How cool is this? Andy MacPhail grew up rooting for the Orioles and now he's the team's president of baseball operations. What's more, what was supposed to be a slow, character-building (for fans, that is) rebuilding process seems to be ahead of schedule. We caught up with the chief Bird to get a progress report.
Where did you go to school?
Friends School into the sixth grade in Baltimore. Went to college up the road in Carlisle, PA—Dickinson College.
What book or film most changed your life?
I don't think it changed my life, but the novel A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin has always stayed with me. Helps keep things in perspective during a losing streak.
Who is your favorite Baltimorean, living or dead?
Babe Ruth. I wish we had him in his prime now.
What is the best advice you ever got?
From my father, "If you knew how few times people thought about you, you'd be less concerned what they thought of you."
What was your favorite Smalltimore moment?
I was sitting in the stands during a game when I ran into a guy who went to camp Happy Hollow with me when I was in the third grade.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Beating my two teenage sons in any type of sporting activity. Unfortunately, it does not occur very often anymore, and I'm down to sports that require little movement like pool and horse.
If you could write Baltimore's motto, what would it be?
Come see our Birds!
By the time this story runs, it'll be just past the trade deadline. Care to predict the future?
Hopefully, we didn't do anything stupid.
The fans have really taken to Dave Trembley. Why do you think that is?
He is honest, genuine, and doesn't take himself too seriously. He has a sincere appreciation for our fans and respects our game. Not much there not to like.
Any advice for O's fans who feel drowned out by Boston fans when the Sox are in town?
I'm not offended when they are in our park. It brings revenue into our city, which is a real plus. Our job is to keep them from having too much to cheer about while they are here.
You rooted for the O's as a kid. Have you met anyone whose baseball card you used to collect?
Boog Powell. He is not as tall in real life as I remembered him as a kid, but it was still fun to run into him.
