Simon the Savior!

Simon was bringing it.97 with movement.This guy could be a horse.Maybe we will have a closer.Or maybe another starter in the mix.His numbers at Norfolk were quite impressive.Still can't figure out how or why Albers has a job and Perez was let go.Makes no sense.

Simon did it tonight and looked good... Fearless throwing that last fast ball down the middle. Now lets see if he can do it consistently. Good luck!

Say it twice, "Simon is the man!" Alfredo was thowing that ball with some sauce on it. Simply, Simon did it all with a fastball. Suddenly the Os have a closer and slugging first sacker -- and a winning streak! They're back to ,200 ball. Three more wins in a row and they'll be back to .300. Can .500 be far behind?

In reply to your main article, I think that it is more than just the losing that has eroded the interest in the Orioles. There are problems with the 'product' beyond the performance of the team.
The O's cater to the corporate fan, but the core fan base that turned out in '88 was blue collar. Once you lose those people by gouging them on concessions, being tyrannical about selling unused tickets and bringing food, aiming your marketing at people who can write tickets off as a business expense (and who give up their seats to NY clients/bosses when called upon), etc., a lot of the core never come back. I don't think one or two winning seasons is going to bring back the attendance to the levels it was in the early years of OPACY.
The inequity in the league is also demoralizing for fans who grew up in the 60's and 70's. It's hard to be really into something when you're being set up as a patsy.
Get me league economic parity, decent affordable food, and a $3 beer and then I'll come back.

The real problem for the Oriole's organization is the generational loss of the young fans. They will never get them back, it's truly sad I'm too old to switch teams, I grew up with 70's and 80's O's. But if you grew up with the O's the last 12 years, your probably a NY or Boston or Braves or whoever actually cared about winning. The O's had an iconic players, for me it was Eddie Murray. Now they have no one young fans can attach to, Roberts? I also agree with Glenn's points, just wanted to add another by product of Angelo's terrible ownership.

The best thing about Simon was he threw strikes. I can not stand watching these guys come in and nibble and put the winning runs on base. Nick Johnson walked but he should have been rung up.

The error to Izturis was unfortunate. The game wouldn't have been quite as close as it appeared. He had incredible movement with a blazing fastball and he changed up well too. I say let him continue!!

Simon only gave up one hit. Take away the error by Izturis and it was over 5 minutes earlier and the win was by two.

Never boring with the Orioles!

D'oh! He did give up 2 hits, but the error by Izturis is what made it closer than it was. I like him!

I am little confused. He let up 2 runs in the 9th and was very lucky to get out of the inning. The error is interesting b/c I don't think there was any way that the throw would have beaten Gardner to first- which is why Izturis rushed and missed the ball. Oh well at least he didn't let up a home run.

I am still an Orioles fan and I am only 27. Came from Russia in 92 and really only caught that great 97 season. I just loved the Os cause they were the home team and thats how I learned to love baseball.

Living in NY at least I can look out from underneath my paper bag for a day. This season has been so frustrating because I ACTUALLY thought they may do something.

Watching Simon pitch last night was SO refreshing. Yes he was throwing the ball down the middle. Yes the Yanks figured it out after 2-3 batters and started hitting the ball hard. Yes his slider was nowhere near the vicinity of the plate on all but that one pitch to Jeter... BUT HE HAD HEART. He wasnt scared. If anything he seemed over excited. I can already see that the Os will not be good this year but I just want to see competition, and even though Johnson may have good stuff, HE HAS NO HEART.

Oh and lets not forget Hughes. This mini hitting thing started the day that Hughes was called up. He has been CLUTCH. If he shows ANY power he is the first baseman of at least the next couple years. I can see him being better than lets say Nick Johnson for one.

Look at me I am so excited for 2 wins in a row.

This guy is probably going to be another....Armando Benitez

Wait, we let Wilfredo Perez go? Wasn't he supposed to the closer of the future?

The O's lose there all star lead off man, and their closer due to injuries. On top of that they've had a tough schedule on the road. Yes thats a recipe for losing. No its not Andy's or Daves fault. Its not like even before all the problems they were suppose to win.