Grady?!?!?

[Nanner]

Okay, the title says Mazzilli, but the article is mostly about Grady Little.

Hmmmmm........ interesting. :hmm:


O's get permission to interview Mazzilli for managerial job
Yanks coach, A's Francona likely to visit next week; Little may be in mix, too
By Joe Christensen
Sun Staff
Originally published October 24, 2003



MIAMI - After interviewing four managerial candidates with close ties to their organization, the Orioles are preparing to branch out a little when their search continues next week.

Grady Little? Stay tuned.

The Orioles received permission yesterday to interview New York Yankees first base coach Lee Mazzilli, and they will likely meet with him next week, along with Oakland Athletics bench coach Terry Francona.

Yesterday, major league sources said the Orioles may also try to interview Little if the Boston Red Sox turn him loose next week, as expected. But those sources disputed an ESPN Radio report that Little will wind up with the Orioles' job, saying he is simply a candidate they would consider.

Earlier this month, the Orioles interviewed Cleveland Indians hitting coach Eddie Murray, Orioles bench coach Sam Perlozzo, Milwaukee Brewers bench coach Rich Dauer and Orioles first base coach Rick Dempsey.

Little, 53, was in the Orioles' organization from 1980 to 1984. He managed at Rookie-level Bluefield, Single-A Hagerstown and Double-A Charlotte. He interviewed for the Orioles' managerial opening in 1999, before they hired Mike Hargrove, and left a favorable impression with owner Peter Angelos.

Privately, some Orioles insiders have even taken to defending Little's decision to leave Pedro Martinez in to finish the eighth inning in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.

The Yankees tied that game when Martinez gave up a bloop, two-run single to Jorge Posada, and New York went on to win the series when Aaron Boone hit his dramatic 11th-inning home run.

The Red Sox haven't won the World Series in 85 years, and most of New England is taking out its latest frustration on Little, even though he guided the team to 93 wins last year and 95 wins this year.

The Red Sox have until next Friday to exercise the one-year option they have remaining on Little's contract, but in a candid interview with The Boston Globe yesterday, Little said he's not even sure he wants to be back.

"If Grady Little is not back with the Red Sox, he'll be somewhere," Little told the newspaper. "I'll be another ghost, fully capable of haunting."

For now, however, Little is not available, so most of this is speculation.

Tampering rules prevent Orioles officials from commenting.

Orioles executive vice president Jim Beattie said the club is trying to line up two or three more interviews for next week, and though Beattie didn't specify, those interviews will probably include Mazzilli and Francona.

Mazzilli, 48, interviewed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays last winter, and those in the know say he made a very good impression, but they decided to hire Lou Piniella.

Asked about the Orioles' interest last night before Game 5 of the World Series, Mazzilli said, "Out of loyalty to the Yankees, I'm just thinking about this game."
Copyright © 2003, The Baltimore Sun

[PopTop]

Noooooooooooooooooo! Boog Powell could have more control calling the shots from his BBQ stand near the warehouse than Grady Little would have sitting in the dugout. Why do these rich puke owners insist on recycling the same old names for manager?

[barzilla]

Poptop,

It makes a great deal of sense when you think about it. If you were the owner of a NFL or NBA team wouldn't you want a coach that just took his team to the conference finals? Essentially, that is what Baltimore's ownership is looking at. The problem is that the owners really don't understand that football, hockey, basketball, and baseball are entirely different.

If you think about it, baseball is the only one of those sports where the majority of the action takes place one on one. Schemes and chemisty are not nearly as important as they are in the other sports which is why they are called managers. They manage their roster. Winning is determined by two things: who has the most pawns and whose pawns perform the best?

The problem with evaluating managers like Grady Little is that there are very few decisions a manager can make that will directly win a game for their team. Yet, there are a lot of decisions a manager can make that will lose the game. Consider Game 7 against the Yankees for the Red Sox. If Little had pulled Pedro after 7 or even after 7 and a third he would have done what most managers would have. Then, the bullpen would have determined the outcome of the game. Grady only had a dramatic impact on the outcome because he did not do what anyone with a brain would have.

