Orioles Choose Not to Choose Maier

MAIER (Bob Child - AP)

In the end, the Baltimore Orioles decided not to tempt fate by selecting Wesleyan (Conn.) University third baseman-outfielder Jeffrey Maier in baseball's first-year player draft -- or else they simply determined he was not good enough.

"I told our guys if they were inclined [to pick Maier] at all, they should feel free," said Orioles owner Peter Angelos, who last week told The Washington Post he would consider drafting Maier. "They didn't choose to select him. I wasn't about to order them."

Maier, who became famous as a 12-year-old in 1996 when he interfered with a fly ball at Yankee Stadium in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series between the Orioles and New York Yankees, was not taken during the 50-round draft, which concluded yesterday.

"Ultimately, I'm very happy about my baseball career, and extremely proud of what I accomplished," Maier said. "I'm certainly disappointed I didn't get the call, but I also realize how difficult it would have been. And I'm very proud that I was actually considered by some teams."

Maier said he hopes to have a career in baseball as a front-office executive, and to that extent he has already lined up a summer job. "It involves some scouting during college summer leagues," Maier said, "and learning what to look for in certain players."

Maier declined to say what organization he would be working for, but he assured everyone on one point: It is not the Orioles.

-- Dave Sheinin