Yeah, and we have Adam Jones, Huff, Mora and Roberts batting very well, too. :yes:

^^i see huff leaving the team before the 2nd half of the season. rumor has it that the mets are interested in him....

^^i see huff leaving the team before the 2nd half of the season. rumor has it that the mets are interested in him....


I am also hearing these rumors in NYC. What Mets are the Os interest in? Pitcher? There are not getting Santana, although he's taking some heat lately on the airwaves. Lost again last night, but he's still 7-3, with a 2.0 ERA.

If by July, the O's are still hanging around the .500 mark, they should not trade him. He is a valuable piece in our offense.

I am also hearing these rumors in NYC. What Mets are the Os interest in? Pitcher? There are not getting Santana, although he's taking some heat lately on the airwaves. Lost again last night, but he's still 7-3, with a 2.0 ERA.7 wins before the all-star break and he's catching heat? really? sheez, the airwaves need to give the guy a break!

7 wins before the all-star break and he's catching heat? really? sheez, the airwaves need to give the guy a break!


The media in this town is tough. Three sports talk stations, the Yankees YES TV network and three daily papers. They all need material to write and talk about. It can get nasty. I was loving it when Texieria was getting early in the season, he was even booed in Yankee Stadium. Now he's on fire.

Went to the new Yankee Stadium twice already, will go again for the Os. It's a better place to watch the game than the former stadium. Site-lines are better from most seats. A Yankee fan I went with, criticized the place for many reasons. Basically he felt it doesn't respect the Yankee's hiastory. It has chinzy banners of its former greats in a great entrance hall. There is no statue of Babe Ruth in Babe Ruth Plaza. He noted that there is one in Baltimore, and praised Camden Yards for its statues commemorating our greats. Also Monument Park is hidden in centr field, because the planners didn't realize that it was in the sight-line of the batters.

One warning if any of you plan to go, food and drink are super-expensive. Bring in you own food, you can also bring in bottled water so long as it has not been open. A $1.00 bottle of water goes fro $5 inside. Beers are $8.50 and $9.00 from a vendor. Care to buy a round for your buddies? They take credit cards at the food stands.

hey any of you Nats season ticket holders go up to Nationals park yesterday for this movie theyr'e filming there with Owen Wilson and Reese Witherspoon? It's a romantic comedy movie, Owen Wilson plays a Nats pitcher and Reese plays his love interest. The Nats may be the worst team in the league but hey at least the park is getting some big time movie screen time :)

^^good news indeed!:okay:

which is more than I can say for Manny Acta who I hear is on his way out. I think it's a good move. There was never any urgency in his attitude, no drive, no hunger to win it seemed like. Plus that strange accent of his was weird.

which is more than I can say for Manny Acta who I hear is on his way out. I think it's a good move. There was never any urgency in his attitude, no drive, no hunger to win it seemed like. Plus that strange accent of his was weird.

horrible choice to fire him, hes going to make it big somewhere, if not in DC

which is more than I can say for Manny Acta who I hear is on his way out. I think it's a good move. There was never any urgency in his attitude, no drive, no hunger to win it seemed like. Plus that strange accent of his was weird."straight" accent? ummm, ok.:wtf:

Guthrie outduels Hamels as O's sweep Phils
O's starter allows one run in seven innings, paving way for club's fifth straight win
http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/photo/2009-06/47627193.jpg

PHILADELPHIA - Over three days here at Citizens Bank Park, Orioles manager Dave Trembley listened to both loud cheers and resounding boos directed at the Philadelphia Phillies, who just eight months ago captured a World Series championship.

When pinch hitter John Mayberry's bid to tie the game off George Sherrill died in front of the left-field warning track to secure the Orioles' 2-1 victory Sunday afternoon, Trembley heard something else from an announced 45,256 -- stunned silence.

"It was real quiet here after the final out," Trembley said, a wide smile stretching across his face. "This one was real sweet. This is a tremendous Father's Day. What a weekend."

The Orioles completed a satisfying and surprising three-game sweep of the defending champions as their much-maligned No.1 starter Jeremy Guthrie outdueled Phillies ace Cole Hamels and Brian Roberts plated the game-winning run for the second time in as many days.

A night after hitting a go-ahead, two-run homer in the ninth against the Phillies' de-facto closer Ryan Madson, Roberts lined a one-out single into center field off Hamels in the eighth inning to score Robert Andino and break the 1-1 deadlock.

What followed was more clutch bullpen work -- scoreless outings from Jim Johnson and George Sherrill -- and the Orioles' season-best tying fifth straight victory. In dealing Philadelphia its sixth straight defeat, the Orioles (32-37) clinched their first three-game road sweep in more than two years, won for the first time in 10 tries this season in a road finale, and improved to 9-3 in interleague play.

"I don't think anybody's ready to declare us where we want to be quite yet," said Roberts, who also scored the game-tying run in the sixth inning, doubling off Hamels, stealing third and scoring on Adam Jones' two-out single. "But people maybe are noticing that we are at least moving in the right direction. That's important for all of us to start the see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Perhaps no Oriole needed Sunday's result more than Guthrie, who had lost three straight decisions and hadn't won since May 25. But set aside a brutal outing in Oakland where the right-hander allowed six runs and failed to make it out of the first inning, and Guthrie has allowed three earned runs or less in five of his past six starts, all of them ending after the sixth inning or later.

On Sunday, Guthrie allowed a second-inning solo homer to Greg Dobbs, who was starting in place of the illness-stricken and hospitalized Ryan Howard, and nothing else over seven innings. He held the Phillies (36-31) to three hits and two walks, and retired 19 of the final 22 hitters that he faced.

"I think it was alright," said Guthrie. "I made some mistakes, some that were hit and other that weren't. I don't think I come out of this game feeling that was my best stuff, but the consistency was there and we got the outs when we needed them. That's the most important thing."

Trembley said that Guthrie told him on Saturday night that he would have a good game, and the pitcher delivered.

"He was at his best tonight," Trembley said. "That's Jeremy Guthrie. It was great that we could get him a win."

It certainly wasn't easy as the Orioles were overwhelmed at times by Hamels, who finished with 10 strikeouts, the most by an opposing pitcher against the Orioles all season. But the Orioles scratched across solo runs in the seventh and eighth inning against Hamels and then turned the game over to their increasingly reliable bullpen.

Johnson, who has given up just one earned run in his last 15 1/3 innings, did catch a break when first base umpire Larry Vanover ruled that the Orioles' Ty Wigginton had tagged Jimmy Rollins after his bouncer down the first-base line. Replays showed clearly that Wigginton whiffed on the tag, and Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was ejected arguing the call.

In the ninth, Sherrill's 15th save was highlighted by third baseman Melvin Mora, who made a great diving play to retire Matt Stairs for the first out of the inning.

"Of course, it feels good," Mora said. "This shows everybody that we have something special here and we can beat anybody."

I was at the game in Philly on Saturday night...decent turnout of O's fans (Not a majority by any stretch, but decent).

I was at the game in Philly on Saturday night...decent turnout of O's fans (Not a majority by any stretch, but decent).


I was there to. A friend of mine has season tickets to the Phills and invited me to take his brother's seat. I could tell there were a lot of Os fans from the National Anthem. There were plenty sitting around me. I must say the fans, at least from my prospective, were decent and respectful. This was a very emotional game with highs and lows for both teams - with a very dramatic finish. Didn't expect the Roberts shot since he stopped dabbling with steroids. He's good for a double, but hitting an 1-2 ptich with two out almost to the deepest part of the ballpark was extraordinary.

I was concerned about the lineup Trembly started. I certainly feel Reimold needs to be an everyday player. He came in and did a nice pinch hit dinger in the 8th, I believe. This guy seems under appreciated. Weithers is getting all the attention, but look for Riemold to produce runs. I see they moved him up in the lineup yesterday, and dropped Jones down. Good move.

I think teams are going to be taking the Os more seriously now. Looking forward to seeing them beat the Yanks in the Bronx on 7/22. Wish I could afford seeing them in Fenway. Cheapest seats are $68 in the bleachers. Its no joke that its cheaper for Sox fans to come down to Camden Yards.

$68! :? :eek2: Sadly then, that's one ballpark I probably won't be attending. :( Too high for me. :runaway:
What's the new Yankees Stadium like? Is it better than the legendary Stadium of old?
How much are seats there?

$68! :? :eek2: Sadly then, that's one ballpark I probably won't be attending. :( Too high for me. :runaway:
What's the new Yankees Stadium like? Is it better than the legendary Stadium of old?
How much are seats there?

Yankee stadium is quite expensive, but could be affordable. I got in there for $35. Once for $40, but that was a fluke. They were great seats facing third base on the second level. The same seats cost $155 when the Phillies were playing there. Look on Stub Hub, there are varying prices on seats. Food is expensive, but beers are outrageous, $8.50, nine bucks from a vendor. Not a bad place to watch a game, most seats are closer to the action than the former stadium. It has the classic character of the old place. If someone blindfolded you and dropped you in this place you would know its Yankee Stadium.

Most people are liking the new Citi Field. I've seen it from the outside and it somewhat resembles Ebbits Field. Not that I remember it, I've seen photos. Its a more intimate place than Yankee Stadium, and from what I've seen, it has more character.

If you are in town for a game, let me know. I'd join if I can and even buy one round.

Cool. Thanks, Gsol. :)

Oh my goodness! Please tell me that you seen that game last night; and this is saying alot coming from me. I don't even watch baseball, but that game sure grabbed my attention. Orioles were down 10-1 and came back to win it 11-10.

Oh my goodness! Please tell me that you seen that game last night; and this is saying alot coming from me. I don't even watch baseball, but that game sure grabbed my attention. Orioles were down 10-1 and came back to win it 11-10.


I wished that I had listened to it. I checked my Blackberry and the Os had scored five more in the 7th, but I didn't think they could score enough to ultimately win. They would also have to hold the Sox scoreless for the final two innings, and the Os would have to face Papelbon to close it out. Well, that's baseball, "it ain't over till its over".

That was the Os best come back in their 55 year history. The former record was also against the Red Sox in 1956, I believe (I wasn't there, but thats what the NY Times said).

Congrads to the Os, they don't quit.

Oh my goodness! Please tell me that you seen that game last night; and this is saying alot coming from me. I don't even watch baseball, but that game sure grabbed my attention. Orioles were down 10-1 and came back to win it 11-10.

Great game...I was heart-broken until the bottom of the 7th, then they turned it around!

I feel bad for cutting it off and not riding it out. I, too, was depressed about the score and the rain delay so I cut it off and went into the living room. Dang!!