So, are there great managers out there? Sure. Yet, we have to change our definition of great. In baseball a great manager is one that does not make a decision that will keep their team from winning. For example, a manager that sits half of his regular lineup and goes with scrubs (he shall remain nameless) is keeping his team from winning. 95% of the time, the players on the field and general manager in the owner's box have the greatest effect on whether a team will win or lose. All the manager can do is keep from messing it up.

[PissedPrincess]

:eek: *Shudders*

Grady would actually do well in Baltimore. He did a great job getting his players to play hard. They never quit on him. It was he, who quit on them.:angry:

Just remove him if you get to the playoffs.:D

[Nanner]

Originally posted by pedro's princess

Just remove him if you get to the playoffs.:D

:laughing:

Here's more on the possibility of Grady.

Orioles cool on prospect of Little as manager
Team is set to interview Athletics' Francona today, Rays' Foley tomorrow

By Joe Christensen
Sun Staff
Originally published October 28, 2003



When the Boston Red Sox fired Grady Little yesterday, the Orioles had another candidate to consider for their own managerial opening.

But for now, the Orioles don't seem interested.

Based on the latest internal discussions about Little, two club sources yesterday played down the chances that he will even interview for the Orioles' job.

Orioles executive vice president Jim Beattie didn't rule out the possibility.

"Obviously, when you get someone who's had the success that he's had, you've got to consider and go through the pros and cons and talk to people," Beattie said. "But whether we would interview him or not, that's still up in the air."

The Orioles have interviewed four candidates with strong ties to the organization -- Eddie Murray, Sam Perlozzo, Rich Dauer and Rick Dempsey.

Their search will broaden today, when they interview Oakland Athletics bench coach Terry Francona, followed tomorrow by Tampa Bay Devil Rays third base coach Tom Foley.

The Orioles still hope to interview New York Yankees first base coach Lee Mazzilli by the end of the week, but as of last night, that hadn't been scheduled.

"After we go through these three interviews, there may be one or two others that we might want to touch on," Beattie said. "We might have a second round of interviews that we get through fairly quickly, and that could all take place next week."

The goal now is to have a manager in place by the time the free agency period opens on Nov. 11.

"Ideally, I'd like to finish it off next week," Beattie said. "But I don't know if that's going to be realistic, either."

Little, 53, has old ties to the Orioles' organization after managing in their minor league system from 1980 to 1984. He also interviewed for the team's most recent managerial opening, in 1999, before they hired Mike Hargrove.

But the Orioles fired Hargrove last month after four losing seasons, privately saying they wanted someone with more of a fiery personality. Little doesn't necessarily fit that mold, club sources said.

Boston went 93-69 under Little in 2002, and 95-67 this year before losing to the Yankees in the American League Championship Series.

He has received widespread criticism for his decision to leave starting pitcher Pedro Martinez in to protect an eighth-inning lead in Game 7, which the Yankees came back to win on Aaron Boone's 11th-inning home run.

But Red Sox president Larry Lucchino said: "The decision to make a change resulted from months of thought about that long-term direction [of the team]."

When the Orioles talk to Francona today, they will be speaking to a popular candidate. He interviewed with the Chicago White Sox for their managerial opening this month and already has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Little in Boston.

Copyright © 2003, The Baltimore Sun

[PissedPrincess]

Grady interviews tomorrow.:cool:

[Nanner]

Originally posted by pedro's princess
Grady interviews tomorrow.:cool:

For sure? You heard that?

Wow. They're just checking out everyone, aren't they. :um:

[PissedPrincess]

Originally posted by Nanner
For sure? You heard that?

Wow. They're just checking out everyone, aren't they. :um:

Yes. I just heard it on Sports radio.

