Now that spring is here, its time to turn to thoughts of baseball. Which of the 2 teams will be the most successful this year, the O's or the Nats? Is the area big enough to support 2 teams, especially after the new stadium in DC is completed? Will this competition force Peter Angelos to finally get more aggressive at improving the O's? Does anyone have any shots of the new DC stadium under construction?

Lots of questions, but it is a long season.

Here's a dreamy day at Camden Yards from a couple of seasons ago...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/micrip/100_0852.jpg

I don't have any shots of it under construction, but I have this rendering. Their stadium looks pretty cool.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/61/Nationals_Ballpark_computer_image.jpg/800px-Nationals_Ballpark_computer_image.jpg

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/images/2006/03/14/iYxe9fLA.jpg

http://www.jdland.com/dc/images/stadium-rendering-outfield.jpg

Orioles vs. Nationals in 2007 WS ....how great would that be :banana:

lol, one can hope...

I say we wait a couple more yrs so the ballpark district around the stadium is better.

http://www.jdland.com/dc/images/halfn-30-6-200702-1.jpg

http://www.jdland.com/dc/images/1potomac-48-6w-55-200702-6.jpg

Before - 8/06
http://www.jdland.com/dc/images/1n-35-6s-35-200508-1.jpg

After - 2/07
http://www.jdland.com/dc/images/1n-35-6s-35-200702-9.jpg

http://www.jdland.com/dc/images/stadium-rendering-homeplate.jpg
http://www.jdland.com/dc/images/stadium-rendering-outfield.jpg

These are all taken from JDland.com, in the near SE development section

http://www.jdland.com/dc/images/55m-rendering.jpg

http://www.jdland.com/dc/images/monhalf-rendering-halfn05.jpg

http://www.monumentrealty.com/properties/halfstreet_r/images/pic_home1.jpg

A lot of this stuff won't be done for 3 or 4 yrs. And there's a lot more stuff coming too. This was all taken from the same source.

Orioles vs. Nationals in 2007 WS ....how great would that be :banana:

It would be great, but I was surprised at the lack of overall buzz surrounding the first interleague series between the 2 teams last season. Frank being gone isn't going to help matters this year, either.

It's truly sad that the O's recent woes have begun to really affect surrounding businesses and attractions at Camden Yards.

The Sports Legends Mueseum and Geppi's Entertainment Mueseum, along with the Babe Ruth Birthplace are all suffering from low attendance - in large part due to dwindling attendance at O's games. And these are great additions to downtown that should be thriving. How many other cities have TWO sports mueseums and an entertainment/pop culture mueseum?

And while I don't know any figures, I'm sure bars and restaurants around Oriole Park are hurting too. The Wharf Rat, Sliders, Pickles, Luna Del Sea, DSX etc... all depend heavily on traffic from O's games. Without it, that area is very desolate.

The O's look promising this spring. Bedard/Cabrera/Lowen will take them as far as they go. And so far they've had stellar outings in ST. If the O's can play over .500 baseball and be in the Wild Card hunt until September, the fans will come back, at least somewhat.

For some the damage is beyond repair. They won't return until Angelos sells. I for one support the team, beyond the crappy owner, but every year that the same stuff keeps happening, it's harder and harder. I'll be in the stands hopefully 6-10 times this summer. I hope I have something to cheer for, and a lot of other people there with me to cheer with.

It would be great, but I was surprised at the lack of overall buzz surrounding the first interleague series between the 2 teams last season. Frank being gone isn't going to help matters this year, either.

Frank being gone is the best thing to happen to this team since it moved here. Great player, terrible manager. Not an uncommon combination.

The best thing to happen to since you guys moved here? I highly resent that. You guys don't win to begin with and when you get a good manager, you shove him out the door. Great player? YES. Terrible manager? I think not.


1. In three years as manager of the Cleveland Indians, he leads them to a winning record two out of three years.

2. In four years as manager of the San Francisco Giants, he leads them to four winning seasons.

3. Before moving to D.C., the man leads the lowly Montreal Expos to three winning seasons in three years (And believe me, for the Expos, that's pretty damn good).

4. And in two years as manager of the Nationals, one of those two seasons was finished with an 81-81 record in 2005. 2006 was 71-91.


Not the greatest stats in the world, but I sure wouldn't use the word "terrible". That's going to the extreme, don't you think?

I love the view from inside of Camden Yards except for that God awful Holiday Inn hotel. I wish they would tear down that ugly monstrosity and build a beautiful 30-35 story mixed use tower on that site. I am sure that won't happen, but it doesn't hurt to wish. Beside you probably won't see it after the ugly Hilton is built anyway.

I love the view from inside of Camden Yards except for that God awful Holiday Inn hotel. I wish they would tear down that ugly monstrosity and build a beautiful 30-35 story mixed use tower on that site. I am sure that won't happen, but it doesn't hurt to wish. Beside you probably won't see it after the ugly Hilton is built anyway.

Not awful..just dated. When it was built in the early '60's, it was considered pretty cool and modern looking. It was built just after the Civic Center opened...I think the Beatles stayed there when they visited Baltimore.

With all the new hotels coming on-line in the next few years, it wouldn't surprise me if that site gets redeveloped.

I just realized that we don't play home at all the first week. At Minnesota and then at New York. UGH!!!!:bash:

I just realized that we don't play home at all the first week. At Minnesota and then at New York. UGH!!!!:bash:

Sucks doesn't it? First time in something like 15 years, that we haven't opened at home. :bash:

I love the view from inside of Camden Yards except for that God awful Holiday Inn hotel. I wish they would tear down that ugly monstrosity and build a beautiful 30-35 story mixed use tower on that site. I am sure that won't happen, but it doesn't hurt to wish. Beside you probably won't see it after the ugly Hilton is built anyway.

I agree, the whole site needs to be reconfigured right up to that garage on Pratt St. It is underutilized.

I am going to see the Os play in Seattle in July. I like to stay in the same hotel as the team. Does anyone know? The Yankees stayed at the Westin. Perhaps that's where most teams stay. Its kind of neat to hang out at the hotel bar with players, coachs and announcers. Some do hang out, most don't.

Updated: March 13, 2007, 3:08 PM ET
New Nats stadium on schedule for 2008 openerAssociated Press


WASHINGTON -- Come April 2008, Ryan Zimmerman might become the first player in major league history to hit a home run into a cherry tree.

A grove of cherry blossoms behind the left field bleachers is one of the latest additions to the plans of the Washington Nationals stadium.

"We couldn't find another ballpark that had trees in the ballpark," team president Stan Kasten said Tuesday at the launch of a campaign to sell luxury suites.

Kasten said construction of the 41,000-seat ballpark remains on schedule for completion by Opening Day next year. The outline has taken shape, with the steel and concrete frame of the upper deck rising above the site along the Anacostia River.

"There's no question it's going to open on time," Kasten said.

While the city has agreed to spend up to $611 million to build the stadium, Kasten said the team's principle owners, the Lerner family, are spending tens of millions of dollars more on "jazzing up the park." Several issues remain to be resolved, particularly involving traffic flow and parking.

"As you know, there are an awful lot of people with different interests in this city," Kasten said with a smile, "and we're blessed with advice from all of them."

The stadium has the temporary name of"Nationals Park, although that will change once the naming rights are sold. In an era in which nearly everything is for sale, Kasten said the team might even sell the naming rights to the levels of luxury suites, which currently bear the names of presidents Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln.

Inside the more posh areas of the ballpark, amenities include the "Oval Office Bar." The ballpark has 66 suites, and all are located around the infield.

The stadium already had a distinctive plan with its use of glass, brick and limestone, but Kasten said the cherry blossoms will create a look Americans associate only with the nation's capital.

"You see those," Kasten said, "And you know you're either in D.C. or Japan."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

i still would say that baltimore has the best-looking stadium in baseball. it's just a stadium with so much creativity. i love it!

Memorial Stadium had trees...it was almost a forest, actually. When the ballpark opened in 1954, the outfield fence was a hedge!! That didn't last long, though.

i think coors field in denver has evergreens near the bleachers.

anyway, i agree, i think camden yards is the best looking ballpark in the majors (at least modern stadium)

have many baseball fans in the dc area started to hate the orioles now that the nats are there? do the two teams fans have that hatred yet? or is it still too early?

i think coors field in denver has evergreens near the bleachers.

anyway, i agree, i think camden yards is the best looking ballpark in the majors (at least modern stadium)

have many baseball fans in the dc area started to hate the orioles now that the nats are there? do the two teams fans have that hatred yet? or is it still too early?

I'm still a Orioles fan even though I went to a high school named after a former Senators player and I live much closer to DC.

Memorial Stadium had trees...it was almost a forest, actually. When the ballpark opened in 1954, the outfield fence was a hedge!! That didn't last long, though.

Camden Yards has trees right past the bullpen too...it's just a little hard to hit a ball that far.

Go O's baby!

I'm actually heading down there tomorrow morning to hit some spring training games. I'll be sure to take some pics of the stadium at Ft. Lauderdale. No Camden Yards of course, it's more like a minor league stadium, however, you do get to get upclose and personal with the players a little bit more.

Looks like there won't be much of the hilton project to look at for Opening Day at Camden Yards...I had this thought in my head last fall (not really sure why) that they would have part of the project that would be in front of the train station finished by now.

It would be nice if they throw something O's related up on the construction site for Opening Day.

Go O's

It's truly sad that the O's recent woes have begun to really affect surrounding businesses and attractions at Camden Yards..

xander, it may be one of the greatest ironies in baseball:

Baltimore, the inventor of the retropark, the city showed all the others to follow the way, the city that first truly benefitted from the advantage of a downtown park filled with fans..

...somehow missed the "bounce" the Orioles should have had when they openned the new place. So many of the first wave of new ball parks that followed Camden Yards saw success come...notably to teams like the Indians and Giants.