I, too, left the game at the rain delay. During the 11 news, I switched back to MASN during a commercial and almost fell off my chair!! It was 10-8 at that point...at least I caught the end.

But what goes around, comes around. After I thought Wednesday's game was in the bag, they managed to cough up a 4 run lead in the 9th and lost in extra innings. I think Sherrill was tired and not sharp after the drama the nite before. This might have been a perfect time to bring Ray in.

I, too, left the game at the rain delay. During the 11 news, I switched back to MASN during a commercial and almost fell off my chair!! It was 10-8 at that point...at least I caught the end.

But what goes around, comes around. After I thought Wednesday's game was in the bag, they managed to cough up a 4 run lead in the 9th and lost in extra innings. I think Sherrill was tired and not sharp after the drama the nite before. This might have been a perfect time to bring Ray in.

Yesterday's game was lost by Trembly. Why take Bergesen out? So what if he threw 103 pitches, he was throwing strikes. I was at the game when he went the distance and threw 112 pitches. You leave the guy in there until he shows signs of stress. Its a crap shoot to go to the bullpen. At the beginning of the 9th it wasn't even a save situation.

Yeah, I think this may be the last season with the O's for Trembly.

Yesterday's game was lost by Trembly. Why take Bergesen out? So what if he threw 103 pitches, he was throwing strikes. I was at the game when he went the distance and threw 112 pitches. You leave the guy in there until he shows signs of stress. Its a crap shoot to go to the bullpen. At the beginning of the 9th it wasn't even a save situation.how in the world do you have the biggest comeback in the team's history, and then the next day, blow a 5-1 lead in the 9th?:nuts:

the o's.....ya' gotta' love 'em.:ohno:

end of the 1st half of the season!!!

40-48. not bad. considering our pitching stiuation, i thought it would be worse than this....

That kid Bergersen has pitched well ! O's won a Sunday, too !

end of the 1st half of the season!!!

40-48. not bad. considering our pitching stiuation, i thought it would be worse than this....

The key, this year, will be to avoid a 2nd half collapse. Last several seasons, their record was awful after the break, due to a lack of depth. I don't see that happening this year. I'm predicting a 78-84 record at the finish, a huge improvement over last year, and over .500 next year...contending in 2011!!

AL wins All-Star game again, giving the league home field advantage for the 2009 World Series.

What do you guys think about the All-Star game counting for something? I thought it was a bad idea, myself. If they are going to award a performance-based home field advantage, I think it should go to the participating team that had the best regular season record. A tiebreaker would then be which team had the best record in interleague play.

^^the all-star game shouldn't count for a dime.

the NL hasn't won this game since 1996. wow, talk about domination!

Almost time to put the O's and Nats out of their misery for another season. The O's need 3 more wins to avoid losing 100 (I think they will get them) and the Nats will probably lose about 105.

The O's are going to outdraw the Nats at the gate. The bloom has already faded on the new DC park. What's sad is that the attendance for both teams combined will be about what the O's were drawing at Camden Yards for the first several years it was open.

Almost time to put the O's and Nats out of their misery for another season. The O's need 3 more wins to avoid losing 100 (I think they will get them) and the Nats will probably lose about 105.

The O's are going to outdraw the Nats at the gate. The bloom has already faded on the new DC park. What's sad is that the attendance for both teams combined will be about what the O's were drawing at Camden Yards for the first several years it was open.

What is the attendance at Camden Yards thus far? From what I have seen, all the new talent doesn't appear to be making a difference, especially with pitching.

for whatever it's worth, we're still 6 games behind the blue jays in the chase to get out of the cellar.......lol.

^^ And who did we lose to tonight? The jays :lol:

^^shit!!! so much for having actual "hope"....lol.:lol:

What is the attendance at Camden Yards thus far? From what I have seen, all the new talent doesn't appear to be making a difference, especially with pitching.

The last report I saw, it was about 1,750,000 for the season, with an average of about 24,000 a game...that was before the Boston series. The Nats are averageing about 23,000 a game.

I love the O's...can't stand Angelos!!!!!!:bash:

^^it would be nice if cal became the GM. having the experience definitely matters....

I think McPhail's on the right track. I forsee at least 1 more losing season, though. Now if Cal would BUY the team...

Glad this agonizing season is over. At least they ended with a four game winning streak that saved them from loosing 100 games. And this year they can actually say they played into October.

Not sure if it was a good decision to invite Trembly back for '10. I think they need a new manger and coaching staff. Aside from poor pitching and spotty hitting (Roberts finished on top of the AL in doubles) there was some bad base running and to many errors. That's something a manager and his staff are responsible for. Trembly is a nice guy and good for getting the young players adjusted to the big leagues, but I think a more "kick-ass" kind of guy is what's needed here.

Yeah, I would have got rid of Trembly. The pitching is still NOT THERE! :no:
We need at least three awesome starting pitchers and 2 great relievers and one awesome door slamming closer! That, plus add a couple BIG POWERED BATS to the line up and we might have a chance of not finishing last again...... :ohno:
:nuts:

Glad this agonizing season is over. At least they ended with a four game winning streak that saved them from loosing 100 games. And this year they can actually say they played into October.

Not sure if it was a good decision to invite Trembly back for '10. I think they need a new manger and coaching staff.davey johnson was the absolute perfect fit. he would probably come back if peter angelos would sell the team...

Glad this agonizing season is over. At least they ended with a four game winning streak that saved them from loosing 100 games. And this year they can actually say they played into October.

Not sure if it was a good decision to invite Trembly back for '10. I think they need a new manger and coaching staff. Aside from poor pitching and spotty hitting (Roberts finished on top of the AL in doubles) there was some bad base running and to many errors. That's something a manager and his staff is responsible for. Trembly is a nice guy and good for getting the young players adjusted to the big leagues, but I think a more "kick-ass" kind of guy is what's needed here.

Maybe the should have lost 100 games. I love my O's but man, why does it always end like this? and I don't mean the losing record -Although, that's just as bad and disappointing- I mean the long losing streaks at the end of the season. Why? Luck? lack of focus?

As for Trembley coming back ...:hm:

I went to the game some years back when they lost to the Rangers 30-5. It was ugly.

I went to the game some years back when they lost to the Rangers 30-5. It was ugly.

Well, I was at the game in Atlanta when Cal went 6 for 6 including two homers. They clobbered the braves 21-1, I think it was. June 13th 1999.
That was a very special moment in time.
I miss Cal....... :cry:

and speaking of former orioles, take a look.....

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/NATL-Sammy-Sosas--69480167.html

^^ Crazy....:uh:

That's bizarre! Maybe he's trying to be the next Michael Jackson.

Congrats to Adam Jones on his first Gold Glove (and the first GG for the O's since 1999)! What's interesting is that the Orioles have only 1 less GGs historically than the Yankees...

Congrats to Adam! Now, no love for Markakis?

Congrats to Adam Jones on his first Gold Glove (and the first GG for the O's since 1999)! What's interesting is that the Orioles have only 1 less GGs historically than the Yankees...

Is that from 1954 on, or all time, including the Browns? Part of it, I'm sure, is all the hardware Brooks Robinson collected!

^^yep! he (brooks) won a whoppin' 16 straight (1960-1975). roberto alomar then won it in '96 and '98.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_Glove

^^oh wait, there's more!!

paul blair....1967, then 1969-1975.

wow, the o's have a long history of guys with gold gloves! i never knew about this..

Is that from 1954 on, or all time, including the Browns? Part of it, I'm sure, is all the hardware Brooks Robinson collected!

...following up on my own post, it said in the Sun today that the Gold Glove has only been awarded since 1957. The O's have 1 more than the Yanks..I believe it was 57-56. Mark Belanger had a pile of them, and Palmer and Mussina had 5 between them.

O's send Chris Ray and a player to be named later to the Texas Rangers for veteran starter Kevin Millwood. Also, the Rangers will be paying a quarter of Millwoods salary. This trade was defninitely a no-brainer yet again completed by Andy McPhail and co. Word is that we may go after another starter by the name of Erik Bedard...the Adam Jones trade just keeps getting better and better lol.

...yes it's really cool to trade a guy away and get quality in return, only to have the same guy come back to you a couple years later as a free agent. I think we are going to get Bedard. I think he likes Baltimore.^^

^yep! that would be cool. very cool!

And I have a feeling Bedard would do a bit better this next year then last.

Two bits of good news...

Orioles turn a double play: Team reaches agreements with Mike Gonzalez, Garrett Atkins
Club lands left-handed reliever, third baseman, filling 2 big vacancies with free agents
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-sp.gonzalez17dec17,0,6128475.story

Statue to honor Brooks
Orioles Hall of Famer to be immortalized in bronze at site near Camden Yards
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-sp.brooks17dec17,0,2471035.story

Orioles to bring back Tejada
Source: Club reaches agreement on 1-year, $6M deal with free agent, pending physical

The Orioles have reached an agreement with free agent Miguel Tejada on a one-year, $6 million deal, according to team sources, reuniting the club with the six-time All-Star who played in Baltimore from 2004 to 2007.

The deal is pending a physical, which is expected to take place over the next couple days.

Tejada played shortstop for the past two seasons with the Houston Astros and in his previous stint in Baltimore, but would transition to third base with slick-fielding Cesar Izturis manning short for the Orioles.

"I've reached a deal for one season and $6 million. I know it's less than what I made last year, but the market has changed and I feel happy to be able to play in the major leagues," Tejada told The Associated Press during a phone interview from Miami.

"I'll play in third base, which means a change in my career," he said. "It's like the beginning of a new career, but I'll continue doing my same workout routine to be able continue my career."

Without specifically naming Tejada, Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail indicated Saturday that he didn't originally think the veteran free agent would be available this late in the offseason.

"I would be honest with you: I don't know how realistic I thought our potential acquisition was going to be," MacPhail said Saturday during FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center. "We always had him on the board. But I wasn't holding my breath."

MacPhail recalled asking Tejada to move from shortstop to third base in 2007.

"He said he didn't think it was time. He went to the National League after I traded him there and was the All-Star shortstop for two years," MacPhail noted. "So, who's to say Miggy wasn't right?"

But MacPhail seems confident that the 35-year-old Tejada, who hit .313 with 14 home runs and 86 RBIs in 158 games last season for the Astros, is willing and ready to handle the new position.

"From what I've read, he's made it clear that's something he would entertain," MacPhail said. "He's probably aware that at this point in his career, that's the right move. He's certainly not the first shortstop, if he ends up playing third, that made that change."

The addition of Tejada means new Oriole Garrett Atkins will spend most his time in the field at first base. Atkins, who signed as a free agent in December, can also play third.

