Angelos is making a mess in Baltimore

"According to team sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity, he [Angelos] showed up minutes before the Orioles made their first-round pick in the June 7 amateur draft, and vetoed the front office's selection not once, but twice -- first nixing Florida State shortstop Stephen Drew, then Redan (Ga.) High School shortstop Chris Nelson, and mandating that the team select a college pitcher, which it did by taking Rice's Brad Townsend."

and

"Angelos was investigating the feasibility of trying to void Ponson's contract based on the "loyalty" clause in the Major League Uniform Player's Contract that requires a player to "keep himself in first-class physical condition," among other things. "

Unfortunately this is no longer going anywhere meaning the O's are stuck with Ponson.

It also seems the Mazzilli is losing control over his team.

"There's been some high school stuff that's gone on around here," one Orioles veteran said. Of Mazzilli, the player said, "He's gotten a free ride [from the media], and it's been noticed in [the clubhouse]."

and

"...two veteran Orioles, neither of whom would agree to be identified, said last week that Mazzilli has lost the clubhouse."

Sounds like the O's will have a new manager by the start of 2005.