Pundits Wonder If Angelos Has Turned Over A New Leaf

Many Feel MacPhail A Sign Of Changing Times In Orioles Front Office

GIVE IT UP: In Minneapolis, Joe Christensen wrote it is “time for Angelos to trust one person to run the baseball operations with complete autonomy.”  MacPhail: “I think it’s important to have one voice. ... It has to be clear who is responsible, who’s accountable, for baseball operations” (STAR TRIBUNE, 6/23).  In Philadelphia, Jim Salisbury wrote the hiring “is a sign that [Angelos] might finally be getting it.  After all these years, he may finally realize that the team would be better served with an actual baseball man running the show.”  One GM said the Orioles are “impossible to do business with” (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/24).  In N.Y., Brian Costello wrote Angelos “surely gave MacPhail assurances that he wouldn’t meddle, but skeptics question how long that promise will last” (N.Y. POST, 6/24).

LEADER BOARD: In Boston, Nick Cafardo noted MacPhail “joins a select group of CEOs and presidents who combine both business and baseball acumen,” including the Tigers’ Dave Dombrowski, the Padres’ Sandy Alderson, the D’Backs’ Jeff Moorad, the Astros’ Tal Smith, the Nationals’ Stan Kasten and the Red Sox’ Larry Lucchino (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/24).

STAYING POWER? MacPhail’s name has been floated as a potential replacement for MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, who has said he is planning to retire when his contract expires in ’09.  But on Long Island, Ken Davidoff wrote, “So much for ... that notion.”  Many insiders “believe that the energetic and successful Selig, who will turn 75 in 2009, won’t be ready to step down” (NEWSDAY, 6/24).

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