Miggy gave Baltimore a chance. Yes he was offered alot of money, but he signed pretty early into free agency. He could have held out & rec'd a comparable offer from another team. He believed in us. Miggy was never part of the problem. Angelos is/was the problem.

Ill cheer for Migs.

I think the fans should applaud Tejada. He is a teriffic baseball player. As much as I support the Orioles organization, even with their 10 straight years of losing, I truly believe this is one of the biggest disappointments in the history of the franchise...to acquire a player with his caliber of talent and to fail in their inability to build a winning franchise around him.

I think the fans will be indifferent to Miggy. Some may boo, some may clap. He did help the O's out of the doldrums.

Im going to the game on Thursday, and i'll be wearing my tejada shirt and I will be cheering for him. His years here might have been with a losing team but he had tremendous seasons nonetheless. !50 rbi is incredible.

Who?

Miguel Tejada came here full of energy and enthusiasm. He was the first blue-chip free agent to sign with the Orioles after numerous highly-publicized rejections from less talented players, some of whom took less to play elsewhere. Baltimore was a laughingstock -- a place where only rejects, losers and those who couldn't find employment elsewhere would play. We were virtually begging players to take our millions.

When Miggy first came, he was an instant hit, on and off the field. His enthusiasm was contagious. He had a staggering 150 RBI his second year. But the losing killed his spirit. It always does. So after four years, he had been beaten down by the losing and the stigma of the Orioles multiple involvements in the steroid scandals. Can you blame him? I can't. I once played a season of 163 games of (professional) fastpitch softball where we won 148 of those games. I remember how long it took me to bounce back mentally from the few losses. I can only imagine how it gets to you when you're a professional athlete like Miggy and you're playing on a team as bad as the Orioles and there's not one bit of hope it's going to get any better anytime soon. I believe the losing just sucked the life right out of him and that a fresh start was exactly what he and the O's needed.

Bonus Think Special: I credit my grandparents for introducing me to baseball. I spent a lot of time with them growing up. My grandfather often worked the 4 to 12 shift at Carr-Lowry's Glass in Westport (is that still there?), and my grandmother would listen to the Orioles' games on the radio while waiting for him to come home from work. Listening to games from the West Coast after midnight was a always a big thrill. My grandparents also had a colored TV (color TV was still new then) and it was a big treat for me to watch a ballgame on their color TV. I joined the Junior Orioles (I'm sure that no longer exists) and got free tickets to the general admission seats at old Memorial Stadium. My parents would take my sister and me there. Good memories!

I'm a lifelong Orioles' fan so I would not boo Miggy. I was happy when he signed, but I was also happy when he left. He has a lot of potential, but toward the end of his time with the Os he made it very clear that he wanted out. He did not play the game hard (he didn't run hard to first on a ground ball, for instance) and he didn't speak favorably, in public, about the club. He certainly had reasons to be disappointed, but that type of thing should be kept in house. And please spare me the "I just want to win" crap. He wanted to get paid like so many others. He's not complaining about being in Houston even though they are a sub-500 team.

Markakis, on the other hand, appears to acting more professionally (playing the game hard and not complaining publicly though you know he has to be bothered by the contract the Os gave him this season).

So, to me Miggy will is just another former Oriole. He wasn't here that long and he wasn't that good. I wish him well, but I don't miss him.

Tajada was a good player while he was here. Was he overpaid? Uh, yeah........ along with about two hundred other major league players.

Tejada gave his best every game, he never complained, and he never demanded to be traded. He accepted the fact the he was a high-priced, high-expectations player on a team that finished below .500, and did his best. Nothing more, nothing less.

i've never ever replied to anything on this blog or the site for that matter. i had to reply to the thought the miggy might be booed at camden.

i grew up in columbia, 0-7 years. saw all my first baseball games at memorial, and then my family moved me to florida. i've seen about 25 orioles games at the dreaded "trop" and miggy was one of the few guys i could ever really love on dem o's. there's NO orioles fans in florida, usually if i see a hat it turns into a 20 minute conversation. miggy helped me through these 10 years of being the crazy kid who still for some reason likes the orioles.
boo him? why? how? he played his guts out for us. he actually got our horrible team in first for a few months. and then he lands us FIVE players when he was supposedly declining. you can say what you want about steroids but this guy is a gamer. he plays like what 190 games a year? always smiling. i love miggy. i wish i could see my first camden yards game when he was returning so i could slap whoever would be booing him.

