Hoiles

ATLANTA -- Manager Ray Miller described it as the most difficult thing he has ever had to do in the game. Jesse Orosco stopped by for an embrace. Before a game that otherwise held no meaning, the Orioles turned away a piece of their heart.Nearing the end of spring training, the club made a gut-wrenching decision yesterday when it released longtime starting catcher and clubhouse pillar Chris Hoiles, then replaced his right-handed bat by trading pitching prospect Chris Fussell to the Kansas City Royals for veteran outfielder/first baseman Jeff Conine.

Former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles has notified the club that he will at least postpone accepting an offer to serve as a roving minor-league catching instructor. Hoiles, in town this weekend to attend a birthday party for bullpen catcher Sammy Snider, said he experienced second thoughts after immediately accepting the position following his April 2 release."Once I had some time to think about it, I decided I'd like to spend some time away from baseball," he said. "I've been away from my family a lot during my playing career.

JUPITER, Fla. -- Rich Amaral said yesterday that he still hasn't been cleared to take batting practice because of a sore back. He continues to receive treatments, staying behind again at the Fort Lauderdale complex during the Orioles' 7-3 victory over the Montreal Expos at Roger Dean Stadium.Amaral, who hasn't played since March 16, had hoped to take BP on Monday after hitting off a tee the previous day. But he's still experiencing some discomfort in his back, a condition that flared up while taking ground balls before Wednesday's game.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Though the Orioles refuse to confirm any linkage, the future of longtime catcher Chris Hoiles appears woven to the team's willingness to retain rookie Willis Otanez as its right-handed designated hitter and backup corner infielder.Hoiles acknowledged after yesterday's exhibition tie against the Boston Red Sox that he is uncertain about his status and hasn't spoken with manager Ray Miller since Feb. 21. No longer able to handle the rigors of catching because of a degenerative hip condition, Hoiles conceded he will retire if the Orioles release him and has no plans to play beyond the 1999 season.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- As the Orioles prepare for today's first intrasquad game, manager Ray Miller continues to keep close tabs on Chris Hoiles, whose running has been labored as he deals with a chronically sore hip that won't allow him to catch. Hoiles will serve as the designated hitter today, a role he would fill part-time along with some duty at first base if he makes the club.Yesterday's workout included base-running drills. Asked about Hoiles afterward, Miller said, "He's obviously laboring a little bit. We'll just have to see if it gets better.

A tractor seat remains bolted to the wall above Chris Hoiles' old locker, a symbol of the toughness that earned him the nickname "Tractor man." Some boxes and clothes belonging to him also were there until the Orioles' former catcher arrived yesterday to clear them away.Hoiles made his first appearance at Camden Yards since being released April 2 while the club was in Atlanta. The Orioles' starting catcher for eight seasons, Hoiles will remain in Baltimore through the summer while his new home is being built in Ohio.

Former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles has notified the club that he will at least postpone accepting an offer to serve as a roving minor-league catching instructor. Hoiles, in town this weekend to attend a birthday party for bullpen catcher Sammy Snider, said he experienced second thoughts after immediately accepting the position following his April 2 release."Once I had some time to think about it, I decided I'd like to spend some time away from baseball," he said. "I've been away from my family a lot during my playing career.

A broken-down body for a slimmed-down body. That's how you evaluate Chris Hoiles for Jeff Conine, and never mind the other particulars. Chris Fussell, a young pitcher with little chance of ever joining the Orioles' rotation, was merely the bait for Conine.The release of Hoiles is a sad event for anyone who knew "Tractor," a humble, hard-working throwback who spent a decade in the organization after arriving in the Fred Lynn trade. Still, it had to be done. Hoiles, physically unable to catch and a liability at first base, had turned into the right-handed equivalent of Harold Baines.

Highlights and lowlights from the Orioles' 2-0 victory over the Florida Marlins in Viera, Fla.UP -- Cal Ripken: The last day in Florida brings his first home run.UP -- Juan Guzman: If he's this good when the games count, clear space for the Cy Young.UP -- B. J. Surhoff: Reaches base three times and steals second.UP -- Doug Johns: Two scoreless innings in relief.EVEN -- Jesse Garcia: Singles in his first at-bat, but gets picked off. Hey, he did play 13 innings the night before.UP -- Rich Amaral: Has proved that he's healthy enough to start the season.

Highlights and lowlights from the Orioles' 7-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.UP -- Jesse Garcia: Bounces game-winning, two-run single up the middle in the eighth inning, and sees his chances of making the club improve dramatically.EVEN -- Doug Linton: Another terrific outing, but an 11-man staff can't be good news.EVEN -- Lenny Webster: Endures a brutal fourth inning with a passed ball and a throwing error, but also delivers two-run single in the fifth for a 3-2 lead.

