Charm City is Cal's city: Orioles Magic circa 1993

[HakunaMachado]

The pages of the calendar had turned, and suddenly the 1993 Major League Baseball season was soon upon us. It seems like just last week the Toronto Blue Jays were putting the finishing touches on a World Series victory over the Atlanta Braves, and just yesterday that the Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins were forever etching the beginning of their franchise histories in the expansion draft.

Yet here we are, and more importantly here I am, standing in this still seemingly brand new facility in Baltimore taking it all in as my hard work had finally paid off. Orioles Park at Camden Yards broke the mold of cookie cutter ballparks, and low and behold I now have a beautiful office overlooking the right field flag court from what used to be the B&O Warehouse, and what now is most definitely a target for powerful left handed hitters.

The Orioles are coming off a season in which they went 89-73 but failed to make the playoffs for the 9th straight season since winning it all in 1983. I am coming off a year working in the front office of the Houston Astros, in which I would like to believe I was a contributing factor to the Astros improving by 16 games from the previous year and winning 81 games. However, I had always wanted to be a general manager for a Major League club, so when the Orioles came calling I absolutely had to take the time to listen to what they had to say.

The interview process was quite a whirlwind for me, and much more intense than I had initially expected. I suppose I had become comfortable in Houston and had a great relationship with their GM and my direct boss Bill Wood, I could be myself around these guys because they knew I was going to put in the work to help the team succeed. The staff in Baltimore I am sure was no different, but they were new faces, new personalities and it threw me off just a bit initially. And then it happened; the question that I was sure was going to seal my fate and send me back to Houston to resume my career as Bill Woods assistant and force me to wait yet another year for a shot at running a team on my own.

I sat at a conference table across from the Baltimore Orioles new owner Peter Angelos, current manager Johnny Oates, an Orioles legend Cal Ripken Sr, and several others feeling pretty confident that I had what it takes to run this franchise. Then the question came from Mr. Angelos and to say I considered trying to lie my way through an answer was an understatement.

“Jason,” Angelos started, clearly deciding we were on a first name basis, “in your time in Houston I see you helped facilitate several moves to improve the ball club down there, but tell me which one do you feel you were able to be the most hands on with and why you think it was a key move for the Astros at the time.” You have absolutely no idea how hard it was to answer this question honestly, and I can only surmise that it is because this franchise is under new ownership that I was still brought on to run this storied franchise.

I stared across that table, and with a bit of hesitation clearly noticeable in my voice it all just came rambling out, “Well Mr. Angelos, I actually had the opportunity to work closely with the previous regime here on a deal that helped bring your current first baseman Glenn Davis to Baltimore.” You see, two years prior while in Houston I was approached by Mr. Wood and asked my opinion on several Orioles as they had inquired about Davis to shore up their hole at first base and we were in the position to make a move with Jeff Bagwell waiting in the wings. “I had suggested to Mr. Wood that Jeff Bagwell was more than capable of starting off that season with the big club, so when Baltimore came to us with interest it was time for me to really get to work. What this franchise was doing in Baltimore and throughout the organization, getting players to believe in and understand what is the Oriole Way, was pretty impressive and I compiled a list of players I felt must be included in any deal sending Davis up here. From there the negotiations were pretty intense, but when it was all said and done we got our guys in Steve Finley, Pete Harnisch, and Curt Schilling so we felt comfortable letting Davis continue his career with the Orioles.”

The board just sat there, some I am sure had been around for that deal, and to say it hadn’t really worked out as the Orioles had hoped would be a gross understatement. Davis only played in 49 games his first year in Baltimore hitting a paltry .227, and is coming off a fairly unspectacular season in which injuries forced him to yet again miss a quarter of the season. Meanwhile Finley and Harnisch quickly became staples for us in Houston and Schilling had moved on to have a pretty successful season last year for the Philadelphia Phillies. I was sure my accounts of how I helped complete what was regarded as one of the worst trades in recent memory by all the experts had signaled my impending doom, my mind already starting to wander back to what I had to get done when I returned to Houston. Instead what I heard was music to my ears, and I can only think Mr. Angelos not being here when that trade was completed helped ease the burn of seeing those three players succeed elsewhere, and ultimately led to me becoming the new General Manager of the Baltimore Orioles.

