5 in a row. They can do no worse than 157 losses. So.....there's that.

Andy is looking smarter and smarter Jones, Sherrill, Sarfate, Albers, and Scott are all producing now and we still have 5 other assets in the hopper. Well done Sir

AUBREY HUFF!!!

FIVE IN A ROW!!!

I don't care what anybody says, this is more of a good feeling than I was expecting to get all season after seeing that Opening Day effort. But by golly, at least we'll always have early April. And I am enjoying it while it lasts.

I’ve been a long time reader of this blog, really since the beginning—wading through the ‘Ghost’ rants, wishing I was at Spring Training, and waiting for a new picture of Roch—and I promised myself if the O’s won today I would finally post something. I know it’s early—but this is exciting! After living a ‘long fly ball’ away from Memorial stadium for several years, it’s just been impossible to get the O’s out of my system—even when now living a ‘long fly ball’ from Fenway. Roch, thanks for blogging the O’s—I’ve appreciated it! In honor of one of my favorite posters… Tom in Tinseltown:

np: “Magic Time” by Van Morrison

How about some more fuel for the "Us Against the World" campaign?

I received a catalog from MLB's online store in the mail. It contained about 30 pages of team merchandise from MLB. Most items could be ordered in a design for any team, but all were advertised with some team's logo. By page 17, I had still found NO Orioles items pictured at all. Finally, I found the one and only item showing the Orioles orange and black, a pair of thongs, flip flops. Probably the smallest item in the whole magazine, and also the ugliest by far (the design is horrid), to represent the Orioles. And this was from MLB. Obviously, everything was
Red Sox or Yankees. Maybe the team saw a copy of this, too. Even given the state of things over the past 10 years, MLB could be a little more fair to all of its teams.

DavidP - Don't forget that Chris Tillman will soon be "tossing the ole spheroid" in Baltimore, probably in 2009 (if not this Sept.). I think it's about time we give some credit to Mr. MacPhail for adding 6 key parts to this year's team: Luke Scott, Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Dennis Sarfate, Matt Albers and Randor Bierd. This list does not even include Scott Moore, Chris Tillman, Troy Patton, Kam Mickolio and Tony Butler, who could all have a big impact within the next couple of years.

IF we can string together a couple of good drafts, keep developing the talent that we have, and install a hardworking, back to fundamentals tradition, we're going to be in good shape.

I don't know if these Orioles are going to be able to keep up the pace, but I haven't been this excited to see the Orioles since they were in first place in 2005 for a couple of months. It's a new guy every day, which is how you build good teams.

GO O'S!!!!

Open letter to Mr. McPhail - Our O's
need Brian Roberts more, much more, than Lou Pinella. To trade him now, for rebuilding purposes, would be a big mistake, it would certainly
screw up the chemistry and makeup of our team. Think about it, the fans
love what you are doing, but we really
think Brian is Mr. Oriole, not only on the field, but in our town.

Every detail about that comes out about the guys on this team gets better and better. Luke scott is a professional hitter. Mora is hitting the ball hard every time. Cabrera and Guthrie gave our bullpen a break. we are getting clutch hits from a different person every game. This team is fun to watch!

Let us know how the 10 thousand fans greeted Aubrey Huff after his game winning HR. I bet the Mariners could use George Sherill about now.

I don't know how the season will turn out, but its great to see the new young power arms in the bullpen doing so well and creating great depth for the organization. I know it's way to early to tell, but the tejada trade looks great.

If we can win 2 in Texas and 1 in TB then things will be good. Please tell our manager to stop waiting and get Fahey out of here. He's a good player. Think ahead Trem. Make moves now. Not when we start losing.

If we can win 2 in Texas and 1 in TB then things will be good. Please tell our manager to stop waiting and get Fahey out of here. He's a good player. Think ahead Trem. Make moves now. Not when we start losing.

I see plenty of heart and energy , I hope it continues for a while , I'm not used to this............Trembley has the potential to be a very good manager, I hope Peter the Great keeps him around for a few years until we can get some playoff caliber pitchers..................