[I Are Baboon]

Yup, Grady will interview with Baltimore tomorrow.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2003/10/30/orioles_little/

[Nanner]

Hmmmm. I wonder what made them change their mind.

So here are the O's, being the first team to interview him after he's fired.

Media event. :smokin:

Little will get meeting with O's after all
In managerial search, team reverses thinking on ex-Red Sox skipper; Yankees' Mazzilli interviews; Little's winning record at major league level intrigues team officials
By Joe Christensen
Sun Staff
Originally published October 31, 2003



The Orioles made a U-turn in their managerial search yesterday, deciding Grady Little was worth a closer look, after all.

Four days after getting fired by the Boston Red Sox, Little will become the eighth candidate to interview with the Orioles, who hope to name a new manager by late next week.

Internally, the Orioles were considering Little as a potential candidate throughout the World Series, when it seemed inevitable the Red Sox would fire him after their devastating defeat in the American League Championship Series.

When Boston fired Little on Monday, high-ranking Orioles officials played down the chances they would bring him in for an interview. If the goal is to find a more fiery manager than Mike Hargrove, Little probably doesn't fit the mold, team sources said.

But yesterday, the Orioles' tone changed.

After winning 93 games last year and 95 games this year with Boston, Little offers something the Orioles have yet to see from their other seven candidates: a winning resume as a major league manager.

Their first four candidates - Eddie Murray, Sam Perlozzo, Rich Dauer and Rick Dempsey - all have close ties to the organization, but none has major league managing experience.

This week, they team has interviewed Terry Francona, Tom Foley and Lee Mazzilli.

Francona is the only one in the group with any major league managing experience, and his record in four seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies was 285-363.

"We're happy to have a chance to interview someone who's had the success as a manager that Grady Little has had," Orioles vice president Mike Flanagan said.

Little, 53, actually managed in the Orioles' minor league system from 1980 to 1984 at Rookie-level Bluefield, Single-A Hagerstown and Double-A Charlotte.

He interviewed with the Orioles in 1999, before they hired Hargrove, and left a favorable impression with owner Peter Angelos and several members of the search committee, which included former vice president Syd Thrift, current third base coach Tom Trebelhorn and scouting director Tony DeMacio.

Little has been roundly criticized for his decision to leave Pedro Martinez in to protect an eighth-inning lead in Game 7 of the ALCS against the New York Yankees. The Yankees came back to tie the game in that inning and won on Aaron Boone's 11th-inning home run.

On Monday, the Red Sox insisted Little's firing wasn't based on that one decision, and they handed him a $250,000 severance bonus on his way out the door.

Little issued a statement that day saying, "Grady Little is going to be fine!" and he hasn't commented publicly since. He did not return a call to his cell phone yesterday.

[PopTop]

Originally posted by Nanner
After winning 93 games last year and 95 games this year with Boston, Little offers something the Orioles have yet to see from their other seven candidates: a winning resume as a major league manager.


I'd like to remind Angelos that before he hired Hargrove, the same thing was true: Grover was coming off 471 wins his last 5 seasons with the Injuns, 5-Division Titles, and 2 AL Flags ... Little had zip to do with building the Sox into a 90-plus game winner the last two seasons ... I vote NAY for Little.:nah

[Nanner]

I also vote nay. :nah

Double.....:nah :nah

Make that a triple.....:nah :nah :nah


I think they're just interviewing him because they're curious and it would be a good media thing.

Still like Sammy or Maz. :D

[barzilla]

Poptop,

Agree on Grady and disagree on Hargrove. It wasn't his fault that the Orioles have the fourth best talent in that division.

