Mazzilli's Introduction as Manager

"You have to stay positive. We must play positive. I have to be positive as well," says Orioles' Lee Mazzilli, enduring first slump as manager. (Preston Keres -- The Washington Post)

How crazy is baseball? It's so zany that it seems no team ever plays .500 ball for long. You're either on fire or turn to ice. Last year, the Orioles had winning streaks of 7-2, 4-0, 9-2, 6-0, 4-0 and 5-1. Total: 35-5. Pretty good? Actually, that's terrible. Their losing streaks were 1-5, 1-8, 1-7, 3-10, 0-8, 0-9, 1-6 and 2-7. Total: 9-60. That's eight trips to hell in just six months.

Mike Hargrove was fired, in part, because after four years he stopped finding ways to end the slumps. Late in seasons, the plunges multiplied on themselves. He'd run out of strategic ideas or motivational twists. By season's end, he just looked exhausted. And Hargrove was good enough to win five division titles in Cleveland and the only two Indians pennants since '54. For nearly two months, life at Camden Yards was blissful for Mazzilli, who had tools Hargrove never dreamed of in his make-do years with kids and journeymen. The Orioles slugged enough to overcome their awful starting pitching and stole enough bases to disguise the 18 errors made by the left side of their infield. But now, here it comes, the reality of big league managing.

Orioles hitters have cooled. Could they be a bit tired? Mazzilli used the same eight players in at least 39 of the team's first 41 games. No other team has used that many players that much. The team's infant rotation has deteriorated. Mazzilli tried to instill confidence by letting them try to pitch out of their jams. Instead, more often than not, they've discovered the indignity of being bombed. First Matt Riley, then Kurt Ainsworth got demoted to the minors. Maz's choice for backup catcher went 2 for 25 and is gone.

All this, of course, is second-guessing, the unwanted houseguest of losing streaks. A few wins and it evaporates. However, Mazzilli should reverse one decision quickly: Send Rodrigo Lopez back to the bullpen, where he was becoming a star. That's probably the only significant mistake Mazzilli has made. There's nothing wrong with being wrong; the only sin is staying wrong. Just a week ago, Mazzilli seemed so much smarter. That's just the fickle unfair nature of managing. Excellent decisions backfire routinely. Bad luck or hot foes can outweigh decent play for a week or two. So, patience is essential.

For the Orioles and Mazzilli the task of learning about each other and growing together is just beginning. Fortunately, the new manager's communication skills have gotten strong reviews. Mazzilli's door isn't just open. Few Orioles walk past it without being hailed and invited inside. Nothing official, just chat about everything from baseball to how's-the-family. That's Maz's natural manner.

"To succeed, you've got to believe you're one of the best. When they learn what other people think of them, it can help," Mazzilli said. "My job is to put players in the right spots where they can have success and build that confidence."

Still, Mazzilli is a rookie and it will show. On Wednesday night, the Orioles sent their eight starting players, aside from catcher Lopez, out beyond second base to stand in a straight line during the national anthem. No one had ever seen a team do this. A motivational gimmick to break that losing streak? After a mid-game comeback, the Orioles blew a lead and lost again. Once, Orioles manager Earl Weaver, who was never pleasant, and seldom even civil, except during losing streaks, was upset that owner Edward Bennett Williams, a renowned orator, gave an inspirational pregame talk when they were playing poorly.

"Please, don't do that again," begged Weaver.

"Why?" said Williams.

"If we lose," said Weaver, "what are you gonna to tell 'em tomorrow?"