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The Baltimore Sun from Baltimore, Maryland • Page C3

Publication:
The Baltimore Suni
Location:
Baltimore, Maryland
Issue Date:
Page:
C3
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

The Sun Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004: Page 3c Baseball Orioles set to make pitch for Pavano O's to get early start on 2005 ticket sales i Single-game seats on sale Dec. 11; prices won't go up By Ed Waldman SUN STAFF Pavano, from Page lc Shapiro added. "They may not have the big market of Boston or New York, but they've got an owner who is dedicated to winning and an organization with a great history. You go back to Brooks Robinson and those great teams they had, the fan base in Baltimore embraces their heroes." This is one of the reasons the Orioles have zeroed in on Pavano, 28, who spent the past 2 seasons with the Florida Marlins.

They like that he's doing his homework and isn't making a decision strictly based on who offers the best contract. Shapiro said Pavano wants to see the team's video equipment and training facilities, and he's eager to meet with Miller, who is flying from Ohio just to be there. To date, the Orioles have had no discussions regarding Boston's two free-agent pitchers, Pedro Martinez or Derek Lowe. They have expressed interest in other pitchers such as Brad Radke, Eric Milton, Matt Clement, Russ Ortiz and Jaret Wright but Pavano is the only one scheduled to take a tour. "I think there are a lot of good selling points here," Beattie said.

"The manager, the coaches, the city, the stadium, the fans." Beattie would not say whether the Orioles have made Pavano a formal offer, but the sides have had numerous conversations, and the team has said enough to make Pavano believe they'll be in his financial ballpark. Beyond that, it's a matter of convincing him they're the right fit. His tour, which Shapiro has dubbed "Carlapalooza," began last month when Pavano met with the Red Sox and dined with pitcher Curt Schilling. It resumes today, when Pavano and Shapiro head to Detroit for a visit with the Tigers. On Friday, they'll be in New York to speak with the Yankees.

Then, after spending Sunday and Monday night in Baltimore, they'll visit the Seattle Mariners and Anaheim Angels before the baseball winter meetings begin in Anaheim, on Dec. 10. believed a team in Washington would have a significant impact on the Orioles, indicated those changes might include modified ticket pricing or adding amenities for premium ticket buyers. But he doesn't see the competition as ultimately benefiting the fans. "The downside is that the Orioles will lose substantial resources to be able to field a better team," he said.

Last season, without the prod of competition, the Orioles didn't set their ticket prices until the last week in January, and individual game seats didn't go on sale until Feb. 7. At the time, the Orioles attributed the delay to the process of bringing their ticketing operation in-house. Dryer said the Orioles are using the extra time to provide better customer service. "Already, all of our reps are calling each of our season-ticket holders, making sure they are happy with their seats, if they want to move, if they want to upgrade, if they want to buy more seats, if they want to change plans," he said.

"That's something we really didn't have a lot of time to do last year." According to Dryer, Orioles owner Peter Angelos decided after the season that ticket prices would not be raised for 2005. In 2004, the Orioles increased attendance nearly 12 percent from 2003, drawing 2.75 million to Camden Yards for 80 dates, an average of 34,375. That increase, over 2003's 2.45 million, was the fifth-largest in team history. Dryer said that, at this point, it's impossible to measure what effect the Nationals will have on Baltimore's ticket sales. But, he said, the Orioles couldn't afford to squander their head start.

"It's not my job, it's not our department's job to worry about that," he said. "It's up to us to make sure that we're buttoned up, to take care of ourselves." Faced with direct competition for the first time in 33 years, the Orioles will put single-game tickets on sale Dec. 11 nearly two months earlier than they did last offseason. In addition, the team will not raise ticket prices for 2005. "We know that there's a different situation 30 miles south of here," Matt Dryer, Orioles senior director of advertising and promotions, said yesterday.

"We really don't know what to expect ticket-wise from that. Bottom line, we are buttoned-up, we are ready to roll. We feel very confident in our marketing plan." The recently relocated and rechristened Washington Nationals begin play April 14 at RFK Stadium. Because Major League Baseball didn't announce the move of the former Montreal Expos until Sept. 29, Nationals officials have been scrambling to hire staff, deal with getting RFK into shape, strike a radio deal and, oh yes, start the ticket-selling process.

