On Mazz...

The Lee Mazzilli firing at this point of the season seems to be a bit too little a bit too late. Management can say that they did something to address the problems the team had been having. But if things were as truly noxious in the clubhouse as recent reports seem to indicate (like Miguel Tejada saying that the team needed to win despite Mazz) then it was the right move.

The most interesting story surrounding the firing is not that firing, but Angelos' role in Mazzilli's hiring. Angelos has oft been criticized for taking too much of a role in the team's day-to-day operations. However, it was Angelos' decision to let Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan make the decision on the new manager in 2003 that led to their selection of Mazzilli.

Angelos' first choice? Sam Perlozzo.

But so far so good. The O's are now 2-0 under the new skipper....