Buck Showater remembers Don Baylor (and other notes)

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he was asked to take part in a pre-game ceremony tonight honoring the life of Dan Baylor.

The former Oriole and Angel passed away today at 68 after a 14-year battle with multiple myeloma. Baylor spent six of his 19 seasons with the Orioles after they selected him in the second round of the 1967 draft. He was named American League Most Valuable Player with the Angels in 1979, his team losing to the Orioles in the AL Championship Series. Baylor wore the uniforms of 14 MLB teams as either a player, coach or manager.

Baylor is survived by his wife, Rebecca (Becky), son Don Edward Jr., brother Doug; sister Connie and granddaughters Brooklyn and Nola Bee.

"He was a big part of a lot of good Orioles teams," Showalter said. "I didn't realize how many teams he had been with. He impacted a lot of people's lives. People talk about him reverentially as a hitting coach and a manager. A competitive guy. All the things you remember about Baylor, sliding into second base is what I remember the most.

"He was something else. Talk about what they look like? He had a great presence about him. I remember exchanging lineup cards with the Rockies. You felt very inadequate around him physically. I couldn't imagine what second baseman and shortstops felt like with him bearing down on them."

On other topics, Showalter said he is not necessarily looking for a certain way to use Chris Tillman out of the bullpen. But he almost used him Sunday.

"He's going to have to pitch," he said "I'm not going out of my way to look for one. I know what it is going to look like. But sometimes the other team doesn't cooperate. I'll tell you, if he had one more day's rest I might have pitched him yesterday."

Showalter said Mark Trumbo is expected to come off the disabled list when he is eligible to rejoin the roster for Wednesday's game here.

"He had a good day today. Looks like Wednesday is going to happen. He was out here early (for hitting)," he said.

Meanwhile, Ryan Flaherty's time on an injury rehab assignment has about a week to go. He hasn't played for the Orioles since May 18 and has been on the DL retroactive to May 19 with a right shoulder strain. He went 4-for-4 and was on base six times for Double-A Bowie and is batting .375 (9-for-24) in seven games. The Baysox are idle tonight.

"I know he is off today. His last day (with the rehab assignment) is the 15th. I know he played left field last night. He is progressing well. Arm is getting better every day. Getting used to throwing again," Showalter said.

The Orioles have to add Anthony Santander when his rehab assignment is up as he is a Rule 5 pick. Flaherty could be optioned to the minors or added to the Orioles when his is up.