Remarkably the Orioles, for all there glory in the Memorial Stadium era have not been able to make the grade since the new park openned. That's a shame...it would be great to see what a place like Camden Yards would be like in a real pennant race.

xander, it may be one of the greatest ironies in baseball:

Baltimore, the inventor of the retropark, the city showed all the others to follow the way, the city that first truly benefitted from the advantage of a downtown park filled with fans..

...somehow missed the "bounce" the Orioles should have had when they openned the new place. So many of the first wave of new ball parks that followed Camden Yards saw success come...notably to teams like the Indians and Giants.

Remarkably the Orioles, for all there glory in the Memorial Stadium era have not been able to make the grade since the new park openned. That's a shame...it would be great to see what a place like Camden Yards would be like in a real pennant race.
Excellent point, edsg25. By the way, I'm a huge fan of McCovey's Cove behind the Giants stadium. Barry Bonds used to hammer the ball into that body of water alot before it was discovered that he was hitting the 'roids.

Camden Yards is really w/ few rivals when it comes to having an electric environment during big games/playoffs/events. Even today, I don't think you need two hands to count the better baseball atmospheres that could compete w/ the Orioles of '96 & '97 playoff runs nvm Cal breaking the record in '95.

I hear that the Nationals stadium will have cherry trees (with cherry blossoms obviously). Anyone know what that will look like or have any information to discuss about that?

Not about the cherry trees, but we know what the stadium will look like.

I hear that the Nationals stadium will have cherry trees (with cherry blossoms obviously). Anyone know what that will look like or have any information to discuss about that?

Tons of pictures of the cherry trees here...

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/was/ballpark/newstadium.jsp

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/was/images/ballpark/ph_fclub_1024x663.jpg

Head over to JD's site for more information on the surrounding development if you're interested.

http://www.jdland.com/dc/index.cfm

I think it looks good, we still need some more DC things in there though.

The cheery blossoms look nice.

I hope they're using a lot of marble for the facade of the stadium, that's the only way to go to have a distinctly DC ballpark.

I think they're using some limestone or something that looks like limestone. I think they'll think of more things.

Tons of pictures of the cherry trees here...

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/was/ballpark/newstadium.jsp

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/was/images/ballpark/ph_fclub_1024x663.jpg

Head over to JD's site for more information on the surrounding development if you're interested.

http://www.jdland.com/dc/index.cfm

Will look nice...but won't compare with this....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/micrip/100_0852.jpg

the new Nats stadium looks like it is going to be a beauty. I noticed the the upper deck behind home plate is lower than it is along 1st and 3rd. Does anyone know if this is paying deverence to the same type of arrangement at Griffith Stadium?

Just noticed the seats behind home plate. They look like they are upholstered! No hard plastic for the DC crowd!!

Does it seem like the new Nats stadium will have a lot of room behind home plate? I'm not a big fan of tons of field in foul ground...I like being closer to the action.

Any idea on the naming of the new Nats stadium? Something like "Verizon Park"?

The stadium is ok.. nothing spectacular about the way it looks.. I am a bit dissapointed.. I expected more...

It's fine, it looks good and distinctive from the outside and if we develop the neighborhood nicely, it'll be a good atmosphere for baseball.

It's definately not retro. It may appear that era may be ending. The new parks in Philly, Cincy, and DC all seem to have moved away from the Camden Yards look.

The stadium is ok.. nothing spectacular about the way it looks.. I am a bit dissapointed.. I expected more...

did you consider the possiblity that the "nothing spectacular" might be an advantage. You guys in Baltimore developed a fine concept with Camden Yards; yours was the first retro parks and today remains one of the best.

but since your example, some of the over-the-top retroparks have gone absolutely overboard in putting every architectural element and every reference to the older parks of the 20th century into their new construction. The result: a hodge podge of overload as each tried to do the one before it.

In Chicago, we were unfortunate that the new Comiskey (US Cellular) openned the year before Camden Yards and the splendid example it set. The new park went from getting raves to boo's in a matter of years, its symmetrical layout and lack of the old fashioned feel made it seem lacking compared to the new parks.

And while it will never mean what Wrigley does to Chicago, the Cell has begun to regain favor now just because of how overdone some of the retroparks are.

Under those circumstances, it is very possible that Washington's more straight forward park might be a very good new additon for MLB >

Yeah, and don't get it twisted, it's not as bland as Cincy's Great American Ballpark. This stadium won't be revolutionary, but it's going to be handsome IMO.

did you consider the possiblity that the "nothing spectacular" might be an advantage. You guys in Baltimore developed a fine concept with Camden Yards; yours was the first retro parks and today remains one of the best.

but since your example, some of the over-the-top retroparks have gone absolutely overboard in putting every architectural element and every reference to the older parks of the 20th century into their new construction. The result: a hodge podge of overload as each tried to do the one before it.

In Chicago, we were unfortunate that the new Comiskey (US Cellular) openned the year before Camden Yards and the splendid example it set. The new park went from getting raves to boo's in a matter of years, its symmetrical layout and lack of the old fashioned feel made it seem lacking compared to the new parks.

And while it will never mean what Wrigley does to Chicago, the Cell has begun to regain favor now just because of how overdone some of the retroparks are.

Under those circumstances, it is very possible that Washington's more straight forward park might be a very good new additon for MLB >
This is a great point. The Nationals' new park will be completed in a well done fashion.

This is a great point. The Nationals' new park will be completed in a well done fashion.

BTW, I like how the new DC park looks. I was referring more to the view out of the park (wonderful skyline view) at Camden Yards as opposed to the view out of the Nationals park. And it doesn't have a design element like the warehouse.

In Sports Illustrated's baseball issue, they had the O's ranked 24th and the Nationals 30th, or worst in the majors!!

I think they are going to be way wrong about the O's...I predict a ranking in the high teens when it's all said and done, and let's hope they are wrong about the Nats too!!!

In Sports Illustrated's baseball issue, they had the O's ranked 24th and the Nationals 30th, or worst in the majors!!

I think they are going to be way wrong about the O's...I predict a ranking in the high teens when it's all said and done, and let's hope they are wrong about the Nats too!!!

I expect a bit more from the O's (here's hoping), and I can't imagine that the Nats could be that bad if they tried. No offense to Pittsburgh, Tampa, and KC...but I think they all will be down below the Nats (maybe a bit of a surge from KC though).

I have tickets to our opening home game vs. Detroit on April 9th. Camden Yards is going to be jumpin'!

I have high expectations about our chances this year. I'll go out on a limb and say that we'll atleast finish in third place:


New York
Toronto
Baltimore
Boston
Tampa Bay

i think coors field in denver has evergreens near the bleachers.

anyway, i agree, i think camden yards is the best looking ballpark in the majors (at least modern stadium)

have many baseball fans in the dc area started to hate the orioles now that the nats are there? do the two teams fans have that hatred yet? or is it still too early?Plenty of DC people hated the Orioles long before the Nats came to town. DC baseball fans can roughly be divided into three camps:

1.) Always hated the Orioles, never rooted for them after '71 (obviously, these are the most rabid current Nats fans)
2.) Rooted for both before '71, then liked the O's
3.) Rooted for the O's, never cared about a DC team

Lots of people from all three camps have deserted the O's because of Angelos. And O's fans don't like him any better.

By the by...I'm Bawlmer through and through. I hate Angelos but I love 'dem O's, hon! ;)

Plenty of DC people hated the Orioles long before the Nats came to town. DC baseball fans can roughly be divided into three camps:

1.) Always hated the Orioles, never rooted for them after '71 (obviously, these are the most rabid current Nats fans)
2.) Rooted for both before '71, then liked the O's
3.) Rooted for the O's, never cared about a DC team

Lots of people from all three camps have deserted the O's because of Angelos. And O's fans don't like him any better.

A lot of people like the O's but also like the Nats. They like the O's, b/c that's closest team to root for, since they liked them for so long, they'll still like them if there's a new home team. The fact they're in different leagues helps too.

A lot of people like the O's but also like the Nats. They like the O's, b/c that's closest team to root for, since they liked them for so long, they'll still like them if there's a new home team. The fact they're in different leagues helps too.

I agree completely. Although I have been an O's fan for life (yes I'm old enough to have witnessed their complete history)...I am warming more and more to the Nats. They are in different leagues, and it would give me great pleasure to see an O's-Nats World Series someday!! (rooting for the O"s, of course!!)

I have tickets to our opening home game vs. Detroit on April 9th. Camden Yards is going to be jumpin'!

I have high expectations about our chances this year. I'll go out on a limb and say that we'll atleast finish in third place:


New York
Toronto
Baltimore
Boston
Tampa Bay

I'll be there too...can't wait!

I'd predict something more like...

New York
Boston
Baltimore
Toronto
Tampa

But Toronto really will be tough

O's lost, Nat's lost. Oh well!! It's just the first game.

O's lost, Nat's lost. Oh well!! It's just the first game.Sometimes I blog about baseball.

Opening Day is one of those times (http://rolliefingers.blogspot.com).

Enjoy. :)

How long before football preseason??

I am an O's fan and because I live in Western Maryland drove over and hour to see the team play. I would spend way to much money, but didn't mind because they produced a good product. Now and for the past several years they have not been worth the price of gas for me to drive to come see them. I do however watch them religiously on TV. The O's went from a team that commanded respect to the butt of all jokes. It truly is sad for the city of Baltimore and the state of MD. Even though it was only the first game I believe we are in for another LLLLOOOONNNNGGG season. God I hope I'm wrong!

How long before football preseason??

I am an O's fan and because I live in Western Maryland drove over and hour to see the team play. I would spend way to much money, but didn't mind because they produced a good product. Now and for the past several years they have not been worth the price of gas for me to drive to come see them. I do however watch them religiously on TV. The O's went from a team that commanded respect to the butt of all jokes. It truly is sad for the city of Baltimore and the state of MD. Even though it was only the first game I believe we are in for another LLLLOOOONNNNGGG season. God I hope I'm wrong!

