This conversation begins and ends with one name: Armando Benitez.

Some other guys that come to mind...there was that entire Terp team a few years ago that could qualify as a group: Gilchrist/Ibekwe/Caner-Medley. Every one of those guys was talented enough to take over a game but maddeningly inconsistent.

Vinny probably belongs in this conversation, as he put up some great numbers but always seemed to throw an INT when we lease needed it. You could say that about a few Ravens players.

Don Stanhouse obviously should be here as well. He fits the bill as well as anyone.

But really, I just can't imagine anyone topping Benitez.

Armando Benitez, Greivis Vasquez, and if I can include a coach, Billick.

ol three pack tippy martinez

Earl Weavers's favorite relief pitcher.
" FullPack"

Current : Ed Reed on an interception
All Time: Boller

Don Stanhouse, now that's a name from the past. Earl Weaver dubbed him "Fullpack" because he said he smoked one every time he pitched.

I once saw him close both games of a double hitter where he walked the bases loaded in both games before getting the side out. He was the master of the 3-2 count and guys fouled him off a lot. And he worked like a fresh bottle of catsup, sometimes you just wanted to stick a knife in him...

Weaver would often disappear when Stanhouse was on the mound, but it was easy to know where he was at because smoke would be rolling out of the tunnel.

Sadly, Gregg reminds me a lot of Stanhouse. We could be in for some long nights this summer...

Can't comment on Baltimore history, but currently Mike Gonzo Gonzalez is the worst.

He gives up too many runs and lacks refinement. Time for him to be Gonzo for good.

No doubt it's anytime Ed Reed has the ball in his hands. Thrilling, exciting, fun, but absolutely nerve-wracking.

Ed Reed!!! STOP TRYING TO LATERAL!!!!

George Sherrill was the first past player to come to mind though. He had me on the edge of the seat every game.

Current day player: Adam Jones, without a doubt. He is oozing with potential but shows no signs of developing the patience of an elite hitter. He finds himself in more 0-1's and 0-2's than anyone in recent memory.

All time: Ben McDonald comes to mind because, during the scrappy Johnny Oates years, we always seemed to be one elite pitcher away from contention and McDonald was always the guy seemingly on cusp of breaking out and having a monster year. Never happened.

Current state is a toss up between Gregg and Gonzales. No direspect to Stanhouse, but for the all time choice the guy who made me cringe was Eddie Watt

Yes, it's currently Kevin Gregg, end of discussion.

All time, I'd have to go with former Colts kicker Toni Linhardt. During tight games, even chip shots were never a sure thing. But I do remember a huge clutch kick he made a Memorial Stadium to take down the Dolphins.

Current - Mike Gonzalez

All time - Armando Benitez

Michael Phelps, because you never know what scandal is next!

You aren't going to let your new gig get in the way of your bartending duties, are you, Dan? Congrats on expanding your media footprint. How soon till we see you on PTI? Do we have to wait for the Orioles to make a playoff run?

Here are some candidates for setting off the nerve-wracking meter, past or present. Any Ravens kicker after Stover. Any Ravens DB besides Reed who wants to lateral after an INT. Waiting for Glenn Davis to get ready in the box. Jeremy Guthrie in 2009. Mike Gonzalez. The starting rotation last year before the ASB. Jordan Williams at the free throw line. Geivous Vasquez his first two years. Sam Hollenbach. Pat Kelly on defense. Alan Wiggins. Adam Jones with two strikes and a pitcher that can throw a low and away slider. Mike DeJean. Albert Belle for the prospect of an explosion at any time.

I need to stop this trip down Bad Memory Lane. Gonzalez gets my vote for right now.

If we are including Terps, Greivis Vasquez will go in the Montrose, UMD, Venezualian National team, and Grizzles HOF for mind numbingly irradict play. Cant wait til he's a Wizard so we can add one more team to the list.

Current? Not an athlete; it's Cam Cameron, whose motto seems to be, "we've got a lead, we can stop playing now."

All-time? Stanhouse was nicknamed "Full-Pack" because that's how many cigarettes Earl Weaver used to smoke every time Stanhouse came in to close a game.

If we are including Terps, Greivis Vasquez will go in the Montrose, UMD, Venezualian National team, and Grizzles HOF for mind numbingly irradict play. Cant wait til he's a Wizard so we can add one more team to the list.

I'm not sure Gregg is nerve-wracking so much as he's just not that good. I think to be nerve-wracking you have to lurch from great to bad performances.

I would say that Ed Reed is nerve-wracking. He is obviously a great (Hall of Fame) player, so he's mostly great, but when he laterals after making a pick I hide my eyes. THAT is nerve-wracking.

As for the Orioles, I'll say Pie. He shows flashes of potential, but you always feel like there's the possibility for something terrible to happen every time he goes to make some sort of play. He somehow combines obvious excellent athleticism with awkwardness you usually don't see in professional players, especially on the bases and in the field, that he just always makes me nervous.