"The plan is for me to play first, depending on who else they sign," Atkins said.

Tejada batted .311 with 102 home runs and 429 RBIs in his four seasons with the Orioles before being dealt to the Astros in December 2007 for five players: outfielder Luke Scott, pitchers Troy Patton, Matt Albers and Dennis Sarfate, and third baseman Mike Costanzo.

Tejada has found himself in the middle of controversy on a few occasions since the trade.

A day after he being traded to the Astros, Tejada was named in the Mitchell Report -- an investigation into the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball -- because former Oakland Athletics teammate Adam Piatt told investigators that he supplied the shortstop with testosterone and human growth hormone in 2003.

In April 2008, Tejada admitted to being two years older than originally thought after an ESPN reporter presented the shortstop with a copy of his birth certificate. When the Athletics signed him out of the Dominican Republic in 1993, it was believed that Tejada's birth date was May 25, 1976. However, as the birth certificate proved, his actual birth date is May 25, 1974.

"I don't think it matters being a couple years," former Orioles executive vice president Mike Flanagan said at the time. "That still would have been considered his prime." But, "we probably wouldn't have signed him for so long," Flanagan added.

Tejada pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of misleading Congress in February 2009 about his knowledge of the use of performance-enhancing drugs in the sport. He also acknowledged purchasing hGH, as detailed in the Mitchell Report, but denied using the substance. As part of the plea agreement, the shortstop admitted he withheld information about former Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro's use of performance-enhancing drugs when questioned by a congressional committee in August 2005.

Although he faced up to one year in prison, he was sentenced to one year of probation, 100 hours of community service and a $5,000 fine in March 2009.

Despite these issues, manager Dave Trembley and several Orioles praised Tejada on Saturday at FanFest.

"I'll say this about Tejada: I don't think there's ever been a guy who wants to win more," Trembley said. "He has a very, very strong passion to win. Guys on the team love him. I never had a problem with him. If it works out that he comes back here, I think it would be a real good acquisition."

Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis also welcomed the news that he would likely be reunited with Tejada.

"If there's anybody in baseball you want on your team, it's him,'' Markakis said. "He's a high-energy guy who wants to be out there every day, and you want a guy like that on your team."

We are definately better with him. We got a lot of talent when we traded him, and we get him back as a free agent. Now if Bedard would come back to the O's, that would mean both guys we got so much for will be back, and at a time when they could truly make an impact.

Yeah, Miggy was always a good thing for the O's. I'm glad to see him back, too. :yes:

This is an interesting article about bringing fairness to baseball. Check it out.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove09/news/story?id=4869912

Sounds intriguing, but do we really want that? The O's were competitive in the East before (remember the mid '90's) and they can be again, if the right player moves are made. The AL East is the premier division for fan interest and rivalrys.

our rookies could be the future of the team but not unless we preach PITCHING!!!!

^^ Yeah, true dat. Apparently, Bergersen hurt his pitching shoulder while shooting a TV commercial. Milwood, Guthrie, Bergersen ... not bad, could be surprising.

i just thought about something......




how many starting pitchers did the o's have last year? after the all-star break, i lost count......lol.

let's see.....there was alfredo simon, radhames liz, dennis sarfate, eaton, guthrie, bergeson, berken, uehara, hernandez, rich hill...

the bottom line is we've gotta' get a solid starting 5. that's the only way we'll have a winning record this year.

^^agreed... strong pitching is like strong defense in Football, it can take you far.

^^:okay:

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/schmuck/2010/02/os_roberts_has_lower_back_inju.html

February 22, 2010
O's: Roberts has lower back injury
Second baseman Brian Roberts reported to camp today and revealed that he was diagnosed with a "small" herniated disk in his lower back. He worked out lightly today, but said his activities will be limited early in camp. He also is scheduled to film an Orioles commercial today, but we'll save the wisecrack about that for another time.

The injury surfaced a month ago while he was training. He said that he thought it was a back spasm, which he had experienced before, but eventually was treated for kidney stones. When the discomfort did not respond to that treatment, he underwent a spinal examination that revealed the herniation.

What's a herniated disk? The injury used to be called a slipped disk, but it's really just a pinched disk between two vertebrae that sometimes bulges and touches one or both of the spinal nerves. It can be very painful and, in advanced cases, requires surgery to relieve the problem. Roberts said, without hesitation, that it is not a serious herniation and will not require surgery. He plans to take some swings during the first full-squad workout tomorrow and build up to full participation. He did not seem concerned that the problem will impact his readiness for the regular season.

Still, it's another area of concern for a team that already has Chris Tillman trying to loosen up a stiff back.

Jeff Zrebiec will have a full story up on Roberts arrival in camp soon.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-sp.osnotes22feb22,0,4131321.story

O's Reimold feels good after testing Achilles
First baseman Atkins also reports to camp

February 22, 2010
E-mail Print Share Text Size bal-sp.osnotes22feb22

SARASOTA, Fla. - - Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold arrived at spring training a day early and put his left Achilles through the most extensive tests since having surgery in late September.

Reimold ran the bases and did some sprints in the outfield and emerged confident that he'll be ready for Opening Day.

"It feels all right," said Reimold, who had left Achilles tendon surgery Sept. 23, prematurely ending an impressive rookie season in which he hit .279 with 15 homers and 45 RBIs. "It's going to take a little while for my legs to get underneath me, but I'll be fine."

Reimold has been running on a treadmill, but he hadn't done a lot of running on grass before Sunday, when he also took batting practice for the first time. Orioles manager Dave Trembley said there are no restrictions on Reimold, the starting left fielder.

"When I walk around, I don't feel anything," Reimold said. "We'll see how it feels when I'm running around for 10 hours a day."


Atkins in, too
Garrett Atkins, the Orioles' free-agent first base acquisition, also reported to camp Sunday and got to work on erasing the memories of his disappointing 2009 season with the Colorado Rockies.

Atkins took batting practice, then some ground balls at first base before taking extra swings with hitting coach Terry Crowley.

"I'm just trying use spring training to get as ready as possible to start taking on the full load," said Atkins, who hit .226 with nine homers and 48 RBIs last year after averaging 25 homers and 110 RBIs the previous three seasons. "You have to have your hands ready for it, and I feel that I've done that."

Atkins has primarily been a third baseman for much of his career and said he's going to try to implement the lessons learned from watching former Rockies teammate, Gold Glove first baseman Todd Helton, in helping making his transition as easy as possible.


Training room
Chris Tillman was removed early from Sunday's workout for precautionary reasons because of back spasms. Tillman said he isn't concerned and he's optimistic he'll be able to throw his side session today.

"My back just tightened up a little bit," said Tillman, who felt his ailment was a result of falling asleep on the couch in a bad position. "It's going to be one of those things where in three days I'll totally forget about it."

Fellow starter Brad Bergesen (right shoulder sprain) threw off flat ground Sunday, the start of a program that, without any setbacks, should have him pitching off the mound by late next week.

Mark Pieper, the agent for Brian Roberts, said the second baseman, who has been slowed in recent weeks by back and kidney issues, is in town and will be ready to go in time for Tuesday's first workout.

Terrell Suggs Could Learn From Brian Roberts’ Offseason

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp60/nestminder/robertssuggs.jpg

A lot of talk coming from Sarasota this week is about the health of some of the Orioles brightest stars, including Brian Roberts and Brad Bergesen. It appears that Brian Roberts is learning from another Charm City Superstar, T-Sizzle, about how awesome it is to sit out early-season practices. Like Terrell Suggs, Brian Roberts’ only real use for Spring Training/Training Camp is to knock a little rust off the wheels – both players have no doubt that they will be on the roster come the first game of the season.

Luckily for Roberts, he gets a free vacation out of the deal, while Suggs has to sit in 150 degree weather in Westminster, counting down the days until training camp ends or he dies from heat stroke – whichever comes first. There are notes Terrell should take from Brian Roberts to improve his life in many ways – both personally and professionally.

During this 2009 season, Mr. Suggs had a very costly run in with his Baby Momma, resulting in a final price tag of $35,000 per month in Child Support. It remains to be seen whether Sizzle’s lady friend was deserving of a little bleach bath over a fight about tickets to a Steelers/Ravens game (hopefully Sizzle reacted when she tried to give Hines Ward’s Side-Piece or some Harrah’s hotel waitress tickets to the game), but the bottom line is that he could have faced suspension and a fine from the league had the charges not been dropped.

Brian Roberts, on the other hand, is married to this hot trophy wife whom I’d happily pay $35,000 per month to hang out with:

All Mr. Roberts had to do this offseason was hang out with Mrs. Roberts. I’m sure they got pretty bored since her job is to look hot and he just has to go to the batting cages once in a while. I think it’s pretty safe to say that a lot of boning went on in the offseason and it just might happen that Brian threw out his back- Wouldn’t you!?!?!?!?!? The Orioles Obama of Baseball Operations, Andy McPhail has been quoted saying :

“As long as the symptoms keep improving, which they have with Brian, there really isn’t anything for us to be alarmed about. We have a lot of time. We have six weeks. The position players aren’t the same as pitchers in terms of getting ready, so there really isn’t any concern amongst our group.”

To me, this quote means, “if we keep Mrs. Brian Roberts away from camp at Sarasota, his back will heal properly.” I don’t know about you but six weeks seems like a lot of punishment for doing a good job in the boom boom room. B-Rob’s back may heal but what will happen with him mentally? He may go crazy enough that he’ll give the Mrs. a nice bleach bath if she rejects him for the “headache” excuse.

All we can do here in Bird Land is hope that B-Rob can enjoy some sunflower seeds and Gatorade from the bench and just let his back heal naturally; a.k.a. no boning! Hopefully he is a nice feller to his lady (unlike Sizzle) and treats her with respect. It may lead to more back injuries but at least Mrs. Roberts will be a good egg to her husband and Brian won’t run the risk of suspension, fines and jail time. So if you’re reading Sizzle (which would be pretty freaking awesome) take a few notes from Brian Roberts on how to treat a lady nice and just reap the rewards my friend.

Haha, nice article! Btw, in case you guys were wondering, she looks something like this ...

http://baltimoresportsreport.com/images/chiafair3.jpg

Way to go B-rod but please let's put all of our focus on baseball.

^^that's brian robert's significant other? are you serious?:omg::shocked::uh::eek:

^^that's brian robert's significant other? are you serious?:omg::shocked::uh::eek:You guys can pick your tongues up off the floor from drooling all over the place. LOL

But yes, she's nice-looking.

Only 2 Days Until Opening Day!!
What are your predictions? I think the O's will finish 82-80 and the Nationals 70-92.

