Mainer Beattie out as Baltimore’s VP

BALTIMORE – Jim Beattie won’t return in 2006 as executive vice president of the Baltimore Orioles, a move that could signify the beginning of wide-ranging shakeup in the wake of the team’s eighth straight losing season.

Beattie, a South Portland native who pitched at the University of Maine, told people Monday at a charity golf outing in the Baltimore area that he would not be back. His contract expires at the end of this month.

There was no word on the status of vice president Mike Flanagan, who worked with Beattie in the Orioles’ front office. It was also uncertain whether the Orioles would retain interim manager Sam Perlozzo, who took over for manager Lee Mazzilli on Aug. 4.