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Today's attendance: 43,589.
The season total for 80 home games is 2,164,822. That's NOT the lowest in Camden Yards history.
Last season, the Orioles drew 2,153,139 in 81 dates.
Whew!
Alex Rodriguez was lifted for a pinch-runner and received a rousing ovation. Miguel Tejada just came out and received scattered applause from behind the dugout. Maybe a dozen people.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I've seen enough of Victor Zambrano.
Only 15 of Zambrano's 39 pitches were strikes. In one inning, he allowed one hit and three runs, walked four, struck out one, threw a wild pitch and hit a batter.
That's the pu-pu platter for relievers.
He just doesn't have it. Maybe it was there once, but not anymore.
If he takes Victor Santos with him, no tears will be shed.
For the life of me, I don't remember Adam Stern appearing in two games this season.
I wasn't on the Tampa trip, and he was gone before the team returned. That must be it.
Nick Markakis was the overwhelming choice for Most Valuable Oriole. Erik Bedard was a distant second, followed by Brian Roberts. All three of them received first-place votes.
Markakis wanted to play today, but manager Dave Trembley sat him so his average would stay at .300, as many of you already figured out.
Bench coach Tom Trebelhorn was informed today that he won't have his contract renewed for 2008. No replacement has been named. Candidates will be discussed at the organizational meetings on Oct. 8.
"I was told it was an organizational change, the euphemistic way of saying, 'We don't have a real reason, but we're making a change.' But start reading the wire. There will be a lot of those," Trebelhorn said.
"I wish there was one particular lineup card I messed up that I had a reason for this, but I can't put my finger on this. That's the way it goes."
If this blog had "tone," you'd know that Trebelhorn didn't sound bitter. He was joking around with a small group of reporters. But he wanted to return next season and obviously was disappointed by the news. He's been in the organization for 12 years in a variety of roles. And he seems to get along with everyone.
Trebelhorn might retire if he can't find the right job. He'd be willing to teach in the minors, but the Orioles didn't make him that offer.
Third base coach Juan Samuel told the club that he'd return, so he's a definite along with bullpen coach Alan Dunn.
Here's the lineup, which Trebelhorn posted on the magnetic board outside the clubhouse:
Tike Redman - CF
Luis Hernandez - 2B
Melvin Mora - 3B
Miguel Tejada - SS
Kevin Millar - DH
Jay Payton - RF
Scott Moore - 1B
J.R. House - C
Freddie Bynum - LF
Brian Burres - P
No Aubrey Huff again tonight because of stiffness in his neck and lower back. He could miss tomorrow's game, as well, and finish with a .280 average, 34 doubles, five triples (that's not a misprint), 15 homers and 72 RBIs in 151 games.
Here's the lineup:
Brian Roberts - 2B
Melvin Mora - 3B
Nick Markakis - RF
Miguel Tejada - DH
Kevin Millar - 1B
Ramon Hernandez - C
Jay Payton - LF
Tike Redman - CF
Luis Hernandez - SS
Daniel Cabrera - P
Manager Dave Trembley was asked about using Cabrera as the closer next season. Can we please retire that question?
"You have to have command," Trembley said.
That would be a "no."
You also need an even temperament. Does Cabrera have one?
"You can probably ask Dustin Pedroia that question," Trembley replied with a chuckle.
If the Orioles want a veteran pitcher as a No. 2 behind Erik Bedard, someone to give them innings and around 12 wins, as manager Dave Trembley said earlier this week, they should make a run at Curt Schilling.
That's my opinion. What do you think?
He'd probably consider it if Gary Thorne agreed to wash his socks at least once.
Funny how Schilling is viewed as a guy who could be a mentor of sorts for the younger pitchers on the staff, and perhaps assist Bedard in taking the next step toward being a dominant No. 1 for six months. This is quite the U-turn from when Schilling first pitched for the Orioles and was scolded by at least one player for not taking his job seriously and wasting his talents.
He was an air-head. Now he's a positive influence.
Man, we're all getting old.
My only concern is he'd still want to blog, and I don't need the extra competition.
Tune into the Insiders Roundtable Show at noon tomorrow on WHFS (105.7-FM) and you'll hear an hour-long interview with team president Andy MacPhail, who says nobody on the club is untouchable. Not with this record.
MacPhail also praised manager Dave Trembley for being the man who can make the Orioles a solid fundamental team, because their margin for error is "razor-thin."
Coincidentally, that also was Brandon Fahey's nickname in high school.