Only 2 Days Until Opening Day!!
What are your predictions? I think the O's will finish 82-80 and the Nationals 70-92.

Pitching is questionable, I think more so than last year. Brian Roberts has recurring back problems and Reimold isn't 100% (he got off to a good strat last season). Not seeing much offsensive improvement, maybe Markakis will be more productive. Hopefully Weiters will show more power with the bat.

I say 75 - 87. Similar outcome for the Nats.

Pitching is questionable, I think more so than last year. Brian Roberts has recurring back problems and Reimold isn't 100% (he got off to a good strat last season). Not seeing much offsensive improvement, maybe Markakis will be more productive. Hopefully Weiters will show more power with the bat.

I say 75 - 87. Similar outcome for the Nats.

I wouldn't worry much about left field, Pie has played well this spring. But, then again, it's only spring training. It's the pitching I'm worried about.

Pitching is questionable, I think more so than last year. Brian Roberts has recurring back problems and Reimold isn't 100% (he got off to a good strat last season). Not seeing much offsensive improvement, maybe Markakis will be more productive. Hopefully Weiters will show more power with the bat.

I say 75 - 87. Similar outcome for the Nats.

Oh I wouldnt say that the pitching is worse than last year.

Well, after tonights game, I have to say...same shit...different year:ohno:

Well, after tonights game, I have to say...same shit...different year:ohno:
:)

Go Rays!

Who is this new pile of crap Gonzalez? What a disgracful perfomance. I watched the game on the MLB channel, which used the Orioles feed. Thorn, or maybe Palmer said when this guy came out that he had a poor spring training, had control problems, couldn't get the up over 90mph and health problems. They quoted Gonzo (Bozo) as saying; "when the lights go on I'll be fine". I guess it wasn't bright enough inside Tropicana Field. You could tell by his delivery that he was going to blow the very tenuous Oriole lead. Is this what we have to look forward to this season? Can't we move up the start of football?

...well, after watching Thursday's game, they had better start looking for alternatives for closer. Gonzales is not impressive at all. It's not that he almost blew it again...he just doesn't look like a closer.

They should consider Koji for this role once he comes off the disabled list. He did do it in Japan.

...well, after watching Thursday's game, they had better start looking for alternatives for closer. Gonzales is not impressive at all. It's not that he almost blew it again...he just doesn't look like a closer.

They should consider Koji for this role once he comes off the disabled list. He did do it in Japan.


Yea. I saw the end of last night's game. He looks spastic, has no control of his pitches. Its going to be a nail bitter everytime he's on the mound. I got the Tampa feed of the game. Their commentators were amazed by the selection of this guy to be the closer, and showed a close up of Trembly - who was visibly on edge - and expressed empathy for Trembly at what lies ahead with Gonzo as a closer. This needs to be re-thought before things get out of hand. His body language and awkwardness on the mound does not give you much confidence that he's up to the job.

Gonzalez sucks. This guy really sucks!! Toronto****7, Baltimore***6

...guaranteed he will not get the next save opportunity. Look for Johnson or Meredith...he looked pretty sharp.

...guaranteed he will not get the next save opportunity. Look for Johnson or Meredith...he looked pretty sharp.

According to todays' SUN, Trembly says he's sticking with Gonzo for the time being. They don't seem to make changes easily. My baseball friends say its very early in the season and things may settle down. But IMO its his mechanics thats off, and that won't change quickly.

a's-6, o's-2

wow, 1-9. who would've ever thought?:ohno:

Let's just come back in May and pretend this month never happened. The entire team has the Yips.

...1-10. And it could very easily be 0-11, as Gonzales nearly coughed up the only game they won. I never thought I'd see the likes of 1988 ever again.

I don't even

1-11. The "closer" coughs up another. And Tejada might be out. This is gonna be a very long season.

Forget the Ravens... we need Stallworth and Bouldin on the O's. :lol:
S.O.S. S.O.S. !!!!

Still a hometown fan though... but man this is a tough season so far!!:ohno:

...actually they need someone who can hit, like Ray Lewis. 2-11!! woohoo!!

Since the 2-16 start, the O's have gone 10-8. Everything's looking better. The starting pitching was pretty good from the start, and it looks like the bullpen has finally been sorted out. Corey Patterson looks like the leadoff hitter that they needed...and is definately an upgrade on defense.

If they could win 20 games by the end of May, a .500 season would not be out of the realm of possibilty. They would need to win 15 games each month after that.

^^micrip, some friends & i went to the game on SAT. night, and i have to say that i can't understand the orioles. ty wigginton has 2 solo homers going into the top of the ninth (we're up 2-0), and then poof!!!

the bottom falls out. indians explode for eight runs in the top of the ninth and win 8-2. the crowd was dumbfounded.:ohno:

How come the attendance was up this weekend? Nearly 30k Sat and Sunday, Friday was around 25 and 22K Thur afternoon. Its not like the team improved, they still have the worst record in the majors. That Saturday game was a disgrace. Bad choice of pitches in the 9th. With one out, Os up 2 zip, just put the ball in play and hope for the out. The worst that could happen is a HR, then we're still up, then pitch around the batter.

...a lot of folks in town for the Preakness. Some of them may have decided to take in a game for something to do at night.

Sunday was Little League day, so that boosted attendance. Friday night had fireworks. Thursday was "field trip day" for schoolkids.

Monday, however, was quite a different story,,,:ohno:

Monday was Little League day too...they were playing on the field...

:lol::lol::rofl:

Trembley will be fired before tomorrow's game with Sawks, Sun is reporting it...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/02/AR2010060202261.html

How many in DC and NoVA have jumped ship to the Nats.

Free Dave...

Trembley will be fired before tomorrow's game with Sawks, Sun is reporting it...

....Channel 13 reported at 11 that a meeting was held, and likely replacement will be Samuel.

Speculation for next year? I understand Bobby Valentine is available.

7IP 2ER 0BB 14K ...

baltimoresun.com

Markakis, Angelos meet to discuss direction of O's
Outfielder tells owner team's young players need more veteran support
By Jeff Zrebiec, The Baltimore Sun

9:55 PM EDT, June 24, 2010


A week after publicly questioning the team's direction and its offensive approach, Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis met with principal owner Peter Angelos Thursday afternoon to air those concerns.

The meeting, which lasted about an hour and a half at a Little Italy restaurant, was requested by Markakis, who during his eight years in the organization hadn't had an extensive conversation with the owner.

"I wanted to give him my input and tell him the things I thought we lacked and needed, and what we needed to change," said Markakis, 26, the team's highest-paid player and the second-longest-tenured member of the club behind injured second baseman Brian Roberts.

"He was completely open to anything. He was listening, and he was a lot easier to talk to than I anticipated. You know me, sometimes you'll have a better conversation with the wall than talking to me. But it went a lot better and it was a lot smoother than I thought it was going to go. If I can strike up a conversation and talk to a guy like him who owns the team, I think it is a good situation."

It is believed that Angelos had not met with a player since May 2006, when he discussed a contract extension with then-third baseman Melvin Mora.

Angelos did meet several of the team's current players last season when he stopped by the clubhouse before the Orioles' Opening Day game against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards.

Angelos didn't want to get into the particulars of the conversation, but he said he appreciated that Markakis took the initiative and he enjoyed listening to some of the outfielder's ideas.

"He's an exceptional young man, first-rate all the way," Angelos said. "Baltimore is lucky to have him and his fine young family."

Markakis, whose wife, Christina, gave birth to the couple's second child late last month, said he also wanted to send the message to Angelos that he was committed to the city and the club and serious about becoming a team leader.

"I love it here. This is the team that drafted me; this is the team that has given me a lot of opportunities in life. I've been here through the tough times, and I'm not going anywhere," Markakis said. "We're going to fight through this, and I want to be part of it. Once we turn things around and end this losing, this will be a great baseball city again. We have great fans. When you put it all together and start winning, this is one of the best places in baseball to play. It's just tough right now. We're going through the tough times, and I definitely want to be here for the good times."

Markakis, who signed a six-year, $66.1million deal with the club in January 2009, said he told Angelos that the younger players on the club need to be supported by more productive veterans.

"I want to see this organization going the right way," said Markakis, who is hitting .300 with three homers and 23 RBIs this season. "As players and as an organization, I think we owe it to fans and the people that are here to make that next step to show that we are willing and we do want to compete. We know we're in the toughest division in baseball; we know what we are up against. Right now, our backs are against the wall. All our top prospects in the minor leagues are here. I think it's unfair to put them in that situation where they feel like they have to go out there and do too much, and I think it's showing for them, myself and the rest of the guys. We need to address that and go from there."

Angelos has declined to comment publicly on the state of the team, which entered Thursday with a major league-worst 19-52 record and is on pace to challenge the 1962 New York Mets club that dropped 120 games for the most losses all time.

However, according to sources, Angelos was concerned after he saw Markakis' comments in a Baltimore Sun article last week that included the outfielder saying: "At this point, yeah, where are we going? I know we have a lot of injured guys, we're in the toughest division in baseball and we're a last-place team. But at this point, it's mind-boggling." Some in the organization took it almost as a cry for help from a player who rarely shows emotion.

Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail knew that Markakis and Angelos had met and called it a "good thing."

MacPhail met with Roberts and Markakis while the team was in St. Petersburg, Fla., to play the Tampa Bay Rays in the final road series of the 2009 season.

"Frankly, I wish Peter spent more time around the team," MacPhail said. "I think it's a good idea. I know Peter likes Nick, and I'm sure he was moved by his comments last week."

Markakis, who has been urged by teammates to take more of a leadership role, said his critical comments last week and Thursday's meeting were necessary steps.

"I thought it was the right time," Markakis said. "I thought it was needed. I wanted him to know where we stand and what's going on. The impression that I got was he was willing to listen and he's open to comments and suggestions. He's a lot smarter guy, baseballwise, than most people think. He wants to do well. He wants to win. I think he knows what it takes, and hopefully we can get that done."

We have a new Manager!!!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5420224


:dance:

We have a new Manager!!!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5420224


:dance:

FINALLY!

MacSnail doing work today!!!!!


Tejada traded to Padres for minor league pitcher Wynn Pelzer.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2010/07/miguel-tejada-on-his-way-to-san-diego-padres/1

Finally. The O's have a bit of a streak going on. Me and some friends are going to the game tomorrow, hoping the luck continues.

I'm not a fair weather fan, I'm just not a baseball buff. However, I will continue to support my hometeam. At one point in time, this was the only major team we had. Make sure you support the O's guys.

Not losing 100 games would be a worthy goal. They would have to go 27-26 the rest of the way. I think it might be doable.

