O's Dismiss Their Information Specialist

Dave Ritterpusch , the Baltimore Orioles' director of baseball information who based many of his recommendations on psychological testing and quantitative analysis, was told yesterday that his contract will not be renewed for next season. Ritterpusch's assistant, Ed Coblentz , also was not retained.

"It seemed internal information and how we used it became too much of a distraction," Orioles Executive Vice President Mike Flanagan said.

"It just didn't work out," Ritterpusch said. "I think because of us they're in a better shape than they were. I certainly don't have any hard feelings."

One source close to the Orioles said Ritterpusch had alienated owner Peter Angelos by speaking publicly too often of his beliefs in psychological testing, which the owner believed put the franchise in a bad light.

"He was a little too public," the source said. "Peter didn't like him being too public."

Angelos did not return a phone call yesterday.

Some employees in Baltimore's front office had been upset that Ritterpusch, a close friend of Flanagan's, tried to force his theories on everyone.

"Dave had his heart in the right place," the source close to the Orioles said. "He was enthusiastic to the point of putting too much pressure on the process."

Several memos obtained by The Washington Post showed that Ritterpusch's theories were at best inconsistent. Flanagan said the team will continue to use Ritterpusch's theories in some respects, but the team source guessed, "I think there is going to be a strong sentiment to run from this."

-- Jorge Arangure Jr.