Anyone in Seattle regreting that trade? I think the steal of the trade was Sherrill. Can he (and for that matter, the rest of the bullpen) keep it up? It appears that Trembley is using his bullpen better than previous managers. Is anyone else sensing, that too?

I kept thinking the O's would perform some Oriole Magic today and Huff Daddy came through again. Good interview with Aubrey. Good performance from everyone.

The phrase "the worst since 1988" no doubt is responsible for the players being miffed. I don't blame them. It's all speculation. Who knows....they may finish last in the division and still have a .500 record. That would still be an improvement. Until there's actual evidence of poor performance, let's keep an open mind and enjoy first place in baseball's toughest division.

Way to go O's!!!

Congrats to O's, Trembley, and McPhail.

The best part - it's been virtually the entire roster - everybody's contributing here and there.

Whatever happens the rest of the way, the O's have jumped out nicely.

I'm pumped - Go O's!!!

This is great! When was the last time the O's started 5-1? Roch? Anyone? Sure it could all be over tomorrow, but until then, I'm loving it.

To keep up the thread of tracking former Orioles, especially home-raised: Sunday, the Syracuse Sky Chiefs defeated the Rochester Bats 5-3, with a 3-run rally in the ninth inning. The Sky Chiefs' Adam Lind kept the rally alive with a lined shot, which, according to the Syracuse Post-Standard, "just evaded the sliding attempt of Jerry Hairston, Jr." In Hairston's defense, he went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a stolen base. Syracuse had an early lead, but their reliever John Parrish squandered it by giving up 3 runs (all earned) in 3 1/3 innings. He also yielded 6 hits and 2 walks, though he did strike out 4.

Hey Roch,
I just have a couple questions.
Why hasn't Alex Cintron played in Norfolk yet? And do you know why Chris Tillman left the game after only two innings today? Is it because it's early or did he get hurt?

roch
who was walker calling out>>

Roch I loved your piece about Luke Scott taking notes on his AB's. He has a real nice hitting approach, knocking those ropes back up the box.

Hernandez was 0-6. Now he's 3-9 with walk off single. He's rewarding Trem for his patience with him this spring.

This is just too much right now. It's hard to believe. Wow.

I tried to rub salt in the wound of the Mariners on their blog but their site kept kicking me out. Even their blog stinks!

There is some serious crying going on in the liberal city! They want everyone fired--including the bat boy!

Bedard was to be the final piece to their puzzle. Now it appears the whole team, including mgmt needs to be fired!

Bud J – Sorry, guy, it did not appear to be sarcasm. It seemed pretty direct, especially mixed in with some of those other comments.

That is the problem with the written word - no inflection. Sorry if I missed it.

TOM C - Wah!

While you obviously don’t, I think I have been very consistent in the opinions I have taken. The fact that I am sure about what I say bothers you and a lot of people because what I am sure of is not your dogma. Too bad.

But here is another thing I am sure of - if you post something I don't agree with I will tell you I disagree and why. Typically, I will back up my opinion with facts not snott.

I have disagreed with you in the past and I have agreed with you in the past. I do not think you have ever posted anything favorable of my opinions. So what does that say about you and your self righteousness?

While I have hurled my share of stink at people, I do so only in response to personal attacks on me not as a standard response. What you won't see me do is oppose you just by calling you names. Sorry I cannot say the same for you.

JPA - I think you are absolutely right. Good play seems to draw less response. It seems that the team doing well has some people very unhappy. Good!

The people who are saying there has been no negative press have not been reading the Sun or the Post. While Roch has been fairly reserved, Connolly, Zrebiec, Schmuck and Maese have been going negative since the 1st pitch on opening day.

Here is what I do not understand - in the off season, a summation of what people were saying was, I believe, this: They wanted the O's to do the little things, play good fundamental baseball and play all 9 innings. That and trade Bedard to LA for Kemp.

