Mazzone has 'awkward' return to Turner Field

<p>Bobby Cox had a simple game plan for Leo Mazzone's return to Atlanta Friday night.</p><p>Cox said he was simply going to keep his focus on the field and away from the visitor's dugout.</p><p>"I'm not going to look over there," Cox said. "I'll get dizzy watching him rock."</p><p>For 15 years, Mazzone _ famous for his nervous rocking in the dugout _ was Cox's pitching coach in Atlanta. The two helped keep the Braves atop their division in 14 straight completed seasons.</p><p>But after last season Mazzone left the Braves to join manager Sam Perlozzo, a childhood friend and Orioles manager.</p><p>Friday was Mazzone's first return to Atlanta, and from the beginning he said it was not the same being a visitor in Turner Field.</p><p>"You look at this stadium, you look ... I have some of the greatest memories in the world that have been provided to me by the Atlanta Braves," Mazzone said before the game.</p><p>"That will never go away. They all come back when you walk in the stadium. If you think I don't feel awkward sitting in this dugout right now, I do."</p><p>It was obvious to Perlozzo that Mazzone wasn't comfortable.</p><p>"I think the funniest thing is he didn't know how to get to the visitor's clubhouse," Perlozzo said.</p><p>Added Mazzone: "I came in through the visitor's parking lot. I didn't actually know where it was. I had never been in the visitors' clubhouse."</p><p>The Braves and Orioles each have struggled this season, especially on the mound. The Braves rank 10th in the NL with a 4.65 ERA. Baltimore's 5.15 staff ERA ranks 29th in the majors.</p><p>Orioles catcher Javy Lopez, the former longtime Braves catcher, said the Braves' loss of Mazzone is only one reason the team entered Friday night's game only one-half game out of last place.</p><p>"It's all about chemistry," Lopez said. "Once the team breaks up, things can get unbalanced. Leo isn't the reason the Braves are doing what they're doing now, but he's a missing piece."</p><p>Mazzone said the Braves' record "would surprise you." But he added "Sooner or later, they're going to make a run at it."</p><p>As if planning to meet Mazzone halfway, Cox came out of the Braves dugout during batting practice and stood behind the batting cage, chatting with Perlozzo, Lopez and others. But Mazzone never joined the group, so Cox walked away after saying "Tell Leo I'll see him today or tomorrow."</p><p>It may not be easy for Mazzone to approach Cox.</p><p>"He's got a lot of emotions going on tonight," said Perlozzo of Mazzone.</p><p>Mazzone told reporters Friday he considers Cox to be a father figure, but both say Mazzone's exit still makes sense.</p><p>"Well, how could you refuse the contract?" Cox said, referring to the three-year deal that pays Mazzone $450,000 per year. The Braves only give coaches one-year deals.</p><p>Asked if the move to Baltimore has worked the way he planned, Mazzone said "Yes, yes, yes."</p><p>"We want to win more ballgames," he said. "But I've been a very, very fortunate man to have 15 years in this joint. And then when you do have a decision to make, or an emotional move, that Sam is in the dugout when you're going to make it. And that you're in your home state."</p><p>Mazzone, raised near Cumberland, Md., has returned to his childhood home, but the irony of the move is he still makes his offseason home in Georgia. He has kept his home in Cobb County, north of Atlanta, and said Friday he plans to build a new home in the area.</p><p>"I feel that Georgia's my home now," he said. "There's a lot of friends, a lot of great relationships over the years."</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2006/6/121330