Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 31, 1995 TAG: 9510310085
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BALTIMORE LENGTH: Medium
The former Cincinnati Reds manager received a three-year contract, the terms of which were not disclosed.
``It sure feels great to be home and I consider this home,'' said Johnson, who played second base for Baltimore from 1965-72. ``It's a dream come true.
``I felt like I was the man for the job, that I was the perfect fit,'' said Johnson, 52, who was introduced at a news conference at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Cincinnati earlier Monday formally introduced Ray Knight as its manager.
Johnson interviewed for the Orioles job in October 1994, but was passed over in favor of Phil Regan. Johnson returned to Cincinnati, where he guided the Reds to the National League Central Division title. Regan, meanwhile, was fired after guiding the Orioles to a 71-73 record.
Johnson is the team's fourth manager in six years. In the past 12 years, the Orioles have gone through three owners, two general managers and six field managers.
The Orioles haven't made the playoffs since 1983, when a 23-year-old shortstop named Cal Ripken caught a line drive to end a five-game World Series victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Johnson has not yet assembled a coaching staff, but he said it would include some familiar faces to Baltimore.
``The more ties you have to Baltimore, the better I like it,'' he said.
Johnson owns the best winning percentage (.576) among active managers and took the 1986 New York Mets to a World Series title. He averaged 96 victories in six seasons with the Mets.
He enjoyed success in Cincinnati, too, but owner Marge Schott wanted to go in another direction and Johnson was eager to get a job in the town where he enjoyed his best days as a player.
Johnson participated in four World Series with the Orioles and has championship rings from 1966 and 1970.
Although the hiring of Johnson fills one void, the Orioles still are in the market for a general manager to replace Roland Hemond, who resigned on the same day owner Peter Angelos fired Regan.
Regan, who had a two-year contract, will receive $350,000 from the Orioles if he does not find another job. He was dismissed Oct.20, three days after Johnson met with Angelos to discuss the manager's job.
The Orioles had hoped to introduce Johnson and their general manager at the same time, but the search for a GM has taken longer than expected. Former Montreal Expos general manager Kevin Malone is considered the front-runner for the job, although Angelos has not yet closed the interviewing process.
Keywords:
BASEBALL
by CNB