The Orioles are fully aware that the free-agent field is just as thin, and MacPhail says only a few available players will make a difference. Teams are locking up their younger players. He singled out Torii Hunter and Aaron Rowand as exceptions.
To the reader who asks if I remember Andre Thornton's walk-off bunt against the Orioles, that sounds real familiar, but I haven't thought about it in years. I believe you're right.
The image of Eddie Murray at third base still blows me away. Bad experiment -- right up there with Javy Lopez at first base -- but the Orioles wanted to keep Lee May at first base.
Imagine how this club's history would have changed if Murray stayed at third. No Todd Cruz? No way!
Hey, the guy was the starting third baseman for a large chunk of the '83 season.
You don't see many of those.
Melvin Mora laid down the bunt heard 'round the world - or at least to Boston. And he did it on his own. It wasn't called from the dugout.
"Like I was telling my friend, I've been involved in so many playoffs and nobody's expecting that," Mora said.
Mora did the math and realized something else: "We need just one run, we don't need a grand slam."
And if it didn't work?
"He’s trying to win the game," manager Dave Trembley said. "I don’t think you’re going to second-guess anybody after the way this game turned out and the way we fought back. Their effort was…it would be an understatement to say it was terrific."
Trembley had to talk Chad Bradford into walking the bases loaded in the 10th, another move that worked in the Orioles' favor.
As if anyone should be pitching to A-Rod these days.
Here's Trembley's version of the mound conference:
"I said, ‘Fellas, we’ve got one shot at this. We’re going to walk Rodriguez and we’re going to walk Matsui.’ And Bradford said, ‘Well, I’d rather go right after them,’ and I said, ‘I know you would, but we’re not going to do that.’ I thought we had one shot right there. They didn’t have another catcher. Molina was going to have to hit. Gosh darn, are you going to let a guy beat you who has 155 RBIs after we’ve come back? I don’t think that would have been a prudent move."
Jon Leicester just proved what many of us have long suspected: Hang a curveball to Alex Rodriguez and he’s going to hit it a long way.
A-Rod has 1,500 career RBIs. He’s the third-youngest player to reach that milestone.
Who’s the youngest to hit three homers off Jon Leicester?
Meanwhile, Steve Trachsel allowed five runs and five hits over 4 1/3 innings in Thursday’s start for the Chicago Cubs, but insisted later that he pitched better than the numbers showed.
Sound familiar?
"My stuff was pretty good," he said.
Trachsel reportedly yelled obscenities at a small group of reporters the previous night because they were watching the Brewers game on a big-screen television in the Cubs’ clubhouse.
Chicago Sun-Times reporter Chris DeLuca says that Trachsel "has offered little more than an uptight personality this clubhouse doesn’t need."
I’m starting to like Scott Moore and Rocky Cherry a little more every day.
Brian Roberts - 2B
Tike Redman - CF
Nick Markakis - RF
Miguel Tejada - SS
Aubrey Huff - DH
Melvin Mora - 3B
Ramon Hernandez - C
Jay Payton - LF
Scott Moore - 1B
Jon Leicester - P
Kevin Millar hasn't started the last two games, but manager Dave Trembley said it's not a health issue. He wanted to give Moore a start at first base against right-hander Mike Mussina instead of Andy Pettitte, who pitches tomorrow.
Hello, everyone.
I’m rushing around and working on two things at once for the print edition of The Sun, so the blog has gone to the back burner again. I hate when that happens.
I’ll be filing later from Camden Yards, but I wanted to hit upon a few items before I disappear again.
The Orioles aren’t necessarily sold on Luis Hernandez being their everyday shortstop next season if Miguel Tejada changes positions or teams, but manager Dave Trembley isn’t dismissing the idea. He believes the team can keep Hernandez in the lineup despite the offensive shortcomings, and benefit greatly from the defensive upgrade, if other spots in the lineup are enhanced. Offensively, I mean. Not artificially.
He mentioned David Eckstein in St. Louis and Mark Belanger in Baltimore – the most obvious comparison in these parts.
Here’s what Trembley said when asked if Jay Payton is having trouble keeping his focus:
"Jay’s very competitive and I think sometimes he lets that bother him, because he does care, and sometimes maybe to a fault because he wants to do so well and he’s a scrappy guy and he doesn’t like to lose and he’s had to work for everything he’s got. He’s been around for a while and I think sometimes he takes things personal and he lets it get to him. I think he’s a guy you have to tell to take a deep breath, stop, count to 10, relax.
"He’s run balls out hard for me the last few games. He’s done the things I’ve asked him to do."
I’ll let the rest of you tackle the whole "last few games" thing.