I had a long response all ready for you, but I see easywriter already said everything I wanted to. Years from now I'm going to remember the four years of solid play he gave us, that it was a mutual parting, and that we got the building blocks for the future. I'd applaud him if I could make it to the game.

great article in today's Sun. Current O's including Roberts say the right things, I think. Tejada should be remembered as a great competitor who hated to lose. If you want you can focus on the disappointing '07 season, but as I said at the time, if we had 8 Miguel Tejada's out there, we'd do just fine.

ONE WORD: ANGELOS

Hell if we havent signed dumped vets and went after more younger FA....who knows what would happened. Wish we signed Ortiz....

We're booing. He came to the Orioles when there was a slight downtrend in the market, so he took the best offer he got. Obviously, I wouldn't think Miggy was upset about the Orioles multiple involvements in the steroid scandals. Heck, he was named in the Mitchell Report from his days in Oakland.

Finally, why are we making excuses for a professional who got tired of losing and basically turned it off from August til season's end in both 2006 and 2007? I can name quality players with integrity on losing teams that never soured and gave up on his teammates as Miggy did.

I worry that last impressions will emerge triumphant; that many fans will boo him because of his relative lack of energy the last two years. I say that it would be a shame to do so. He was the first marquee free agent in years to come here (as some have already pointed out inthis blog), giving us enhanced credibility and a bonafide MVP candidate. He played his heart out and picked us all up when we needed it. Yes, the losing obviously got to him and it shouldn't have affected him as much as it did, but even in his final year, he was producing more than higher paid players like Furcal, Garciaparra, and the most over-rated player in history, Derek Jeter. Let's all show some class and give him a big standing O for being the best O for his first three years here (in year 4 Markakis was the best)

Cheaters never prosper. I wouldn't boo the guy because he generally tried here, but he was a cheater, bound up in an O's period which I cannot forget soon enough.

I'll do nothing when it comes to Tejada when I go to the game on Thursday.

The losing ate him up. He played well here (especially his 1st year), and he defended Baltimore. But I stopped liking him when he demanded his trade then changed his mind. I'm glad we traded him, especially after the Mitchell report and the age thing. Not to mention all the good talent we got in return for him.

But he did nothing to warrant getting booed, and while he played well, I still am sore about the trade demand, and how his production kept falling.

Miggi did offensively what he was brought here to do. He played every day. He said some thing he maybe shouldn't have a few time in the off-season, and hit into way too many double plays for my liking.

But he was the Orioles' offense for much of his time here. If there ever was a case of "a change of sceenery might help both of us," it was Miggi's trade this winter.

I'd cheer for him if I was there this week, then hope he goes 0-12 for the series. Nothing personal, Miggi.

Dan - thanks for the drink chip - think I'll hold on to it till I really need it.

Ever since 1972 it seems the Orioles and their fans have been looking for "the next Frank Robinson" whenever they haven't had pennant contending teams. Reggie was close but he was one and done before he took the money and fame NY offered. Glenn Davis, Albert Belle, Miggy - could that big bat be just the thing to put the O's over the top?

Well, to paraphrase what someone said about the Celtics, Frank Robinson isn't walking through that door! (And if he is, he's over 70 years old now.) So what we got with Miggy was... Miggy. And that was pretty darn good. He showed up to play, every day, and put up the numbers. Even when his HR were down, he was getting hits and driving in runs. I will second what easywriter said about being here killing his spirit. And what John said - I was happy when he came here, and happy - for him and the O's - when he left, since we seemed to get a decent return (which has since turned out to be better in the short term than expected).

Miggy, I for one would applaud you for your efforts in Baltimore and wish you well in Houston. That's how I think the OPACY fans should remember him.

Tejada will get a positive ovation, I am pretty sure about that.

Also, the Orioles went after younger free agents. Carlos Lee, Vladamir Guerrero and so on...None of them wanted to come here.

Remaining at .500 for the rest of the year will be a real bonus for this offseason. There's one HUGE free agent out there...

Bring Mark Teixeira home!
http://bringmarkhome.withthispetition.com

I'll be at the game tonight (all three, actually), and I plan on cheering Miggy in his first plate appearance. Booing him would be classless and disrespectful.

