Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 13, 1994 TAG: 9408170051
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BALTIMORE LENGTH: Medium
Next year, though, might be a different story. Orioles owner Peter Angelos is not exactly enamored with Oates' handling of the team, and a team source said Angelos has hopes of luring Oakland manager Tony La Russa to Baltimore.
La Russa, whose contract with the Athletics expires after this season, has been voted manager of the year three times and ranks third among active managers in wins.
Baltimore won seven of 10 games before the baseball strike began Friday. The late surge got the Orioles within 61/2 games of the first-place New York Yankees in the AL East and just might have saved Oates' job.
``I'm hopeful that the success that he has enjoyed in recent games will continue,'' Angelos said. ``Certainly, he will be our manager for the rest of the year, without question.''
The Orioles' 63-49 record is the ninth-best in the majors, but Angelos expected better when he shelled out $43 million to land free agents Rafael Palmeiro, Chris Sabo, Sid Fernandez and Lee Smith.
Some of the blame, he said, should be directed at Oates.
``Let me say very candidly there have been times during the season when I've had some questions about the performance of the team and, specifically, the way it was being managed,'' Angelos said.
``I think we could have been closer to first place by three or four games. There have been times when decisions were made that I thought could be made differently,'' he added. ``But when you look at the record and put aside personal opinions, I think Johnny has done a good job.''
It's been a difficult year for Oates, who first began to field questions about his job security in May when the Orioles lost seven of eight to fall deep into third place.
Baltimore rebounded to pull within a half-game of first place on July 15, but then lost 12 of 18 to fall 10 games back. That's when Oates again came under fire, and columnist Ken Rosenthal of The Baltimore Sun suggested that first-base coach Davey Lopes become the Orioles' manager following the strike.
That won't happen.
Earlier in the season, Oates, a Virginia Tech alumnus, bristled at reporters who questioned him about his seemingly shaky grip on the managerial job. He has since mellowed, contending that he will simply do the best he can to get the Orioles into the playoffs.
``I can only be myself,'' he said. ``I'm not going to change. What I've done the last three years is a matter of record. If it's not good enough, I'll move on.''
Oates is 291-270 since taking over for Frank Robinson on May 23, 1991.
by CNB