Leo Mazzone named Orioles pitching coach
After spending 15 years as the Atlanta Braves’ pitching coach, Leo Mazzone is moving on to serve as the pitching coach for the Baltimore Orioles. The Braves had little chance of retaining his services as Mazzone has had a long-standing agreement with Sam Perlozzo, his best friend since childhood, that he would serve as his pitching coach if Perlozzo got a permanent job as a manager in the majors. Perlozzo and Mazzone played American Legion ball together as teenagers and were neighbors during the 1980’s. The fact that Mazzone will be close to family in Maryland and more than double his salary (to $500,000 a year) made his decision that much easier. Since Mazzone signed with the Orioles over a week before his contract with the Braves expired the Orioles were willing to send pitcher Moises Hernandez, the older brother of top Mariners prospect Felix Hernandez, to Atlanta as compensation. Hernandez was 0-4 for the Class-A Aberdeen Ironbirds last year but compiled a 3.08 ERA and struck out 56 in 52 2/3 innings. As far as replacements for the exiting Mazzone, the leading candidates include former Braves pitching coach Bruce Dal Canton, Mike Maddux (brother of former Brave Greg Maddux), and Randy St. Claire (current Nationals pitching coach and former Brave). Other possibilities include Guy Hansen (current Richmond Braves pitching coach), Don Gullett, and Mel Stottlemyre who recently resigned as Yankees pitching coach after 10 years of service. Joe Kerrigan and Braves announcer Don Sutton are longshots who have been bandied about as well.
this is not good for the Braves. Mazzone has worked his magic for the Braves for the last 15 years, and without him, i don’t know if they’ll be able to work their mid-season magic when their pitchers get hurt…. and whos going to fix the bullpen??? HELP!!!
Comment by Randy — Oct 27, 2005 @ 2:10 pm