More from Fan Appreciation Weekend:
Tonight, five fans will be chosen to go onto the field before the game – none of them dressed in Yankee pinstripes, I’m sure – to receive either a trip for two to spring training (including Southwest vouchers and game tickets), two 2008 Orioles 13-game plan season tickets (second prize is four tickets…just kidding), a catered suite for 12 people for April or May games (excluding Opening Day), a Nick Markakis game-used autographed bat or a 2007 team autographed baseball.
Tomorrow’s prizes include a 50-inch HD plasma TV (yes, I said HD. Fire away), a game-used autographed base by an Orioles player (we know it won’t be Paul Bako because he never reaches base…again, kidding), two 2008 13-game plan season tickets (I won’t go there again), another 12-person catered suite and another team autographed ball.
Sunday’s prizes include a Caribbean getaway valued at $3,000 for the person chosen as the Orioles’ Most Valuable Fan. The four runner-ups from the online contest will received a team-autographed baseball during an on-field presentation, and Markakis’ home phone number (OK, definitely kidding about that part).
MASN’s Amber Theoharis asks that you join her on Sunday, Oct. 7, in Washington D.C. as she participates in the Walk for Hope fight against breast cancer. This year, she’ll be walking with her cousin, Stacy, who is fighting the disease at age 30.
You can walk with Amber and her family in the 2K event, or sponsor her, by logging onto www.masnsports.com and click on the "Walk for Hope" link. If you do the walk, you’ll receive signed Orioles memorabilia from Tejada, Brian Roberts and Kevin Millar.
If you donate or register, do so under the team name "Marcia’s Movers," named in memory of Stacy’s mother – and Amber’s aunt – who lost her battle with cancer in 1997.
"Her motto was always, ‘Keep on movin’," Amber said, "and that’s exactly what we intend to do."
Dave Trembley ended his postgame media session tonight by expressing his gratitude for what relievers Jamie Walker and Chad Bradford have done for the team, pitching outside their normal roles and being available practically every night.
"I am indebted to Walker and Bradford for what they've done since I've been managing this club," he said. "You may see them one more time against the Yankees, you may not, but these guys have been men on this team and have done so much above and beyond what they signed up to do and have not flinched one bit."
Bradford got the last out in the seventh after allowing a single and offered to return for the eighth, but Trembley brought in Walker, who tossed two perfect innings to record his seventh save.
"If Walker's pitch count had been more than 15, he wouldn't have gone back out (for the ninth)," Trembley said.
Fernando Cabrera was warming up in the bullpen, but Walker took care of business.
Manager Dave Trembley always watches the replay of the game on MASN when he returns to his apartment. Last night, he held the free-agent list that team president Andy MacPhail gave him during Wednesday's meeting.
He could have used it to wipe away a few tears during the first inning.
The Orioles are making the bullpen a priority this winter. Trembley said he wants a veteran closer and set-up man so he can return Jamie Walker and Chad Bradford to more specialized roles. He also wants two right-handed long men and a power lefty who can retire guys like David Ortiz and Jason Giambi in the sixth or seventh inning, rather than calling upon Walker so early.
"Our closer is going to have to be a guy that has experience, can throw strikes and has the makeup to do the job," he said.
A veteran starting pitcher also is high on the wish list, and Trembley sounds like he'd be content to acquire a No. 3 who can pitch behind Erik Bedard and Jeremy Guthrie.
The Orioles have officially shut down Corey Patterson, who might have played his last game in Baltimore. He's a free agent after the season, and he's represented by Scott Boras. Manager Dave Trembley wants to emphasize pitching and defense, and he likes what Patterson gives him in center field and on the bases.
Here's the lineup:
Brian Roberts - 2B
Tike Redman - CF
Nick Markakis - RF
Miguel Tejada - DH
Aubrey Huff - 1B
Melvin Mora - 3B
Jay Payton - LF
Paul Bako - C
Luis Hernandez - SS
Jeremy Guthrie - P
I’m here to dish out some serious props to rookie Jeremy Guthrie, who didn’t give up on the 2007 season – no matter how tempting – and insisted on making one more appearance once the pain subsided in his right side.
Guthrie would have gone to the bullpen if allowed. Instead, he’ll rejoin the rotation tonight to face Severna Park native Josh Banks. The guy’s definitely a gamer.
Not that he didn’t already have my respect, but I’m even more of a fan now. I don’t care if he lasts two-thirds of an inning (OK, I care about that. I can’t take another game like last night’s, and neither can the Orioles), what he’s doing is admirable.