Outdoors Bowhunt in Pennsylvania with Hoiles, other former O's If you have $2,900 to spend, former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles has a bowhunting experience for you. Hoiles, who quit as manager of the independent York (Pa.) Revolution baseball team last month, has started a "sporting events management company" that will give amateur sportsmen and women the opportunity to hunt and fish with current and former athletes. The business also will manage youth sports camps. For its first outing, The Hoiles-Gladstone Group has arranged a five-day deer hunting trip next month with Hoiles and former Orioles Will Clark, Ben McDonald and Jamie Walker at the 7,000-acre North Fork Lodge on a Susquehanna River tributary in Pennsylvania.

Citing personal reasons, former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles is stepping down as manager of the York (Pa.) Revolution, a position he has held since before the club's inaugural 2007 season, team officials announced Wednesday. Hoiles, a member of the Orioles Hall of Fame who played in Baltimore from 1989 to 1998, guided York to the independent Atlantic League playoffs last season. "This is one of the toughest decisions I've had to make," Hoiles said in a statement. "I have appreciated the opportunity to join the York community and assist in building the Revolution from the ground up. My family has grown very fond of York and of Revolution fans who supported us during our three seasons here.

Orioles fans looking for a glimpse of the glory days can make a short trip up Interstate 83 this summer and take a peek into the home dugout of the independent York (Pa.) Revolution. The newly formed Atlantic League team announced the coaching staff for its inaugural 2007 season, and it will feature three members of the Orioles' Hall of Fame as well as the answer to a historic trivia question. Former catcher Chris Hoiles, who played his entire 10-year big league career with the Orioles and was inducted last summer into the club's Hall of Fame, will be the first manager of the Revolution.

The Orioles inducted Doug DeCinces, a power-hitting third baseman who succeeded Brooks Robinson, and Chris Hoiles, a tough catcher who helped spearhead the club's last run of excellence, into the organization's Hall of Fame in a ceremony before yesterday's game. The team also honored deceased trainers Ralph Salvon and Eddie Weidner with the Herb Armstrong Award for contributions from non-uniformed personnel. Hoiles said he enjoyed going into the Hall with DeCinces. "It's really kind of special because we've got two generations and two different stadiums and really, two different teams," he said.

Former third baseman Doug DeCinces and catcher Chris Hoiles will be inducted into the Orioles' Hall of Fame before the Aug. 26 game against Tampa Bay. Trainers Eddie Weidner and Ralph Salvon will be honored posthumously as recipients of the Herb Armstrong Award for non-uniformed personnel. DeCinces played with the Orioles from 1973 to 1981. He took over for Brooks Robinson in 1976 -- tough gig -- and didn't really win over fans until hitting a game-winning home run on June 22, 1979 at Memorial Stadium that is widely credited with starting Orioles Magic.

The last man to hit a home run with a runner on base against Pedro Martinez would like nothing more than to step into a batter's box again. Instead, former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles sits home in Ohio, out of baseball, in likely need of hip-replacement surgery. It's difficult for him to walk, difficult for him to sleep, difficult for him to play with his two sons. "To have to [retire] because of an injury -- and still to this day not be able to do much of anything -- it's just tough," Hoiles said Wednesday.

Former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles has notified the club that he will at least postpone accepting an offer to serve as a roving minor-league catching instructor. Hoiles, in town this weekend to attend a birthday party for bullpen catcher Sammy Snider, said he experienced second thoughts after immediately accepting the position following his April 2 release."Once I had some time to think about it, I decided I'd like to spend some time away from baseball," he said. "I've been away from my family a lot during my playing career.

Former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles has notified the club that he will at least postpone accepting an offer to serve as a roving minor-league catching instructor. Hoiles, in town this weekend to attend a birthday party for bullpen catcher Sammy Snider, said he experienced second thoughts after immediately accepting the position following his April 2 release."Once I had some time to think about it, I decided I'd like to spend some time away from baseball," he said. "I've been away from my family a lot during my playing career.

A tractor seat remains bolted to the wall above Chris Hoiles' old locker, a symbol of the toughness that earned him the nickname "Tractor man." Some boxes and clothes belonging to him also were there until the Orioles' former catcher arrived yesterday to clear them away.Hoiles made his first appearance at Camden Yards since being released April 2 while the club was in Atlanta. The Orioles' starting catcher for eight seasons, Hoiles will remain in Baltimore through the summer while his new home is being built in Ohio.

ATLANTA -- Manager Ray Miller described it as the most difficult thing he has ever had to do in the game. Jesse Orosco stopped by for an embrace. Before a game that otherwise held no meaning, the Orioles turned away a piece of their heart.Nearing the end of spring training, the club made a gut-wrenching decision yesterday when it released longtime starting catcher and clubhouse pillar Chris Hoiles, then replaced his right-handed bat by trading pitching prospect Chris Fussell to the Kansas City Royals for veteran outfielder/first baseman Jeff Conine.