In 1986, under the direction of general manager Andy MacPhail, the Minnesota Twins hired an interim manager. Sixteen seasons later, Tom Kelly retired from his post with the Twins with 1,140 wins and a pair of World Series championships.
Could Dave Trembley be facing a similar future in Baltimore?
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“Tom was a big one in bringing guys out early for things and stressing the importance on infield [practice],” said MacPhail, who was hired as the Orioles president of baseball operations June 20. “Dave has been doing the same things.”
MacPhail reiterated Wednesday he plans to assess the managerial position whenthe July 31 non-waiver trade deadline passes.
Heading into Wednesday night?s game in Seattle, the Orioles have posted a 13-11 record since Trembley was hired June 18 to replace Sam Perlozzo. Assuming he survives the remainder of the season, he?ll have 68 more games to prove to MacPhail he?s the man for the job.
As of now, MacPhail is confident in Trembley.
“You can?t help but be impressed by the energy, effort and enthusiasm,” MacPhail said. “Those three E?s are very important.”
MacPhail refused to comment when asked if he would remove the interim tag from Trembley.
Trembley said the Orioles? front office had not addressed Trembley?s status with the club, let alone a promotion to permanent manager.
Trembley has placed importance on fundamentals ? re-installing pre-game fielding drills for all players. He?s also emphasized bunting before batting practice.
The Orioles made a serious push to recruit former big league catcher and former Florida Marlins manager Joe Girardi during MacPhail?s first week on the job. Girardi, who was voted the National League?s Manager of the Year last season, declined the Orioles? offer.
MANAGERIAL FACTS
» The Orioles have cycled through seven managers since moving to Oriole Park at Camden Yards in 1992, including Memorial Stadium holdover Johnny Oates.
» Only Oates (1991-94) and Mike Hargrove (2000-03) lasted longer than two seasons.
» Phil Regan had the shortest term, managing the Orioles to a 71-73 record in the strike-shortened 1995 season.
» Perlozzo began as an interim manager in 2005, and went 122-164 in 286 games before he was fired June 18.