He’ll have plenty of time to rest. The team needs him. The team needs anyone with a legitimate reason to be starting for them. And I don’t just mean anyone with a pulse and an inflated ERA.
Radhames Liz has been scrutinized to pieces since he got here – the flaws in his mechanics analyzed and publicized to excess (I’m as guilty as anyone). So it’s only fair that we note how much better he looked last night after walking the first three batters.
"Liz showed a better delivery and was able to repeat his pitches," manager Dave Trembley said. "Better command of his fastball after he got the first three guys on."
Give the kid time. He can win at this level. He’s just been rushed.
I wouldn’t consider him for next year’s pitching staff coming out of spring training unless he forces the issue by striking out everyone in sight. I’d like to see him build up innings, and continue working on those mechanics, at Triple-A.
Michael Vick has tested positive for marijuana. Mike Tyson wonders why this guy can't stay out of trouble.
The Sun ran a story today on all the nicknames given to Ravens players. There were some clever ones. Unfortunately, baseball doesn't seem to have the same imagination.
Try to guess which Orioles, past and present, have the following nicknames:
Huffy, Gomey, Birkey, Gibby, Miggy.
That should keep everyone occupied for a while.
I'll even toss out B-Rob, Mel-Mo, D-Cab (also known as Cabby) and 1-5. No fair checking your program.
Not a Pork Chop or Jesus in Cleats in the bunch.
You definitely don't want to be Satan in Spikes.
Former Sun beat writer Joe Strauss used to call Albert Belle "A-bomb." I always liked that one.
I'm usually "Rocco" in the press box. I guess that counts as a nickname.
Sun beat writer Jeff Zrebiec is "JZ." Dan Connolly, our national baseball writer most of the year, is "Danno." Dave Ginsburg of the Associated Press is "Ginz."
We're just as clever.
Victor Zambrano couldn't make it out of the first inning tonight, so the Orioles brought in Kurt Birkins, who never would let that sort of thing happen to him.
I liked Zambrano the last night I saw him pitch - when he was Victor Santos.
It got so bad, some guys in the press box were playing, "Where will Frank Thomas' grand slam land?"
I had the home bullpen - at Rogers Centre.
I know that's impossible. The roof's probably closed.
Zambrano threw 36 pitches - 19 for strikes, all of them for laughs.
The Blue Jays set a club record with eight runs in the first inning.
Now they're going after any remaining Chicago Colts records from the late 1800s.
Brian Roberts - 2B
Melvin Mora - DH
Nick Markakis - RF
Miguel Tejada - SS
Kevin Millar - 1B
Ramon Hernandez - C
Scott Moore - 3B
Jay Payton - LF
Tike Redman - CF
Victor Zambrano - P
I don't mean Dmitri Young ordering a salad.
Major League Baseball has suspended umpire Mike Winters for the rest of the regular season for "his conduct" during Sunday's game between the Padres and Rockies.
Winters was the guy who set off Milton Bradley at first base. Then again, a slow waiter will set off Bradley. A partly cloudy day will set off Bradley. But Winters is being viewed as the instigator.
An umpire held accountable for his actions. Sweet.
Bradley tore his ACL as manager Bud Black tried to restrain him.
Let that be a lesson to all the Orioles. If Dave Trembley gets his hands on you, you're through. Stick the jab and move.
So does anyone know what happened to the additional Fanfests the Orioles were going to hold during the season? Did I miss them? I carry around my autograph book, just in case.
Maybe the caravan broke down. And with gas prices the way they are…
Paging Rex Grossman...please pick up the white courtesy phone. Lovie Smith has a message for you.
If Brian Griese struggles on Sunday, Smith will replace him with Earl Morrall.
A day later, Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy still looks like an infantile jerk who needs to be given a timeout. But thank goodness there’s another coach out there who feels compelled, and qualified, to tell the media how to do its job.
Here’s a deal for you, Mike: I’ll run the Oklahoma State program for one week, and you crank out a 25-inch game story on a tight deadline that’s informative and well-written. And file some notes, too. And the play-it-again that highlights key moments in the game and previews the following night’s matchup. And if news breaks unexpectedly, be prepared to cover it.
I’m sure I could lose to Troy by 18 points just as skillfully as you did.
Can we swap paychecks, too?
I’ve never had a coach or manager verbally attack me with Gundy’s vigor, but I’ve upset a few of them over the years. It’s impossible to do this job for so long without butting heads.
I’ve gotten the silent treatment for a day, sort of like when your parents disapprove of something you did but don’t want to yell at you. That method actually can be more effective. The guilt is brutal.
