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Gone or not? Miller might be join Riggleman in the unemployment line
Posted: Thursday October 14, 1999 06:46 PM
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Ray Miller would prefer to spend October in the dugout for a playoff game. Instead, the Baltimore Orioles' embattled manager is playing the waiting game. According to the terms of the contract he signed in November 1997, Miller was to learn his status for the 2000 season no later than Wednesday. But the manager waived that provision at the request of owner Peter Angelos, who wanted more time to make a decision. However, Thursday's Washington Post quoted unidentified sources as saying the Orioles have chosen not to exercise their contractual option to retain Miller within 72 hours of the conclusion of the season. That would mean, according to the newspaper, that Miller is out as Baltimore manager. General manager Frank Wren refused to come to the phone when contacted at home by The Associated Press. A team spokesman denied knowledge of Miller's ouster. Miller's predecessor, Davey Johnson, sent a fax to Angelos saying he would resign if he didn't get an extension or a buyout of his final year. Angelos waved goodbye to Johnson and hired Miller to guide a team coming off two straight appearances in the AL championship series. What followed were two straight losing seasons, including this year's 78-84 disaster, for a team that carried a $78.5 million payroll on opening day. The Orioles' payroll is the third-highest in the game behind the New York Yankees and Johnson's new team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. It appeared Miller would be fired Monday, but Angelos apparently was swayed by a 13-game winning streak in September that proved Miller could win. Miller didn't meet with Angelos until Tuesday, and the 90-minute session didn't lead to a decision by the owner. "I told him to take your time and do what you think is best," Miller said. "He doesn't have to worry about the 72-hour thing. Whenever he wants, I don't care." The move came as a surprise to the Orioles' public relations staff, which was waiting patiently for news of Angelos' decision. Wren was also surprised to hear of the delay. So, for the time being, Wren can't make a move to interview possible candidates for the job. If Miller's contract is terminated, possible successors include former Milwaukee Brewers manager Phil Garner, Orioles director of player personnel Tom Trebelhorn and former Oriole Don Baylor, now the Atlanta Braves' hitting coach. Jim Riggleman, a Marylander who was fired by the Chicago Cubs on Monday, also is a possibility.
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