Phil Regan

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The anticipation has been building for three months, since the Orioles undertook the dramatic organizational face lift that has made the club a favorite to win the American League East. Now, it is time for expectation to merge with reality.Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to the Orioles' relocated spring training site today and begin workouts tomorrow. Position players arrive next week. New manager Davey Johnson will have six weeks to create the winning chemistry that was conspicuously absent in 1995.

The Orioles will be in the market for a second baseman, a heavy-hitting outfielder and a closer this off-season, and they may need a couple of starting pitchers. But new manager Davey Johnson said yesterday he likes the core of players he is inheriting."I believe the talent pool is as good or better than any I've had," said Johnson, who will have strong input in the makeup of the roster. "We've probably got a much more potent 3-4-5 [hitters in the lineup] than I had in Cincinnati. The pitching staff has the potential to be as good as any I've had, with Mike Mussina."

As a first-year manager, Phil Regan had his share of problems with his players. Ben McDonald clashed with him about pitching out of the bullpen. Kevin Brown tossed him the ball after a bad nTC outing. Veteran players bristled at Regan's idea of changing the bunt plays in spring training.Not all of the 1995 Orioles, however, have hard feelings.Just ask the rookie, the career minor-leaguer and the major-league veteran.They're at different stages of their careers, but Greg Zaun, Jeff Manto and Kevin Bass have one thing in common -- their loyalty to Regan for giving them a chance.

What if the people had the power to choose the Orioles' owner? Wouldn't that be interesting?With the team having flopped this year, we could empower a panel of knowledgeable fans and/or reporters to interview potential new owners from around the country. Maybe one would prove preferable to Peter Angelos.The Rockies' Jerry McMorris seems like a good guy. We could bring him in for an interview. The guy in Houston sounds like he wants to win. We could check him out. Shoot, we could even bring in George Steinbrenner.

Ups and downsPhil Regan -- EVEN -- His future could hinge on whatever he says to owner Peter Angelos when they meet.Roland Hemond -- EVEN -- Don't count him out entirely; he would be important if Orioles pursue Tony La Russa. Hemond could be moved into another job.Randy Smith -- UP -- The front-runner if (or when) Hemond is replaced as GM.Mike Mussina -- UP -- For him to maintain his concentration over the entire, terrible season is remarkable.Rafael Palmeiro -- UP -- One of the AL's 10 best players in 1995, and its second-best left-handed hitter.

UPS AND DOWNSCal Ripken -- UP -- He'll get a day off the day after he's scheduled to break Lou Gehrig's record. Well-earned.Mike Mussina -- UP -- He'll be starting the big game on Wednesday. But he won't get the game ball.Phil Regan -- UP -- Gets to manage the record-breaker. Can bet he won't be pinch-hitting for his shortstop.Tony Phillips -- UP -- Years down the road, he'll be able to say that he was the first hitter to bat in the record-setting game.Manny Alexander -- UP -- Assuming California will start one of its lefties, he'll be the answer to this trivia question: Who was Ripken's double-play partner the night Cal broke the record?

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Hours after the Orioles called up left-hander Jimmy Hurst from Triple-A Rochester yesterday, to replace the disabled Arthur Rhodes, they released Hurst when they found out he had been a replacement player during the spring."

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Hours after the Orioles called up left-hander Jimmy Hurst from Triple-A Rochester yesterday, to replace the disabled Arthur Rhodes, they released Hurst when they found out he had been a replacement player during the spring."

On the field: Seattle second baseman Joey Cora lifted a pop fly down the left-field line in the third inning, and shortstop Cal Ripken, third baseman Jeff Huson and left fielder Mark Smith converged on the ball. Ripken pulled up, and the ball ticked off Huson's glove just before he was undercut by Smith, sliding low. Trainer Richie Bancells checked on Huson, who bruised his left arm, but Huson stayed in the game.In the dugout: For the second straight night, Scott Erickson was available out of the bullpen.

SEATTLE -- Owner Peter Angelos said yesterday that, like all fans, he's "disappointed" with the Orioles' showing this year, and he vowed that money would be spent to rebuild the farm system and rebuild the team for next year."