No doubt he's smart guy and by all accounts a decent guy as well.
His demeanor leaving Baltimore was a tad childish "what about me?" kind of stuff. Nothing that most other players wouldn't do also, but just completely at odds with "the Oriole way".
We really thought he was in the Brooks Robinson, Jim Palmer, Cal Ripken mold, that is, a lifer here in Baltimore, guys that come up through the system, move their families here, dig roots, and end their careers here. In other words, different from the more mercenary, free agent hopping around that defines the sport now.
We were wrong, but that's our problem, not his.
His demeanor leaving Baltimore was a tad childish "what about me?" kind of stuff. Nothing that most other players wouldn't do also, but just completely at odds with "the Oriole way". (the rest snipped for space)
Thanks for your response. The irony about Mussina, which I'm sure you're aware of, is that he came to the Yankees, in no small part, to get a WS ring, and the Yankees haven't won a WS since he joined the team four years ago!
Anyhow, Mussina sometimes isn't the Yankee way, either. Gary Sheffield is already a fan favorite in his first season because he's physically and mentally tough, and has been playing for most of the year with a shoulder that is in bad, bad shape. Yankee fans (and The Boss) like that kind of warrior mentality, as opposed to Mussina whining about his routine getting messed up. To his credit, Mike has calmed down on the whining in the second half of this year, thank goodness, but people don't forget that he can be a bit of a crybaby.
Anyhow, I think the Oriole Way ended for good, sad to say, when Angelos took over the team. He's one of the worst owners in baseball, and he's ruined the traditions of a once-proud team. The Orioles didn't win every year, but they used to contend nearly every year. Those days are gone, and it's a real shame.