Orioles Hire Mazzilli As Manager

Friday, November 7th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BALTIMORE (AP) _ Lee Mazzilli was hired to manage the Baltimore Orioles, The Associated Press learned Friday, joining a team he helped beat regularly as the New York Yankees' first base coach.

Mazzilli was to be introduced officially in a news conference at Camden Yards, according to an Orioles team source speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Mazzilli, 48, has never managed in the major leagues. During his four seasons with the Yankees, New York won the AL East every season and Baltimore finished fourth.

Before that, Mazzilli managed for three years in the Yankees' farm system. He played for five major league teams over 14 seasons, including a stint with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he became friends with Mike Flanagan, now the Orioles vice president of baseball operations.

Flanagan and Orioles vice president Jim Beattie interviewed eight candidates to replace fired manager Mike Hargrove, who endured four straight losing seasons.

Flanagan, Beattie and Mazzilli's agent could not be reached immediately for comment Friday.