As Syd Thrift, the Orioles' vice president for baseball operations, headed to Arizona yesterday in preparation for next week's general manager meetings, one candidate interviewed for his job and another turned down the team's interview request.
Ron Schueler, a former GM with the Chicago White Sox, met with majority owner Peter Angelos and the team's general legal counsel, Russell Smouse, before flying to Cleveland to visit family. He was the fourth potential replacement to sit down with Angelos and Smouse, following Detroit Tigers assistant GM Al Avila, former Montreal Expos GM Jim Beattie and Arizona Diamondbacks assistant GM Sandy Johnson.
The Orioles were also hoping to interview former Anaheim Angels GM Bill Bavasi, but after talking to his family, Bavasi respectfully declined yesterday. He said he would like to be a general manager someday, but for now he's happy serving as the Los Angeles Dodgers' player development director.
"It had nothing to do with wanting to stay in Orange County," Bavasi said.
"Moving to Baltimore would actually have been an exciting thing for my family. I just don't think I'm the right guy for [the Orioles]. And I didn't want to go there and waste their time or treat them with anything but the utmost respect."
Cal Ripken withdrew his name earlier this week but indicated last night that he still would be interested in joining the Orioles' front office in the future.
"The opportunity came along real fast, just a year out," Ripken said. "I wasn't really expecting something like this, so when I went through the process, it was very appealing to look at it. But I came to the realization that I have a lot of things going on that require my time. But I also found out in the process that it interests me a lot. It's just that the timing wasn't right for me at this particular time. If the opportunity would come up again, I'd certainly be interested."
Schueler spent about five hours talking baseball, with most of the discussions taking place at Angelos' law offices. No tour of Camden Yards was necessary, since Schueler had seen it numerous times with the White Sox.
"I'm pretty familiar with Baltimore, but I had not been in the law offices, so that was a different experience," he said. "It went well. There were a lot of good baseball questions, a lot of stuff about player personnel. And I think the fact that I've done this for 10 years, they're not worried about the experience. It was more what I knew about the club, and I kind of helped evaluate it a little bit. I gave them my opinions, so hopefully it will work out for the best. But it was a fun talk."
Schueler spent two years as a senior vice president with the White Sox after resigning as GM. He left the organization three weeks ago to pursue other opportunities, and was the first person interviewed for the Boston Red Sox GM opening.
"I was supposed to hear back from Boston early in the week, so I'll just have to sit here and wait for two teams," he said.
Schueler has strong ties to Thrift from their days together in Pittsburgh. He served as Thrift's first pitching coach with the Pirates, and they remain close.
"Whenever he came to Chicago, my suite was open. We have a good relationship," Schueler said. "Syd has done a lot of great things for this organization. They have good young players. But Syd knows it's a big workload for one guy and I think he wants to pass on some of that work."
The Orioles will interview Seattle Mariners vice president Roger Jongewaard on Thursday, after Thrift returns from Tucson.
"It's been very productive," Angelos said. "The people we've interviewed are very capable. They bring lots of background, lots of savvy. And from a standpoint of operating the baseball side, these people have done it before and really know their stuff."
Angelos said there are "probably one or two more" candidates besides Jongewaard who will be interviewed. He also will contact Mike Flanagan, who has met twice with Red Sox officials.
"I don't think it will be like a formal interview," Angelos said, "but we'll be talking maybe over the weekend."
Flanagan expects to hear from the Red Sox on Monday, but said a third interview hasn't been scheduled.
In other Orioles news:
Pitcher John Stephens, who went 2-5 with a 6.09 ERA in 65 innings as a rookie, is expected to have a cast removed from his fractured right foot on Nov. 18 and be ready for spring training. Stephens pitched with the break all season, but didn't realize the severity until late August. Doctors inserted a screw in the foot before he returned to Australia.
The Orioles have chosen Stephens as their minor-league Pitcher of the Year for the third time in four seasons. He went 11-5 with a 3.03 ERA in 142 2/3 innings at Triple-A Rochester, with 23 walks and 118 strikeouts before the Orioles recalled him on July 29.
Orioles bench coach Sam Perlozzo, one of four finalists for the Mariners' managerial job, will interview with Seattle Monday.
Jim Riggleman also will interview Monday. Former Orioles catcher Bob Melvin and Buddy Bell will interview Tuesday.
"There's a possibility that somebody could become available, but right now we still have four candidates," said general manager Pat Gillick.
Pitcher Josh Towers, who began the year in the Orioles' rotation before his demotion to Rochester, signed a minor-league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays as a six-year free agent.
He was 0-3 with a 7.90 ERA and 0-6 with the Red Wings.
Major League Baseball's All-Star Series begins today in Japan with the first of eight games.
Orioles pitcher Rodrigo Lopez, who finished as runner-up to Blue Jays third baseman Eric Hinske for the American League's Rookie of the Year award, said he'll appear in two games and total about 10 innings. He's scheduled to pitch today and Thursday, making one start and coming out of the bullpen.
Lopez threw nine innings in the Mexican Winter League in preparation for the series. He'll be shut down after leaving Japan.