Well the O's are already 0-2, but I wouldn't circle the wagons just yet. Cabrera looked pretty good tonite...the offense let him down.

This team will go as far as the pitching will take it. I think a few games over .500 is a reasonable possibilty, with contention in 2008.

Well the O's are already 0-2, but I wouldn't circle the wagons just yet. Cabrera looked pretty good tonite...the offense let him down.

This team will go as far as the pitching will take it. I think a few games over .500 is a reasonable possibilty, with contention in 2008.

I know it's not really fair to pin blame on any one person, but I think Kevin Millar really needed to come through at least once in the past two days. Although D-Cab can blame himself for that third run last night...it really was an error, not a hit (and ER).

The O's bench right now might be the worst in the history of baseball. It very well may be the difference between being 5 games over .500 or 10 games under.

That being said when Payton and Hernandez get back in the lineup, things will look much better.

The one thing you can say about the O's is that they are consistent!

0-3!!:eek2: :down: Not a good position to be in as the O's head for Yankee Stadium. I can see this becoming 0-6 very easily. Not circling the wagons just yet, but I might be hitching the horses!!

0-3!!:eek2: :down: Not a good position to be in as the O's head for Yankee Stadium. I can see this becoming 0-6 very easily. Not circling the wagons just yet, but I might be hitching the horses!!

The dark clouds are on the horizon...but with any luck, they'll settle over NY for the rest of the season.

Woohoo!!:banana: The evil empire goes down!! Hope the snow stays out of NY on Saturday.

Go O's! Come on and win some please. :)

Well, it's the 8th inning and the Orioles are up 6-3, so it looks like they will be coming home with a 2-4 record. But again, the game is not over so I will hold my breath.

:lol:

Ok now it's 6-4. Bottom of the eighth. I'm getting nervous.

:bash:

Orioles win 6-4. Phew, these guys are enough to make even the most sober person take a drink.

:booze: :cheers2: :cheers:

Finally, a win for the O's. :) Way to go! 6-4! :D

Getting out of NY with 2 wins is huge!! This weekend could have been a real disaster. Even this early in the season, an 0-6 or 1-5 start is a tough hole to dig out of.

Opening Day today!! Goal now is to finish this homestand with at least a .500 record.

Cabrera looked good yesterday.

Nats suck.

Nats suck.

Yes, they do. Terribly. Oh well, screw 'em!!

:nocrook:

The Nationals are sooooo bad. At this point, they can follow a variety of directions, if I were them, I'd just stock up on free agent veterans and try to do the best you can. Rebuilding for the future is great and the higher priority in the long run, but they need something that's going to bring them some instant impact.

The Nationals are sooooo bad. At this point, they can follow a variety of directions, if I were them, I'd just stock up on free agent veterans and try to do the best you can. Rebuilding for the future is great and the higher priority in the long run, but they need something that's going to bring them some instant impact.

The sad part is that I have absolutely no remorse for them, especially with the way they rudely dismissed Frank Robinson. It let me know just how much class the Nationals have as an organization.

The grand slam in last night's O's game was sweet! :yes: :)

Yes it was!! I think Markakis is going to be a good one. Time will tell...

Hey, in a few weeks im taking some of my umd friends from new york and boston to a game at camden yards. I don't really know the restaurant scene very well in baltimore so does anyone have any suggestions on where i can take them to eat?

^^hmmmm, decisions, decisions. let's see, you have:

1)green turtle
2)uno's
3)hard rock cafe
4)all the italian eateries in the world in little italy
5)there's 2 ruth's chris restaurants (pier IV and power plant live)
6)tex-mex

.........someone help me out here. i'm sure there's a ton of places that i didn't name.

Yes it was!! I think Markakis is going to be a good one. Time will tell...

And then Chris Gomez repeated that feat with a grand slam last night. We're finally at .500. 6-6.

^^hmmmm, decisions, decisions. let's see, you have:

1)green turtle
2)uno's
3)hard rock cafe
4)all the italian eateries in the world in little italy
5)there's 2 ruth's chris restaurants (pier IV and power plant live)
6)tex-mex

.........someone help me out here. i'm sure there's a ton of places that i didn't name.

Thanks a lot, i keep on telling them how our area has some of the best restaurants in the U.S. and i finally need to back it up with more than the applebees on route one haha. Ruth's Chris oh wow, i went to one in dc for prom and my date's and i's meal cost 100.01 dollars. Lol i really liked the extra penny :lol:

The sad part is that I have absolutely no remorse for them, especially with the way they rudely dismissed Frank Robinson. It let me know just how much class the Nationals have as an organization.

My response has two words: Peter Angelos. He almost makes me not want to be an O's fan.

Thanks a lot, i keep on telling them how our area has some of the best restaurants in the U.S. and i finally need to back it up with more than the applebees on route one haha. Ruth's Chris oh wow, i went to one in dc for prom and my date's and i's meal cost 100.01 dollars. Lol i really liked the extra penny :lol:

$100.01.......lol. sheez!!:hilarious

yeah, that place can get pretty costly.

WHAT A GAME! O's come back from a 7-1 deficit to beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 9-7. Hey guys, I think we really have a special team this year. We have power on offense and our bullpen is a killer!

....and they are still missing Payton and Hernandez. This team is going to be better than a lot of the so called "experts" claim they will be. Loewen a bit shaky last nite, tho...

id also like to say i think the O's are gonna have a great year! i would like to see anybody win the AL east besides NY or Bos.

anybody else besides me think Daniel Cabrera is gonna be a 18-20 game winner in the next few years?

^^hmmmm, decisions, decisions. let's see, you have:

1)green turtle
2)uno's
3)hard rock cafe
4)all the italian eateries in the world in little italy
5)there's 2 ruth's chris restaurants (pier IV and power plant live)
6)tex-mex

.........someone help me out here. i'm sure there's a ton of places that i didn't name.

Inner Harbor
-----------
PF Changs - Moderate prices, good Asian eats
Capital Grille - a little higher prices, good steaks
Rusty Scupper - moderate seafood
Phillips - moderate seafood
ESPN Zone - moderate prices, but not outstanding food
I've heard that the spanish Tapas place is over-rated, but i haven't tried it

Federal Hill
----------
Cross Street Market - assortment of food, $5 bucket of beer
SOBO Cafe - good, but small
Metropolitain - wine bar with good moderatly priced food
Blue Agave - Tequila bar with great Mexican food
Thirsty Dog - Great micro-brews and pizza, gets busy though

Orrrr, just grab some pit beef in the ballpark

id also like to say i think the O's are gonna have a great year! i would like to see anybody win the AL east besides NY or Bos.

anybody else besides me think Daniel Cabrera is gonna be a 18-20 game winner in the next few years?

Even though his last start was a bit wilder, it really does look like he could win anywhere from 12 to 16 games this year, and 18-20 next year.

Inner Harbor
-----------
PF Changs - Moderate prices, good Asian eats
Capital Grille - a little higher prices, good steaks
Rusty Scupper - moderate seafood
Phillips - moderate seafood
ESPN Zone - moderate prices, but not outstanding food
I've heard that the spanish Tapas place is over-rated, but i haven't tried it

Federal Hill
----------
Cross Street Market - assortment of food, $5 bucket of beer
SOBO Cafe - good, but small
Metropolitain - wine bar with good moderatly priced food
Blue Agave - Tequila bar with great Mexican food
Thirsty Dog - Great micro-brews and pizza, gets busy though

Orrrr, just grab some pit beef in the ballpark

Sweet.

O's looking good...they beat the Blue Jays tonite!! This team does not give up. This was a game they would have lost last year. So far they are 3-1 against the better teams in the division!!

^^ Not to take anything away from the O's this year, cause this team is certainly a different team than those of years past, but the Orioles have never had a problem with the teams at the top of AL East standings. It's the crappy teams that we have always dropped series to.

^^ Sad, but true. :(

But I think they may have Toronto and Tampa's number this year.

^^ Not to take anything away from the O's this year, cause this team is certainly a different team than those of years past, but the Orioles have never had a problem with the teams at the top of AL East standings. It's the crappy teams that we have always dropped series to.

well..except they were something like 3-15 against Boston last year. Beat Toronto again Saturday, though. That makes them 6-2 against the East so far this year!!

The east is key. If O's can have success against them, then the other divisions shouldn't be that bad to worry about, IMO.
After all, even if other teams, other than in the east, beat the O's a good bit during the regular season, when it comes to the playoff time, anything can happen. That's my two cents. :D

O's win 7-3. Whip out the brooms! It's a SWEEP of the Blue Jays! I'll drink to that!
:booze:

^^ Just think we could have had two sweeps if it wasn't for that rainout against KC. :)

I'll call it a sweep...they did take 3 games!!:banana: Now 7-2 against the east!!

Orioles having a bit more trouble over the last week.

^^ Yeah, it's been disappointing watching the O's drop back to .500 and into third place. Hopefully we'll have better luck with Cleveland.

The O's can't seem to hit in the clutch, they continually have men in scoring postion that they fail to bring in. Grrrr.

Is it over for the O's already? So disappointing. Looks like the experts were right.

Is it over for the O's already? So disappointing. Looks like the experts were right.

It's a bit early in the season to rule anyone out right now...

It's a bit early in the season to rule anyone out right now...

Except for the Nats.... Hopefully when we get a new stadium things will shape up. I went to the Nats-Mets game, and there was practically as many Mets fans as there were Nats. Lol totally random but I saw someone with a "Hi my name is" sticker and the name was Oliver Clothesoff Haha

I sure hate to be pessimistic, but things are not looking good. Loewen may be lost, the rest of the starters can't get deep into games, the bullpen is overworked, and the team is not hitting. Maybe the off-day Thursday will give them a shot in the arm.

great game last night 0-0 until a walkoff HR in the 10th woot!

great game last night 0-0 until a walkoff HR in the 10th woot!

And then the sweep the next night!

And then the sweep the next night!