Not losing 100 games would be a worthy goal. They would have to go 27-26 the rest of the way. I think it might be doable.

At least the Mets record of winning only 40 games in a season won't be broken by the Os. The Mets can keep that one. I was fearful for a while though.

bucky-ball has taken over, folks!!!!! showalter has these boys believing; granted, it's only been four games, but still!!!!:okay:

Buck yeah!!!!!!!!!

^^^^lmao!!!!!!!!!!!!:okay:

Everyone said that this team should have been the best 4th or 5th place team in baseball this year, and at least over .500. This team is playing to it's full potential right now, and it is absolutely fantastic. I think a lot of people have forgotten that this team was not supposed to be as bad as they have been this year.

It's obvious that Buck is using the rest of the year as one big audition--mostly for the bullpen it seems. But with this many quality starts in a row (6?), I'm quite shocked. This is some of the best baseball this team has played in a long time. If the team can finish the rest of the season with a winning record, I would think it's safe to say that this team has finally turned it around.

wow!!!! brain roberts just launched that pitch on eutaw street!!!! o's take 3 outta' 4 from the leaders of the a.l. central. woooohoooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:okay:

If they go 43-7 the rest of the way they will finish at .500!:lol:

Seriously, tho, it will now only take 25-25 to avoid losing 100 games. If I recall, the 2007 Rays were pretty crappy in the first half of the season, played pretty good ball the 2nd half, and went to the Series in 2008. I'm not saying the O's could do that, but you never know.

^^hey, you're right! i dunno' exactly what's going on with this team, but let's just ride the wave!:okay:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300809101

"Baltimore is 6-1 since Showalter made his debut last Tuesday. Earl Weaver is the only other manager in the history of the Orioles to win six of his first seven games."

"Since Showalter took over, Baltimore starters have pitched at least six innings in seven straight games and have registered a 1.89 ERA."

What's it going to take to bring the fans back to OPACY? Will they ever return in appreciable numbers? Has Angelos dug the hole to deep?

If they keep playing even remotely like they have since Buck's debut, you will see a bump in attendance for the rest of the season. Not huge gains, but it will be noticeable. And there will be more life at the Yard...just as there was during the recent White Sox series.

I think this town really wants to embrace the O's again. It will never be like the '90's (sellouts almost every night), but I'm betting you'll see the average creep close to 30,000 a game next season. The Nats have siphoned too many fans away for it ever to be like the old days again.^^

If the Pirates hold on to loose tonight, the Os will be tied for the worst team. Maybe by mid week the Os can loose the distinction they held all season.

^^^^pirates are still a 1/2 game up..
bal 39-74
pit 39-73
sea 44-70
ari 45-69

If they keep playing even remotely like they have since Buck's debut, you will see a bump in attendance for the rest of the season. Not huge gains, but it will be noticeable. And there will be more life at the Yard...just as there was during the recent White Sox series.

I think this town really wants to embrace the O's again. It will never be like the '90's (sellouts almost every night), but I'm betting you'll see the average creep close to 30,000 a game next season. The Nats have siphoned too many fans away for it ever to be like the old days again.^^

I think that's far from true...if the team fields a good winning team for a few years in a row and we make it even close to the post-season, we would have little trouble selling out most games. We've proven (begining of 2005) that if we're even decent, the fans will come out in droves.

While I would love to see that happen, I think it's wishful thinking. 2005 was before the opening of Nationals Park. The O's lost around 25% of their fan base with the arrival of the Nationals. And they are on the upswing, too.

When the O's finally contend, key matchups will sell out or be close to it, with less desirable games drawing 30 to 40 thousand. I still say an average of somewhere around 30,000 is realistic for next year.^^

Yea! The Orioles are no longer the worst team in MLB. Next goal is not the be the worst team in the American league. Lets go after Seattle who are at 44 in the win column.

While I would love to see that happen, I think it's wishful thinking. 2005 was before the opening of Nationals Park. The O's lost around 25% of their fan base with the arrival of the Nationals. And they are on the upswing, too.

When the O's finally contend, key matchups will sell out or be close to it, with less desirable games drawing 30 to 40 thousand. I still say an average of somewhere around 30,000 is realistic for next year.^^

Where did you get the 25% figure? I agree the Nationals are on the upswing, but I don't see it affecting our numbers by a quarter...that seems a bit high to me. The people I know who are Nationals fans now, weren't Orioles fans before. I totally understand that may not be the norm...it just makes me think there must be many more people in the same situation.

(Note: Not trying to be argumentative, I just like debating anything Orioles)

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100812&content_id=13384846&notebook_id=13384864&vkey=notebook_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal&partnerId=rss_bal

Where did you get the 25% figure? I agree the Nationals are on the upswing, but I don't see it affecting our numbers by a quarter...that seems a bit high to me. The people I know who are Nationals fans now, weren't Orioles fans before. I totally understand that may not be the norm...it just makes me think there must be many more people in the same situation.

(Note: Not trying to be argumentative, I just like debating anything Orioles)

Unfortunately I can't quote the exact source, but I seem to recall a study that, pre Nationals days, about 25% of Oriole Park attendance came from the DC-Northern Virginia area. They even ran special MARC trains in the early years of Camden Yards, and the O's had a store in downtown DC. Seems reasonable to me.

Lets go O's!!! Beat the Rays!

...ask and ye shall recieve! Too bad it isn't May 13 instead of Aug 13.^^

The O's have been the best team in the AL East since Buck took over (as they plant a small shrub on the Red Sox tonite). There are parrallels with the Devil Rays. They stunk the first half of the 2007 season...then Joe Maddon took over. In 2008 the Rays went to the World Series! I'm not saying the same thing will happen with the 2011 O's, but with a couple good offseason moves, you never know...

^^man, they look g--r--e--a--t!!!! their confidence is now there, they can truly play with anyone, they're gaining on the nationals for the race of the best record in the area between the two teams, and i'm really lookin' forward to next year! the crazy part is that he's using the same players (for the most part) that were used this year during the dave trembley/juan samuel era.

wow, what a difference one guy can make!

the orioles have to do something with josh bell, though. his production just isn't there.

I don't see him as being the answer at third base. Sometimes it looks like he's just going thru the motions out there. And he definately does not like to get dirty. I've seen 2 or 3 instances where he should have been sliding, but didn't. He was safe at the plate both times, but the plays were too close for comfort, which they wouldn't have been with a slide.^^

^^^^^^yeah, i'm sure buck got in his @$$ a couple of times about that. getting the uniform dirty is all apart of the game....

With the win over TB Wed nite, the O's assured that they will not lose 100 this season. I consider that quite an achievement, as it looked 2 months ago that they were on the way to a season that would rank as one of the worst in major league history.

With only a split against the Tigers this weekend, they will improve on last years record. Maybe the low water mark has finally been reached. Wait til next year!

^^man, o' man! this is first time in a long time that i can say that i'm lookin' forward to it!:okay:

Owen Wilson plays Washington Nationals player in new romantic comedy "How do you know?" with Reese Witherspoon and Paul Rudd. Pretty cool! Nats need every help they can get! :)

UE4XRUHLbd4

Gentlemen the stars are aligning for that other professional team in Baltimore. I'm really hoping that the hype behind all of these signings turns into reality - I've heard Yanks and Sox fans saying we have a shot at 85-90 this season. While I'm not going to go that far yet, I believe we have a legitimate baseball team that will be fun to watch this season!

Let's Go O's!

:cheers:

If the starting pitching comes of age in 2011, it's possible. Most folks around here would be happy with a .500 season, and build from there.^^

^^yeah, we're building a good team here. i hear there's a really good chance that we'll land vladimir guererro..

Guerrero, Orioles reach one-year, $8 million deal
Addition of veteran slugger has players exuberant
By Jeff Zrebiec, The Baltimore Sun
10:59 p.m. EST, February 4, 2011

In a move that will certainly please their long-suffering fan base and at least, on paper, give them one of the better lineups in the American League, the Orioles on Friday agreed to terms on a one-year, $8 million deal with Vladimir Guerrero, according to sources.

The deal for the veteran slugger, who has 436 career home runs, is pending a physical, which will take place next week. As per club policy, Oriole officials declined to comment until the physical is complete.

If Guerrero, who will be 36 years old Wednesday, passes the physical, the Orioles would install him as their everyday designated hitter and cleanup hitter, and move last year's DH and the club's leading returning home run hitter, Luke Scott, to left field. Felix Pie and Nolan Reimold are expected to compete for the fourth outfielder's role.

The imminent signing likely completes an active offseason during which club president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail has significantly improved the lineup with the additions of Guerrero, Mark Reynolds, Derrek Lee and J.J. Hardy, bolstered the team's bullpen by signing Kevin Gregg and Jeremy Accardo and bringing back Koji Uehara, and added to the rotation with the addition of Justin Duchscherer, whose one-year deal became official Friday.

"This is probably the most excited I've been in nine years, that's for sure," said second baseman Brian Roberts, the longest-tenured Oriole, who got a phone call from right fielder Nick Markakis not long after the news broke that Guerrero was Baltimore-bound. "We're all excited. A guy like that just changes the whole complexion of the lineup. You are talking about a Hall of Fame guy coming off a monster year. To add that kind of hitter to the middle of the order, I'm pumped. I can't wait."

Roberts' reaction was echoed by several other players, who have long talked about the importance of the team's adding a legitimate cleanup hitter to compete in the American League East.

"Now, you have your cleanup guy," center field Adam Jones said. "You got your four hitter, and you build your lineup around him."

Guerrero, a nine-time All-Star and career .320 hitter, batted .300 with 29 homers and 115 RBIs for the AL-champion Texas Rangers in 2010. He struggled in the second half, batting .278 with nine homers and 40 RBIs in 69 games. He batted .220 (13-for-59) in the playoffs with no homers, six RBIs and 16 strikeouts in 15 games.

Those numbers could have contributed to some teams' shying away from Guerrero, but more likely, it was his asking price that drove away some potential suitors. Guerrero was initially looking for a two-year deal in the $18 million to $20 million range, far more than several other established DHs on the market — Jim Thome ($3 million with the Minnesota Twins), Manny Ramirez ($2 million with the Tampa Bay Rays) and Hideki Matsui ($4.25 million with the Oakland Athletics) — received this offseason.

The Orioles had expressed interest in Guerrero earlier this offseason as a contingency plan had they been unable to sign a first baseman and needed to play Scott at that position, thus opening the DH spot. However, they signed Lee to play first and essentially cut off negotiations with Guerrero's representatives — Fern Cuza and Diego Bentz — at that point.