I'm glad he's not playing for the O's, but I don't have any disdain for the man either. Both the city and the player needed a change in direction.

Miguel Tejada came to Baltimore ready to lead the Orioles to the baseball promised land. He was going to be the first piece, the centerpiece that the team would build around. Several failed attempts to sign free agents combined with poor management both on and off the field sucked the joy of baseball out of him. He improved the team by signing here, and he improved the team by being valuable enough to be traded for several prospects.

Cheer the man.

I think Tejada should be cheered emphatically... He came and played Orioles baseball - gave his all and tried his hardest to make us a winner. But in the end the losing beat him down. (I think it would happen to any competitive person.) I'm happy to see him doing well in Houston. All that said, I hope we beat Houston with the fine talent that we got in the trade!

GREAT QUESTION

I have mixed feelings on Miggy. When he came to the O's he was full of energy and that seemed contagious even if it didn't result in wins. But over time that faded. He made some comments about wanting out of town, then back pedalled from them. He was the leader of the team, and the "leader" of the team can't call out for a trade, or even have it mentioned. His spirit was gone and so were his numbers. Maybe it was the "JUICE" or lack there of.

I certainly wouldn't boo, but on the other hand I won't be giving a standing ovation either. I was ready for him to leave, and I'm more than happy with the guys we got in return.

Tejada's first years here he was the best. he layed his blood and guts on the field everyday. He alone was worth the price of admission. He played to win, and had a winning attitude. He was great. Then he noticed his owner (Angelos) didn't share his passion to win. That wears on a top hard nosed quality player. Angelos ruined Miggy as he has so many in the past.
Miggy I hope gets a 3 minute standing ovation. He trully deserves it. Then of course, as the above post suggest, he goes 0-4.

Remembering the first time my dad took me to a Oriole game. as we were walking up to Memorial Stedium he said he'd be intorducing me to people. I asked what should I say? He said you say, pleased to meet you or glad to know you. Dad was a superstitius Irishman so he believed if the first pitch by the Oriole pitcher was a strike we would win. If it was a ball we were in for a tough game. Oh by the way, Pleased to meet you, may I buy you a beer. Still to this day. "Glad to know ya".

Here's how we should respond:

1st at bat: Kind applause, no boos, gentle thank you type response.

2nd at bat: No applause, no boos. Nothing.

3rd at bat: While on deck, closest fan fan should heckle him about his age or supposed age. A few B-12 comments wouldn't hurt.

4th at bat: OK, he's just another visiting player. Boo him, hiss him. Remind him he still doesn't run out groundballs and he's lost his range.

He was gem for the first two years. He was a joy to watch. Can't blame him for everything but he did bring stuff on himself (B-12, trade requests, steriods). Since being traded, he's kind of like your sister's ex husband who you hung around with before they split up. Can't hang out with him anymore.

Gimme a Schlitz.

I would never boo Miggy. The dude played hard, and put up the best numbers year in and year out of any oriole in the last 10 years. His first season he hit .310 with 34 HR and 150 RBI, won the homerun derby, and helped us finish 78-84 in third place, our best season since 1998. In the 2005 season he was a catalyst on a team that spent 62 days in first place and won the All-Star game MVP. Yes, he dropped off after a steroids scandal and a bunch of other crap that led to a dismal finish, but thats easy to do. I play semi-pro baseball and in 3 seasons my team is something like 7-100. It is very hard to stay motivated when you're getting it handed to you day in and day out. But, much like Miggy, I continue to play because I love the game. Bottom line, the guy's average season here was .300, 25, 100. I'll take that every year.

Since when does losing give you a free pass not to hustle. His salary doesn't changed reguardless of the score. Neither should his effort!!! I want my guys playing just as hard in the bottom of the ninth in a tie game as I do in a blow out. It's simple, you hit the ball, and you run it out. You teach kids in tee ball to run the ball out, then they look at their "role models" and they take a casual job to 1st on grounder to short.