“Well Jason, we clearly targeted you as your keen eye for talent and the ability to make hard roster decisions came in high regard, and your accounts of that deal have proven what we suspected to be true.” My eyes widening as Angelos continued on, not in the least concerned about the fact that I basically fleeced this franchise of great young talent. “You are the perfect person for this job, and I look forward to building a winner here in Baltimore. I will not lie to you, I have high expectations for this franchise and I hope you do as well. Now provided you still want to be here, let’s get to work!” As I stood up and reached across the table to shake the hands of each of the members of the Orioles board, I was suddenly hit with a stark realization. I again had to figure out what to do with Glenn Davis.

[HakunaMachado]

I made the move from Houston to Baltimore and after spending a week or so finding a place to live; I finally got acclimated in my office at Orioles Park as well. My office has a window that overlooks the field at Camden Yards and has already become one of, if not my favorite places to be. The view out onto the field gives me a sense of calm, which as I look over this roster, is much needed. Don’t get me wrong, the Orioles are coming off a winning season and have brought back many of the players that contributed last season, however there are some glaring needs in my eyes that I will need to address immediately if I want to keep this team moving up in the standings. Luckily I found that the first base position has some options, and just as I did in Houston, I immediately started shopping Glenn Davis all over the league. Hopefully we will find a taker, and while I know I won’t get a haul similar to the one in ’91, I just hope I can find some useful return. In between phone calls to other GM’s I sat and poured over what is looking to be our Opening Day roster.

Catcher
Chris Hoiles – Comes into camp as our starting catcher, and someone I have high hopes for. I had my eye on him during the Davis trade as well. Now I have him on my side, and hopefully the 27 year old backstop can emerge as both an offense force, he hit 20 HR’s in only 96 games played last season, and the above average catcher I have him graded out to be.

Mark Parent – The 31 year old catcher was brought over last season from Texas, a prototypical backup catcher that can spell Hoiles when needed. Not much of a hitter, but we value him more for his ability to handle the staff as opposed to his bat.

First Base
Glenn Davis – Brought over to be the answer at first base a few years back, but has clearly underperformed and seems to be ready for a change of scenery. Has the ability to hit for power, but doesn’t bring much else to the table.

David Segui – The Orioles will be turning to Segui to provide them with the stability they have been lacking at the position for a few years now. Has spent parts of the last 3 seasons with the big club and has a career .254 batting average. Not the typical first base prospect as he is not much of a power hitter, however his potential to hit for average is there if he can figure out how to hit a curveball.

Second Base
Harold Reynolds – Reynolds is in his first season with Baltimore, having come over as a free agent from the Seattle Mariners. With Billy Ripken moving on, the team felt Reynolds would be the best option to solidify the middle infield alongside Cal Ripken and hope his speed can bring something the lineup has been lacking.

Third Base
Leo Gomez - Once a highly touted prospect within the organization, Gomez has shown plus power over the last two seasons and we hope he continues to progress in that regard. While his glove will never bring comparisons to Orioles great Brooks Robinson, he won’t embarrass himself at the hot corner. If he can bring his average up he will be a huge contributor for us.

Tim Hulett – Our resident utility guy who can play pretty much every position on the infield. One of the best defensive players we have, but also showed some life with the bat last year. Will get plenty of opportunity to play, and if Gomez falters could be our everyday third baseman.

Shortstop
Cal Ripken Jr. – The ironman will most assuredly be taking his spot on the field each night for us, just as he has done for every game of his now 1,800 consecutive games. Two years removed from his MVP campaign, I am hoping his bat has a bit of a resurgence this season.

Outfield
Brady Anderson – By all accounts Anderson was the Orioles best offensive player last year with a 271 average, 21 homeruns, and 53 stolen bases. Can do a little bit of everything and will be expected to be a table setter for our lineup this season, while playing a strong left field as well.

Mike Devereaux – While not spectacular, he handles the bat well and provides a steady presence in center field as well. Provided he can improve on his career 260 average he will be a mainstay near the top of our lineup hitting between Anderson and Ripken.

Luis Mercedes – Luis has spent parts of the last two seasons in Baltimore but has failed to take advantage of the opportunities to this point. Doesn’t do anything particularly well, and projects as nothing more than the 5th outfielder on this team.

