BALTIMORE — Forced to choose between friendship and pinstripes, Leo Mazzone went with his heart.

After being wooed by the New York Yankees, the esteemed pitching coach agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles, the team managed by his best friend, Sam Perlozzo.

Mazzone leaves Atlanta, where he had six Cy Young Award winners and nine 20-game winners during a 15 ½-year run with the Braves. The move unites Perlozzo, hired as manager earlier this month, with Mazzone, who served as best man at his wedding.

"The reason I'm coming to Baltimore is because Sam Perlozzo is the manager," Mazzone said in a conference call yesterday.

A West Virginia native, the 57-year-old Mazzone was raised in Cumberland, Md., where he grew up with Perlozzo. Mazzone's parents still live in Maryland, yet another factor in his decision to leave Atlanta and spurn a generous offer from the Yankees, who are seeking to replace pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre.

"It was very tempting. When I was a young boy, I grew up idolizing Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford," Mazzone said. "But the bottom line for me is to be with Sam Perlozzo and the Baltimore Orioles in my home state."

He will be paid well for his services. Although terms of the contract were not released, Mazzone will receive a significant raise over the reported $250,000 he was making under his year-to-year arrangement with the Braves.

"I talked to Leo and I think he's going home and that's a big thing if a guy can do that," Atlanta manager Bobby Cox said. "I think it's a good situation for him."

Under Mazzone, the Braves' pitching staff finished first or second in the National League in earned-run average in 12 of the last 14 seasons.

In return for allowing the Orioles to talk with Mazzone, the Braves received minor-league pitcher Moises Hernandez. The 21-year-old was 0-4 with a 3.08 earned-run average at Class A Aberdeen.

• The agent for Manny Ramirez said Thursday that if the Boston slugger asks to be traded this winter, or if the Red Sox decide to pursue a trade of the outfielder, Ramirez's first choice will be to go to the Los Angeles Angels.

"As long as he's under contract, his loyalty is to the Red Sox," agent Greg Genske said.

Genske also said Ramirez would welcome a trade to Cleveland.

• Orel Hershiser, 47, one of the key members of the Los Angeles Dodgers' 1988 World Series championship team, will interview for the club's vacant managerial job, general manager Paul DePodesta said.

• The Detroit Tigers hired Chuck Hernandez as pitching coach, completing new manager Jim Leyland's staff. Hernandez, 44, spent the last two seasons as pitching coach with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.