And I can tell when something I’ve said or written doesn’t meet with approval, though I’d like to think the people on my beats have enough respect for me to understand that I don’t have a hidden agenda, and that you have to write what you see and ask the difficult questions or you’re not doing your job properly.
That doesn’t explain why I tend to steer toward excessive sarcasm in this blog, but hey, I’m just expressing myself and trying to entertain the masses. I’m much more subdued in print.
And speaking of print, did anyone else catch the blurb in today’s Sun about Joe Stetka being named head baseball coach at C. Milton Wright?
If the name sounds familiar, besides the fact that Joe was an assistant at C. Milton Wright, works for Ripken Baseball and is the official scorer for the Aberdeen IronBirds, it’s probably because his brother, Bill, is the Orioles’ director of media relations.
Their father, Bill Sr., was an outfielder in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ system, which once again proves something my father often says: The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
He also talks about a blind squirrel finding an acorn once in a while, but that’s usually when a woman gives me her phone number.
I’ll be roaming around Camden Yards later today, savoring every moment until the schedule runs dry. I don’t have any specifics for you, but to answer a popular question – yes, I expect more changes with the coaching staff. And I don't see the process dragging into the winter.
Is it just me or does Rocky Cherry seem a bit gassed right now?
At this pace, he could end up leading the team in appearances.
Aaron Hill's 17th home run tied the Blue Jays' single-season record for second basemen. You can probably guess who held the record. A former Oriole. Lived at Skydome. Launched the spit heard 'round the world. At one time was arguably the best overall player in baseball, and an absolute joy to watch in the field.
Where have you gone, Roberto Alomar?
Dave Trembley was listing pitchers he expected to keep in 2008 - Erik Bedard, Jeremy Guthrie, Adam Loewen, Jamie Walker, Chad Bradford and Brian Burres. The rest, he said, was wide open.
Someone mentioned Daniel Cabrera, and here's what followed:
"Cabrera, because he gives us innings. We’re not going to win here or be able to compete here just because somebody gives you innings. They’re going to have to be successful. They’re going to have to go out there and give you a chance to win. There becomes a point in time where potential goes out the window. It’s results now. Results have to get better.
"That’s prospect status. And prospect status should be over in your third or fourth year in the big leagues. You should be producing. You should be producing and helping the team to win. I think Cabrera should be on that list."
Meanwhile, Rocky Cherry should be in the dugout. And here comes Trembley to the rescue.
It's taken a while, but Aubrey Huff seems inclined to make some changes in his winter routine to avoid his traditional slow start.
"He told me he's going to continue hitting for the better part of the off-season, and that's not what he's done the last couple of seasons," manager Dave Trembley said.
Huff made some adjustments during a trip to Boston while working with hitting coach Terry Crowley.
"Crow got him to stand up a little taller at the plate," Trembley said.
At least one more day will pass without Corey Patterson in center field.
Here's the lineup:
Brian Roberts - 2B
Melvin Mora - 3B
Nick Markakis - RF
Miguel Tejada - SS
Kevin Millar - 1B
Aubrey Huff - DH
Ramon Hernandez - C
Freddie Bynum - LF
Tike Redman - CF
Brian Burres - P
The Orioles are expected to make an announcement later today concerning reliever Danys Baez. Look for him to undergo ligament-replacement surgery on his right elbow and miss the 2008 season. No big surprise.
Millar celebrated a birthday yesterday. He proudly announced that he's 36.
"I'm a freak of nature," he said.
My response: "Well, you're partly right."
The Orioles will hold their Fan Appreciation Weekend while the Yankees are in town. And, yes, feel free to insert your own joke.
Fans will be selected at random to throw out the ceremonial first pitch tonight, Saturday and Sunday. As far as I know, tonight doesn't qualify as part of the weekend, but why quibble?
If you can get the ball over the plate, there's an eighth-inning set-up job waiting for you. Just don't get greedy and ask to be the closer.
There will be a fireworks display after Friday night's game, but only if Danys Baez pitches with runners on base. OK, I'm kidding. It's going to happen regardless.
Fans also will be selected to run onto the field and stand with a player during the National Anthem before the last three games. The first one to strain an oblique will receive the major league minimum salary through the end of the year.
Players also will give the shirts off their backs before the last three games. And Kevin Millar won't find it funny if you ask him to put his shirt back on.
The first 25,000 fans attending Sunday's game will receive a 2007 team photo. Kurt Birkins can't wait to find out if he's in it.
Also, Rick Dempsey will greet fans and sign autographs from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at ESPNZone.
Bring your own wet tarp, and Rick promises to slide on it.