However, talks resumed a couple of weeks ago after several of Guerrero's options, including the Rays, Los Angeles Angels and Rangers, dried up as those clubs looked elsewhere to add power hitters. The Orioles initially offered Guerrero a one-year deal worth between $3 million and $5 million, and were prepared to remain there because they didn't want to bid against themselves.

Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, who declined to comment when reached Friday night, had also said on multiple occasions that the Orioles were likely done with any significant spending as their 2011 payroll — now about $93 million, an approximate $20 million increase over last year — had already exceeded what they hoped it would be.

However, the Orioles officials apparently had a change of heart and significantly upped their offer in recent days. Foxsports.com reported that a significant part of Guerrero's $8 million salary is deferred.

Guerrero has driven in 100 runs or more in 10 seasons. A notorious free swinger who likes the ball anywhere and everywhere but rarely strikes out (he fanned just 60 times in 593 at-bats last year), Guerrero has also bashed 27 or more home runs in 11 of the past 13 seasons.

"Vladimir is what I call a freak in a good way. He's a freak of nature," Scott said. "The reason I say that is he's the best bad-ball hitter I've ever seen. He hits pitches out of the ballpark hard that most major league hitters have a hard time fouling off. He hits balls, and I look at the pitch location and I think to myself, 'How does he do that?' He's just impressive. He leaves me dumbfounded sometimes. He's just a very special talent, and I'm glad to have his bat in the lineup."

One of the downsides of the move is it weakens the club defensively, taking the fleet-footed and strong-armed Pie out of left field. Scott has plenty of experience in left but is considered by most scouts a below-average outfielder.

However, team officials apparently felt the defensive change was an acceptable tradeoff for adding another right-handed power hitter to the lineup.

"You look at our lineup, I don't know that you are going to find a team with as much depth as us," Markakis said. "Anytime you go against him, you know what he's capable of doing. It's nice to have him on our side now. He's going to help us out tremendously."

This is positively huge!! Not saying it ranks up there with the trade for Frank Robinson in '66, but it's a game changer.

The O's, if they get any decent starting pitching at all, will now have to be considered in the mix for a playoff spot. And don't say it can't happen. The Rays did it in 2008. (worst to first)
:dance:

^^hmmmmm!!!! so, you're going as far as puttin' us in the playoff hunt? interesting!! i guess we'll see!!!

this year in birdland should be a fun one!!:okay:

Pitchers and catchers are reporting....Spring can't be far behind!:banana:

Heck even Strasburg is starting to pitch again. Take it easy there big fella.

Wasn't he supposed to be out for the 2011 season? Talk about bad breaks...

That's what I thought. Maybe he's just getting the feel of it.

^^o's won tonight, 4-1!!:okay:

great start!!

....you beat me to it!!! ^^

Might be a fun season...I think they will have a winning season for the first time in 13 years.

^^i wouldn't have given wiggy up for derek lee, however. i dunno' about this switch...

baltimore-3. tampa bay-1!! we're 2-0!!

^^i wouldn't have given wiggy up for derek lee, however. i dunno' about this switch...

...however, Lee is far more adept with the leather than Wiggy was. I'll take that exchange given the rest of this lineup. Start printing those playoff tickets!:lol:

^^man, i hope so!! it's been far too long for us! 1997 isn't exactly yesterday......lol

^^o's won tonight, 4-1!!:okay:

great start!!

baltimore-3. tampa bay-1!! we're 2-0!!
:(

:(bal-5, tampa-1. ssssswwwwwwweeeeeeeeep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! last year when you guys swept us in the opening series, that sad face is how we felt, mike!!:okay:

bal-5, tampa-1. ssssswwwwwwweeeeeeeeep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! last year when you guys swept us in the opening series, that sad face is how we felt, mike!!:okay:
I still have to stick with my Rays though. Just pissed that we gave up so many guys to say "hey look, we have Manny and Damon". And look how they're doing so far.... :ohno:

^^^^no need to get alarmed.....yet. still 159 games to go.

bal-5, tampa-1. ssssswwwwwwweeeeeeeeep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! last year when you guys swept us in the opening series, that sad face is how we felt, mike!!:okay:

Here's a gift for Tampamike!!:lol:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/micrip/240645017_d2df769ba9_m.jpg

bal-5, tampa-1. ssssswwwwwwweeeeeeeeep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! last year when you guys swept us in the opening series, that sad face is how we felt, mike!!:okay:

I thought about skipping work and come down there for today's opener, but Stub Hub tickets started at $139 for lousy seats - $33 to stand. So, I'll have to stay up here in Yankee land and settle for watching it on MLB-TV. But I would have loved to be down there soaking up all the excitement with the fans. Sweeping the American Champs at home is SWEEEET. The birds are perched on top of the American League East branch this morning. Lets keep it up.

It was a great day to be at the yard! The weather couldn't have been better and the O's are giving us something to cheer about!!!!!! :cheers:

The O's are 4-0!!! Didn't it take us the whole month of April to win 4 games last year????

^^yep! we didn't win 4 games until right around the "end of april/beginning of may" time frame last year. what a difference a year makes!:okay:

Who knew that after all these years of overpaying for over-the-hill "superstars", all it would take to start winning again was a Buck

Nothing like an ugly 5 game losing streak to dampen enthusiasm on this thread:bash: Back to reality, I guess.

^^ You mean 7, right. :ohno: ... It's still early in the season, and I still only want them to finish above .500. Let's go O's!

Nothing like an ugly 5 game losing streak to dampen enthusiasm on this thread:bash: Back to reality, I guess.not time to get totally alarmed.....yet, anyway. like exrexnotex said, just finishing above .500 would be a hell of an improvement in itself.

Whhhewwwww...

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/pfd103/IMAG0177.jpg

Yay! I can stop feeling bad for jinxing them ( I went to the Texas game, and we lost... but 8 games later, we win again) I wonder if I should go to more games this season...

We have finally found our true home in the basement of the AL East! I knew it was only a matter of time before we were able to overtake Boston for last place. Thanks O's for not letting me down!

rrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeelax, everyone!!!! we're only 20 games into the season! we just need time to gel!:okay:

It's Zach Britton's world, we're just living in it...

It's Zach Britton's world, we're just living in it...

Could we be seeing a 20 game winner? Too early to tell, but I wonder what Palmer thinks...

....could also be seeing Rookie Of The Year! 20 wins, though, might be a stretch.

vlad's single in the 8th last night was clutch!!! o's beat bosox, 5-4!!:okay:

o's are @ .500!! 13-13!!

o's are @ .500!! 13-13!!

And in 3rd...not too shabby. Let's keep it up!

O's looking for the sweep tonight with Zach Britton!

...and quite a game he pitched! Another dramatic finish to a game. At least the guys look like they are having fun...^^

^^wow, what a game!! j.j. hardy's presence alone has truly been a fiery spark in this series!! we're 17-19, 3rd place, and folks, and if i must say so myself, we're actually competitive right now!!:okay:

this time last year, we didn't even have 10 wins, i believe.

omg, j.j. just unloaded a grand-slam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o's about to take 2 outta' 3 from the a.l. east-leading rays!!!:banana:

omg, j.j. just unloaded a grand-slam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o's about to take 2 outta' 3 from the a.l. east-leading rays!!!:banana:

I'm afraid of him doing TOO good though...we might trade him. lol

Nice to see Wieters stepping up as well.

i don't get it. we blow a 6-0 lead. why does buck insist on keepin' gregg in there??? he sucks!!:ohno:

...this is gettin' ugly now. Shades of 2010:bash:

i didn't see the game last night. i just saw the score this morning on espn..........

17 - 5, micrip????????????

what the hell happened??????????:wtf::dunno::cripes:

The game was actually close for awhile. The O's traded runs with the Nats until about the 4th. It fell apart after a couple baserunning and defensive miscues.

Surprised there isn't a little trash talking going on here...where are all the Nationals fans? But I guess this whole forum is about 75% Baltimore posters anyhow.

^^well, atleast we won the series today!! vlad's home run carried us to a 2-1 victory!!:okay:

not baseball-related, but i had to post this.....lol:lol:


http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lm7czhsuAd1qzb7vjo1_500.jpg




http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmpk9eH0e71qa1r5ho1_500.jpg




http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmplwoklnR1qdaiqjo1_500.jpg




http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmpmifkdfh1qbydvuo1_500.jpg




http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmpkmpQ8II1qjwwrjo1_500.jpg

Why can't you ask Lebron change for a dollar?
-Because he never gives you the 4th quarter.

From Friday night:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/pfd103/2011%20-%2008%20August/IMAG0566.jpg

^^^^he'll surely bne missed..

The best way to describe the O's right now:

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lrstuaMudT1qbal59o1_500.png

The best way to describe the O's right now:

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lrstuaMudT1qbal59o1_500.png

Love it...submit it to Memebase!

The O's will finish with a better record than last year, whuch ended 66-96, as they got their 67th win over the Tigers Sat nite. If they win 3 out of the last 4 (a tall order) the final tally will be 70-92. Not much better than last year, but that just "looks" better!

The O's will finish with a better record than last year, whuch ended 66-96, as they got their 67th win over the Tigers Sat nite. If they win 3 out of the last 4 (a tall order) the final tally will be 70-92. Not much better than last year, but that just "looks" better!

This is good, but the Os need to be competitive again. Just having a better loosing record than the year before is not going t bring the fans back. There is no confidence in this organization. There is no urgency to seriously turn things around.

Thanks for the help guys! ;)

We'll see what we can do for you on Wednesday! Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to knock the Sox out of the playoffs in Camden Yards, to maybe finally shut up those Boston fans that take over our ballpark.^^

What we have been seeing for the last month is the team we were expecting all along this year.

well, 80 wins and 81 losses ain't too bad at all, and a 3rd place finish in the division to boot! And with Strasburg coming back full strength next year and Bryce Harper possibly being called up from the minors, well, next season might be something to look forward to for a change! But we'll see, let's not get too excited. But like that famous line from "Major League" says: "Hey, these guys ain't too bad!"

We'll see what we can do for you on Wednesday! Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to knock the Sox out of the playoffs in Camden Yards, to maybe finally shut up those Boston fans that take over our ballpark.^^

What we have been seeing for the last month is the team we were expecting all along this year.

Similar to how the O's ended last season...

In one of the most dramatic moments in Camden Yards history, the O's beat the Sox with 3 straight hits in the bottom of the 9th after two were out, and just moments later the Rays finished their amazing comeback (they were down 6-0) to beat the Yanks and send the Red Sox home for the winter!:banana:

The look on the faces of the Sox fans was priceless...I'm hoping we have finally taken the Yards back.

wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:uh::eek::eek2:

Thanks for the help guys! ;)yeah, now, you can really thank us, mike!!!

