I love that. Anyone who steps foot on a field to "have fun" should be introduced to Mike Curtis.

Why is D-Cab starting tomorrow? Wasn't Guthrie originally scheduled?

Can't blame Trembley there. What a couple of idiots those fans were. Almost reminds me of the time in Memorial Stadium when some clown tried to steal the football and Colts MLB Mike Curtis agressively tackled him then police arrested him easily. Where was security when these 2 jumped onto the field anyway? In Chicago you can't trust anybody anyways. Security was probably at the hot dog stand getting a couple dogs and beer.

Nice to know Payton can Kick the snot out of people. Is he Trained in martial arts of some sort?

Would be nice if he could hit the snot out of the ball, using the weapon known as a baseball bat.

What we don't need to hear is how a rain out and a double header throws our pitching into a tizzy.... They tried that when Texas beat the snot out of them.... Definitely do not need any of that oh woe is me BS tomorrow no matter what the outcome is today.

Had this been the attitude of previous managers... Mr. Trembley may not be here now... His approach to the game and his attitude will make the difference this season!

Another reason for me to love Trembley!

Roch--I think that really is an advantage. The downside of the rainout is that the Orioles must now play three out of the four games as day games, and they haven't fared as too well in such games so far this season. Let's hope that changes.

Adam Jones looks like he's starting to put it together; if he does, this could be an exciting season for Orioles fans.

The promotion of Eider Torres totally surprises me, especially after Dave Trembley had talked about the importance of having 13 pitchers on the roster at this point of the season. I was expecting Garrett Olson, who could have taken over Adam Loewen's spot in the rotation.

But what's more, the rationale behind Torres move raises some questions: Has Torres been brought up because he's a hot hitter who could help the team generate more runs. Is he being used as a goad to get better play from Luis Hernandez/Brandon Fahey or possibly take over at short? Does this mean that since the season began Andy MacPhail has continued working behind the scenes to trade Brian Roberts and that a deal in now immanent?

The "kick the snot out of them" quote is pretty good, but there was another one from the O's after Thursday's game that I think trumps it, and that's Jamie Walker talking about how he felt after serving up a room service pitch to Ichiro for a two-run homer: "If we had lost, I'd have probably chewed my arm off." Now if Trembley's quote is old school, what's Walker's?!

Jamie--In honor of that dog ugly pitch, here's a photo of the late, great Sam, three-time, undefeated winner of the World's Ugliest Dog competition, trying to gnaw his leg off; it's a fitting tribute...

http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2005/11/22/314319/SamUgliestDogLulu.jpg

Again, maybe it is just me, but Mr. Payton is gaining a lot of respect back with the way he is playing this year. He has hustled like I've not seen him do since his days with the Mets. He did seem to exercise some restraint (maturity) with the fans on the field. Maybe the effort is only there because he wants to provoke a deadline trade, or maybe I misread him last season, but whatever it is, I want to see more of it.

Mr. Trembley seems to do a lot of things old school. Perhaps that's why I like him.

From the "scenes-we'd-love-to-see" department, what about taking any fan who runs on the field and putting them alone in the centre of either team's dressing room after the game. Let the players tear into them for about 10 minutes and make them feel about six inches tall after they walk out. Then fine them each $5,000 and ban them from returning for five years.

Or better yet, make them take a bat and stand in the indoor batting cage. Have Dennis Sarfate consume about six cold ones before taking to the mound and daring them to get a piece of one of his 98 MPH heaters.

We can dream, can't we?

Any bets on what day Jay Payton will successfully walk for the first time this season? May 1? July 4? The day the Orioles win the World Series?

To use a Cable man and "Jennifer' quote "that right there , makes my day"....
Sounds like the chemistry is building , fun , fun , fun.

anyone else notice that the MASN hd is indistinguishable from the regular broadcast? ( i know the early game is not being broadcast in HD, just an observation from the past week

And at the end of the 5th inning in game 1 Burres is rockin'. Too bad Sox pitcher Dankes is rockin' too. Perfect game so far. Who would've thought of a pitcher's duel?

I was happy to see the one guy get bodyslammed into the stands, though. I hope it hurt, 'cause he deserved it. Owned.

Brian Burres is becoming Jamie Moyer. Give Trembley credit for making the right decision in spring training.

Should have left Burres in to get the complete game shutout. Good pitching decisions so far but this was a bad moooooove.
Rock on O's......

Should have left Burres in to get the complete game shutout. Good pitching decisions so far but this was a bad moooooove. ...and so much for the shutout for Burres...

Rock on O's......

Okay, this one I don't understand. Why wouldn't Trembley just let Burres finish off the game? He was only at 98 pitches and you don't the chance for a complete game shut out very often.

I can see bringing in Sherrill in a save situation, but after we opened up a five-run lead, why not lead him finish it off?

