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Posted at 8:50 a.m., Sunday, September 30, 2007

Baseball: Orioles dismiss Trebelhorn as bench coach

By David Ginsburg
Associated Press

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles began an offseason of change today by firing bench coach Tom Trebelhorn, who spent 12 years with the organization.

The decision was made by Dave Trembley, who inherited Trebelhorn after replacing Sam Perlozzo as manager on June 18.

"We're going to do what we feel we have to do in order to change the face and identity of this team, (so) we're going in another direction," Trembley said. "I can't say that Treb is not coming back because he didn't work hard or he doesn't have knowledge. That's not the case. I'm going to bring in somebody else."

The Orioles will also replace first base coach Sam Mejias, Trembley said.

A decision on the other coaches will probably come before the team holds its organizational meeting on Oct. 8.

Pitching coach Leo Mazzone, who was also brought in by Perlozzo, wants to come back and stay long after his contract expires in October 2008.

"I want to go until I'm 62, and I hope the rest of the way it's in a Baltimore uniform," said Mazzone, who turns 59 on Oct. 16. "I mean this place, it's my home state and this is one of the greatest sports towns in the United States."

Trebelhorn also wanted to come back. He had the blessing of his wife, who is recovering from a stroke. But Trebelhorn's seven-year stay in Baltimore is over.

"They're going to make changes and changes are part of this business. Do I agree with the change? No," he said.

Trebelhorn managed the Milwaukee Brewers from 1986-91 and the Chicago Cubs in 1994. He joined the Orioles in 1996 as coordinator of minor league instruction, became director of player development in 1999 and was named to the big league coaching staff in 2000. This was his first season as bench coach.

Trebelhorn wasn't optimistic of getting a job offer from another team.

"I don't suspect there will be a lot of openings. And I'm 60 years old," he said. "We'll see. I've got a beach house I want to buy in Oregon. I might ... just head up to Oregon and hit fungos to the sea gulls."