6 runs in the eighth, 1 in the ninth??? are you kiddin' me??????????????..................LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wow, y'all really wanted it!!!

congrats & good luck against the texas rangers in the ALDS!!:okay:

yeah, now, you can really thank us, mike!!!

6 runs in the eighth, 1 in the ninth??? are you kiddin' me??????????????..................LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wow, y'all really wanted it!!!

congrats & good luck against the texas rangers in the ALDS!!:okay:
And I went to bed at the Top 7 on the Rays game and look what I missed! :lol:

Rays pretty much define the phrase "Comeback Kids". 4 years ago, they were another team with the Yankees and Red Sox. Rays were 9 games back at the beginning of the month to clinch the Wild Card. And Rays were 7-0 by the 8th to win the game 8-7.

Rays know how to win and when to win and they proved it last night.

Thanks O's!!! :cheers:

The Rays give us hope. They have been contenders for, what, 5 years now? Proof that you don't have to be New York or Boston to be competitive in this division. Tampa is one of the smallest markets with one of the lousiest stadiums, and look at what they do.

^^^^

...& do it with a payroll of only $40M, compared to the red sox's "whopping" payroll of $163M.

it's actually kinda' intriguing when you sit and think about it........lol.






why not us?? why not us next year????

^^^^

...& do it with a payroll of only $40M, compared to the red sox's "whopping" payroll of $163M.

it's actually kinda' intriguing when you sit and think about it........lol.






why not us?? why not us next year????

The movie Moneyball should have been about Tampa, not the A's...

I guess now Tampa has to return the favor by taking a dive next time they play the O's :D

^^^^of course! it's only fair!......lol:D :D

well, 80 wins and 81 losses ain't too bad at all, and a 3rd place finish in the division to boot! And with Strasburg coming back full strength next year and Bryce Harper possibly being called up from the minors, well, next season might be something to look forward to for a change! But we'll see, let's not get too excited. But like that famous line from "Major League" says: "Hey, these guys ain't too bad!"yeah, nats fans should really be proud of their team. compared to past years, 80 wins is a huge accomplishment.:okay:

I guess now Tampa has to return the favor by taking a dive next time they play the O's :D
Haha We never want to see us in 4th or 5th place ever again, so it's going to be pretty hard forcing the Yanks or Red Sox that far down in the division to let you guys shine.

Well, least you guys are grateful. We help the cards get the wild card spot by beating the Braves and do we get any thanks from Cardinals fans? Naaaaaaa! Now they're world champions. Lemme tell yah, like Rodney used to say we ain't go no respect, no respect I tell ya :nuts:

Next year the "fun bird" will be returning as our official baseball cap logo.

Nick Markakis and Matt Wieters each won a gold glove. Happy for both of them, especially Markakis who deserved this award long ago. He currently has the highest fielding percentage among active right fielders.

Next year the "fun bird" will be returning as our official baseball cap logo.

Nick Markakis and Matt Wieters each won a gold glove. Happy for both of them, especially Markakis who deserved this award long ago. He currently has the highest fielding percentage among active right fielders.

I love the return of the "fun bird". We'll see what design they come up with.

I love the return of the "fun bird". We'll see what design they come up with.


I am not crazy about the cartoon bird. I think it really looks silly on the front of the cap on a serious adult ball player. Most teams use a letter representing the city or the team. I like the scipted "O", its more dignified and mature.

I like the cities with two words in it so the logo is two letters juxtaposed with each other, like NY, LA, TB, SF, SD etc. I liked the Nats alternate "DC" logo from last year, I don't know why they stopped using that.

I am not crazy about the cartoon bird. I think it really looks silly on the front of the cap on a serious adult ball player. Most teams use a letter representing the city or the team. I like the scipted "O", its more dignified and mature.

...on the other hand, when the O's had the cartoon bird before, they were a "serious" team...a very series-ous team!

I am not crazy about the cartoon bird. I think it really looks silly on the front of the cap on a serious adult ball player. Most teams use a letter representing the city or the team. I like the scipted "O", its more dignified and mature.no one really paid much attention to that silly-lookin' bird on the hat back in the 60's & 70's when we were moppin' the floor with other teams. They're trying to bring back the winning tradition, so I say go for it!!!

at the same time, if they're talkin' about completely getting rid of the "O's" hat altogether, i think that would be a huge mistake. it's a huge fashion statement around town that's probably generated millions of dollars to the organization.

hell, they could use the money. they're not winning, so.... lol.

...on the other hand, when the O's had the cartoon bird before, they were a "serious" team...a very series-ous team!


Can't argue about the team performing better when they had the cartoon bird on their caps. But they weren't winning because of the bird, they won because they had talent and owners who were committed to maintaining a winning tradition. The Os had a great farm system that produced great players year after year. Angelos ruined that. It doesn't matter what they put on their cap-its about the quality they put on the playing field.

Not sure if you guys are following the GM "search" but the Orioles have been turned down left and right by some of the better baseball men in the league. It's another low point in a 15 year span where there have been many low points.

This team will not be worth following or investing in as long as Peter Angelos is the owner.

It might be time to go to Plan B...Showalter as GM. It will be a lot simpler to find a field manager at this point.

Like someone said years ago...it's as if the Orioles are offering Confederate money.

I think the Nats should re-sign Davey Johnson as manager. He started out slow when he took over for quitterman, errr, I mean Riggleman, in August, but finished out the season strong, so who knows, maybe, just maybe, the Nats can be contenders finally next season. Or they could suck as usual, you never know.

I see your Nats finishing over .500, if Strasburg stays healthy.

Thank goodness Wilson Ramos was rescued safe and sound! Kudos to the police SWAT team that rescued him!

Thank goodness Wilson Ramos was rescued safe and sound! Kudos to the police SWAT team that rescued him!

Interesting related story in the Sun:

Melvin Mora on Ramos' kidnapping, crime in Venezuela and wanting to return to the Orioles

UPDATE: Wilson Ramos was rescued Friday in Venezuela. Read the story of his rescue here.

If anyone understands violence in Venezuela, it is former Oriole Melvin Mora, whose father was killed in front of the family’s home in a case of mistaken identity when Mora was just a boy.

So, sadly, he’s not surprised that 24-year-old catcher Washington Nationals Wilson Ramos was kidnapped in Valencia, Venezuela, on Wednesday and is being held hostage, presumably for ransom.

Ramos was taken from his home by four gunmen, and, as of early Friday afternoon, an investigation was ongoing and Ramos was believed to be alive. Mora doesn’t know Ramos well but spent time with him at a restaurant last year when the Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks, Mora's team in 2011, played.

“I’m really worried, not only for Ramos, but I worry for his family,” Mora said. “They went and talked to the police, and I’m afraid [the perpetrators] will come back and do something to them later because they went to the police.”

Mora, who was cut by the Diamondbacks at the end of June, lives full time in Bel Air, but he visits his home country frequently. He goes in and out without telling too many people he is visiting. He said that sometimes his mother, who lives primarily in Venezuela, doesn’t even know when he has returned to Maryland.

“My mama will call and say, ‘Where are you?’ and I’ll say, ‘I am in the United States,’ and she’ll say: ‘When did you leave? You were just here?’ I kind of go into hiding,” he said.

He said he understands the perils of his country and that it is easy to be caught up in the criminal world.

“Somebody shoots my dad in front of me, and sometimes, in life, you don’t realize you’ve been through all this stuff when you have a good family and you have a reason to care and work hard,” he said. “But when you don’t have anybody, you end up as one of them in crime or [as] killers. I’m glad my mama always took care of me. She never allowed us to go in a bad direction, and here we are. When we go to Venezuela now, we see 14-year-olds really serious about crime. [Lawmakers] have reduced the crime a little bit, but it is still there.”

Mora has always been a huge supporter of Venezuela and has a children’s foundation there. He said he returned recently to deliver baseball equipment and was met by a man with a gun. The man escorted him around the area, making sure he wouldn’t be harmed by others.

Mora said the man told him he wanted to protect Mora because the ballplayer had given his son baseball equipment.

The Ramos incident, he said, likely will deter other big league players from going to Venezuela and participating in the winter league there. That’s completely understandable, and a shame, he said.

“It’s a sad situation. There are so many families, wives and kids, that support the players. They go over there to give a good attraction to the fans, to play for the fans and we give you a good show,” Mora said. “And we don’t expect that it is going to be scary. But all the players don’t want to play in Venezuela now because of security, and that is sad.”

Mora said the country of Colombia also used to be crime ridden, but with the help of the U.S. government, it’s safer now – safer than Venezuela. He would like the same thing to happen in his homeland.

“I think we need help from the United States to help us fix the things over there in that country. I don’t think without the United States we can do it,” Mora said. “I have lived 20 years here, I see the security here. I see how it works here. But I know there are a lot of things to fix here, too.”

Mora used to talk, only half-joking, about wanting to be president of Venezuela. No longer does he even kid about going into politics.

“Two things I don’t want to be in my life: I don’t want to be a coach, unless I be a coach for my kids, and I don’t want to be a politician,” he said.

What he wants to continue to be is a baseball player. He turns 40 in February and is coming off a rough 2011 in which he hit .228 in 127 at-bats for the Diamondbacks. He was in a car accident in spring training, and his brother-in-law, who was like his second father, died during the season.

He believes his time away from the game has helped him focus, and he thinks he could contribute as a regular or a utility player next year.

And, yes, he’d love to come back to the Orioles, for whom he played from 2000 to 2009. He said he likes manager Buck Showalter and executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette, whom he knew when Duquette ran the Boston Red Sox.

In fact, Mora said, he recently spoke to former Oriole Miguel Tejada, who was cut this season by the San Francisco Giants, and talked about reuniting in Baltimore.

“I said, ‘Why don’t we go back to the Orioles?' And he said, ‘You want to do that?'" Mora said. “I don’t know. I guess we have to see who the general manager of the Orioles is to see if he will take us back.”

That reunion seems unlikely since Duquette is more focused on rebuilding with younger players and not veteran castoffs. But Mora hopes to play somewhere in 2012, hopefully on the East Coast, near his wife, 14-year-old daughter and 10-year-old quintuplets.

Cartoon bird logo and new uniforms unveiled Tuesday
November 14, 2011
Baltimore Sun

The Orioles will officially unveil their new cartoon bird logo and 2012 uniforms tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. on www.orioles.com

We’ll have a story and the images up on shortly thereafter, so you can come here, too. By about 10 a.m. Tuesday, we’ll have it all.

I had a chance to view the merchandise today – under the promise that some specific details won’t be released until the Orioles do it officially tomorrow.

