Despite being fired Monday, Sam Perlozzo still considers himself an Oriole.
All throughout a disappointing 29-40 season, Perlozzoheld strong, particularly when the cameras and microphones were in his face, and reporters frequently found new ways to ask him about his job security.
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Perlozzo left the O?s offices Monday morning before anyone in the media could catch up with him. He released a statement later Monday, calling the day “difficult” for the Perlozzo family.
“I am very disappointed that I will no longer be managing the Orioles,” he said. “That being said, I wish them nothing but the best. I have been with the team for 12 seasons, and I consider myself an Oriole. I believe that I have represented the club well during my time with them, and I hope that the fans believe that, too. I don?t know what the future holds for me with regard to my career, but I certainly hope to stay in the game that I have been a part of for so long.
“I want to thank [owner Peter G.] Angelos for giving me an opportunity to manage, all of the Oriole fans for treating me so well, and the members of the media who have always been fair to me.”
The Orioles offered Perlozzo a position within the organization, but according to the club, the ex-manager was going to take some time to determine his future.
“I believe it?s the right thing to do,” O?s executive vice president Mike Flanagan said. “He had a lot to digest [Monday].”
Perlozzo began his career with the Orioles as third-base coach (1996-2001). He moved to bench coach (2001-2005) before being named manager ? after being passed over once and serving 55 games as the interim manager in ?05 ? prior to the 2006 season.
THE PERLOZZO FILE
» Age: 56
» Residences: Columbia and Tampa, Fla.
» Major-league managerial record: 122-164 (.427)
» Did you know? Perlozzo and his wife, Beth, have two children ? Mia and Eric. The Orioles selected Eric, a Shippensburg (Pa.) University second baseman, in this month?s draft.