I hope there's something I'm not understanding here, like Burres saying he was gassed or something, but it certainly didn't look at it.

Oh well. Still, I gotta say, that was an OUTSTANDING performance by Burres today. Coming on the back of Guthrie and Cabrera's outstanding starts, Burres upped both of them. Wow. This is getting pretty exciting.

Don't Look now. Guess who's in first place again???

Trembley for April Mgr of the month!

anyone else remember the John Lowenstein's days in the broadcast booth?

"he hit the snot out of that ball"

trembley's quote was brother low-esque.

Burres' 98 pitches was his highest count of the season so far. Even if he wanted to go out and finish his game, I can't blame the club for playing it safe.

Last year, Burres threw 115 or more pitches on three separate occasions and he was bombed in his next start each time... he gave up a total of 18 earned runs in nine combined innings.

I love the complete-game shutout as much as anyone but I think teams are trying to look at the bigger picture.

What a gem turned in by Burres & another save for Sherrill. To turn up in Chicago & shut down the Sox is huge. I am liking this team!

When can we start wondering if the O's can pull off that elusive .500 season. I'm not thinking playoffs or anything this year but is it safe to start wondering if we can get 81 wins this season?

I know the textbook line is... "Wait 'til Memorial Day and THEN look at the standings", but I gotta say my anxiety level is definitely rising with each game, and THAT hasn't happened in a couple of years or more. I must admit it's a welcome and almosy forgotten feeling. 'Funny thing about complacency - the less you expect, the less dissapointed you are when you don't get it. But now,this is getting good. Not that I expect too much, but hey, what about '89???

One never knows, do one..?..?...

Baseball is a team game. We pay good money to have others finish off games. All players have a role. Let them "play" there part.

Burres is looking pretty good.

Anypne still think that Trachsel should be a starter? NOT ME! He and Johnson should switch places.

How about those Baltimore Blast huh? At least SOMEONE in this area is still winning championships!

Dave, Security was in the clubhouse playing cards with Rickey Henderson and Bobby Bonilla.
Doug M, You almost made me laugh the snot out of myself with your post @ 10:36 am and I agree with you.
I was looking forward to Eider being called up, but I was surprised that it was to replace a pitcher on the roster.
Millar just hit his 4th homer. Sweet!
Ken Francis, That photo of Lulu looks like something from a horror movie. I couldn't look at it to long.
Jennifer, I'm not in favor of shirtless Roberts, Markakis or Millar Day, but Shirtless Ladies Day should fill the stands. Ladies would get in free.
Find two people running out on the field and usually find two people drunk from too much beer. Hey I have an idea, stop serving beer. There are too many kids in the stands who have to see adults acting stupid and getting drunk. It's bad for family's who just want to take their children to a baseball game. Every time I go to an Orioles game now, I have to hope my little buddy doesn't have to witness this. We went last year and we almost had beer slopped on us from the fans behind us.

Bring up Alex Cintron now. We could of got that run in the ninth, but Luis was out at home. Didn't help that Millar didnt' get the ball out of the infield though with one out. Then Huff hits a comebacker. I could have "kicked the snot" out of the radio after that inning.
Olson only went two innings and one run for the Tides today, then Cormier was brought in for a scoreless innning. Why was Olson lifted after 41 pitches?

Finally get to the see the O's play on TV (WGN) and they lose in the 9th.

Worst of all, I have to listen to those awful WGN announcers. They blamed Scott for getting HBP...he turned into the ball...give me a break. It was so much better when the O's made the comeback to tie the game. At least they shut up when there team is playing poorly.

Once again, Millar shows why he should not be in the 4 hole. Bases loaded, 1 out in the 9th and he dribbles the ball to 3rd base.

At least the team stay in the game and battled back well.

I have to question all those pitching changes in the night game. Why so many? Then Randor Bierd struggles, down to the last strike and gives up a single to a .167 hitter. Randor can't be on his game all the time. There were chances to score with runners in scoring position and it seemed like "clutch hitting" wasn't on the menu tonight. Trachsel giving up 4 earned runs really didn't help. I think we are now tied for first with Boston. Sure hope Guthrie fairs better Sunday. Nice to see Eider got his first hit of his career. Did he get the game ball?

I attended Thursday night's game here in Seattle. My seat was second row, field level, just beyond the third base dugout. I saw the whole trespass thing transpire. The two boys were sitting in the center field area as part of a 'College Night' promotion. The lads were corralled by security about 20 yards from where I was sitting just inside the left field line. When they were escorted past me, they were about 10 feet from me. Both boys were rather tipsy...and their faces were expressionless. Probably did the thing on a bet. Frankly, it was irritating to see this happen. Great game heading into the 9th inning and a couple of knuckleheads gotta get out there and do their thing. All in all, Seattle fans are a classy bunch. I was wearing my Orioles jersey and aside from an usher who told me upon entering the park...my seat would be across the street...everyone was cool.

