TORONTO - The Orioles have begun a series of significant changes within their player development system by dismissing Bowie manager Dave Machemer and roving minor-league pitching coordinator Bo McLaughlin while also initiating a search for the long-vacant position of director of organizational instruction.
"The thought is that people now hired will fit in the direction the organization is now going - younger players with teaching and instruction recognized much more," director of player development Don Buford said.
The Orioles have offered the roving coordinator's post to Dave Schmidt, who has served as pitching coach at Single-A Delmarva and Double-A Bowie and most recently as Florida pitching coordinator.
Schmidt, the Orioles' Opening Day starter in 1989, enjoyed a 12-year major-league career before spending three years as assistant coach and pitching coach at UCLA.
"The background of pitching coordinator as instructor is very important. Dave taught at the college level and is very well-liked by pitching staffs at the major- and minor-league level," said Buford, supervising the Orioles' instructional league operation in Sarasota, Fla.
Realignment of minor-league staffs is pending, Buford said. Andy Etchebarren will return to Triple-A Rochester but the other staffs remain uncertain.
Machemer, 50, was let go earlier this month after managing his fourth different affiliate in as many seasons. In 2000 he managed Frederick to a first-half championship in the Carolina League and won the South Atlantic League second half with Delmarva in 1998.
McLaughlin, 47, joined the Orioles in 1998 as Bowie pitching coach. He was elevated to pitching coordinator the next season.
Camden Yards salute
The Orioles will honor the victims of last week's terrorist attacks before tonight's series opener against the New York Yankees.
Members of various area fire, search and rescue organizations will participate, including those that assisted after the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon.
Tonight's tribute will include playing of Taps by the U.S. Naval Academy Band and the unfurling of a replica 1812 American flag. Instead of the traditional Take Me Out to the Ball Game and Thank God I'm a Country Boy, God Bless America will be sung during the seventh-inning stretch.
Goodbye Canada
Cal Ripken said goodbye to Toronto last night as he completed the 10th stop of his 12-city farewell tour around the major leagues.
