ATLANTA -- Roger McDowell has no trepidations about replacing Leo Mazzone. He's simply thrilled that his first opportunity to be a pitching coach at the Major League level will come with the Atlanta Braves.

The Braves announced Saturday night that McDowell is their new pitching coach. He'll fill the role vacated by Mazzone, who last week accepted an offer to become the Orioles' pitching coach.

"This is a tremendous opportunity," McDowell said. "It's a great honor to be given this chance with the Braves. Everybody knows about the success they've had with their pitching in the past 15 or 16 years."

McDowell, 44, spent the past two seasons as the pitching coach for the Las Vegas 51's, the Triple-A affiliate for the Dodgers. He ended a 12-year Major League career after the 1996 season and got back into the coaching ranks as the pitching coach for the Class A South Georgia Waves in 2002.

"We are absolutely thrilled to add Roger to our staff," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "He is one of the true up-and-coming teachers of the game."

McDowell came to Atlanta to interview for the job earlier this week. While he was also reportedly a candidate for the same position in Seattle, he said that his true preference was to land this job with the Braves.

Excluding two appearances, McDowell spent his entire Major League career as a reliever. He recorded a career-best 14 wins and 22 saves for the 1986 World Series champion Mets. He earned the win in Game 7 of that year's World Series against the Red Sox.

"He has a great knowledge of pitching and the reviews and evaluations we had on him were tremendous," Cox said. "Roger was a great competitor as a player -- he started, he relieved and he even fought through arm problems, so he comes in a with great level of experience that our pitchers will learn from."

McDowell's experience out of the bullpen could prove great dividends for young relievers like Joey Devine, Blaine Boyer and Macay McBride. During his four years as a Minor League pitching coach, he was given the task of developing young arms, and at the same time, helping struggling veterans at the Triple-A level.

"There are always going to be different personalities and different ways to deal with different pitchers," McDowell said. "I'm looking forward to getting to know the pitchers and start to work with them."

During Mazzone's tenure, which spanned from midway through the 1990 season through the end of this past season, the Braves developed a bit of a pitching dynasty. Just three times from 1992-2005 did they not produce the best or second-best ERA in the Majors.

With McDowell, the Braves may be able to provide more guidance with their inexperienced pitchers. Still somewhat young, he'll likely have more patience and the ability to relate with their personalities.

During McDowell's playing career, which included stints with the Mets, Dodgers, Orioles and Phillies, he developed a reputation for being somewhat of a clubhouse clown. Once during a game in 1991 with the Dodgers, he made himself part of a mariachi band. He also once wore his pants over his head and his shoes on his hands during a nationally-televised game.

When former Reds owner Marge Schott banned her players from wearing earrings in 1994, McDowell responded. He bought earrings for each of his Dodgers teammates for them to wear during a trip to Cincinnati. Manager Tommy Lasorda didn't allow his players to wear them on the field that day.