20% chance of snow showers today in Denver. Looking out the window I'd say it's more like 100%. Friday's home opener has a 10% chance of snow showers and a 100% chance of damage to any brass monkeys attending the game.

The Os seemed to be headed to last place already. I guess they'd better get comfortable there.

Not the only thing that's disfunctional today:
MLB's new version of Gameday is intermittent at best.
MLB's Gameday Radio stopped working around the 6 inning.

Well, it's only 5 months till football season.. Let's go Ravens.....

I'll give Melvin Mora the benifit of the doubt after a good spring, but he had two somewhat bonehead plays in today's game.

Guthrie looked solid after two innings, barely had a chance to sit down for the O's bottom of the second, and then it all unravels in the top of the third. Patience is something that these Oriole hitters have to develop!

The O's lying about their attendance? I'm shocked. Shocked I tell ya! Must be that WNST conspiracy again.

Damn...we are already in last place.

Roch,

Just wondering a few things about the new scoreboard...
Why did they remove the pitch/speed and replace with total pitch count? Also, while it's nice to have both line ups at all times, it would be nice if the pitcher was listed as well.
And finally, while the new out of town scoreboard is an improvement, it would be better if the games inprogress remained up instead of rotating off.
But the biggest bummer of all?? no more Attman's.

One loss of many more to come. Can we fast-forward to '09?

Well, that's 1 down and 99 to go. The scoreboard was nice, though. But where was the pitch speed and type board? I'd like to know how fast the hanging slider was going before it gets crushed into the stands.
One tactic question. On Tampa's last run in the top of the 6th, with runners on 1st and 2nd and the hit to left that scored their last run, Mora was taking the cutoff throw and Hernandez ran from short to cover 3rd. Wouldn't it have been easier to have Hernandez take the cutoff throw and let Mora cover his base?

Hey, kids, what time is it?

It's CINTRON time!

Ray -- Yes, it's one game into the season and the Birds are already exhibiting lack of patience at the plate. One at bat that comes to mind is Markakis leading off the top of the ninth with the Orioles trailing 6-2. Three precious outs to generate a rally, so the lead off man getting on base is usually crucial to such a rally that late in the game.

In addition the Rays had brought in a reliever that Nick hadn't faced earlier in the game. So, add all these elements together and logic dictates taking at least a few pitches to get a feel for how the guy's throwing. That not only helps the hitter, but the man in the on deck circle, who can practice timing pitches.

So what does Markakis do? He hacks away at the first pitch for a fly out. Millar (of all people!) wasn't any better, first pitch swinging for a pop up.

This failure to be patient is on Crow to a large extent; it's been like a unwelcome trademark of Oriole lineups since he became the batting coach. He's great in helping guys get their swing back, but as far as articulating a philosophy on how to approach an at bat he's awful.

But in this regard, Trembley seems no better, because he allows business as usual. When will they learn?

Looks like we found Jeremy Guthrie just where we left him last September. Always around the plate and unproven against teams seeing him for the second, third or fourth time.

the ump was on crack.

it didn't really affect outcome of game but nevertheless.

BTW...

bedard -- 5 IP, 1 ER, 5 Ks

I will take a loss today to build towards a new future. Lets face it over the last 10 years we have won 8 opening day games and their record in each of those seasons was sub .500. Maybe this season starts something new. This is what everyone wanted right?

Could the pitcher please, please be listed on the scoreboard? We do have a lot of new players to learn.

Someone please tell me how this team isn't going to lose 105 games? First time in my 40 yrs on this planet I have no hope on opening day. It sucks.

cush

What's with all these so called "fans" on this blog. Give "your" team some support. First game of the season, and all of you, being former major league players, should know it ain"t
easy, if it was, wouldn't you still be in the game!!! Go O's.

Because you know so much
about the game, and and

okay, well I'm home coming off of my Opening Day Hangover... and I HAVE to say a few things.

1. Baltimore fans... please get over the Aubrey Huff thing. It's pretty sad when you are the worst team in baseball and you are still booing players. My god... I'm like Baltimore Gal all the way and what Aubrey said, doesn't really matter any more. So please drop the booing.

2. Someone please give Clancy a raise! Not only did he remember my best bud and I but he let us start a tab yet again! No wonder he was the Orioles Vendor of choice tonight! Seriously give this guy a biggger salary. HE'S THE # 1 REASON WE KEEP GOING BACK!!!!!

3. Um the new screens are AMAZING! They look great! Go check it out! I had a nice conversation with the 70 year old man next to me about how a new screen will draw more fans. (just play along)

4. If anyone on here is still doubting Millar.......... well you can come talk to me. Not only does he look amazing with the slimmer bod and new haircut, but he's amazing as well. I had the whole section rooting for him by the end of the night. So if you are a Millar Hater, well just take it up with me. I had his number painted on my face and he did a great job tonight! DON'T MESS WITH THE # 15!Yeah they lost, but it was nice to see our team back in action!!!

5. Thanks for the cheers for B-Rob. I really thought I would be hearing boos, but he really deserved the welcome you all gave him! I really wish he was here long term, but I wish him well in the future! ( Oh B-Rob, please don't leave....)

6. Did anyone notice how food tastes so much better after a night of drinking? My perdue homemade chicken nugs, taste like Emeril made them! Go O's! Go Clancy! See you on Friday!!!!!!!!

MY GOD I MISSED BASEBALL!

Just wondering.....

I know Seattle is coming to town this week........... When will Bedard be pitching? I want to go to that game but I'm way too tired to look it up right now!!!

The Reds purchased the contracts of Corey Patterson, (O in 06-07) Paul Bako (O in 07) and Kent Merker (O in 96) today.
By the way, all you Rays naysayers should be kicking yourselfs for jinxing our Opening Day and also to the one who downplayed the ability of Eric Hinske who hit a home run today. The loss goes to you people.
Maybe we need to become fans of every other team so the Orioles can win again. I know that won't happen, but we have to become smart baseball fans and read up on our opponents. The Rays can hit and today they pitched to.

So have we been mathematically eliminated from ANY hope of playoff contention yet?

"t" is for try again next year.

Jennifer-thank you for your Opening Game review , it sounded like you enjoyed the moment instead of focusing on whether our O's won or lost , having fun is the way suppose to be , the experience of it .

By the way , i have nothing against Millar , he earns every penny of his $2.3 million salary , His leadership is PRICELESS .

Go Birds !

Things i liked about yesterday
1) The gorgeous new scoreboards - i would like to see pitch speed somewhere, and the pitcher on one of the main boards, but the use of the boards was solid, and the way the lineups and score were displayed on the main and ribbon boards looked sharp and attractive

2) Kevin Millar - funny walk on to the field, solid play on both sides of the ball

3) Adam Jones - i know he didn't do anything, but i loved the reception he got and i hope he answers the call

Things i disliked about yesterday:
1) Lack of plate patience late in the game

2) The booing of Huff later on (he screwed up, hes admitted it, so support him or shut up - think about how it affects his play folks)

3) The damp weather. It felt like late February, early March - ick.