SWEEP!!!!! One game under .500! Bring on the BoSox!

Bah! giving up 6!!! runs in the bottom of the 9thy. I literally threw my hat in disgust. Why, why, why take out Guthrie?

^^:ohno: i don't know what to say about today's game. i think it's going to hurt their spirit a little bit. giving up SIX runs in the bottom of the 9th to lose a game? very frustrating. shit like that just doesn't happen everyday. but they'll recover. it's just gonna' take some time.

That had to be the biggest choke job I've ever seen in any sport, at any time. And you know what? I remarked to my wife that after that ball was not caught for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 9th, that they were going to lose the game. And Ray has sure blown some saves in spectacular fashion this year, hasn't he? Shouda thrown it in there and let them hit it...walks are killers.

Well, since the O's finally recovered from that terrible inning, and are back at .500, I thought i'd revive the thread.

One number that is just fantastic is that our Team ERA is now at 4.01 (4th in AL)

On a development note, I was a bit sad to see the new Hilton starting to block the clock tower from inside the stadium when I went to a few games last week...

On the side facing the stadium, there seems to be a large ramp. Anyone know what that's about?

I think now is a perfect time to revive this thread, pfd. Six in a row isn't a bad start to getting back on track. The AL East is still too far off the radar to get my hopes up yet, but we're on 3.5 games off the wildcard. Hopefully, we can avoid a post-All-Star break slide and give ourselves an exciting summer.

In other news, there was a good article in the Sun today about the dispute concerning the placing of "Baltimore" on the team's away jerseys. I can't find it online, but if you get a chance, pick up the paper version and give it a look. It really sums up well the Orioles's history under Angelos.

Well, since the O's finally recovered from that terrible inning, and are back at .500, I thought i'd revive the thread.

One number that is just fantastic is that our Team ERA is now at 4.01 (4th in AL)

On a development note, I was a bit sad to see the new Hilton starting to block the clock tower from inside the stadium when I went to a few games last week...

On the side facing the stadium, there seems to be a large ramp. Anyone know what that's about?

Yes, we are finally at .500. Cabrera pitches tonight and to be honest, I kind of have mixed thoughts about him. I think he's too wild on the mound. The mere thought of him going up against Vladimir Guerrero is a very freightning thought.

On a development note, I was a bit sad to see the new Hilton starting to block the clock tower from inside the stadium when I went to a few games last week...

On the side facing the stadium, there seems to be a large ramp. Anyone know what that's about?

Future staircase ...

http://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/content/BWICCHH/media/landingpages/Baltimore_hotel_aerial2_lowres.jpg

Click here (http://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/content/BWICCHH/media/landingpages/Baltimore_hotel_aerial2_lowres.jpg) if the image doesn't show.

^^Cool pic Jamie!

And there goes the streak... sucks ! oh well , the important thing is that we are playing good baseball. something i didn't quite get was why Perlozzo put Huff in the line up when he was 0-18 against Lackey? a day off for him wouldn't have killed him.

Go O's ! lets get 3 out of 4 from the Angels !

Yes great effort of late...and what's better is that the O's are ahead of the Evil Empire in the standings..in June!! Mount Steinbrenner is bound to erupt soon!!:banana:

Mount Steinbrenner is bound to erupt soon!!
That's always fun, but I dunno. Yanks gave the Sawx a wicked spanking last night in Fenway. If the Olde Town teams loses again today, look for Red Sox Nation to start heading for the lifeboats.

the saddest note in all of MLB: that the incredible success of the Orioles didn't continue into the Camden Yards years. What America could really use is a real pennant race in a setting like Camden Yards and with all that Oriole tradition.

It is a shame that what was an iconic franchise had to wait till their new beautiful home to fly south in the standings. I sure would like to see that turned around.

the saddest note in all of MLB: that the incredible success of the Orioles didn't continue into the Camden Yards years. What America could really use is a real pennant race in a setting like Camden Yards and with all that Oriole tradition.

It is a shame that what was an iconic franchise had to wait till their new beautiful home to fly south in the standings. I sure would like to see that turned around.

I agree. I've only been to a few baseball stadiums (none in Chicago) and Camden Yards is without a doubt my favorite. I love how the stadium is incorporated so well into Downtown Baltimore that you really feel like your in the city. Most stadiums in multiple sports don't give you that feeling (this is one reason why I hate FedEx). My favorite part is the walk in the street near the Convention Center (I forget the name), and your on the same "as most of the services, and it is an unbroken walkway to the seats in the lower deck. It makes the stadium feel so much smaller and local, even when it's pretty big.

And there goes the streak... sucks ! oh well , the important thing is that we are playing good baseball. something i didn't quite get was why Perlozzo put Huff in the line up when he was 0-18 against Lackey? a day off for him wouldn't have killed him.

Go O's ! lets get 3 out of 4 from the Angels !
I was so upset about that game last night. I've never been a fan of intentionally walking a player.

In the 7th, Perlozzo had Cabrera intentionally walk Vladimir Guerrero to face Gary Matthews who was 0-3 on the night. And as expected, Gary burned us. My point is I don't care how much of a superstar Vladimir is. He should've never been given a free pass to first base. If I was Perlozzo in that situation, I would've said to Cabrera "You're a professional. Pitch to him! If you should happen to walk him, atleast make him earn it".

the saddest note in all of MLB: that the incredible success of the Orioles didn't continue into the Camden Yards years. What America could really use is a real pennant race in a setting like Camden Yards and with all that Oriole tradition.

It is a shame that what was an iconic franchise had to wait till their new beautiful home to fly south in the standings. I sure would like to see that turned around.

Not quite true...the O's were in the ALCS in both '96 and '97. If it hadn't been for Jeffrey Maier, who knows what would have happened in '96. And in '97 the team was never out of 1st place.

The franchise actually started an upswing after the Camden Yards move. From the mid '80's until the first Camden season in '92, it was a down period, including the '88 debacle when they lost 21 straight to start the season.

Boston Red Sox 37 20 .649
Toronto Blue Jays 28 29 .491
Baltimore Orioles 27 32 .458
New York Yankees 25 31 .446

My boys are fading and fading fast.:(

Boston Red Sox 37 20 .649
Toronto Blue Jays 28 29 .491
Baltimore Orioles 27 32 .458
New York Yankees 25 31 .446

My boys are fading and fading fast.:(

It's been a really tough season for the O's (even for us fans). Sammy seems hell-bent on straightening out Baez no matter how many wins he turns to losses.

We need some good wins soon, or the players will just give up again.

the o's bullpen is offically killing me.

Well , finally won one. I'm more concerned with Ray , he had such a great season last year, but this season he is only been acceptable. he has to find his rhythm or we are in trouble.

Time to throw in the towel for the O's this season. The only excitement remaining is "how long will it be before Perlozzo is fired?"

And Mora not "mentally able to play" Sunday? Give me a break. This team is ready to implode.

Ok. I can officially say this after the Nationals game last night, and for those who don't agree with me please forgive me.


CHRIS RAY SUCKS!!!!

Oh no, you're absolutely right, Chris Ray does suck.
So does Perlozzo.
So does our bullpen.
So does our lineup. :bash:

I tend to put the blame on the manager when you put a closer in for 2 innings in a non-save situation...it just keeps happening.

Guthrie , Bedard and Traschel have pitch well, they don't deserve to take losses and no-decisions. Gibbons sucks , so does patterson , so does ray , so does a few more that i can't remember right now ( so furious ) !!!

Well, we can look at the bright side....

RAVENS TRAINING CAMP BEGINS IN ABOUT A MONTH!!

I love this thread. We have just about every Oriole Avatar you could think of.

But anyway, I predict Perlozzo's going to get the heave-ho some time this week. I'm almost certain.

I haven't watched many O's games since the Nats came along, but I've spent two evenings in Camden Yards over the past week and alls I can say is...

... I can't believe this Perlozzo character hasn't been fired already.

I love this thread. We have just about every Oriole Avatar you could think of.

But anyway, I predict Perlozzo's going to get the heave-ho some time this week. I'm almost certain.

I'd say that he'll go sometime in July (looking more and more like early July).

I'd say that he'll go sometime in July (looking more and more like early July).
Wow!! I should be a psychic. Check this out:


O's fire Perlozzo
Trembley named interim manager; report: MacPhail hired as COO
By Jeff Zrebiec and Dan Connolly
Sun Reporters
Originally published June 18, 2007, 10:57 AM EDT
Sam Perlozzo was fired as manager of the Orioles this morning, according to a club source.

Perlozzo, 56, a Cumberland native who called managing the Orioles his dream job, will be removed about 2 1/2 months into his second full season leading the club.




The team is set to leave this afternoon for a six-game West Coast trip that starts tomorrow night in San Diego.

Bullpen coach Dave Trembley, a longtime minor league skipper who has occasionally subbed for bench coach Tom Trebelhorn this season, has been named interim manager while club executives begin the search for a long-term replacement.

In addition, ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting that the club has hired Andy MacPhail, former Chicago Cubs president, as the Orioles' chief operating officer, presumably replacing Joe Foss, who left the Orioles earlier this season. And, according to Olney, they are attempting to set up a meeting with former Florida Marlins manager Joe Girardi to replace Perlozzo.

The Orioles, who are currently in last place in the American League East with a 29-40 record and in the midst of an eight-game losing streak, are expected to announce changes this afternoon.

Trembley becomes the club's sixth manager since 1997. Including interims, only the Toronto Blue Jays (who have had seven) have had more managerial flux in the past 10 years.

Perlozzo, who was signed through 2008, becomes the second consecutive Orioles manager to be fired in the middle of a contract. Lee Mazzilli was fired in August 2005.

There apparently is no timetable for the hiring of a long-time manager but Davey Johnson, the last skipper to guide the Orioles to a winning season, and Girardi, the National League Manager of the Year last season for the Marlins who was fired after a dispute with ownership, were atop of the front office's wish list of potential replacements, according to club sources.

