ESPN.com and The Baltimore Sun is reporting this morning that Sam Perlozzo is being fired and is being replaced by bullpen coach Dave Trembley. Trembley will replace Perlozzo on a interim basis until a full-time replacement is found.
This move should come as a shock to no one. Perlozzo was always a hometown favorite, a nice guy, and a personable figure with the Orioles. These traits, while valuable, are not what it takes to turn a franchise around. Perlozzo failed like so many have before him but with a much more talented group of guys. Only time will tell if the Orioles respond to the firing by ending their eight game losing streak. They pick up a three game series in San Diego starting Tuesday.
While the move is not surprising, I have blogged on many occasions that firing Perlozzo was not THE answer. It might be a component but it is not the disease. When the O’s won six in a row no one was calling for Perlozzo’s head (except maybe my Dad). The fact is that the bullpen sucks and the hitting has been even worse. Even with the early dividends by the rotation the O’s have not been able to put together a perfect game where everything comes together. Actually – they did this once – it was against Kansas City.
All of that being said, Perlozzo is now a part of Orioles past. Where does the team go from here. Well, they’ve hired Andy MacPhail as their new COO. MacPhail has had a great track record with the Twins and the Cubs and I think he will be a welcome addition to the ballclub. He replaces Joe Foss who resigned earlier this spring. For those of you who don’t know, Flanagan and Duquette are both still GM and asst. GM. I get the feeling that they know what they are doing and they will stick around for awhile.
So, do the O’s hire Girardi? Davey Johnson? Dusty Baker? Only time will tell. All I am hoping for is a guy with a track record. No more giving guys chances and hoping that they pan out. We need a proven guy who can motivate, lead, and fire up this club. The season is long and still has a long way to go. If we turn it around soon it can be a good season. But it has to happen soon.
Streaky? I’ll be posting some graphics later on today that will demonstrate just how streaky this team is. Get your windex ready…
