SARASOTA—It’s been nearly 19 years since Sam Perlozzo was in an Orioles dugout. On Saturday, Perlozzo, who managed the team for 288 games from 2005-2007, was in the dugout, watching a new generation of Orioles.
The 75-year-old Perlozzo was in the major leagues for 26 years as a coach and manager. He was an Orioles’coach from 1996-2005, serving as third base and bench coach under four managers — Davey Johnson, Ray Miller, Mike Hargrove and Lee Mazzilli.
Perlozzo succeeded Mazzilli in August 2005 and managed until June 18th, 2007 when he was replaced by Dave Trembley.
He coached for the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners and the Philadelphia Phillies. Perlozzo also worked in the Minnesota Twins’ minor league organization as an instructor until 2020.
Manager Craig Albernaz called him before spring training to invite him to camp as a guest instructor. Albernaz enjoyed having Perlozzo with the team over the weekend.
“We’re excited to have Sam,” Albernaz said. “When we were going over the guest coaches, and I asked if there were any former coaches that were around and Sam’s name was a slam dunk. It’s awesome to have him here, just talk ball with him.”
When Perlozzo was with the Orioles, they trained in Fort Lauderdale in cramped and aged facilities, but he still feels a kinship with the Orioles
“If I go into the Hall of Fame, I’ll go in as Baltimore,” he joked. “I don’t know very many of those players at all, so I go around and give the infield players the talk, I listen to them, and we both learn a little as we go.”
Perlozzo, who lives in Clearwater, occasionally attends Tampa Bay Rays games during the season at the urging of his wife, Beth. He likes what he sees from the current Orioles.
“Obviously, I don’t know a whole lot of people, but what I see and what I think is going to take hold, stay away from injuries, and you’re going to have some fun in this town,” Perlozzo said.
Perlozzo didn’t know Albernaz before this weekend, and he likes what he sees.
‘He’s not a bit bashful to do anything. That’s my impression,” Perlozzo said. “He goes in. He talks to you. He gives you a chance to do your own thing, which is the sign of a good manager. I don’t see any fear in his eyes. The players are going to have some fun with him.”
Albernaz asked Perlozzo if he would take the lineup card to home plate on Saturday. He declined. “I wasn’t going to get tossed out the first game,” he joked.
It was an enjoyable weekend for a manager, who did his best back when the Orioles didn’t have the resources or facilities they have now.
“It was a fun team. It was a great time with great players,” he said. “I’m tickled to be here. I have learned about how to watch a ballgame. I’m not sure I have all the [new] rules down.”
Turning day into night
Major league teams play most of their regular-season games at night and play nearly all their spring training games during the day.
The Orioles won’t play any night games until March 15th, and then play four of their final seven games in Florida at night. They’ll play two more day games in Baltimore and Washington on March 22nd and 23rd before beginning the season on March 26th.
“I think it’s easier because you sleep in,” Albernaz said of the change from night to day “There’s always an adjustment period. For our guys, it’s making sure they’re attacking each day the same. When you make the adjustment, the sleep cadence is off. For night games, especially coming off a day schedule in spring training, everyone is just organically up earlier. We’re just making sure they’re mindful of what they’re doing before they come in and what that looks like.
“There’s always an adjustment period, and that’s something we’re prepared for, and luckily we have next week we have a few night games as well, so they kind of get back in that cadence of the schedule. That last week should be beneficial for us.”
Seven of their first nine regular-season games are during the day.
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