Perlozzo was let go after compiling a 122-164 record since becoming the interim manager of the club after Mazzilli's firing. Perlozzo had the interim tag removed before the 2006 season and directed the Orioles to a 70-92 and fourth-place finish in the A.L. East last year.

Late in the 2006 season, there was an organizational debate if Perlozzo should return, but club owner Peter Angelos felt he should be given another shot with a more talented roster.

Angelos authorized the spending of approximately $80 million this offseason to overhaul the bullpen, add depth to the lineup with Aubrey Huff and Jay Payton, and acquire veteran pitchers Jaret Wright and Steve Trachsel. But Wright made just three starts and is expected to miss most of the season with shoulder problems, joining two other projected members of the rotation on the disabled list. Huff, the highest-priced free agent addition, has not proved to be the middle-of-the-order threat the Orioles were seeking, and the revamped bullpen, most notably Danys Baez, has faltered.

The 2007 Orioles have been terribly inconsistent with three separate four-game winning streaks and a six-game winning streak, but also two five-game losing skids and the current eight-game stretch that ultimately led to Perlozzo's ouster. Sloppy play and mental mistakes have contributed to several of their close losses and hasn't reflected well on Perlozzo, who had lost the confidence of several key members of the organization, including Angelos, because of his in-game decision-making, according to club sources.

Perlozzo's job security became a hot button issue following the Orioles' 6-5 loss to the Boston Red Sox on May 13. In that game, Perlozzo removed starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie just two outs shy of a complete game and saw Baez and Chris Ray, the supposed backbones of the bullpen, cough up the lead. Guthrie had thrown 91 pitches and was pulled from the game after catcher Ramon Hernandez dropped an infield pop-up.

Talk of Perlozzo's job security cooled late last month as the Orioles ran off six straight wins, but the club has fallen on hard times since, with each close loss seemingly pushing Perlozzo further and further out of favor with the organization and its fan base. During the nine-game home stand, which ended with a loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday that dropped the Orioles 1-8 during the stretch, Perlozzo was booed several times when he came out of the dugout to make a pitching change.

His handling of his pitching staff was one factor that led to his dismissal, though team sources said that the Orioles' front office felt that the manager had also lost the clubhouse.

This season alone, veterans Jay Gibbons and Kevin Millar had gone public with their frustration over their roles with the club, which they said Perlozzo didn't define. Third baseman Melvin Mora, the longest tenured Oriole, had also criticized Perlozzo late last month after he was angered that the manager didn't tell him the night before that he wouldn't be in the starting lineup that day. Privately, other players had also let their complaints be known to upper management, said sources.

When The Sun did a story on Perlozzo's job security last month, none of the team leaders, including Miguel Tejada, Brian Roberts, Millar and Jamie Walker, stepped forward in support of their manager; instead declining to comment on his status.

Mora and center fielder Corey Patterson did finally back Perlozzo after Saturday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

"I don't want to be in the manager's shoes right now because it's kind of hard for him," said Mora. "He's doing everything he can do try to win some games. … I know Sam. He tried to put the best people out there, and nothing works out for us. There's nothing else he can do. He may have to [start] hitting and pitching." Said Patterson: "We have to find a way to come out and prepare ourselves everyday to win a game. I like Sam. He's always been fair to me. I respect him and he respects me."

Sam Perlozzo was fired as manager of the Orioles this morning, according to a club source.

Perlozzo, 56, a Cumberland native who called managing the Orioles his dream job, will be removed about 2 1/2 months into his second full season leading the club.

The team is set to leave this afternoon for a six-game West Coast trip that starts tomorrow night in San Diego.

Bullpen coach Dave Trembley, a longtime minor league skipper who has occasionally subbed for bench coach Tom Trebelhorn this season, has been named interim manager while club executives begin the search for a long-term replacement.

In addition, ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting that the club has hired Andy MacPhail, former Chicago Cubs president, as the Orioles' chief operating officer, presumably replacing Joe Foss, who left the Orioles earlier this season. And, according to Olney, they are attempting to set up a meeting with former Florida Marlins manager Joe Girardi to replace Perlozzo.

The Orioles, who are currently in last place in the American League East with a 29-40 record and in the midst of an eight-game losing streak, are expected to announce changes this afternoon.

Trembley becomes the club's sixth manager since 1997. Including interims, only the Toronto Blue Jays (who have had seven) have had more managerial flux in the past 10 years.

Perlozzo, who was signed through 2008, becomes the second consecutive Orioles manager to be fired in the middle of a contract. Lee Mazzilli was fired in August 2005.

There apparently is no timetable for the hiring of a long-time manager but Davey Johnson, the last skipper to guide the Orioles to a winning season, and Girardi, the National League Manager of the Year last season for the Marlins who was fired after a dispute with ownership, were atop of the front office's wish list of potential replacements, according to club sources.

Perlozzo was let go after compiling a 122-164 record since becoming the interim manager of the club after Mazzilli's firing. Perlozzo had the interim tag removed before the 2006 season and directed the Orioles to a 70-92 and fourth-place finish in the A.L. East last year.

Late in the 2006 season, there was an organizational debate if Perlozzo should return, but club owner Peter Angelos felt he should be given another shot with a more talented roster.

Angelos authorized the spending of approximately $80 million this offseason to overhaul the bullpen, add depth to the lineup with Aubrey Huff and Jay Payton, and acquire veteran pitchers Jaret Wright and Steve Trachsel. But Wright made just three starts and is expected to miss most of the season with shoulder problems, joining two other projected members of the rotation on the disabled list. Huff, the highest-priced free agent addition, has not proved to be the middle-of-the-order threat the Orioles were seeking, and the revamped bullpen, most notably Danys Baez, has faltered.

The 2007 Orioles have been terribly inconsistent with three separate four-game winning streaks and a six-game winning streak, but also two five-game losing skids and the current eight-game stretch that ultimately led to Perlozzo's ouster. Sloppy play and mental mistakes have contributed to several of their close losses and hasn't reflected well on Perlozzo, who had lost the confidence of several key members of the organization, including Angelos, because of his in-game decision-making, according to club sources.

Perlozzo's job security became a hot button issue following the Orioles' 6-5 loss to the Boston Red Sox on May 13. In that game, Perlozzo removed starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie just two outs shy of a complete game and saw Baez and Chris Ray, the supposed backbones of the bullpen, cough up the lead. Guthrie had thrown 91 pitches and was pulled from the game after catcher Ramon Hernandez dropped an infield pop-up.

Talk of Perlozzo's job security cooled late last month as the Orioles ran off six straight wins, but the club has fallen on hard times since, with each close loss seemingly pushing Perlozzo further and further out of favor with the organization and its fan base. During the nine-game home stand, which ended with a loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday that dropped the Orioles 1-8 during the stretch, Perlozzo was booed several times when he came out of the dugout to make a pitching change.

His handling of his pitching staff was one factor that led to his dismissal, though team sources said that the Orioles' front office felt that the manager had also lost the clubhouse.

This season alone, veterans Jay Gibbons and Kevin Millar had gone public with their frustration over their roles with the club, which they said Perlozzo didn't define. Third baseman Melvin Mora, the longest tenured Oriole, had also criticized Perlozzo late last month after he was angered that the manager didn't tell him the night before that he wouldn't be in the starting lineup that day. Privately, other players had also let their complaints be known to upper management, said sources.

When The Sun did a story on Perlozzo's job security last month, none of the team leaders, including Miguel Tejada, Brian Roberts, Millar and Jamie Walker, stepped forward in support of their manager; instead declining to comment on his status.

Mora and center fielder Corey Patterson did finally back Perlozzo after Saturday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

"I don't want to be in the manager's shoes right now because it's kind of hard for him," said Mora. "He's doing everything he can do try to win some games. … I know Sam. He tried to put the best people out there, and nothing works out for us. There's nothing else he can do. He may have to [start] hitting and pitching." Said Patterson: "We have to find a way to come out and prepare ourselves everyday to win a game. I like Sam. He's always been fair to me. I respect him and he respects me."

Before he replaced Mazzilli, Perlozzo spent parts of 19 seasons as a major league coach with the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners and the Orioles. The move to promote him to the Orioles' manager was applauded at the time by players, who will now welcome the organization's seventh different manager in 13 seasons.

Trembley, 55, has spent 22 years in professional baseball, including 20 as a minor league manager. He had served the past four years as a manager in the Orioles' minor league system.

Good. Now get rid of the good ole boy co-GMs and hire a decent baseball mind and maybe the O's can think about fielding a decent team again.

*Cirrus misses Pat Gillick.

Wow!! I should be a psychic. Check this out:


O's fire Perlozzo
Trembley named interim manager; report: MacPhail hired as COO
By Jeff Zrebiec and Dan Connolly
Sun Reporters
Originally published June 18, 2007, 10:57 AM EDT
Sam Perlozzo was fired as manager of the Orioles this morning, according to a club source.



Wow...ok, so apparently I was made wrong as I was posting...a new record. I can't help but be a little excited about this though.

I told my wife Sunday night, after the 8th straight loss, that with the off-day Monday, Perlozzo would be canned. Sure enough...phone rings at work noonish..it's her with the news. :cheers:

Well, let's see how they respond to Trembley tonight. This is the second west-coast roadtrip in three weeks for us. I'm sure it's taking it's toll on them physically. But they are professionals. They will get through it.

Well, let's see how they respond to Trembley tonight. This is the second west-coast roadtrip in three weeks for us. I'm sure it's taking it's toll on them physically. But they are professionals. They will get through it.

My main fear is seeing that "No need to run it out" mentality tonight.

MacPhail has been characterized as a "house cleaner". Meaning, the two-headed GM isn't long for this world. Give me MacPhail cleaning out the FO & Girardi kicking arse in the dugout. Things are finally looking up.

Awesome performance by Bedard. 15k CG shutout, Now if we could only get the bats marginally productive.

Well, the Orioles are eleven games below .500 and fifteen games back going into the all-star break. Same stuff, new year.