Don Stanhouse

In recent years I would say Adam Jones as you get glimpses of just how talented this guy is but watching a clutch at bat, knowing that the junk in the dirt is coming....and he's going to hack at it....but he is improving on it tremendously this year. Historically, I would say Frank Robinson, the manager and his 'end-of-game' moves (or lack there of sometimes)....just maddening and nail biting non-sense. As honorable mention, Brad Pennington and his brief time as closer. Remember when we shipped him out of town and he vowed to come back and haunt us like Curt Schilling? I think that 3 run shot that Griffey hit a couple rows short of the Jumbotron back in 95 (?) to win the game just landed.

I was always worried that Boog would come out of the dugout with a big half-eaten sandwich and miss his ground ball opportunities in the first half of the inning.

Current ~Mike Gonzolous
Historicaly~ Glenn Davis

Brad Pennington? Except as I recall, you almost knew something bad was going to happen when he came into the game.

Stan The Man Unusual . . .

I am not sure if I am going to answer the question in the way you want me to, but here it is anyway. I googled Kevin Millwood to see if he was being called anytime soon. The article talked about him, among other things, and this little tidbit was at the end of the article.

Let's play ten
Commissioner Bud Selig said Thursday he expects the playoffs to expand to 10 teams for the 2012 season. (So, still no room for the Baltimore Orioles, then?)

Now at this point you're probable wondering what does this have to do with the price of peaches on Good Friday, Squirrel? Well, I will tell you.
The perception of the Baltimore Orioles seems to be that they will never get the job done at least that how most folks outside of Baltimore feel. We don't seem to beat teams we should beat.
Last night, I can't tell you how many times Thorny and Palmer said, the Twins have one foot on the bus and can't wait to get the heck out of here.
I am sure as heck don't feel the Twins played that way. They played like the scrappy team that they always are, especially when they are missing their two best players (M & M boys) Anyway, I could go on and on here about that, but I won't because I do want to answer today's question so here it is.
Andy MacPhail is the most nerve racking athlete in Baltimore ever. Grant it he's never played for the Baltimore Orioles, but as far as I know he still has the final decision as to who's on the team we field each and every day. Until Andy Mac develops an eye for talent or at least an eye for players that can be polished up and renewed, we will never make the playoffs much less a sustained run of winning 82 games or better.

Kevin Gregg 81% is a B-, when is a B- good enough? Justrin Duchsherer, probable will never pitch again. Prove me wrong Justin! Cesar Izturis, worth little. I am stealing someone else's like but I like it! Mike Gonzalez, that poor man should never been signed. Now his mechanics are all fouled up. I don't see him producing for us anytime soon.
I could go on but I won't. So until Andy MacPhail, pulls a rabbit out of the hat and soon. I am making him the most nerve racking athlete on the team. He's picked these guys and now we are stuck with them. Come on Any step up to the plate and change the perception of the Orioles and maybe you will be GM of the Year in 2011 and then you would prove me wrong, which in this case would be a good thing.

Luke Scott in left field and Felix Pie running the bases!Enough said.

current - Sean Mosley - thought he was sure-fire NBA material after watching him numerous times in high school.
CURE -stop being so unselfishness & take it to the hoop!

old time - Gus Triandos - big Gus had a couple years cut short because he had to deal w/Hoyts unhittable/uncatchable knuckler!
Usher Jim

Benitez for sure.

Paul Hoffman and Ray Felix from the bygone Bullets.

Currently it has to be our revolving door of closers.

Through the years there have been a number....

Tony Banks averaged over a fumble a game, that was horrendous.

It was frustrating that Wilcox left Maryland early, but as a player he was fantastic.

Frank Walker was a bonehead.

Someone mentioned Phelps due to his scandals, I'd like to mention him not because of his scandals (who hasn't done something they're not proud of) but because of the simple fact that he is a jerk.

Stanhouse is in a class of his own.

....heard you a few weeks back as I was munching an omelette at my favorite dive deli. Are you media elite now?

Here's my top Balto list:

Orioles - Stanhouse, hands down.

Ravens - Vinny. Boller was just plain bad. Vinny was hot/cold so you never knew what you would get.

Old Colts - Ray Chester. Dropped more wide-open passes than anyone.

Terps FB - Joel Statham. I'm going to disagree with CSB Jack. I thought Hollenbach was steady. Statham drove me nuts.

Terps BB - Wow, so may to choose from. Vasquez is the 21st century winner, esp. his soph & jr seasons. An old terp who made me real nervous was Reggie Jackson, PG from the late 70's team. Good passer, lousy shooter.

Wash Bullets - Big John Williams. So gifted yet so FAT.

Wizards - ????take your pick, I stopped watching them years ago.

...and of course my old high school basketball teammate, jumpin Johnnie G.. Every time he shot a free throw, glass would break.

How about theTerps' foul shooting any year under Gary Williams?

Luke Scott. He's nerve-wracking in the field, at the plate and on the base paths. He's not a particularly good fielder. At the plate, he can just as easily strike out swinging at a pitchers pitch as hit a long home run. He's not particularly speedy so I'm nervous anytime he's on the bases. You know what you're going to get from him.