[Nanner]

Okay, this has nothing to do with managing a ball club, but so far I think he's the only one who didn't show up in a shirt and tie. (Granted, I didn't see pics of Terry Francona.......... and I couldn't tell if Steady Eddie had a tie...... but he looked pretty darn spiffy.) I know the way a guy dresses isn't that big a deal for this, but........ I think a sport coat and a tie is nice. Also, I hate the way he refers to himself Rickey Henderson-like...... in he 3rd person. :hmm:

All right....... not reasons to not hire a manager...... they should be glad I'm not interviewing them! :D

Little interviews with Orioles
Former Red Sox skipper is eighth candidate considered for manager's job
By Joe Christensen
Sun Staff
Originally published October 31, 2003, 4:27 PM EST

http://www.sunspot.net/media/photo/2003-10/10044418.jpg
Former Boston Red Sox skipper Grady Little interviewed with the Orioles today about the team manager vacancy. (Sun photo by Jed Kirschbaum)
Oct 31, 2003

Four days after getting fired by the Boston Red Sox, Grady Little sounded eager to manage again today, when he became the eighth candidate to interview for the Orioles' vacant managerial opening.

"I've got a lot of confidence in what I can do," Little said. "And I've got a lot of confidence in what I can bring to the club, whether it's the Baltimore Orioles or someone else."

The Red Sox won 93 and 95 games under Little the past two seasons and advanced to the American League Championship Series this year before getting eliminated by the New York Yankees.

"I think it was Casey Stengel who said, 'Once you get an opportunity to manage, the only way you're not going to get fired is if you die on the bench or you're the owner of the club,'" Little said. "I also know my first year in Boston, we won 93 games, and I felt like the second year I was a better manager than the first. And I feel the same way if I get the opportunity to manage again: I'll be better the second time around going through it."

Little has been heavily criticized for his decision to leave pitcher Pedro Martinez in to protect an eighth-inning lead in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. The Yankees came back to win the game and pennant on Aaron Boone's 11th-inning home run.

Little insisted he's not out to prove the Red Sox wrong.

"That doesn't enter into my thinking at all," he said. "I know I did the best I could up there in that position, and they decided to go in a different direction, and that didn't involve Grady Little.

"We had a great season there in Boston," he added. "It didn't turn out very well in the end. I made a decision to leave a pitcher in the game, and that decision that I made there got bad results, and so there you go."

The Orioles have also interviewed Eddie Murray, Sam Perlozzo, Rich Dauer, Rick Dempsey, Terry Francona, Tom Foley and Lee Mazzilli. The Orioles will conduct a second round of interviews and make their decision by the end of next week.
Copyright © 2003, The Baltimore Sun

[PopTop]

'Zilla, I wasn't really trying to knock Hargrove, just don't think you can give the "winning résumé" that Grady brings too much weight.

[barzilla]

Yeah, I agree with that. When I'm hiring a new manager there are several things I want know:

1) What is your offensive philosophy?

Are you big on speed? small ball? Or do you prefer to let your players hit? I think everyone should know where I stand on this one.

2) What is your philosophy on playing time?

Do you subscribe to the JV softball philosophy of everyone playing a lot? Do you subscribe to the theory of playing your regulars until they run out of gas? Do you subscribe to the theory of occasional rest for one veteran at a time? I think everyone should know where I stand on this one too.

3) What is your philosophy on how to manage a pitching staff?

Do you go with the bullpen by committee? Do you go with starters up to 120-130 pitches? Do you pick certain relievers and let them throw their arms out? Pragmatic approach?

4) What is your philosophy on young players?

How do you handle those guys? Quick hook? Give them rope?

5) How do you handle the press?

Do air dirty laundry to light a fire under people or keep it in house? Do you explain your moves or hide behind inane comments like "manager's decision"?

Obviously, you can probably see the jaundiced views I have on these subjects, but I think they way a manager manages the team is more important than a won-loss record. Won-loss records are directly proportional to the amount of talent your team has. A manager can affect that three to five games one way or the other.

[PissedPrincess]

There is NOTHING more annoying than a man who refers himself in the 3rd person.

That's what PP thinks.:D