Awesome performance by Bedard. 15k CG shutout, Now if we could only get the bats marginally productive.

D-Cab didn't even do that bad...we just blew most of the late-inning chances.

Good to see Gibby doing something of late...hopefully Huff and Markakis will start to shine in the second half (like they are known for).

Future staircase ...

http://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/content/BWICCHH/media/landingpages/Baltimore_hotel_aerial2_lowres.jpg

Click here (http://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/content/BWICCHH/media/landingpages/Baltimore_hotel_aerial2_lowres.jpg) if the image doesn't show.

Went to the O's-White Sox game on Sunday...
It was nice to see the progress of these buildings...I hate surface parking lots in the middle of cities! :)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1256/828309785_82bf3ca6f2_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1104/828309889_a6e51fc775_b.jpg

^^Nice snaps! I agree with alot of people in the forum when they say that this is one of those projects that's going to look better when done than it did in the rendering.

^^Nice snaps! I agree with alot of people in the forum when they say that this is one of those projects that's going to look better when done than it did in the rendering.

We can only hope...the renderings were really terrible.

O's seem to have their heads in the games lately, and it really seems to be flowing onto the fans a bit. At this pace, there may still be some crowds at the games in a month.

How about Patterson , huh ? he is coming along ... Brian Roberts continues to be our most talented player , that guy is a great athlete !

With a sweep of Tampa, and our second series win in a row...I thought I'd bring this thread back to life.

Hopefully we can beat up on the Yankees like we have for the season so far.

Go O's

With a sweep of Tampa, and our second series win in a row...I thought I'd bring this thread back to life.

Hopefully we can beat up on the Yankees like we have for the season so far.

Go O's

I was at todays win, greatr game. Cool hearing all the clanging from the construction while watching the game.

2 nice come from behind victories against the sox this weekend

2 nice come from behind victories against the sox this weekend

And so close to another one to start the series against the yanks...I can take losses where it seems like we never give up. Those guys seem like a different club lately (in a good way)

^^yeah, we should've won that game last night. we would've gone ahead 7-6 if mora didn't get nailed at home plate.

^^yeah, we should've won that game last night. we would've gone ahead 7-6 if mora didn't get nailed at home plate.

Samuel took responsibility for that one...with the outfield playing short, everyone in the stadium knew Mora had little chance. Also, if Bradford hadn't beaned the batter after two strikes, we might have won also...a lot of what ifs

Hopefully we can do a bit better over the next two games and hold our winning ways against the Yankees this year.

:rock: How bout them O's 12-0 against the yanks!

:rock: How bout them O's 12-0 against the yanks!

O's got tired of coming back every night...so they just decided to blow-out from now on...

Dang. And then they decided they did want to come back every night. 6-3. Freakin' A.

Dang. And then they decided they did want to come back every night. 6-3. Freakin' A.

haha...I was thinking the same thing. Game just about gave me a heart attack. Eric really deserved that win though

4 straight series wins against the yanks!!!

And the Sawx lost to the Devil Rays, 6-5. I love it when the bottom of the division messes with the leaders' heads. C'mon, April '08!

the O's signed Catcher Matt Weiters. He was by many accounts the BEST position player in the draft.

Hot Damm.

Back-to-back series wins against the 2 highest payroll teams in MLB - AND - we signed 2 Boras clients against all odds, one of which just happens to be the best offensive player of the draft. Hold your heads high today, boys! It's been a long time! :)

the O's signed Catcher Matt Weiters. He was by many accounts the BEST position player in the draft.

Hot Damm.

at the absolute the last minute too.

That game yesterday almost gave me a heart attack, letting them tie it up in the bottom of the 9th.

haha...I was thinking the same thing. Game just about gave me a heart attack. Eric really deserved that win though

4 straight series wins against the yanks!!!

Won't 1 more win give the O's the season series against the Yanks..first time since 1997!!

Team must go 26-18 the rest of the way to finish at .500...long shot, but doable.

I think Angelos finally "gets it".

Won't 1 more win give the O's the season series against the Yanks..first time since 1997!!

Team must go 26-18 the rest of the way to finish at .500...long shot, but doable.

We're 8-4 against the Yanks with 2 series to go, so we need to win at least 2 out of 6 games to make it to 10-8, 11-7, 12-6, 13-5, or 14-4 if we sweep the last two...one can dream.

Wild Bill died today at age 68...RIP

http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/photo/2007-08/31992699.jpg

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-hagy0820,0,2034987.story?coll=bal_tab01_layout

I could have taken that picture. My wife and I were regulars of Section 34 during its glory days. We would sit just 1 row higher from the exact spot that shot was snapped.

There will never be times like that ever again. Cheap general admission seating and "bring your own beer" made it all possible. Wild Bill energized the entire stadium. It became major-league fun to go to the games, and eventually Section 34 was a victim of its own success. As annual attendance at Memorial approached 2 million, general admission seating was eliminated. Plus they banned bringing beer into the ballpark...resulting in the famous incident when Wild Bill chucked his cooler over the rail...he wound up getting arrested and out of protest stopped going to the games.

He was going to games in OPCY. I bumped into him there a few years back. Really friendly guy, very passionate.

..found this on UTube...it's like it was yesterday. The piece captures the flavor exactly of Section 34 and Wild Bill. My wife and I were not there the nite this was filmed, though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVoSYXQ1EEM

..found this on UTube...it's like it was yesterday. The piece captures the flavor exactly of Section 34 and Wild Bill. My wife and I were not there the nite this was filmed, though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVoSYXQ1EEM

Thats nice.

Did you notice when they show them all loading up in the van to go to the game, there playing "We're a happy family" by the Ramones. Someone had a little joke.

Also get to see that drunkard Marty Bass with a whole head of hair.

Went to the game last night, and was surprised to hear the crowd so much. The 12-14K people there made as much noise as a 20K person game from the same time last year...that is to say, if there was a 20K person game the same time last year.

Went to a day game a few weeks back. Tons of YMCA campers in the stands. The little nippers made a huge noise.

30-3...aargh!!

Along with 0-21, our Orioles are again forever linked with a mark of futility.

^^Oh my!! Talk about brutal!

^^Oh my!! Talk about brutal!

This game even made local (in NYC) and national newscasts (I heard it on ABC and even NPR). It is on the front page of the NY Times sports section with a large story inside. When the Os mess up they do it to the hilt. There is a lot of irony here, it was the first game of a double-header and on the day Trembly is rewarded with another full year and option for the second.

Peter Gammons said on Joe Scarlboro's network show on MSNBC this morning that Angelos is ruining the team. There will be no improvement until he sells. Gammons also noted that fans are drifting away to the Nationals. That team is no better, but at least their fans can have hope. Gammons also said that with the right ownership the Os can compete with the Yanks and the Sox.

I was beginning to have faith in this team, there are a lot of bright spots - Bedard, Guthrie, their fight to come back in the late innings - but then this happens. I felt sorry for the fans who had to sit through this horror and the poor play-by-play guys.

This game even made local (in NYC) and national newscasts (I heard it on ABC and even NPR). It is on the front page of the NY Times sports section with a large story inside. When the Os mess up they do it to the hilt. There is a lot of irony here, it was the first game of a double-header and on the day Trembly is rewarded with another full year and option for the second.

Peter Gammons said on Joe Scarlboro's network show on MSNBC this morning that Angelos is ruining the team. There will be no improvement until he sells. Gammons also noted that fans are drifting away to the Nationals. That team is no better, but at least their fans can have hope. Gammons also said that with the right ownership the Os can compete with the Yanks and the Sox.

I was beginning to have faith in this team, there are a lot of bright spots - Bedard, Guthrie, their fight to come back in the late innings - but then this happens. I felt sorry for the fans who had to sit through this horror and the poor play-by-play guys.

Actually, by the second game, the fans were having a lot of fun (maybe because everyone went crazy). It seemed like every single person was getting involved in chants and such. Hopefully we can move on though, because Minn will be tuff too.

Gammons also noted that fans are drifting away to the Nationals. That team is no better, but at least their fans can have hope.

I don't think I could ever not be an O's fan. Fuck Angelos for testing all our faith.

Doesn't matter how many runs the Rangers scored, they can only win that game once.
We gave up 26 runs back in '96 when we were Wild Card champs.
We scored 23 against the NL East champ Braves back in '98 or '99 when we were awful.
30 is only the 4th most runs ever.
And it only counts as 1 loss.

Shake it off, Oriole Nation. :lol: :cheers:

I don't think I could ever not be an O's fan. Fuck Angelos for testing all our faith.

We can take comfort in the fact that Cal is biding his time, waiting for his chance...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...we can't take one?!? We can score 18 runs over 3 games, and yet still lose. The worst part is that i'm flying down to Tampa tonight...i'm sure i'll hear it from my family down there.

:mad2:

We may lose a series to them, but... they're still the Devil Rays.

How bout them O's/Nats?

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/pfd103/IMG_0819.jpg

^^^^ lol @ and maybe the rays.

The Orioles are on course to be the worse team in the majors this year. Talk about fallin' from glory!! Jeez!

The Orioles are on course to be the worse team in the majors this year. Talk about fallin' from glory!! Jeez!

Well, right now we are the 3rd worse team in the majors, but I do share the feeling. Perhaps this is what we needed. If they bottom out, there's no way they can't put on the "we're almost there" face and only get us a washed up hitter in the off-season.

Well, right now we are the 3rd worse team in the majors, but I do share the feeling. Perhaps this is what we needed. If they bottom out, there's no way they can't put on the "we're almost there" face and only get us a washed up hitter in the off-season.

Well at least after Friday nite they can't lose 100 games!!:lol:

Trebelhorn for manager!!

ummm, question. & i think it's a question worth asking.............




the day the orioles said that they were going to keep trembley for the 2008 season, they lost 30-3 to the texas rangers. since then, i think they've only won something like maybe 5-6 games. there was the 18-2 loss to tampa. then there was the 18-6 loss to the angels the other night. the bullpen's fallen apart, and the starters aren't even producing. here's my question.....are they still obligated to let dave trembley manage the team in '08 even though his overall record has gone downhill so quickly?

