Pop quiz
The Orioles are:
A). So close to trading Brian Roberts to the Cubs, it could happen during Erik Bedard's press conference in Seattle.
B). Leaning toward keeping Brian Roberts because the Cubs won't part with Felix Pie, and the Orioles won't make the deal without him.
C). A bigger tease than my last two dates.
I'm going with B, but only because I still don't believe that Sean Gallagher, Matt Murton and Ronny Cedeno get it done. And I can't remember my last date.
Erik Bedard is:
A). In Canada because he doesn't recognize Bill Bavasi's phone number and is screening his calls.
B). On a flight to Seattle, because he recognized his agent's phone number and picked up.
C). Turning his head and coughing - and hopefully in a doctor's office and not in coach.
I'm guessing here, as I so often did when taking a quiz in school, but I'll go with B. And I'll wish that I could copy off the kid sitting next to me, as I so often did when taking a quiz in school.
I received:
A). 195,342 page views on this blog between Jan. 27 and Feb. 2, proving that there is a tremendous amount of interest in this trade - or my blog photo finally is growing on you.
B). A couple of death threats if I didn't come up with more information on what stalled the Bedard talks - and if I didn't change my blog photo.
C). All of the above.
I'm cheating now because I already know this one - sort of like when I got hold of the teacher's edition of the text book that had all the answers in the back. So far, it's A. And let's hope it stays that way. Please.
By March 31, Jeremy Guthrie will be:
A). The Orioles' Opening Day starter.
B). Tired of telling reporters how it feels to be the Orioles' Opening Day starter.
C). Wishing he could join Erik Bedard in Seattle. Or Chris Gomez in Pittsburgh.
This is a trick question because there are two correct answers: A and B. Check back with me at the trade deadline on C.
Dave Trembley is:
A). Perfectly qualified to manage a team that won't be expected to contend, will have a definite slant toward youth and will concentrate more on fundamentals in spring training.
B). Unaware that he'll soon wish he was back on a crowded team bus with no air conditioning and another 14 hours to go before reaching its destination.
C). A masochist.
Most definitely A, but again, check back with me in a few months.
(Bonus question, for those of us who need the extra credit)
If Andy MacPhail could go back in time, he'd:
A). Politely ask Bavasi to stuff a sock in Adam Jones' mouth.
B). Wait until hanging up the phone before snickering once he agreed to the Miguel Tejada trade.
C). Sketch the dog on the back of that match book cover and never become a GM.
I'm so tempted to go with B and C, but knowing MacPhail, he simply apologized to the Astros, and he was more inclined to learn how to drive an 18-wheeler than become an artist. And he did win those two World Series in Minnesota. So by the process of elimination, it has to be A.
Comments
Roch, regarding the impressive number of page hits last week, how does that number compare with the number of page hits for other parts of the Sun's Web site?
Posted by: dzl | February 6, 2008 1:28 PM
Funny stuff Roch. Just remember, Eldersburg is closer to some form of single life than Bristol, Conn. is.... it's cheaper to live in as well. :-)
Posted by: Brian | February 6, 2008 1:29 PM
If they don't make this trade soon Bedard will be a 10 and 5 guy.
Posted by: TomC | February 6, 2008 1:37 PM
TomC - GOOD ONE!!!!
Almost a good screen name, too.
Posted by: TOM D | February 6, 2008 1:46 PM
TomC - You cracked me up. Thanks.
Roch, as always, thanks for keeping it real for us.
Posted by: mark c | February 6, 2008 1:52 PM
Wow...all this waiting has got me on edge. I was about to bust a gasket about how there was no way Bedard could be a 10 and 5 guy....
and then I realized it was a joke
T is for Turn off the Coffee Pot and calm down
Posted by: John | February 6, 2008 1:57 PM
Roch... when this is all done and said you have got to find out the real reason it has taken so long... and please, not just the standard spin. Are you up to the challenge.....
Posted by: a fan with delusions of grandeur | February 6, 2008 2:14 PM
How about this one:
If fans could go back in time and rid the Orioles of one of these horrific losses which one would it be??
A. The Mother's Day Massacre in Boston
B. The 30-3 Ass Whooping at Home
C. The Clay Bucholz No Hitter in Boston
Am I forgetting any others? HAHA
Sorry but I'm going with the obvious... B
Ahhhh the memories...
Posted by: Jennifer | February 6, 2008 2:21 PM
you are a very funny dude, roch. thanks for the infotainment.
Posted by: brian f | February 6, 2008 2:24 PM
T is for the number of Tom's who post to this blog
The groundhog saw his shadow last week; I believe that means 6 more weeks until Bedard is traded.
Posted by: Tom from Millersville | February 6, 2008 2:25 PM
Tom C - great line! (Tom M).
Roch - I can't even imagine what it's like to be you right now. You have no info coming in (other than internet reports, and we all know how reliable THOSE are), are being hounded by tens of tens of Orioles fans for more info, and can't get a decent haircut. It's rough!
All joking aside, I really enjoy your blogs and it's my standard lunchtime ritual (sad but true).
I did pass the pop quiz. I'd like an Adam Jones for my prize. I know it will take a while to get, so my check is in the mail.
Posted by: T-Mac | February 6, 2008 2:39 PM
You losing your mind?
Posted by: BO | February 6, 2008 2:50 PM
Roch,
I know you are trying to be funny and bring laughter to the Bedard Saga. But in all reality....this is truly a sad situation we have now shown to the entire baseball community. Who in their right mind would want to deal with the Oriole organization at this point? All the blogs refer to us as a dysfunctional cluster......you know what.
If I am the Cubs....I tell PA to go elsewhere as we don’t deal with egotistic control freaks.
