With Cal Ripken out of the running, and the Boston Red Sox courting Mike Flanagan, Orioles owner Peter Angelos continues to proceed methodically through his search for the team's next general manager.

For the Orioles, it's three interviews down - four if you count the countless hours Angelos has spent picking Flanagan's brain about baseball in recent years - and at least two to go.

Yesterday, the club made plans to interview Seattle Mariners vice president Roger Jongewaard and that won't happen until next Thursday, following baseball's general manager meetings in Tucson, Ariz.

So the Orioles remain at least a week from completing the process, with vice president for baseball operations Syd Thrift still diligently handling his duties until Angelos names his replacement.

Former Chicago White Sox GM Ron Schueler will interview with Angelos tomorrow, and the Orioles still plan to request permission from the Los Angeles Dodgers to speak with former Anaheim Angels GM Bill Bavasi, who now works as the Dodgers' farm director.

In the past three days, Angelos has interviewed Detroit Tigers assistant GM Al Avila, former Montreal Expos GM Jim Beattie and Arizona Diamondbacks assistant GM Sandy Johnson.

"There's no question these people are first rate," Angelos said. "All of them have tremendous experience."

The one knock on Flanagan has been his lack of experience, but he spent almost 15 hours over two days earlier this week interviewing in Boston. Instead of naming Flanagan as the new GM, Red Sox president Larry Lucchino might hire him for another front office role.

"I felt very comfortable with the interview process," Flanagan said. "I think it went well. We went in talking about a front office position, with the understanding the GM position is open. They've taken heat for being so diligent, but they're looking for a very specific person to fill that [GM] job long-term."

Lucchino raved about the impression Flanagan made, and for Angelos, that only seemed to confirm what he already knew.

"I think that's a testament to the fine qualities of Mike Flanagan," Angelos said, sounding confident that Flanagan won't leave for Boston without first giving the Orioles the first crack. "Lucchino is a bright person, and he certainly sees in him the special abilities and qualities that Mike has."

Ripken pulled out of the running Tuesday on the same day the New York Mets denied the Orioles permission to speak with their senior assistant GM, Jim Duquette.

Angelos refuted rumors that he and Ripken had a falling out, saying he had a good talk with Ripken on Tuesday.

"We have no differences," Angelos said. "I had great admiration for him as a player. We have a great relationship and have had one through the years."

In the end, if Angelos decides to replace Thrift from outside the organization, he will be picking from an experienced pool.

Avila has an extensive resume with experience as a college administrator, minor-league general manager, Latin American scout and high-ranking front office executive.

Before becoming the Expos' GM for six years, Beattie ran the Mariners' farm system.

Johnson is entering his sixth year as the Diamondbacks' assistant GM. Before that, he was a longtime scout, and he also served on the committee that selected the gold-medal-winning 2000 U.S. Olympic baseball team.

Schueler was the longest tenured general manager in the American League when he resigned from his post with the White Sox in 2000, after 10 years.

Jongewaard is a former scout who has spent the past 12 years overseeing the scouting and player development departments for the Mariners. That club has lost Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr., but has remained a force in recent years.

NOTE: The Mets hired Orioles minor-league hitting instructor Denny Walling as their big-league hitting coach yesterday. Walling and new Mets manager Art Howe played together with the Houston Astros from 1977 to 1982.