Yes - Trembley didn't burn out the bullpen in the first half of the year. Trembley didn't assemble the team. The results we've been seeing lately are all due to Perlozzo, Flanagan, Duquette, Angelos.

You've got to give him at least a year with the formula of Trembley, MacPhail, Angelos.

Of course, as long as Angelos is in the equation... :ohno:

But the positives he's brought to the team are evident: they don't quit, they play hard, the lines of communication are open, and he expects them to play good fundamental ball.

Get some more talent in here & then it's all about execution. But his message is sound.

Remember only 1 starter from the original projected rotation remains..Cabrera..and he was the biggest question mark.

Chris Benson didn't even start the season, and Jaret Wright and Adam Loewen were lost very early. Now Eric Bedard is gone.

Guthrie, the season's biggest surprise, was also lost. And the closer, Chris Ray, is now lost for 2008.

This team just can't catch a break. If most of the rotation had remained intact, I'm betting that would have been good for 10-15 additional wins at this point.

Hey series win in Toronto. I'll take whatever good news i can get.

If I was on a team with little offense, an injured pitching staff, and no chance at the playoffs, I'd be pissing this season away, too. Nothing Trembley can do to make people excited about this situation.

I like this lineup for next year, if we move Tejada/Mora/chumps for young talent:

C: Ramon/House (aka placeholder for Wieters 2009)
1B: Millar
2B: Roberts
3B: Huff
SS: Moore
OF: Markakis
OF: Patterson
OF: farmhand

SP: Bedard
SP: Guthrie
SP: Loewen
SP: Olson
SP: Cabrera

Closer: market (or Liz?)

You get rid of Mora & Tejada for those two?? That's got to be the worst left side of the infield possible with this group. Huff is an adequate spot starter at 3B, not a full timer. Moore is merely an adequate 3B, there's no way they move him to SS. He's more likely to steal 1B from Millar.

Patterson's gone if they have any sense whatsoever. Hunter, Rowand, Jones are all FAs & our own Redman has shown better ability to get on base.

That's a bad lineup. :ohno:

Keep Mora for his defense...it's gotten more than respectable. If they can get real value, trade Tejada for a top-notch starter or slugging outfielder... his better days are behind him and his body language tells me he'd rather not be here anyhow. Cut Gibbons loose if he can't be traded. I'd rather have that Redmond guy out there rather than him.

Fahey or Moore at short...maybe an upgrade in 2009 if that doesn't work out.

Huff's defense is better at third.

I get rid of Mora & Tejada for warm bodies in the farm system. 2 years out, we bring up Wieters and Majewski and Erbe and all those guys, and sign a few 2nd tier free agents.

I'm all for re-stocking the farm system, but fielding that lineup means you won't be re-signing Roberts or Bedard. They both want to see serious commitment from ownership about competing in the AL East & that lineup's a white flag.

I'm also curious as to why two of you think Moore could start at SS considering he's played two games at the position in the past 5 years. :sly:

I'd prefer Fahey. I just think we need to get some value for Tejada while we can. This team is not going to the postseason before his contract runs out anyhow.

Yeah, I guess you're right about the SS designation. That's how he's often listed, but clearly his work is at 3rd.

Wish we could get Tulowitzki.

Well at least we prevented the Yankees from winning the AL east. So while I detest the Yankees, I merely don't like the Red Sox, so small victories.

What a wild ending to the Friday night game. Almost like "Oriole Magic" days. Wild Bill was probably smiling somewhere. And it was cool that about 5 seconds after the celebratory fireworks went off, I heard them rumbling in the distance.

Did anybody catch Tejada's comments during his interview? He stated that if the O's want to change his role then he wants to be traded. They should grant him his wish. Get some value for him now!!! I think he's going to chafe at Trembley's team first policies anyhow.

MLB loses a lot when a franchise as successful as the O's falls on hard times.

Tejada is garbage. He needs to go. He's a talent, but his attitude is sh**, and it's not just because the O's suck.

Say goodbye to Tejada!!!!!!

Orioles executives no longer believed Miguel Tejada had the range to stay at shortstop, and he has never played any other position as a big leaguer. He turns 32 in May, his best offensive years are behind him and he's due $26 million through 2009.

His customary enthusiasm has wavered since 2005, and his name previously has been linked with performance-enhancing drugs, so it wouldn't be a surprise if he were mentioned when the Mitchell Report is released today.

Therefore, trading Tejada to the Houston Astros for five younger players looks on the surface to be the right move to make.

But is it?

Based on the inexperience of the players the Orioles received, that answer won't be known for several years. However, industry-wide, the sentiment is that this wasn't exactly a slam-dunk, had-to-make-it kind of deal.

Instead, it's viewed as a solid return of usable parts, an understandable and acceptable swap for an aging superstar. But there's not one guy in the Houston Five who is considered a difference-maker. And Tejada is, despite his warts and hefty paycheck, a four-time All-Star and former Most Valuable Player who is beloved by his teammates and possesses unconventional power and run production for a middle infielder.

"Time will tell about the trade," one National League talent evaluator said. "The Orioles are saving money and stockpiling young pitchers, but neither one of the pitchers have front-line starter stuff, the type you need to compete in that division."

The two starters, left-hander Troy Patton and right-hander Matt Albers, project as legitimate big leaguers, but likely won't rise beyond the middle of a rotation, according to several observers. Baseball America ranked the duo second and third, respectively, in the Astros' organization heading into 2007 - but Houston has been listed in the bottom third of farm systems since 2003.

Luke Scott, an intense power hitter who should fill a void in left field and against right-handed pitching, has struggled with injuries and is seen by some as a fourth outfielder. Reliever Dennis Sarfate has closer stuff and Daniel Cabrera control. And third baseman Mike Costanzo is an offensive and defensive project, albeit one with true power.

There's no Roy Oswalt offered this time around as there was briefly in July 2006. But then again, this isn't the same Tejada. His value and reputation have taken a hit. So much that his availability barely made a ripple at last week's winter meetings.

The San Francisco Giants had interest, and the St. Louis Cardinals kicked Tejada's tires - but neither of those clubs is swimming in prospects, either. The Los Angeles Angels, with a rich farm system, seemed like a good fit, but they never really pursued Tejada this time.

That left only the aggressive Astros, who now have one of the best lineups in baseball. And the conventional wisdom is that Tejada will thrive batting in front of Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee and playing for a team that should contend for the crown in the weak National League Central.

"Miggi is going to be rejuvenated over there," the NL source said. "Great hitters' park and [he'll be] playing in a wide-open division, where from Day One he won't have to think about how to overcome the Yankees and the Red Sox."

The bottom line is Tejada should immediately improve an already good Houston offense at the sacrifice of pitching depth and up-the-middle defense.

And the Orioles got younger, cheaper and added much-needed depth that could - maybe as soon as 2008 - turn into solid building blocks.

In theory, failing to get a Top 50 prospect for a player like Tejada is disappointing.

In reality, given Tejada's dwindling market value, acquiring five guys who could fill holes in a rebuilding effort is probably the best the Orioles could expect to do this winter.

This move indicates that MacPhail is really in control. Too bad Angelos blocked a trade in 2006 when the team really could have gotten something for Tejada.

All these O's and former O's involved in HGH and steroids and still 10 losing seasons in a row! Geesh. These guys can't do anything right :nuts:

We should have traded Tejada for more steroids. Then we could make more Tejadas.

The way the O's have been playing, we need to make more mojitos (http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink582.html).

I'm grateful that my memories of the 1983 World Series parade are still vivid.

many of the players on the mitchell list suck to begin with. and now, their careers are REALLY screwed up and they have nothin' to show for it.

The way the O's have been playing, we need to make more mojitos (http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink582.html).

I'm grateful that my memories of the 1983 World Series parade are still vivid.

My memories of the mob scene outside Memorial Stadium when the O's came back from Philly, and our drive thru town to get there, will never be forgotten. That's probably rarely happened in sports...your team wins a championship and then returns to thier hometown while the fans wait...

^^ Yeah, that is cool. A win at home would be nice, too. :yes: :)

^^Yes, it would.

Ugh. Please don't trade Bedard...please don't...

^^ Yeah, I like him. I think he needs to stay. Trade anyone else though.

I get that he has a ton of trading stock, but they need to understand that you don't have to trade that away every time it comes around.

Now they're boasting about their pitching today. Who they got if they get rid Bedard? Penn, Olsen, Liz, Loewen - those guys are still mysteries. Don't back on all of them.

I like MacPhail's method -- amass prospects. Most don't pan out, but some do. Bedard's value to the Orioles will never be higher, and while I think he's a fantastic pitcher, he's only good for a half-dozen or so "extra" wins per year -- not enough to contend.

If we can score the Mariners or Reds trades I've been hearing about, we could get 3 top-level prospects and a bunch of maybes. That's rebuilding.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-scoreboard0109,0,476331.story?coll=bal_tab01_layout

New scoreboards coming soon!

http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/photo/2007-11/33836706.jpg

Taking down the old scoreboard...

http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/bal/photogallery/year_2008/month_01/day_09/cf2342590.html

http://mlb.mlb.com/bal/photogallery/year_2008/month_01/day_11/cf2344156.html

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-bedard208,0,7533190.story

I was ok with them trading Tejada , but Bedard , I don't know.

Is Roberts next ?

^^yeah, i think this trade is a big mistake on the birds' part. but anyway, i hear the cubs are interested in roberts.

^^yeah, i think this trade is a big mistake on the birds' part. but anyway, i hear the cubs are interested in roberts.

I disagree, I think that both the Tejada and Bedard trades were excellent moves.