Paul "Musem" Tagliabue

Luke Scott today but not because of politics. The guy is great at hitting solo homers and base hits when games are either out of reach or long before decided. He can't hit in clutch situations though and between he and D Lee there's lots of guaranteed failing in key moments. A fun stat would be to see league leaders in LOB.

All time, my vote goes to Bart Scott. The dude couldn't keep his head in games at key pressure moments and I remember a few critical stupid personal fouls.

Bulldog...hate it, heard it once you heard it a million times. Bark! Ain't no player, ain't no brainer. Guy sucks.

Current: Gotta be Gregg. I know he's the "pick du jour", but he's got the most riding on his appearances and he's not good at all right now.

All-Time: I don't remember feeling more stressed out as an O's fan (and that's saying a lot) then during Lee Mazzilli's tenure and his Mike DeJean obsession.

That season, DeJean looked ATROCIOUS, and yet Mazzilli kept trucking him out there to help him "get his confidence back".

I think Steve nailed it with Boller.

Currently, Gregg -- woindering if he's going to keep it in the ballpark.
Scott and Gonzo are so bad, I don't expect anything from them

All-time Stanhouse, but another nominee. Remember Sammy Sosa?
When he came up with men on base, I hoped he would strike out -- otherwise it was an inning-ending, rally-killing double play. Has anyone single-handedly ened more potential big-innings?

All time for Baltimore?

No contest

KYLE BOLLER

For the life of me, I can't figure out the whining about Ed Reed. He has, what, 54 interceptions? How many of those has he actually fumbled away? If you feel uncertain about him having the ball in his hands, that's YOUR shortcoming...

How soon we forget about Doug Jones. Remember when he blew that 4-run lead in the 9th inning against the Blue Jays in 1995, and then he had the nerve to sarcastically tip his hat to the fans as they were booing him on his way back to the dugout?

I can't believe no one mentioned Wild Thing Gregg Olson.

Gregg Olson

Don Stanhouse
and
Kyle Boller

My first thought was Stanhouse. You can make a good case for Benitez. For an old Colt, how about Roger Carr? Super fast , he could catch a bomb at any moment -- when he wasn't having a leg cramp, real or imagined.

Outfielders---Andres Mora, Carlos Lopez, Jim Fuller.....and in the "you-wouldn't- think-so " dept...Brady Anderson--he never saw a cutoff man he couldn't miss.

Don Aase
or more recently...Mike DeJean he was AWFUL!

Oh man, If we're talking closers, I would have to include:

1) Steve "I don't own a razor" Kline... I always felt like he was working behind in the count.

2) Armando Benítez... Yielded the infamous "Jeffrey Maier" home run in 1996. And don't even get me started on his ALCS performance in '97... He totally blew it.

Luke Scott with anyone on base.

ALL TIME: Willie Miranda in either batters box!!

Here's a goodie:

TERRY MATHEWS (Oriole pitcher)

Remember him?

He was a bloody nightmare to watch.

Put me down for eddie watt also.I hated seeing this guy coming in a game. stanhouse was never wracking but so was Gregg Olsen but they got the job done most of the time.

Being only 18 i dont have a full memory bank but ill do my best. Recently and currently it has to be Ed reed on an interception. I always hold my breath on every interception wanting to yell hold on to the damn ball. Going with terps basketball i go with Vazquez without any doubt. He is a fantastic player but you just never knew when he had the ball in late situations. George sherrill had to be the most nerve wrcking closer in o's history but going with the most nerveuwracking oriole period is gonzo. By now every time he gets up to pitch i say to myself "why have we not cut this guy yet."

Just about everyone mentioned above has caused anxiety on occasion. One not mentioned--Joe Flacco in the 4th quarter.

Terry Mathews...I guess I had blocked him out. The man was shaped like a bowling pin. But...No strikes!

Without a doubt...Mike Gonzalez...terrible...I'd rather they dust off Orosco to face lefties

All-time...Mike Timlin...loved it when he pitched for the sox...he blew 3 run leads to the early 00's...or as I like to call it the "ryan minor years"

Currently Kevin Gregg. Historically Tom Matte dropping back to pass.

There have been 2 games mentioned here that I remember very vividly and will until the day I die. The Griffey hr off of Brad Pennington was ridiculous. That was a game that was just devastating to watch. The Doug Jones game in 95 was insane as well. I remember watching that game at my friend's house in high school..summer of junior year and being drunk and screaming at the television. I haven't seen a mention of the game in 1997 in Detroit where Terry Matthews threw the ball to the backstop with the winning run on 3rdin the bottom of the 9th inning...DURING AN INTENTIONAL WALK

Dan--Ed Reed. Love to see him pluck those interceptions and then, knowing how elusive he can be on running them back, can't help but cringe immediately fearing the fumble will come.

Reed acts like he wants to play rugby with Ngata.

All time? Full-pack Stanhouse.

I can still see Earl's smoke coming from the dugout runaway from my seat in the right center field upper deck.

I can't believe nobody mentioned Daniel Cabrera. This guy would go out one inning and strike out the side throwing 98mph heat then come back the next inning give up two homeruns, pump a ball into the backstop, and then strikeout the side after a walk and HBP.