Former Orioles manager Davey Johnson dies at 82

Davey Johnson never lacked confidence or brought into question who was in charge during his tenure as a major league manager.

Asked one day in Baltimore to predict an outcome involving his team, Johnson grinned and said, “I always bet on me.” It became one of his most famous quotes.

Johnson informed the media in 1996 of his plans to shift future Hall of Famer and baseball Iron Man Cal Ripken Jr. from shortstop to third base. Ripken found out about it after reporters gathered at his locker.

The move lasted six games. Manny Alexander failed his audition, Ripken went back to short – unhappy with the way Johnson handled it but never complaining about it publicly – and the Orioles made the playoffs.

They signed shortstop Mike Bordick as a free agent over the winter, Ripken returned to third and the Orioles went wire-to-wire to win the division.

The Orioles will celebrate the 30^th anniversary of Ripken breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games streak later today. Lots of former Orioles were invited, including teammates from Johnson’s 1996-97 teams. But the organization also will mourn the passing of Johnson, who died yesterday at age 82.

Johnson, who lived in central Florida, had been in failing health for several years.

Johnson’s roots with the Orioles run much deeper than managing, of course. He made his major league debut with them in 1965, went to three consecutive All-Star Games and won three straight Gold Gloves at second base over his eight seasons. His run with the team ended with a November 1972 trade to the Braves for young catcher Earl Williams, who was one of the bigger busts in franchise history given the cost, which also included pitchers Pat Dobson and Roric Harrison and catcher Johnny Oates.

Always set on having the last word, Johnson produced a career-high 43 home runs and 99 RBIs in 1973, made another All-Star team and finished 13^th in Most Valuable Player voting in the National League. But the trade freed up second base for Bobby Grich, back when the Orioles didn’t have room for top prospects on the major league roster.

Orioles teammates nicknamed Johnson “Dum-Dum” in irony, because he was known for his high intellect and analytical nature. He was way before his time.

Johnson lasted only two seasons as manager after his disappointment at being passed over for Phil Regan in 1995. The Orioles corrected that mistake, but Johnson was fired or resigned, depending on who’s telling the story.

A dispute arose between Johnson and owner Peter Angelos over the handling of a $10,500 fine levied against second baseman Roberto Alomar. Johnson departed on the same day that he was named AL Manager of the Year.

Johnson instructed Alomar to pay the fine with a check to a charity which his wife Susan served as a fundraiser. Alomar sent the money to a different charity based on advice given by players’ union lawyers, Angelos publicly admonished Johnson, and the manager faxed over his resignation after expressing doubts that he’d return.

Pitching coach Ray Miller was named manager and the Orioles didn’t return to the postseason until 2012 under Buck Showalter.

The Mets won the 1986 World Series with Johnson in the dugout. He also managed the Reds, Dodgers and Nationals, the latter from 2011-13. His final record over 17 seasons was 1,372-1,071.

On a personal note, Johnson was my first manager after I joined the Orioles beat with The Baltimore Sun in 1997. We got along about as well as a newbie possibly could, but it wasn't a smooth introduction.

After reading one of my first game stories – if not my first – and taking exception with a sentence referencing a reliever being ready in the bullpen but Johnson sticking with his starter, he pulled me aside after his daily media dugout scrum and reminded me that I always could ask him about a strategic move. He said it in a friendly voice but his message was clear. Don't second-guess the manager until you have all of the facts.

Later, while in his office with a Sun columnist and reporter, Johnson uttered what also would become one of his most famous lines:

"That Rocco is so far over his head."