I just took a peek at what the Mariners posters were saying about Bedard tonight at U.S.S. Mariner blog and instead found this little gem from terry @ 6:33 pm, "Did anyone else see the nice running catch at the wall that Adam Jones made in center while he was blowing a bubble?"
NateDawgUS @ 6:47, "Some nasty breaking balls by Bedard."
shemberry @ 7:50, "I still don't think the trade was a good idea, but it is easy to see why the M's wanted Bedard . Dude can pitch."
joser @ 7:52, "So Trembley is upset and volunteered to "kick the snot" out of the fans who got on the field the other night."
Priceless!

I want Steve Traschel out and I want him out NOW.

Roch,

Something has to be done with that 4th spot? Huff is struggling too - but Millar is killing them...aren't there options out there...very discouraging part of a great beginning to the season.

ok so heres a scenerio to throw out there. lets say for a sec that come late June the O's are still in the thick of things- Andy Mcphail finds it necessary to make a a trade- but not the one everyone expected 2 months ago, yet a 5 for 1 deal which he seems to like. it should be a foregone conclussion that B-Rob will not be available if this team is contending and we need a cleanup hitter to push us over and help us score when tryting to slug it out in the AL east. in order to attract Mark Tiexxierra to sign here long term, Brian Roberts must be a part of our team for the long term plan, because he will want some kind of proven star here on the team already which will attract him to want to play with. hes the best leadoff hitter and 2b in the game, and may be the one guy that would attract someone to come here. i propose a mid-season trade to the braves (if they are somehow out of the race and willing to part with Tiexierra- granted, a big 'IF). Erbe, Liz, Brandon Snider, Costanzo/or Ryan Finan (whomever they prefer), and Chad Thall/ or Jason Burch (again whomever they prefer). to me that is a very fair trade value both in quality and overwealming quantity esspecially if atl feels it may not be able to sgn Tiex long term. remember they know the NY teams, La, and Boston have the money to make an offer, and now that the O's have some direction a few wins and the hometown edge, Atl may seriously consider the deal if they are 8 to 12 games back knowing that they will still have a shot at him in the free market come November. rememeber, Philly and the Mets are strong contenders and dont discount the way the marlins are playing competetive. its very possible that this scenerio play out and we can afford such a trade given that we are loaded with prospects. we wont miss the young single A reliever we trade given the return for Bedard, plus we would still have the other pitcher the Braves dont want (Thall/Burch) as our closer in the lo levels. we can stand to lose a young 3B not named Rowell, and if we can sign Tiex long term, we have no real use for Snider (who has shown little of yet other than some versatility as a backup catcher perhaps- though ATL or anyone should lke the chance to continue to develope a young first round picks potential) , and though Erbe and Liz are certainly good prospects you must give up some very significant players for this to work and with the emergence Jim Johnson, Matt Albers, and Burres, along with Patton and Penn still on board in the wings, we are okay with our upper level pitching talent and young major league pitching talent as to make oth expendable. we are loaded and stocked with young arms. if we contend and Tiex gets a tates of what it will be like here for the long haul he will also be more inticed to stay knowing we should have a winning club during his tenure in front of his hometown crowd. it makes sense- comments?

Unfortunately, Trembley's handling of pitchers is ultimately going to mean more than his personal feelings about intruders on the field. I cringed tonight when he let Trachsel come out for a fourth inning after three pitiful innings that included five walks. Then cringed again when he took Walker out just after Walker had K'd Thome and with Pierzynski, another lefty, coming up behind Bierd. You'd rather have Bierd facing Konerko and Pierzynski in a meaningful situation than Walker facing both? C'mon, these were obvious mistakes, andwe got burned on both.

I don't get too many chances to see the O's on the tube but was able to catch last night's game via the 'White Sox' channel.The downside were the WSox announcers-Hawk and DJ who have to be the biggest homers ever!
Anyway, tough loss but there were positives. The comeback, decent relief pitching, Jones'defense...
Trachsel is agonizing to watch especially when he has no command(about half his starts). He put us in a hole early, with one of the worst outings from an O's starter in '08. I'm been opposed to bringing him on from the start. Sure, he might fool a few teams once in awhile but you'll also get a lot of what you saw last night. The party line is he's an innings eater, lends stability,etc but how is 3 IP, 5 ER, 5 BB doing any of that?
I know we are short of starters right now but can't we bring someone up and if they are so enamoured with Trachsel using him in long relief/mop up.
A final comment on our 4-5 guys. We are going to see a lot of wasted opportunities if we keep Millar & Huff in the heart of the order. Millar may pop one out once in awhile but a 15 HR 65 RBI hitter should be hitting 6 or 7. Huff didn't hit the ball hard once last night or get it out of the IF and by the looks of his numbers, that has pretty much been the case all year, except for a 3 game stretch early.
Might as well move Jones and Ramon up or promote someone from AAA ball. In order to rebuild, we need to address the gaping holes at 1B/DH and the middle of the order. It was a shame that those guys let us down because last night's game was there for the taking and I'm afraid there may be more down the road.

