If all plays out as predicted, the staff will have a distinctly Seattle flavor next year - Presley, Adair, Wakamatsu. Hope it works out better in Baltimore than it did in Seattle!

Is Rick Jerry's son?

No, he's not, but he does have major league connections.

He is the nephew of Billy Martin's drinking buddy, Art Fowler and a cousin of former SS Wayne Tolleson.

An article about Rick Adair from last March: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/larrystone/2011373021_stone18.html

Dan -- Based on the article provided by "Attila the Hon" (big thumbs-up on a great read) Adair looks like an amazing catch for the Orioles; in fact, from what I've read there and elsewhere, he could easily be the pitching coach.

Seattle made a big mistake in firing him. Now the O's will have the equivalent of two top notch coaches working with the staff; let's just hope they'll work together well. Here's a column that adds to what Attila's article had to say about Adair.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/jerrybrewer/2009456832_brewer12.html

I have a question concerning your article announcing the Adair and JimPresley signings. At one point you mention that Buck Showalter would neither confirm or deny them, which, of course, is normal operating procedure before an official announcement has been made.

My question is this: In situations like that why do you and probably every other reporter even bother to ask the question, knowing beforehand that the answer, in so many words, is going to be "no comment"? After all, in your case, you've been covering the O's for a decade, so you can't say it's your first rodeo. : ) Thanks.

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Ken:
Excellent question. It's a little journalism trick that both the interviewer and interviewee understand. If a subject denies a report, he/she is saying it isn't true. But sometimes he/she feels it is not their place to confirm it, even though it could be (or is) true. That's often the case with "neither confirm nor deny." It's often a way for the subject to say "you're not wrong, but I can't say you're not wrong." It's also a way of showing the reader that the interviewer did attempt to ask the question. Because the "no comment" or whatever is often fairly telling. Hope that makes sense.

It appears that Buck has either hired or is intent on hiring the entire Seattle Mariners coaching staff.

Considering that the Ms were one of the very few teams as bad or even worse than we were, why would he possibly put so much faith in these guys?

Dan -- Thanks for clarifying; it does make sense. I figured part of the reason was to show readers that an effort had been made. More importantly, it gives us as much information as you and Buck are able to provide under the circumstances.

Has Billy Ripken been considered for "ANY" of the open positions?

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Yes, he has.