My first impression is that the cartoon Orioles logo looks more like the one from the 1960s than the 1980s one of my youth. It is plumper. In fact, if you put the 1960s bird and the 2012 bird side-by-side there are only two discernible differences.

One, the white trim along the back rim of the bird’s hat isn’t as pronounced as it was in the old logo. It’s hard to pick that up unless you are really looking.

The other, though, is obvious. This cartoon bird is wearing an O’s hat and not the indistinguishable orange blotch from the 1960s logo.

That makes it a little more authentic. Otherwise, it’s basically the same logo as the one we all remember.

I’ve said before, I am not much of a uniform guy. I’m always more interested in what’s inside of the uniform. But I know a lot of you care about these things.

So there you go.

The other changes to the 2012 uniform, as we reported previously, include a new 20th anniversary Camden Yards’ patch on the right sleeve of all of the uniforms and a slightly altered left sleeve patch – it’s the Maryland flag but now will say “Baltimore Orioles” in each version.

Baltimore will remain scripted across the road uniforms, but the type will now be consistent and not tapered. So the ‘alt’ will be the same size as the ‘more.”

Speaking of more, you’ll get more on Tuesday if you want it.

Baltimore Orioles unveil 2012 uniform changes
Baltimore Business Journal by Alexander Jackson, Staff Reporter
Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2011, 10:50am EST - Last Modified: Tuesday, November 15, 2011, 11:41am EST

http://assets.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/Orioles-2012-Hats-Jersey.jpg?v=1

http://thedailyrecord.com/files/2011/11/orioles-bird.png


Follow this company on Tuesday unveiled new uniforms for the 2012 season, bringing back their old cartoon bird logo for the club’s 20th season at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

For the first time since the 1992 season, the O’s will wear an orange jersey featuring “Orioles” script in black and white outline for Saturday home games.

The slight changes to the team’s gear were announced on the club’s website Tuesday morning. The Orioles ended the 2011 season with 69 wins and 93 losses, finishing last place in the American League East.

Most notable of the changes was the team’s new logo. The 2012 cartoon bird head is a new design, including elements from both the team’s 1970 and 1983 seasons.

The club’s new home cap will feature the cartoon bird on a white front panel with a black back and orange bill and button. Alternatively, the Orioles’ road hat will feature the cartoon bird on black with an orange bill and button. The same looks for both their home and road caps will be replicated on their batting helmets.

On their road uniforms, the “Baltimore” script on the road jerseys has been restyled.

Baltimore’s baseball team also officially announced Tuesday its players will sport a patch on their right sleeves commemorating the 20th anniversary of Oriole Park.

Players’ left sleeves will feature a patch with the Maryland flag and “Baltimore Orioles” text. The Maryland flag patch previously appeared only on the club’s home jerseys.

The club’s primary logo, “Orioles” script on the team jerseys and O’s alternate cap are unchanged.

The gates to Oriole Park at Camden Yards could soon be open all year long.

An item on the Dec. 7 state Board of Public Works agenda calls for creation of a $1.8 million “park-like destination” to be built in centerfield that would be open year round. The project would call for the creation of a new first-floor concession stand as well as a second-floor, outdoor deck-like area where the centerfield batter’s eye currently stands. A year-round restaurant could also be part of the plans.

The project would be part of the stadium’s new tribute area to the team’s six Hall of Famers, said Orioles spokesman Greg Bader.

“It’s safe to say that it’s going to create an area that’s more of a destination than it is now,” Bader said. “Its going to be a place that Orioles fans will want to visit.”

Bader said the club would be adding concession and retail space to Oriole Park at Camden Yards as part of the project. The goal is to create a year-round “casual, social hangout” in keeping with the ballpark’s tradition, he said.

“It’s not going to look like the Atlantic City boardwalk,” Bader said. “It’s going to look like Camden Yards, it’s going to look like Eutaw Street.”

The 46,000-seat Oriole Park will enter its 20th season in 2012.

• Photos: Orioles unveil 2012 uniform changes
Bader did not say what the new concessions will look like. The concessions will be run by Delaware North Sportservice, the ballpark’s food and beverage operator.

Janet Marie Smith, who worked on the original design of Camden Yards and rejoined the Orioles in 2009, will head the project. The Maryland Stadium Authority .Maryland Stadium Authority Latest from The Business Journals Baltimore Grand Prix organizers hit with 0,000 tax lienFormer Constellation exec may be Baltimore Grand Prix's top CEO pickLeaders: New Baltimore arena, convention center is crucial to city's economy Follow this company .is requesting about $1.8 million be approved by the Board of Public Works for the renovation of the centerfield picnic area.

Benaka Inc., an Ellicot City construction firm, has been tapped for the renovations. Most of the funding for the project will come from the state’s Supplemental Improvements Fund, said Michael J. Frenz, executive director of the Maryland Stadium Authority.

Jack Lambert
Researcher/Reporter - Baltimore Business Journal


Sounds like an interesting plan. :)

So are they basically saying they want to keep Eutaw Street open year round and put mains street type stuff at the bottom floor of the warehouse? I don't know who would go to a concession stand and pay those prices when they are not trapped in there?

I thought Eutaw Street was already open year round, as well as the Orioles store. I've stood on the flag court in the middle of the winter. Ballpark tours are offered year round also.

So are they basically saying they want to keep Eutaw Street open year round and put mains street type stuff at the bottom floor of the warehouse? I don't know who would go to a concession stand and pay those prices when they are not trapped in there?

No, it seems this has more to do with the picnic area...

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-oriole-park-open-20111130,0,266777.story

Some pictures from Fanfest this weekend:

http://www.bmoreinterested.com/2012/01/orioles-fanfest-pictures.html

What's remarkable is that an estimated 9,000 turned out: 1,000 less than last year but up against bad weather and the fact that the Ravens pretty mch owned the weekend. Baseball is alive and well in Baltimore!

The Nats have made some good moves over the winter, most notably signing Gio Gonzales who I think will be the #2 or #3 starter. They missed out on Prince Fielder, but I don't think he was worth the money/length of contract it would have taken to get him.

I think they will finally have their first winning season and be in the hunt for a wildcard spot fairly late (although I don't think they will actually make the postseason). My prediction: 85-77.

Here is to another (O's) losing season :cheers:

Does the front office know they are allowed to sign players?

I think they will finally have their first winning season and be in the hunt for a wildcard spot fairly late (although I don't think they will actually make the postseason). My prediction: 85-77.

Can't wait for baseball season! As much as I like hockey, it's too expensive. And I could care less about the NBA or NFL (or MLS). I'm ready for some affordable evenings watching a baseball game at Nats Park!

Can't wait for baseball season! As much as I like hockey, it's too expensive. And I could care less about the NBA or NFL (or MLS). I'm ready for some affordable evenings watching a baseball game at Nats Park!

I'm looking forward to it also. I dislike winter and for me the start of baseball season symbolizes the return of spring and the chance to be outside. Catching a baseball game with friends is one of the best ways to enjoy a day or evening outside.

Prince Fielder goes to the Tigers. Not to say there was any hope he would land in Baltimore...

To be honest, I don't blame them for not spending the big bucks...yet. The time when this team is a contender is not even on the horizon.

^^im actually happy with the pitchers we've landed. I think we should've pursued edwin jackson a lot harder than we did.

The O's report to Spring Training in just a few days.... so I'd like to entertain some predictions!

Would you go Over or Under 67.5 wins for the 2012 season? They were 69-93 last season, so the over/under is pretty much whether or not you think they will be as good (or better) than last year's dismal season.

The O's report to Spring Training in just a few days.... so I'd like to entertain some predictions!

Would you go Over or Under 67.5 wins for the 2012 season? They were 69-93 last season, so the over/under is pretty much whether or not you think they will be as good (or better) than last year's dismal season.

I'm betting on 70-75 wins this season...Which I still view as disappointing. If the divisions reorganize as they've been talking about for 2013, then we're at 84-85 wins overnight...I would think.

65-75 wins.

Another boring and embarrassing summer in Baltimore when it comes to local sports.

Maybe another gain of 3, to finish 72-90. At that rate, they will be .500 in 2015 and contenders in 2020.

When does the Ravens training camp begin?

by the way, if you haven't checked out the new website for OPACY's 20th anniversary season, it's pretty nice: http://www.CamdenYards20.com

Old videos of Eutaw street home runs (where the stadium is actually full!)

Young Pitching is the ultimate equalizer in Baseball, so our hopes our tied with hoping Matusz, Britton, Arieta, Tillman and Hunter live up to their potential. If a couple can, I think we can surprise some people. Best news I heard all offseason was that Tillman, Hunter and Matusz where training with Brady Anderson this offseason, that guy knows training, and those are probably the three most out of shape guys on the team.

Young Pitching is the ultimate equalizer in Baseball, so our hopes our tied with hoping Matusz, Britton, Arieta, Tillman and Hunter live up to their potential. If a couple can, I think we can surprise some people. Best news I heard all offseason was that Tillman, Hunter and Matusz where training with Brady Anderson this offseason, that guy knows training, and those are probably the three most out of shape guys on the team.

Chen is 26 or 27 too.

Hunter, Hammel and Chen are definitely in the rotation IMO, as long as they are healthy and not getting shelled in ST. If Britton is healthy, I don't see how he starts in AAA after he had a solid rookie season last year. Matusz probably starts in AAA. That leaves it up Wada and Arrieta. My bet is on Wada getting the last spot based on him being DD's guy. DD has said he wants the younger pitchers to earn their spots in the rotation.

Anyway, I agree. Regardless what happens with the offense -- had we signed Fielder or some other slugger -- it always comes back to the pitching.

I like Arrieta, he gave us 10 wins with bone chips in his elbow. He had many 8+ strike out games. Him healthy is exciting to me. I also like the thought of Hunter coming back about 30 pounds lighter, not sure what shape he'll be in, but I love the fact he is training with Brady.

We'll see what happens, we know this team can hit. I love our OF, love our SS and Catcher, and Reynold is Reynolds. Hopefully we get production from 2B and 1B and DH.

Here is the ultimate if situation... but hey why not. What if Reimold plays like he finished, what if Chris Davis lives up to his potential, what if Arieta is consistent, Matusz returns to his late 2010 form, and Britton gets slightly better... this team could surprise a lot of people. Or maybe just guys like Jones, Hardy, Wieters and Markakis put the team on their back.... I know, I know. I'm just saying it's possible. If there is one thing this team doesn't lack is guys who where supposed to be future All Stars.

We say this every year.

Usually it all goes wrong and this year is shaping up to be another one of those years.

We'll see.