A good thing now drawn out so long that no matter what...it will be a BAD thing for the FO.
Posted by: Kirk | February 6, 2008 3:01 PM
You brought me great joy today, Roch
Posted by: Jon | February 6, 2008 3:11 PM
You will know when I feel like devulging the information. I am in control here!
Posted by: LOOPA | February 6, 2008 3:12 PM
Roch is getting good at this blogging stuff. Perhaps the O's can get good at baseball next?
Posted by: o's fan in san fran | February 6, 2008 3:18 PM
Have they finished poking and prodding the Seattle prospects yet? Funny how Bedard is the one with the ijury history and the Mariners haven't even checked his teeth yet. This whole thing is a farce. Some people will say--as long as the deal gets done, it's all good. Well, this rediculous delay let's people know that if you want to deal with the O's, get ready for a long, long grind with lots of twists and turns and plenty of bumps. It will not dissuade all teams but it WILL dissuade some. Funny how the Miggy trade got done virtually overnight. When the motivation is there ($), things DO get done in a timely manner around the warehouse.
Posted by: JPA | February 6, 2008 3:26 PM
See you guys tomorrow...no, disregard that. Wait, Peter, don't...it just slipped out, please don't........
Posted by: Adam Jones | February 6, 2008 3:39 PM
Kirk you are being way too dramatic.
How do we know this is necessarily the Orioles fault? Seriously?
Everyone is ASSUMING it is all on the Orioles end.
What we DO know is that the framework has been agreed upon and we are just wating on a physical. There could be any one of a hundred banal reasons that this is held up. But everyone is jumping to conclusions.
Basically guys all we CAN do is wait. As for "who would want to deal with us?" Please, if we have the players - people will deal.
Posted by: James From Hampden | February 6, 2008 3:43 PM
This is total amateur hour. For god sakes, how about just announcing the trade as a done deal and say it is just pending physicals? I have seen that done all the time. This is being handled like it involves top secret military information.
As a Cub fan, I just want closure to this thing so it expedites the Roberts matter one way or another. I can't imagine how you guys are dealing with this.
Posted by: tvran23 | February 6, 2008 3:51 PM
My take: A player that fails a physical has lessened value on the market, even if he passes other ones later. Knowing this, and being of very risk adverse King Peter did not want to risk Bedard failing a physical for nothing.
The last week was spent negotiating the physicals for the players. This would be why Jones and Sherril completed thier physicals before Bedard's agent was officially told of the trade.
If the two principals from the M's had failed thier physicals, Bedard would not have had one.
Seattle must really want Bedard to put up with King Peter as a trading partner.
Posted by: Jeff V. | February 6, 2008 3:56 PM
The Bedard Trade has not gone through yet because:
A} Peter Angelos is tied up handing out neck braces at a chain reaction accident on 95
B} Angelos pencil neck geek assistants are suspicious about the Mariners use of the word"trade" in the contract and are resarching it for precident.
C}Angelos is suffering from vascular dimentia and thinks that Albert Belle is somehow part of the trade
D} Angelos is still pissed at Nestor Aparicio and wants him deported as part of the deal
Posted by: Gil Jr | February 6, 2008 4:26 PM
Roch - " And he did win those two World Series in Minnesota."
You are an instigator!!!
Posted by: TOM D | February 6, 2008 4:32 PM
Roch,
For the sake of me, I cannot figure out why the Orioles are being so hush hush about this trade. No matter how you look at it, do they see that they are completely alienating the fans from their team. I am no PR guru but it doesnt take a Masters degree to see that this has been a PR disaster. What do they have to gain or not gain by calling you and relaying information that Bedard is set to take his physical on this date?
I am really disapointed in MacPhail. If he is doing this because he is told...then he is just another GM that is a PA whipping boy. If he is doing this because it is who he is......Way to bring back the Oriole Way.
GO BOWIE BAYSOX ....Really enjoyable to the fans and a seat right on the railing for 15 bucks. And best of all.......people from the FO come out to the crowd and players are friendly. Hmmmmmm maybe the Ole PETE & ANDY could gain some PR knowledge by riding 25 miles south of the warehouse and OPEN THEIR EYEYS!
Posted by: Kirk | February 6, 2008 4:51 PM
I agree. If we have what people want they will trade with us. I never knew that part of the GM's job is to entertain fans in the offseason. You all sound like a bunch of fans who have watched your team lose for 10 years and you have lost confidence....me too.
Posted by: Not Tom | February 6, 2008 5:14 PM
B. The 30-3 Whooping at Home
Personally, I wouldnt take it back. I was at that game and while it sucked, it was pretty amazing. That game basically summed up the sad state of affairs that the O's are in. Maybe it was a wake up call that is finally getting corrected though trades (if they ever stop dragging on).
Posted by: Eazy-E | February 6, 2008 5:34 PM
Jennifer, I thought we all agreed to never discuss those games again! :-)But, while we're reminiscing, we should add:
D) August 28 15-8 loss to the D Rays.
I think Yahoo's 8-} emoticon sums it up best.
Posted by: Crystal | February 6, 2008 7:39 PM
Would this have seemed so drawn out if Adam Jones had kept his mouth shut?
It's easy to blame the O's and believe me, I'm not quick to defend them, but we don't know the situation and who is at fault.
Any word on whether or not something happened with one of the physicals that happened here? Maybe they're double-checking something??
Posted by: from the third base line | February 6, 2008 7:50 PM
Basketball is my favorite sports but I get to know about the baseball blog lately.I can't still relate to topics for I'm not so much aware about it.I'd really want to discuss with you guys for I'm now interested with baseball.Hopefully for the second visit I can contribute something here in this site.Nice site guys!
Criean
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Posted by: criean | May 19, 2008 1:27 PM