Bonus Think Special:

The summer of 1982 i was in the car with my great uncle "Unk" and listening to the orioles play the A's and chuck came on to say " here;s Cal Ripken he's 2 for 4 with bla bla bla " when Unk leaned over slapped me on the shoulder and said " remember that name." like I didn't know who he was; but when I asked why he said " because that boy's name will become synonymous with Baltimore. He loved Baltimore and most of the orioles. never a ticket holder, he listened to every game even if it was on tv. often just turning down the sound so he could hear chuck and bill. He didn't make it past '91. He never saw the streak climax or Camden yards or Cal sit down or even his call to glory but every time there was something to do with call I always talk to him as if he's still here and tell him the grreat things that are going on in spite of our hard ships.
"there's Magic once again Unk"

Once Great ... Still Proud.
Why Not ...Believe !!!

This is not intended as a ragging on Tejada- credit will be given where credit is due- but as has been said elsewhere, he took a big payday when he came here. Yes, give him credit for being the first to hop on board a sinking ship to save it so that others might follow and help, but again- it was to the tune of a well-compensating Big Buck contract.

Yeah, yeah- he did the standard rah-rah cheerleading bit, and stated how he'd be a leader and all- and at first, he delivered in that role.

But, I tend to look at players to see if they are worth the trouble they sometimes eventually cause. Tejada just seemed to demand attention. He gradually made more noise than he was worth.

There is no denying his skills as a ballplayer, but his defense got sloppy, and he wasn't always dependable at the plate. Still- a great player, but a player that increasingly did not fit into the kind of team the Orioles needed to be- that is, a Team of equals, none more important than the other, who function as a Team. The Orioles needed to be a team made cohesive with positive attitude feeding into a chemistry. "Me" players who verge on being primidonnas can fit well into other teams composed of at least a few of those personality types, but the Orioles could not be that while growing and succeeding.

Cheer him when a takes the field? How about appreciation for the blast of energy and hope he brought into the clubhouse when he arrived, but no tears for his departure.

Miggy was a great hitter, mediocre fielder, and a steroids user. That's how I'll remember him.

Tejada is the best player this franchise has seen since Cal. He was also it's most vociferous and positive leader in at least twenty years. Maybe people don't realize how badly constructed those teams were?

Anyone who boos him because they didn't like his attitude is being ungracious to say the least. It was fun to watch him play every day, with very few exceptions. I'm glad the orioles traded him for some valuable pieces, but he is a great player, we should not forget that.

Tim

Did someone write that Miggy hit into too many dp's? I guess he also doesn't like Cal who holds the all time double play record.
I, for one, will stand up and cheer Miggy. He was truly fun to watch. His enthusiam was special. The people who are complaining about him not liking to lose are probably the same ones not showing up at the balpark because they don't like losing.

I'll be cheering, partly for Miggy (who was great for a couple of years at least) but mostly for Andy MacPhail for having fleeced Houston the way he did.

Tejada was one of the few bright spots of our organization for the 2 years he was here! If we had installed other pieces around him to make the team a contender it could have been special! We did get good pieces for him also! He did make an impact here so I would say thank you for the great effort you put out in and around Baltimore city! We will never for get you! Treat him well Houston!

Gotta cheer for Miggy- show class O's fans.

He was everything they paid for. Flanagans patchwork (the awful mistake of bringing Sammy Sosa here), Mazzilli's bubble gum throwing, Perlozzo's what I shouldda dones, all brought this BLUE CHIPPER down. He may never get his championship but he sure deserved one. He was awsome for the O's. If the O's win it all this year (they won't) they should give Tejada a ring.

Hey, Tejada produced and did what he was paid to do. It's not his fault that there wasn't much of a supporting cast and he was dealt as part of the 'rebuild'. If we had a plan in place, maybe he wouldn't have had to be dealt but it's time to move on and see what McPhail can do.

he was overated from the start. Os are much better off with the trade, including in the clubhouse.

Dan, I just read your high and mighty article basically scolding the fans of Baltimore for not reacting enough when Miguel Tejada was introduced last night. In fact you even went as far as to say that we the fans were wrong to give more cheers for the Hot Dog Race than for Tejada's clips. Personally I prefer the Hot Dog Race to Tejada, it never quit on us, cheated, made an uneasy clubhouse, or fed us a bunch of crap about losing his smile because of the lack of wins. In my job I have to show up and perform everyday no matter the circumstances and if this guy didn't have enough pride in himself to play with the same intensity everyday then he deserves indifference and boos. Cal played on horrible teams for years, but yet he gave you everything he had everday, just like Ketchup, Mustard, and Relish.