Baltimore Orioles Manager Dave Trembley Will Return Next Season

BALTIMORE (AP) _ Dave Trembley will return next season as manager of the Baltimore Orioles. <br/><br/>The Orioles scheduled a news conference for Wednesday afternoon to announce that Trembley, who took

Wednesday, August 22nd 2007, 11:03 am

By: News On 6

BALTIMORE (AP) _ Dave Trembley will return next season as manager of the Baltimore Orioles.

The Orioles scheduled a news conference for Wednesday afternoon to announce that Trembley, who took over for fired manager Sam Perlozzo on June 18, will retain the position entering the 2008 season, said Andy MacPhail, president of baseball operations for the team.

MacPhail declined to comment further until the news conference.

Trembley was assured July 31 that he would be allowed to finish the current season. The team considered the possibility of conducting a managerial search during the offseason, but Trembley's no-nonsense manner and surprising success earned him an extended look.

Baltimore had lost eight consecutive games and had a 29-40 record when Perlozzo was dismissed. Under Trembley, the Orioles were 29-25 through Tuesday and had not lost more than three in a row.

The 55-year-old Trembley spent the last four of his 20 years as minor league manager in the Baltimore organization. He was hired to be the bullpen coach this season, but before Perlozzo was fired, Trembley served as bench coach on occasion while Tom Trebelhorn returned to Arizona to tend to his ailing wife.

MacPhail attempted to hire Joe Girardi as manager the same week that Perlozzo was fired. After Girardi rejected a three-year contract, MacPhail said he would suspend his search for a manager at least until July 31.

At that point, he decided to stick with Trembley ``partially based on the respect the players have given him. I wanted somebody that would have our team prepared, give a strong effort and have a high energy level. I'm pleased with all those things.''

Trembley insists that the team stretch together, with no exceptions. He has built a close rapport with the players, but makes it clear that his decisions are final.

``The players have really bought into what we're trying to do here,'' he said on July 31. ``I have a lot of respect for the game and I have a lot of respect for the people that are giving us this opportunity.''