As of yesterday, the Nationals had collected $300 non-refundable deposits for about 16,000 full season tickets the only plan on sale so far. Team officials said they hope to announce plans for selling partial season tickets this month and their plan for groups and single-game ticket sales by Jan. 1. "The Orioles have to be cognizant of competition in the marketplace that never existed before," said Marc Ganis, president of the Chicago-based consulting firm Sportscorp. "I suspect that this and other changes will ensue to try and help them compete with the Washington team." Ganis, who said he has always ALAN DIAZ ASSOCIATED PRESS Right-handed pitcher Carl Pavano has emerged as one of the Orioles' primary offseason targets.

Pavano was 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA last season in Florida and has a career record of 57-58. 3.00 ERA last season in Florida. His career record is 57-58. "I know him fairly well," Beat-tie said. "I have a sense of what he's gone through to get where he's at." And Shapiro already has a good working relationship with Angelos stemming from this summer, when Shapiro represented a group from Puerto Rico that was trying to acquire the Expos.

Pavano and Angelos recently spoke to each other directly. "I was on the phone with Mr. Angelos, and I put Carl on," Shapiro said. "I'm a huge fan of Angelos. He's a tremendous asset to that team." Notice, all the tour stops come in American League cities.

Pavano, a native of New Britain, who cut his teeth with the Montreal Expos, has pitched only in the National League. On Monday, the Orioles plan to show him potential housing options in the Baltimore area. "We want to get him out to show him parts of the city where the players live, and maybe even get him out of the city and show him how close the country is," Beattie said. "Of the players who come here, many end up living here because they like it." The Marlins have offered Pavano a three-year, $21 million deal, and there's a chance they could keep him if they add a fourth year and increase the salary. Other NL candidates include the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets.

Many industry sources consider Boston the favorite. The Red Sox have almost reached their limit on Martinez, with a three-year, $38 million offer. They will likely guarantee the third year of that deal no more and if he turns it down, they'll turn their focus to Pavano. The Orioles have some advantages. Beattie was the Expos' general manager when they acquired Pavano from the Red Sox in the 1997 trade that sent Martinez to Boston.

Pavano took his lumps before going 18-8 with a Orioles notebook In minor leagues, O's make major managerial changes Notes Yankees end R. Johnson quest FROM WIRE REPORTS All six affiliates will have new managers in 2005 By Roch Kubatko SUN STAFF II Receive a $15 rebate with purchase of Motorola T7100 FRSCMRS Radio. Requires mfrs. mail-in coupon. Expires 063005.

(M) MOTOROLA' jj; If YOUR CHOICE IMMD I 1 EXTREME SAVINGS! Mi Price After Mfrs. Rebate irk 88 irk 88 MBMA I IZ7 Pair I BN O's work behind scenes It doesn't appear the Orioles intend to jump into the bidding for free-agent pitcher Pedro Martinez or outfielder J.D. Drew, and pitcher Derek Lowe seems to have moved further off the club's radar as it focuses on Carl Pavano and Brad Radke. While other teams are grabbing headlines with signings, trades and publicized offers, the Orioles appear content to work behind the scenes. One agent predicted they'll be "followers instead of leaders" in the free-agent hunt, but they've engaged in substantive talks with representatives for Pavano and first baseman Carlos Delgado.

"There's been a lot of work done, a lot of contact with free agents and talks with agents," said Ed Kenney, director of baseball administration. The market for first baseman Richie Sexson apparently has widened with news that he would be willing to play left field. MINOR LEAGUE COACHES AAA Ottawa Lynx Manager: Dave Trembley Pitching coach: Steve McCatty Field coach: Dave Cash Trainer: P.J. Mainville Strengthconditioning coach: Joe Hogarty AA Bowie Baysox Manager: Don Werner Pitching coach: Larry McCall Field coach: Butch Davis Trainer: Mark Shires Strengthconditioning coach: John Selzler A Frederick Keys Manager: Bien Figueroa Pitching coach: Scott McGregor Field coach: Moe Hill Trainer: Trek Shuler Strengthconditioning coach: T.D. Swinford A Delmarva Shorebirds Manager: Gary Kendall Pitching coach: TBA Field coach: Orlando Gomez Trainer: Joe Benge Strengthconditioning coach: TBA A Aberdeen IronBirds Manager: Andy Etchebarren Pitching coach: Dave Schmidt Field coach: Cesar Devarez Trainer: Spencer Elliott Field coach: Cedric Landrum Strengthconditioning coach: TBA Trainer: Patrick Wesley Rookie Bluefield Orioles Manager: Jesus Alfaro Pitching coach: Larry Jaster Field coach: Len Johnston Field coach: Cedric Landrum Trainer: Patrick Wesley The New York Yankees pulled out of trade talks for Randy Johnson yesterday, telling the Arizona Diamondbacks their proposals for deals involving the five-time Cy Young Award winner were unreasonable, the Associated Press learned.

