resignation and say he would not have to pay me next year. He got back to me basically and said he accepted my resignation, gave me a couple of reasons and signed off.
“You know, the money really didn’t enter into it. To me, it was best for the Orioles and the Orioles organization. Mr. Angelos felt a change was in their best interest, so I didn’t want to let money to stand in the way either of him having to pay me or me hanging around to get it.
“I didn’t want to move on. I had a three-year contract — a commitment. We had a 90-minute talk a week before, and he was going to get back to me. I felt we had two good years and I didn’t really like being under review. I didn’t really know what ‘under review’ was. So I wanted him to either endorse me and support me or make a change, but let me know. He let me know.”
The public relations side of the war between Davey Johnson and Peter Angelos was so vitriolic, that the media literally was used as the emissary and mouthpiece. After holding the most unique press conference in the history of Major League Baseball – a ‘Manager of The Year’ announcing his accepted resignation – Johnson fired off a letter that was published in its entirety in The Washington Post right next to the fax that Angelos sent to the newspaper.
Here’s the text of Davey Johnson’s full letter:
Dear Peter:
Since I have been unable to contact you by telephone, I am writing to let you know that Susan and I will be out of town for the next two weeks on a vacation planned long ago.
Despite our differences, I hope you realize the depth of my commitment to the Baltimore Orioles and the City of Baltimore. While I believe that your position relative to the Alomar fine and Carson Scholars Fund is intended more for public relations than true disapproval, I nonetheless respect the fact that you were not apprised of my desire to direct the Alomar fine to the Carson Scholars.
As I would hope you realize, the only reason which I, as manager of the Club, issue fines to players for failure to conform to Club rules and policies is for the ultimate benefit of you, as an owner. It has always been my belief that players must respect the authority of the manager and ownership and recognize that, regardless of their status as a player, their behavior must comport with certain standards.
While I do not believe that there was any conflict of interest or impropriety in requesting the fine proceeds be directed to a charity with which my wife was involved, I recognize in retrospect that such direction could create the appearance of impropriety and that the better practice would dictate leaving decisions related to directing such funds to you as Chief Executive Officer of the Orioles.
Notwithstanding our differences related to this issue, I must say that your indifference to the work I have performed over the last two years in guiding the Orioles to the playoffs and in delivering a wire-to-wire Division Championship is discouraging, to say the least. Your apparent lack of regard for my management skills and for me as a person is reflected in your statements to the press and the front office staff that my status as manager is “under review.”
My only wish is to help you and the other owners do what is best for the Baltimore Orioles and the City of Baltimore. If, in your judgment, the best course of action for the Orioles is to replace me as manager, then I would be willing to offer my resignation and forfeit my entitlement to compensation pursuant to the terms of my contract in 1998, provided you accept my resignation today so as to allow me to pursue other opportunities. In return, I ask that my outstanding expenses be paid in a timely fashion together with your commitment to not block the efforts of any other Clubs who might have an interest in my services as a field manager.
The uncertainty related to my status, coupled with the intense media interest has been difficult for me and my family. Although I can appreciate that you have many important matters which occupy your time and attention, I do feel that I am entitled to be treated with a modicum of respect and that this matter should be resolved promptly.
Please let me know by day’s end whether you wish to accept my offer of resignation. If not for my interest, then for the Club and the fans, it’s time to put this matter to bed.
Very truly yours,
David A. Johnson.
P.S. Susan and I will be leaving at approximately 3 p.m. After that time, please feel free to leave word for me with Skip Dalton. Thanks.
***
Here’s the text from the Peter G. Angelos fax:
Dear Davey:
In my considered judgment, it would clearly be in the best interests of the Orioles’ organization for a change of field manager for 1998. Therefore, I accept your letter of resignation, faxed to me today, and the conditions therein set forth in
