BALTIMORE -- Rick Kranitz was hired as the Baltimore Orioles
pitching coach Wednesday, replacing Leo Mazzone.
Kranitz was the pitching coach for the Florida Marlins the past
two seasons. The organization wanted to retain him for next year
but he wanted to explore other options, and wasn't with the club
for the final six games of this season.
Kranitz worked with Orioles manager Dave Trembley and president
of baseball operations Andy MacPhail in the Chicago Cubs
organization.
"I wanted a nice working atmosphere, and this couldn't be a
better fit for me," Kranitz said. "I know we're going to be able
to improve."
Kranitz takes over for Mazzone, who was fired last week with one
year left on his three-year contract. Kranitz inherits a young
staff that finished second-to-last in the majors in ERA in each of
the past two seasons.
"I'm looking forward to working with young players. We had a
whole host of them in Florida," he said.
Florida's 4.37 team ERA in 2006 was fifth-best in the NL. The
Marlins were plagued by injuries this year and slipped to a 4.94
ERA this year, tied for worst in the league.
Kranitz spent the past two seasons as pitching coach for the
Marlins after a 22-year run as a coach and instructor in the Cubs
organization. Trembley managed in the Cubs farm system from
1994-2002.
"Obviously I'm thrilled today that he would accept the job,"
Trembley said. "He brings a level of expertise in mechanics and
has the ability to adapt to all different styles."