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The waiting game

Deadline for Miller's future in Baltimore put on hold

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Posted: Wednesday October 06, 1999 11:30 AM

All or nothing: Ray Miller won't work for the Orioles in any capacity besides manager. AP

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The decision on whether to keep Ray Miller as the manager of the Baltimore Orioles was postponed indefinitely after a meeting between Miller and majority owner Peter Angelos.

Miller agreed to waive the provision in his contract stipulating that the club must decide within 72 hours after the end of the regular season whether to pick up or reject his option for the 2000 season.

The move gives Angelos an unlimited amount of time to decide whether to make a managerial change, according to Miller.

The arrangement was made during a 90-minute meeting Tuesday at Angelos' office. In the meeting, Miller defended his team's 78-84 record despite having the third-highest payroll in baseball.

"I think my staff and I did a damn good job. I told him that," Miller said. "I told him to take your time and do what you think is best. He doesn't have to worry about the 72-hour thing. Whenever he wants. I don't care."

Miller's contract, signed Nov. 11, 1997, includes a club option that had to be exercised within 72 hours of the season's final game. Miller said he waived the provision out of respect for Angelos.

"I'll do whatever he wants because he's 100 percent one of the nicest men I've ever met in my life," he said.

Miller said he reiterated to Angelos that he isn't interested in remaining with the organization in any other capacity besides manager.

Angelos and Miller had a close relationship during the manager's two-year tenure in Baltimore. His contract stipulated that he regularly brief ownership, which he did with at least weekly calls to Angelos.

The Baltimore Sun reports that several Angelos associates said the owner became uncertain about whether to fire Miller after the Orioles went on a 13-game winning streak in September, flirting with a .500 record for the season. However, six losses in their last eight games ended hopes for an even year.

 

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