore."
While there was confidence in his ability to coach, Dauer definitely was realistic about his playing career. He was a .257 hitter in 10 years with 43 home runs. He was released after hitting .202 in 1985 and became a minor league coach two years later.
He briefly returned to the O's as a roving minor league infield instructor in 1992.
When asked whether he adopted the philosophy of former manager Earl Weaver, Dauer said: "Everybody kept saying that Earl Weaver was a wait for the three-run homer-type guy. I am not sure, but I believe I bunted Eddie Murray right to the Hall of Fame. Because I don't remember hitting a lot of three-run homers."
And his sense of humor was biting.
About receiving an invitation to interview for the job: "Well, actually when they said they were going to fly me in, I thought they were giving me the job. I didn't know you had to interview for it."
Dauer said he applied for Oriole coaching jobs on two occasions. When asked who was hired ahead of him, he replied: "Everybody."
On being interviewed by Flanagan, a former teammate and friend: "I didn't realize that Flanny was so smart and had so many questions."
Aside from the one-liners, Dauer wanted to emphasize that he knows the "Oriole Way." A No. 1 pick in 1974 out of USC, he recalled a defining moment with Double-A Charlotte manager Cal Ripken Sr.
"Ripken Sr. grabbed me around the throat and threw me against the wall and said, 'I don't care where you went to school, I don't care what round you got drafted in and I don't care who you are, and I don't care if you hit .300 but if you play and give me 110 percent then we are going to get along fine.'" Dauer said. "That's the way I am in everything I do. I would be more than happy to have this team have my personality."
Beattie said the interview process should run perhaps another week and the club wants to make a decision about Nov. 1.
"We have been very pleased with what we have learned so far," he said. "It's been a good experience."
If Dauer does not get the job, he can likely use this interview as a springboard for other managerial positions. But he said his heart remains in Baltimore, despite the 18-year absence.
"I want to manage and every time I see myself and dream and I am jumping on that pile, I am always wearing an Oriole uniform," said Dauer, who had 86 straight errorless games in 1978. "I wanted this opportunity. There is nothing else I've ever wanted any more."
Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.