Sidney Ponson, (O in 98-05) was called up by Texas to pitch last night and except for the errors in the horrible sixth, Sir Sid had pitched a masterful game. But the sixth is when "the tires came off" according to manager Ron Washington and the Twins had too many gifts handed to them including a throwing error by Ponson and a dropped fly ball by David Murphy in the outfield.
So much for Fireworks Night in Arlington.

bfisher, @ 4:21, Thanks for that "Brother Lo" reference.
Bob Mathers, @ 10:58, I liked reading your "trespass? coments. Seems like we had a few O's fans at the game. BCMike, O's Fan in Seattle and you.
Anthony @ 3:29 and TerryP @ 8:26, I couldn't agree with you more.

Roch - you sure attract a lot of whiners to your site. These people who complain about every lose, and every perceived mistake, are the same ones who said "rebuild - we don't care if they only win 50 games - rebuild" Sit back an relax it has been a great season so far.
Trust that these guys have a plan and give them more that a month to make things work....so far so good.
Trachsel, Millar & maybe Huff and Payton will be gone soon enough. But if you follow the minor league teams, you will notice that about the only hitter that is killing the ball is Wieters. Nearly everyone else has started a little slow.
Tim - when you buy the team from PA, you can make that demand. But for now, just relax and enjoy that we are in 1st place on 27 April.

I think we have all seen enough of Trachsel this year. He has no place on this team.

Too bad we couldn't force a run over in the 9th--the game was there for the taking.

Let's hope the team continues to show some 'bounce back' ability today.

First Place !!!!

gotta love them O's, making a decent go of it so far, lets hope they keep it up.

And I like the Ravens choice of Joe Flacco.

Another thought on the game last night...since the O's are going to have to be a "find a way to win" team, was I the only one wishing that Huff would have tried at least once to drop a bunt down the third base line in the ninth inning? Yes, I know he's ridiculously slow afoot, and yes, there were two outs, but the third baseman was playing 45 feet off the bag...any kind of bunt in that direction would have meant a run. Heck, Prince Fielder could have beat it out...Cecil Fielder could have beat it out...Fielder Jones could have beat it out, and he's been dead for a hundred years. I give the team a lot of credit for coming back time and time again...I just think they have to be a little better at taking what the opponent gives them sometime.

BTW, didn't Joe Carter beat the O's once with a two-out, bases loaded bunt while he was playing in Cleveland a few years back? Maybe I'm just still scarred from that...

Trax just knocks the wind out of this team. I don't mind the guy, and I appreciate his effort and tenacity, but his slow pace simply deflates us. If he's not going to eat innings, then we have to find another option, right?

As far as his veteran leadership is concerned... I'm not exactly sure I'd want his style duplicated by other young pitchers.

Looks like Wieters is the real deal. Lots of dap to the O's for picking this man from Mars.Hope my boy Tripp gets on track. Salazar and Terrero could be playing here, now. Both AAA 3/4's.

Aquino is overmatched at this level. He doesn't look mature physically or mentally. He continues to audition his way off this team. He was worth a shot...

Now bring up Olson.

Okay, I have been a Trax apologist. I believe he has been a positive even with the losses because he has forced the AAA guys to earn a call-up. I would continue to send him out there but even I have to admit that maybe his leash should get a little shorter.

This rotation (at least early) is fairly serviceable:

Guthrie (plz score more than 1 run for him!!!)
Cabrera (what happened to you overnight?)
Burres (starter not long reliever--baby Moyer!!)
Albers (thank you Houston)
Garrett Olson/Jim Johnson

Each night I would feel like we had a reasonable chance to win. Road trip is fairly solid so far. A quality Cabrera start would be sweet-- win, lose, or draw.

Only thing missing from this team right now is a solid lineup. If we could find someone who could hit homeruns consistently, we would be a pretty solid team. I'm tired of leaving Guthrie out to dry. I'm tired of the one run ballgames. I'm tired of the clutch comebacks. I don't want a comeback.. I want this team to dominate from the first inning. You wonder why the wheels fall off midseason, the pitchers are tired of pitching 1-run 3-hit games and still taking the loss.

Sad thing is there isn't a single person in AAA ready for a promotion. There's no one to upgrade to. Sad to say it, but Millar is just as good if not better than anyone we have in AAA.

Its gotta be discouraging for Guthrie to go out there every day when he doesn't get any run support. Keep pluggin' away, I guess. If Cabrera can put up another solid performance it would be nice for the O's to come back to the yard for this pit stop still in 1st place.