After 20 years on a bus traversing the minor league baseball map and 54 games as the temporary manager of the Orioles, Dave Trembley can finally rest comfortably in the dugout at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
The long-time minor league manager, who led the Orioles to a 29-25 record since taking over as the temporary manager on June 18, was named the team?s manager for the 2008 season during a news conference Wednesday.
“I?ve never wanted this for myself,” Trembley said. “I?ve never sat out and said, ?I?ve got to get to the big leagues and manage in the big leagues.? I wouldn?t trade the past 22 years in the minor leagues for anything. I loved it.”
At a Toronto restaurant Saturday, Trembley learned from team president Andy MacPhail he would be offered a contract for 2008 with a club option for 2009 when the team returned home after a six-game road trip.
Trembley, 55, never managed in the majors before this season, accumulating a 1,369-1,413 record in the minors – including a 285-285 mark in four seasons managing Orioles? affiliates.
“He was a very good manager in the minor leagues,” McPhail said. “He was tough, and frankly, I wondered if he wouldn?t be too tough for today?s player. But as he said, and he?s right that players today, they want input back from the manager.”
Trembley has been widely praised for his communication with his players. But it?s his fundamental approach, which mirrors the “Oriole Way”?the philosophy the team used throughout 1960s and 70s?that landed him an extension.
“I think that?s what they want,” Trembley said. “They want direction. They want someone to tell them when they?re doing the job right and someone to help them when they?re not. They want to be able to trust someone and they want that person to care about them.”
Trembley began this year?his first full season in the major leagues?as the team?s field coordinator. He organized and implemented the spring training workouts before assuming the role of bullpen coach.
“He paid his dues and I?m real happy for him,” Leo Mazzone, the Orioles pitching coach, said. “I can relate a little bit, spending 23 years in the minor leagues myself. That turned out OK, so I think it?s going to turn out OK for him, too. I really do.”
Trembley was promoted to interim manager from bullpen coach on June 18, replacing Sam Perlozzo. At the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, MacPhail declared Trembley the manager for the remainder of the season.
“When I got the job, it was above and beyond anything I?d ever hoped, wished or dreamed for,” Trembley said. “You?re in it for the team and you?re in it for the game, not for yourself. It worked out.”