The Yankees' pullout ended weeks of discussions, a high-ranking baseball official told the AP on condition of anonymity. While talks appear done, they might not be over for good. But for now, the Yankees find Arizona's current asking price too high. Earlier this week, according to the official, New York proposed a deal that would send the Diamondbacks right-hander Javier Vazquez, pitching prospect Brad Halsey, a top pitcher the Yankees would have to obtain from another team and a significant amount of money, believed to be $12 million to $13 million. Arizona responded, the official said, by asking the Yankees for Vazquez, Halsey, setup man Tom Gordon and $18.5 million the difference between the $17 million Johnson is due for the remaining year in his contract and the $35.5 million Vazquez is owed in his deal, which has three seasons left.

Alternatively, the official said, the Diamondbacks told the Yankees they could remove Gordon from the deal and replace him with four prospects. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman did not return a telephone call seeking comment. MORE YANKEES: The Yankees owe the city of New York almost $3.6 million because the team underreported its revenue and overstated its allowable deductions, according to an audit released by New York City Comptroller William Thompson. The audit covered 2001 and 2002. Thompson said the team has agreed to pay about $2.5 million of the $3.59 million the comptroller says it owes.

ANGELS: Highly touted Cuban prospect Kendry Morales, 21, has reached agreement on a six-year contract. Morales, a switch-hitter, plays first base, third base and the outfield. All six of the Orioles' minor league affiliates will have new managers in 2005, with each replacement coming from within the organization. Dave Trembley has moved up from Double-A Bowie to Triple-A Ottawa, where he takes over for Tim Leiper, who was let go after one season. Don Werner, the former field coach at Single-A Delmarva, will manage the Baysox.

Bien Figueroa was named manager at Single-A Frederick after holding the same job last season with Delmarva, where Baltimore native Gary Kendall takes over. Andy Etchebarren will manage short-season Single-A Aberdeen after serving as roving catching instructor the past two years duties he will continue to perform until the New York-Penn League season begins in June. And Jesus Al-faro will manage Rookie-level Bluefield. Bowie was the only affiliate to post a winning record last season. In 2003, Trembley led the Baysox to a 13-game improvement from the previous year and was given the organization's Cal Ripken Sr.

Player Development Award. He has been a minor league manager for 18 seasons. Figueroa led Delmarva to a 69-69 record this year. Under his guidance in 2002, Bluefield went 45-23 and reached the Appalachian League finals. In other changes, Orlando Gomez joins the organization as field coach for the Shorebirds after spending the past two years as the Seattle Mariners' bullpen coach.

Dave Schmidt, who had been the roving pitching instructor, was named pitching coach at Aberdeen. Former catcher Cesar Devarez, who was with the Orioles in 1995 and '96, will serve as field coach. Don Buford, the former Orioles farm director who managed at Aberdeen last season, turned down an offer to stay in the organization and could end up on Frank Robinson's staff with the Washington Nationals. 11 Sale $34.88 Compare to Muneau- ajj, ivajv -p Motorola T7100 FRSCMRS Radio or 8X40 Binoculars SPECIAL PURCHASE! A $19.99 VALUE! $J88 Ugglpg88 fj 1 Brass Eagle Paintballs 500-count Red Head Travel Kit Ij'' SSHS I Bassps Truck 'Wii I 1 and Boat Sets 111 Choose from Avalanche with Bass Pro Shops 360 and 370 Tackle System Sr ATV jjBSfcS: COMPARE TO llfemington. -SIE? (SPECIAL PURCHASE! Bass Pro Shops iS1 -Sj Collectable Race Car Tinwith ammo -Jar 'i0f 8 car with Bass Pro Shops logo filled with 350 rounds jSi of Remington High Velocity .22 Long Rifle ammunition.

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