Orioles Organization

Rick Forney once had a temper that could boil the mercury in any thermometer, but every mile per hour he adds to his fastball seems conversely to cool his attitude.It was 10:30 a.m. in St. Charles, Ill., Wednesday, when an exhausted Forney was rousted from a deep slumber by a reporter's phone call. But like the veteran he is swiftly becoming, Forney fielded questions as calmly as he might a full-count, bases-loaded, two-out squeeze bunt."I'm in a lot better shape than I've ever been in," said the 6-foot-4, 204-pounder.

The Orioles' front office contingent began heading home yesterday after wrapping up its four-day organizational meetings in Sarasota, Fla., but one high-ranking official didn't board a plane. Executive vice president Mike Flanagan didn't have to. He already was in Baltimore, having stayed home while the rest of the organization's movers and shakers headed south last weekend. Originally scheduled to join new club president Andy MacPhail's first organizational gathering, Flanagan said he spoke to MacPhail last Friday and said he wanted to take time off to recharge after the Orioles' 10th consecutive losing season.

Charging Ravens' Lewis with murder was a crime, too Sun columnist John Eisenberg is a talented writer whom I admire very much. However, his take on the aftermath of the Ray Lewis trial leaves a lot to be desired. Eisenberg states that Lewis has been "indelibly labeled as a bad guy," and that at this point, "it's hard to imagine Lewis' reputation making a comeback." Lewis has done exactly what he needed to do to rehabilitate his good name. He could have easily allowed this case to go to the jury and no doubt would have been acquitted of all charges.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- There were too many 12-hour work days for Rod Robertson to keep up with the baseball strike. Robertson, who will complete a decade of minor-league service this year -- his first year in the Orioles organization -- would occasionally hear bits and pieces about the negotiations from his father.But Robertson never made any phone calls or studied the issues deeply. He was either going full bore at the paper mill near his home in Everdale, Texas, six days a week, or spending time with his three children.

In a move that would have shocked both parties one month ago, the Orioles yesterday announced the hiring of Mike Hargrove as the 14th manager in franchise history.Hargrove, hired less than three weeks after being fired by the Cleveland Indians, agreed to a three-year, $3 million contract with an option for 2003, and will retain the majority of predecessor Ray Miller's coaching staff. Hargrove becomes the first $1 million manager in franchise history.Selected over incumbent third base coach Sam Perlozzo and Boston bench coach Grady Little, Hargrove's first act was to notify the Orioles coaches of their fate.

STILL AGILE and sure-handed at 53, Jesus "Pepe" Frias, a major-league infielder for nine years, is having another errorless day. The Dominican Republic native and current resident is taking hard-hit grounders at the Friendship Playground ball field in Washington, D.C., where 200 youngsters, ages 5 to 12, are in summer camp. From the baselines, they watch every move of the nimble Frias, whose weeklong stint at the camp is sponsored by Elementary Baseball, a Washington nonprofit devoted to inner-city literacy and sports.

After six rocky years, which included a multi-million-dollar signing bonus, several position changes and a drug suspension, the Orioles will be cutting ties with former first-round pick Billy Rowell. Rowell, the ninth overall selection in the 2006 draft, can become a minor league free agent as soon as the World Series ends, and the Orioles will not make him an offer to return, according to an industry source. It will put the final exclamation point on what is arguably the biggest draft bust in franchise history.

The Orioles are reaching back into their most recent period of success to try to improve a glaring deficiency for now and the future. The club signed a one-year deal with former Oriole Mike Bordick this month to become its new minor league offensive coordinator. Bordick, 44, will be responsible for working with the club's prospects on offensive fundamentals such as base running, bunting and situational hitting. "Basically, it'll be getting guys to understand the importance of small ball.

Hall of Fame former Oriole Cal Ripken Jr. acknowledged again Tuesday having an "itch to come back to the big league scene" now that his son is closer to heading off to college. Ryan Ripken will start his senior year at Gilman next month. Asked whether this will give him more opportunities to get involved with the Orioles, Ripken said: "Since my youngest child, Ryan, is preparing for college, it does certainly open up some different possibilities in the next phase of my life.

Veteran right-hander Freddy Garcia, who could have opted out of his minor league deal with the Orioles after his fifth start of the season Sunday, has told the organization he will stay until at least May 14. “Freddy is a qualified major leaguer and hopefully we can find a spot for him,” Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said. Pitching for Triple-A Norfolk, the 36-year-old Garcia leads the International League in wins (four) and innings pitched (33 2/3). Garcia, who is 4-0 with a 2.67 ERA with 21 strikeouts and two walks on the season, was just named the International League pitcher of the week Monday after going 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in a pair of eight inning starts this past week.