Mark McLemore – I have some knowledge of McLemore as he played 21 games with the Astros in 1991 before coming to Baltimore. Can play in the outfield as well as second base, and may get time at both this season. Currently projects to be our starting right fielder. Has absolutely no power, but can provide some offense with his speed

Harold Baines – A right fielder by trade, Baines was acquired in a trade with the Oakland A’s and is now 33 and projects to spend more time at Designated Hitter than he does in the outfield. Will be able to give us some innings out there if needed, but his bat is key to our season being a successful one. He is currently 70 hits away from 2,000 for his career and brings 241 career home runs to the lineup as well.


Looking through the organization I see we have a mixed bag of prospects learning the trade with our minor league affiliates in Rochester, Bowie, and Frederick. Most notably is our #1 organizational prospect outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds whom the team had drafted with the 4th overall pick in the 1992 draft out of Stanford. Also on my radar is Damon Buford, son of former Orioles Don Buford, who has shown some potential in the outfield at Bowie.

[HakunaMachado]

From my experience in Houston I knew the Orioles had some very solid arms over the years, and I was hoping once I got a closer look that I would not be disappointed in this years crop.

Starting Pitchers
Mike Mussina – The young 24 year old is the ace of the staff, coming of a season in which he compiled 18 wins and a 2.54 ERA. If Mussina can continue to throw at an elite level he could have an excellent career and hopefully lead the Orioles to the playoffs several times.

Ben McDonald – the much ballyhooed pitching prospect was the 1st overall pick of the draft in 1989, and I can tell you we had very high grades on him as well in Houston. Thus far he is 28-26 in his young career, but if he can harness his control issues I believe he is in line for a breakout season.

Jamie Moyer – Signed as a free agent after spending the entire ’92 season in the minor leagues, Moyer brings a pretty good repertoire to the hill each time out and projects as our #3 starter out of spring training.

Rick Sutcliffe– Our staff gets quite older on the back end with the 36 year old Sutcliffe, who was the Opening Day starter for the Orioles a year ago. Brings quite the big league resume to the table, but his skills are clearly diminishing as age catches up with him. A potential trade candidate if we can find any team that has interest.

Fernando Valenzuela – Fernando Mania has long since passed, but we took a flier hoping that the crafty lefty still has some in the tank. He went 10-9 with a 3.86 last year for the Jalisco Charros in the Mexican League. May move to the pen if he proves to be ineffective in a starting role for us this year.

Bullpen
Todd Frohwirth – The submarine throwing righty doesn’t have the best stuff, but his peculiar throwing motion makes it difficult for hitters to pick up the ball and he has a knack for keeping the ball in the ballpark. Right now I am projecting him to be our primary setup man this season.

Alan Mills – Mills did a little bit of everything for this club last year, going 10-4 primarily out of the bullpen. However he made 3 spot starts and converted both save opportunities he had so his versatility is of value in my eyes.

Mike Oquist – The youngster is going to get a chance to break camp with the big club but might not remain there the whole year. The rookie righty has a plus curveball and has shown he can get hitters out in spring training, but has yet to pitch in a major league game.

Jim Poole – One of the better lefties in the game right now, brought over through waiver in ’91 from Texas to solidify the bullpen. Unfortunately missed most of last season with arm problems, but returns healthy this year and I am looking for him to be a major contributor.

Arthur Rhodes – The young lefty is sliding into the bullpen to make room for the Valenzuela experiment after starting 23 games for the Orioles over the past two seasons. Went 7-5 last year with a very respectable 3.63 ERA, and will definitely be in line to return to the rotation if any of the starters struggle this season.

Mark Williamson – Very dependable bullpen arm over the years for the Orioles having appeared in 289 games thus far in his six year career. Like Mills he can do a little bit of everything; however I see him as the anchor of this pen and the arm we will turn to the most to get out of jams this season.

Gregg Olsen – The dominant closer has shut the door for many Orioles victories over the last four seasons, and I expect nothing but the same during the 1993 campaign. Electric stuff and an unhittable curveball keep hitters guessing and his saves numbers climbing.

Injuries or poor performance by our starters could really spell trouble for us as I have not been able to identify any other major league ready starting pitchers within our organization. Rhodes can slide into the rotation thankfully, and we do have some interesting bullpen arms I could call on if need be. Brad Pennington or Anthony Telford would most likely get the first promotion if one was needed.

[HakunaMachado]

Just wanted to say thanks at this point if in fact anyone decides to read and follow this journey. I am sure it will be an adventure of some sort as I get used to formatting and writing in ways that suit me better. Some of the intro stuff was just thrown together and as I play this out a little bit, I will adjust things as needed to make it an enjoyable read.