OK, we didn't get Kemp, but the team is playing the type of ball we want to see. If they keep playing this way and lose all of the rest of their games, how can you be disappointed???

Of course, if they do keep playing this way they won't lose all of the rest of their games - or 120 games - or even 100 games.

Excepting JR, this team compares very favorably to '89 – SO FAR - not the '88 team that had no identity and did nothing well.

So , the quiz question is this...do you attempt to sign Brian Roberts to a long term deal while the season percolates along or do you stay the way ?

I've got my tix and room booked for the 22nd atSafeco. This used to be considered a rivalry in Seattle, I think it was in 93 or 94 that the brawl happened ...bench clearing ordeal.
Randy Johnson made a relief appearance in one game to turn the tide ...it was an intense deal.

Lately, when you wear your O's gear you get a look of quiet condolence.

This changes everything.

66 to go

No matter what happens this is just great. This isn't a chump team we're beating, and I don't care if their closer is hurt. Where was our sympathy when Ray was hurt? And hey, how bout some (just some) props for D-Cab, he could've wilted and been pulled early, but he went pretty deep into this game. 4 runs in 6 innings isn't too bad. I'm not a huge fan of his, but hey, he contributed to this win.

Sarfate may had control issues as a starter in the minors but he looks to be the real deal as a reliever.

No offense to Sherrill, but, with the 97 - 99 MPH stuff, I still think Sarfate is better suited to close. Not that Sherrill is such a bad option.

Luke Scott has been impressive. There were some negative comments about him out of Houston when the trade was made, but I have to wonder what they were talking about.

Didn't Eddie Murray have a note book, too? Very impressive.

I thought Pedro Florimon Jr was promoted to the Ironbirds. I just saw that he's playing SS for the Delmarva Shorebirds. Will he be on the team once Aberdeen's season starts? Does anyone know? Thanks.

I said it before, and I'll say it again. Whatever this team does this year, they are going to be fun to watch play and grow. This kind of start is just a bonus.
Finally we get a rest from the McPhail whiners.

Tom D -

The negative comments didn't just come out of Houston, they came from fans like you. And that's your prerogative. That's the beauty of being fans. Many of us think we are GM's in the making (myself included at times). Scott and the gang will eventually come down to earth, but I do like this team's attitude.

I have been one saying that this team is going to need a player like Millar to keep them loose. Looks like I forgot ol' Huff. Funny thing, despite this guy being a notoriously slow starter, he could always hit.

Finally big kudos to MacPhail for turning over the roster as much as one can in a season, adding depth to the pitching, and cutting ties with Gibbons. Not many on this blog were willing to give Andy a chance. People kept pointing to the past. Well people do change over time, some for the better, some for the worse. Anyone remember Joe Torre's first couple of managerial jobs?

WAIT!!!!!

I give no props to "DCab." "Serviceable" is the best name I can call him, and only then if you have a reliable bullpen that can bail you out. This guy needs to pull his head out of his rear and get it back into the game. You can't start arguing with the umps while the ball is still in play and a runner - in scoring position!!!! - is still on the base paths. His idiotic stunt cost the O's a run.

And wow, "live" is sure a great adjective for his arm. It's all over the place. The only way he was able to get a strike in the 5th inning was to throw consecutive fastballs down the middle of the plate. After he started to get into trouble with those, he switched up to his change up and slider - and whoa, in the dirt and "juuuust a bit outside." What was his pitch count through the 5th? I seem to recall that he didn't have a great balls-strikes ratio.

This dude is a head case. Hope some of these guys we raked in will be able to contribute soon (such a shame about Troy Patton), because 'dem O's need to DFA DCab as soon as they can afford it!!

I think Trembley is doing outstanding job with his team based on

1] he believes in his players
2] his players believe in him
3] he has the 'feel' of his bullpen , in regards to keeping them in or taking them out
4] he keeps his word
5] he wants everybody to be playing/involved , notice how he tries rotate players to keep them 'fresh' ?

Dave Trembley = 2008 Manager of the Year