T1B

Orioles, Mazzone agree on three-year deal

By DAVID GINSBURG, AP Sports Writer
October 19, 2005
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Pitching coach Leo Mazzone and the Baltimore Orioles reached agreement on a three-year contract Wednesday night, hours after the Atlanta Braves coach ended discussions with the New York Yankees.

``The deal is finished business,'' according to a source close to the negotiations, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

Mazzone, considered to be one of the finest pitching coaches in the majors, has been in the Atlanta organization since 1979 and was pitching coach of the Braves since 1990. He will replace Ray Miller, who served as pitching coach of the Orioles since June 26, 2004.




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. The 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.

``Both sides agreed to end their discussions without resolution,'' Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo said.

Mazzone is credited with helping develop Greg Maddux, John Smoltz and Tom Glavine. From 1992 through this season, the Braves ranked first or second in the NL in ERA in every year but two.

Perlozzo was pleased with Miller's performance as pitching coach, but has said he wanted to work with Mazzone. Miller, who had surgery last week to repair an aortic aneurysm, gave Perlozzo permission to talk to another pitching coach before his surgery.

Funkywhiteboy wrote:As for Ray Miller, his most important contribution as a pitching coach was a set of three simple instructions:
1. Work fast.
2. Change speeds.
3. Throw strikes.
His second most important contribution was, during his stint as O's manager,
referring to the indoor field at Tampa Bay as "Arena Baseball". :P

Shoalzie wrote:

Funkywhiteboy wrote:As for Ray Miller, his most important contribution as a pitching coach was a set of three simple instructions:
1. Work fast.
2. Change speeds.
3. Throw strikes.
His second most important contribution was, during his stint as O's manager,
referring to the indoor field at Tampa Bay as "Arena Baseball". :P

From the last report I read, Miller wasn't even mentioned as a candidate to join Leyland's staff. I think this article was written before the Mazzone hiring though. Miller has a great reputation...I'd love have him come to Detroit.

Shoalzie wrote:Miller has a great reputation...