Bedard is at the peak of his value, and the O's were going to lose with or without him. So I think building a huge group of quality prospects is a good move. Out of 10 prospects maybe 4 will develop so it is best to get both quantity and quality. Overall we got the Mariners #1,3,12 and 18th rated prospects and Sherril who was a top notch reliever last year.

I would be in favor of trading Huff, Payton and Gibbons for anything but I think that they are untradeable unfortunately. It will be interesting to see if Macphail can get Angelos to eat Gibbons contract and flat release him.

Saying all that, I'm in favor of keeping Roberts, unless the Cubs up there offer.

Maybe, just maybe, the O's ship is correcting itself.

Houston ought to call the police because they were robbed.

Houston ought to call the police because they were robbed.

^^yep, houston was robbed "astronomically". they're gonna' regret that tejada trade for the rest of their lives.....

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-bedard208,0,7533190.story

I was ok with them trading Tejada , but Bedard , I don't know.

Is Roberts next ? If the offer on the table from Chicago involves Pie, then Roberts should go. If the offer on the table doesn't involve Pie, but does involve Gallagher, Murton, Cedeno, +1, then Roberts should go. Anything less than that isn't worth it.

BTW, Bedard didn't want to stay here & wasn't willing to discuss any extension beyond a single year contract. Given that this team wasn't going to compete by then if they kept him, it's a no-brainer. He had to go, he was worth way more to us in a trade.

Besides, now we have an OF of Scott/Jones/Markakis. That's the best OF we've had since... I have no idea - Devereaux/Anderson/Finley? And we've got a literal sh!t-ton of young arms to boot.

These moves are nothing but good. Widely acclaimed throughout MLB. When was the last time we did anything that was widely acclaimed? The rebuilding effort is finally earnestly underway, MacPhail is actually in control, and we've reclaimed some respect in baseball. Enjoy it. :cheers:

12 days till opening day ... predictions , anyone ?

I say we'll win more games than last season but will not get past the .500 mark. 75-87 ... man , I hope my predictions are wrong and the O's surprise us and the rest of the country.

If the pitching stays healthy, I'm predicting .500...maybe even 82-80.

Another season of Orioles baseball!! I will go out on a limb and say 80-82. I have high hopes for Adam Jones, but the fact of the matter is that he can't do it all alone.

Guthrie was named the O's opening day starter. I like that guy , he showed good stuff last season , an alright move by Trembley. Also, Cabrera has to perform better than the last couple of seasons , if he doesn't and the inconsistence persists, then he shouldn't be back next season ('09) keep in mind that he would be working with his 3rd pitching coach in the last 4 years or so.

^^i think the o's should've gotten rid of cabrera a LONG time ago. he's wild, get's behind the count too often, beens too many batters (many times it's on purpse), and loses his cool to easily.

Another season of Orioles baseball!! I will go out on a limb and say 80-82. I have high hopes for Adam Jones, but the fact of the matter is that he can't do it all alone.
i strongly disagree. i think they'll do better than that. 83-79 maybe......

Another season of Orioles baseball!! I will go out on a limb and say 80-82. I have high hopes for Adam Jones, but the fact of the matter is that he can't do it all alone.

I REALLY want to see them above .500!

I'm just not sure 08 will be the year though...

Guthrie was named the O's opening day starter. I like that guy , he showed good stuff last season , an alright move by Trembley. Also, Cabrera has to perform better than the last couple of seasons , if he doesn't and the inconsistence persists, then he shouldn't be back next season ('09) keep in mind that he would be working with his 3rd pitching coach in the last 4 years or so.

I doubt Trembley will put up with Cabrera's temper tantrums for very long. If he doesn't perform, I say dump him by June. This is a guy who had so much potential but he doesn't have the mental discipline to succeed.

BTW, MASN will be broadcasting some games in HD this season..it's about time.

...at Camden Yards is only 5 days away and it is not sold out!! Got an email from the O's Wed. inviting me to buy tix, checked availabilty, and there are good seats available all over the park. This does not bode well for overall attendance this year.

I think lots of folks are going to be checking out the National's new park this year. I think the worst fears are being realized...the Nats are having a major impact on O's attendance. The early thoughts were about a 20% reduction..I bet it will be more in the 30%-40% range when all is said and done.

I, unfortunately, don't think they are going to do better than 65 wins. And trust me it pains me to write that.


Also why has Gibbons not been released. What a waste of a roster spot.

...at Camden Yards is only 5 days away and it is not sold out!! Got an email from the O's Wed. inviting me to buy tix, checked availabilty, and there are good seats available all over the park. This does not bode well for overall attendance this year.

I think lots of folks are going to be checking out the National's new park this year. I think the worst fears are being realized...the Nats are having a major impact on O's attendance. The early thoughts were about a 20% reduction..I bet it will be more in the 30%-40% range when all is said and done.

I bought 30 tickets together for the game...which means there's plenty of space.

If the O's start winning, then people will sell out Camden Yards again. :yes:

According to this dude :lol: ( who was in Las Vegas recently ), Vegas has us losing 102 games this year... :ohno:

Well, we all know that's not going to happen. But, I don't think anyone is seriously picking us to have a winning season of any kind. :(
If we start off good and end up with a season of 90 or so wins or 100 or so wins, then I believe people's confidence will return in the O's. Plus, alot of the expendable money is dwindling down thanks to the consumer confidence in the stock market. People won't be spending alot of money on games like they did. I think every team will feel that effect this year.

the o's new scoreboard looks great! check it out!!

http://www.wbaltv.com/news/15726739/detail.html

i've always loved interleague play. this year, we play the pirates (here), astros (here), brewers (away), cubs (away), and, of course, those pesky nats (here & away).

the o's new scoreboard looks great! check it out!!

http://www.wbaltv.com/news/15726739/detail.html

Very nice, indeed! :yes:

Well, we all know that's not going to happen. But, I don't think anyone is seriously picking us to have a winning season of any kind. :(
If we start off good and end up with a season of 90 or so wins or 100 or so wins, then I believe people's confidence will return in the O's. Plus, alot of the expendable money is dwindling down thanks to the consumer confidence in the stock market. People won't be spending alot of money on games like they did. I think every team will feel that effect this year.

90 wins would have us in contention, 100 would have us in the playoffs....pretty sure thats not going to happen, but yes that would return confidence :lol:

60 and 102 is definitely a possibility, they've won around 70 the last couple years, and didn't improve the product on the field THIS season. Although the organization is greatly improved this year, top to bottom.

Not that anyone cares, but I will try to get some pics of opening day which I got tickets for. It's pretty amazing that they got the stadium up and ready and it looks good even though the rest of the area is one big construction project.

Expensive tickets?

Not that anyone cares, but I will try to get some pics of opening day which I got tickets for. It's pretty amazing that they got the stadium up and ready and it looks good even though the rest of the area is one big construction project.

Nice , please post them !

Btw, How are the Nats looking for this season ?! I assume you follow them ...

I, unfortunately, don't think they are going to do better than 65 wins. And trust me it pains me to write that.


Also why has Gibbons not been released. What a waste of a roster spot.

To answer my own question, Gibbons was released. We are still saddled with a lot of contracts that run through 2009, but some deadwood is being cut and thats good. I don't think Huff is tradeable, but with a good season Mora and R. Hernandez may be. I think the future could be bright.

^^u don't think aubrey huff is tradeable? the man struck out 95 times last year, more times in a year's span than any other year, and he's not tradeable?

Bad start to the season ! The bullpen gave up a single hit , thou :lol:. Quiet offense :ohno: ... Let's hope that as the weather gets warmer so would our offense.

Let's go O's !

^^u don't think aubrey huff is tradeable? the man struck out 95 times last year, more times in a year's span than any other year, and he's not tradeable?

...I think he means nobody wants him, not that the O's don't want to trade him.

Good riddance on Gibbons. As soon as his drug use was outed (and he stopped taking them) his performance slid downhill fast. The O's have to honor his contract, so that will give him plenty of time to find a new career. I think he's done.

To answer my own question, Gibbons was released. We are still saddled with a lot of contracts that run through 2009, but some deadwood is being cut and thats good. I don't think Huff is tradeable, but with a good season Mora and R. Hernandez may be. I think the future could be bright.

And so continues the great Baltimore tradition to overpay players after one good season, and then send them off to a long expensive vacation. :bash:

Baseball needs voidable contracts via cuts like in football.. all this guaranteed money is ridiculous. I think that while being far from perfect, the NFL system is better where portions of the contract are guaranteed and the rest basically has to be earned.

And most importantly Baltimore has to stop throwing money away :nuts: Its amazing how the team finds a way to be so thrifty and so wasteful at the same time.

Anyone have pix of the new Nationals stadium?

Anyone have pix of the new Nationals stadium?
Try this site! This is a plain looking stadium if you ask me. And the Nationals paid Six-Hundred million? For this? It has no character.

http://www.jdland.com/dc/stadium.cfm?tab=no3

I'm not a huge baseball fan to begin with, but I often like going to the games with family and friends to get a taste of the atmosphere.

If I were a Nats fan - which I'm not - I would not be happy with the result of the stadium.

The defining characteristic of the interior is the two parking garages in left field. I know they're touting the cherry blossoms as the defining characteristic, but those won't last more than a few games. Then it's parking garages for the rest of the year.

The defining characteristic of the exterior is a large staircase by an angular wall that apparently is the farthest entrance from the majority of approaching traffic.

They were promised skyline views to include the Capitol Dome, which really would have been something, but you cannot see the Dome but for a few sections of the nosebleed seats. Otherwise, there's no way to tell that you're actually in DC. Given the orientation of the stadium & the potential for such landmark views, this is a huge snafu.

They're probably all thrilled to finally have a new stadium for their new team, but once the novelty wears off a bit an objective eye would surely be disappointed.

As it is, I've seen pictures & decided there's no reason for me to visit. And, yes, the parking situation is atrocious. Apparently the lines for the nearest Metro stop were literally blocks long on Opening Night.

No, thanks.