Ray Miller

CLEVELAND -- Davey would be gone by now.It's the truth, isn't it? Owner Peter Angelos would be livid over the Orioles' 16-16 start. He'd be demanding answers, fuming to associates, looking for scapegoats.And Davey Johnson would be gone."We've got the highest payroll in major-league history," Angelos might have said. "The manager is not getting the most out of his talent."Managers have been fired for less, especially in Baltimore, where Cal Ripken Sr. lasted only six games in 1988.But Ray Miller is safe.

BOSTON - Because of yesterday's rainout, Orioles manager Lee Mazzilli said right-hander Daniel Cabrera, who was scheduled to start the series finale against the Boston Red Sox, will have his spot in the rotation skipped. Cabrera's next scheduled start is Tuesday at home against the Toronto Blue Jays - 11 days after his last start. Cabrera (1-1, 7.65 ERA) walked six and gave up five earned runs in 5 2/3 innings on Friday against the Blue Jays, though he didn't factor in the decision. "This has nothing personal to do with Daniel," said Orioles pitching coach Ray Miller.

Eric Davis -- UP -- Orioles' "electric player" is a leading candidate to become club's second consecutive AL Player of the Month. When the competition is Albert Belle, chances look good. Davis is making a case for 1999.Kevin Malone -- EVEN -- Pat Gillick and Ray Miller have lobbied for his promotion to GM, but nothing is ever that simple in the warehouse. Structural issues remain, and Malone continues to toil without a contract.Jimmy Key -- DOWN -- Thursday's three-inning effort in Detroit answered few questions.

Five yard dates to circleTexas, July 27: Texas Instruments Calc. NightRafael Palmeiro, the most productive free agent in Orioles history, returns to Camden Yards for the first time since accepting -- then abruptly rejecting -- Peter Angelos' five-year, $50 million offer for the Rangers' $45 million package. (Too much deferred money and Maryland state taxes with the Orioles' bid, sayeth Raffy.) In a goodwill gesture, Angelos offers Palmeiro free use of Cal Ripken's underground parking space for the series.

Orioles chief operating officer Joe Foss will conclude the initial phase of his general manager's search early this week when he interviews Chicago White Sox assistant GM Dan Evans, according to club sources.The process will then accelerate, as up to three of five candidates might return to interview with majority owner Peter Angelos. The successor to Pat Gillick will likely be named before the World Series, which starts Oct. 17.This week's maneuvering apparently won't be limited to the front office.

Orioles right fielder Albert Belle broke three months of media silence yesterday by saying that some of his teammates "quit" on former manager Ray Miller. Belle also commended ousted general manager Frank Wren for not enforcing a "double standard" toward third baseman Cal Ripken that ostensibly contributed to Wren's firing last Wednesday.Appearing on "Time Out with John Thompson" on Washington's WTEM-AM SportsTalk 980, Belle told the former Georgetown coach that the Orioles should hire bench coach Eddie Murray as Miller's successor and Toronto Blue Jays assistant GM Dave Stewart, New York Yankees special assistant Reggie Jackson or broadcaster Dave Winfield as their next general manager.

O's free fall no surpriseI am not surprised by the Orioles' pitiful self-destruction. I expected it. I must admit it is a surprise at how early in the season they fell apart. I figured they'd get to July before the implosion, but May?You can't blame the GMs. They have no real authority. Ray Miller is a lousy manager (Tom Kelly got the Twins to the World Series really fast after Miller was canned), but it's not all his fault, either. The players may be old, slow, tired and lazy, but they're just the guys that management put out there to begin with.

On September 22, 2005, RAY MILLER of Port Deposit, MD., beloved husband of Carol N. Miller (nee Nichols) loving son of Walter Duffy and the late Helen Dorothy Mc Kiernan Miller, devoted father of Sean P. Miller, loving brother of John M. Miller, Joseph A. Miller, Timothy J. Miller, Mary Ellen Beechener, Patricia A Warnagiris, Kathleen A. Brown, Janet M. Goldscher and Nancy M. Dysard. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Mark Catholic Church, Fallston, MD on Tuesday, September 27 at 10 A.M. Interment will be in Mt Zion U.M.C.