why are you talking about trading Sherrill already?

Why was Tillman held back until the 5th game to get his first start? Do you think the layoff hurt his performance?

And what's with Alex Cintron? He's no longer listed on the Tides roster, and he has not been in the lineup yet?

Watched Tejada against the cubs the other night sporadically. First time ...he goes 0-2 then smokes a frozen rope over the left field wall. When asked if it was foul or fair, the third base ump said..."sounded fair".

Then, with two out in the 9th..he goes 1-2 and fouls off a bad pitch then swings and misses on a nasty split finger.

It reminded me of last year when opposing pitchers would get out of an inning with single digit pitch counts after Tejada would first pitch a grounder for a double play.

I hope he does well in Houston . I believe he really desired team success in Baltimore...just a little too much team chemistry...if you know what I mean.

Funny guys at Rototimes.com huh??

Scott Spiezio, 3B, Atlanta Braves Monday 4/7, 2:13 PM CT
Scott Spiezio was sentenced to three months probation after pleading guilty to charges on Monday, ESPN.com reports. He faced charges of assault, battery, driving under the influence, and assault with a deadly weapon stemming from a car crash on December 30. Spiezio will also pay a $390 fine, participate in AA and an alcohol program, perform 80 hours of community service, pay an undisclosed amount to a fund, and now play for the Orioles. Okay, so we made that last part up.

What does Huff have to do to stop the horses... booing? Walk across the Harbor to Ft McHenry & not get his feet wet? You people booing him are a joke & the real embarrassment now.

I still say don't screw with the starting lineup until they lose, it's early April for pete's sake, who needs a day off now? Maybe this would make sense in July or August, but now?

Deal Walker, not Sherrill , if someone has to be traded later in the summer.

5-1, who’d have thought it? It’s great that they are playing so well and seem to have brought some enthusiasm back to the clubhouse. It’s fun and I hope they keep it going. One game at a time, one series at a time.

Roch, I understand the players’ position, but I think the media confrontation in the sixth game of the season seems absurd. I wasn’t there, so I don’t know the situation. I think they should know what everyone’s looking at: 10 straight losing seasons, an offseason rebuilding program that stripped the team of its starting shortstop and its best starting pitcher (I agree with the moves, but the immediate result is what it is), no big free agent acquisitions. Forgive any of us—media and fans—for being a bit skeptical that suddenly things are better. This might be a different squad, but we’ve heard that before, and we’ve all suffered through 10 straight seasons of s#*! with players wearing the same uniform these guys are wearing. Play well consistently for a prolonged period of time, make us believe it, and watch the attitudes change.

The media is everyone’s favorite target. If the media would’ve been rah-rah and talking about how great the team was or will be, we would be accusing them of being on Angelos’ payroll. If the media would leave out any opinion of the team and just give straight objective facts, we’d be talking about how boring the writing was and why can’t we get their take on things? Certain criticisms of the media are justified, but the media is always easy to beat up on.

While many here take shots at Millar and have done so since we first signed him, I give him credit as a professional. His comments about the World Series are an exaggeration, but I think the essential attitude isn’t: he’s here to play and he gives it his all. He’s playing like the World Series is a possibility because for all teams right now it is. But when it’s no longer in the picture, other players that I won’t name won’t show the same fire they are showing right now and will start sulking. Millar most likely will still play the same way he has been.

Is this what they took exception to in the locker room yesterday Roch? This one paragraph in Connelly's story? I bet they just LOVE Mease too.... :-)

"Here's the deal. This team isn't close to the ones of the late 1970s and early 1980s that helped energize this city. There's still plenty of reason to believe it will be the worst to wear Orioles on a road jersey since 1988."

It was a weak swipe in the middle of a very unexpected winning streak, but if that bothers them, they better stay right here & never play in NY or Boston. One thing to be sure of, they DO read the papers apparently....

I think Sherrill is sensational. I think he is the John Wetteland that a true contender needs. Just like with Roberts, unless you can get serious incremental value-- like a potential stud bat that most teams won't part with, why do you insist on dealing him? I have been very pleased with AM's discretion and I would be surprised if he gives up Sherrill. I am still horribly confused about why Seattle would part with him. They would have at least 2 more wins already if they had held onto him.

We are certainly looking good now that the vets are moving back towards their career numbers. That's why I was thinking 70-72 wins. Who knows, sports are emotional. Maybe they string together a longer run. For now, I'm thrilled with a week of good baseball.

"e" as in I haven't seen too many by our team-- is DT's message getting through?

I love me some baseball.

If you do see Aquino, maybe you can show him how to wear a baseball hat

Hmm, you all were thinking I was crazy for loving Millar so much, and my how the tables have turned! Go Millar! You are a breath of fresh air. Angelos is the poo and Millar is the Febreeze that temporarily hides the stench that is Peter.

I flew home yesterday to watch the ending to that game. Fellow drivers probably thought I was having a mental breakdown I was screaming so loud.

GO O's! See you all next week!

Roch, good points. Let me start by saying, I believe. I love this team. And I think Trembley's really the hero of this first week. He's calling great x's and o's.

That said, do you think a mediocre year would be the worst thing for the franchise?

If we over-perform and stay in contention all year without any realistic shot at a playoff berth, does that hold MacPhail's hands down concerning Roberts and Sherrill?

On the other hand, maybe it works in his favor. If other GMs think it's a flat out fire-sale, they're probably reluctant to give up as many players...

Whatever, it's irrelevant. Cause we're talking about the 2008 World Series champions!!!

This year's oblique?:
"The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Rich Harden was scratched from Tuesday's start with back soreness 'in the lat area.'"
Latvia? Latin America? Lap? Wassa "lat?"

Jennifer - you not the only one who gets 'butterflies' in the stomach whenever we hear starter named DCab . Let me put it this way , i would rather have Ponson than DCab as my starter .
DCab may have all the talent in the world , but if he is clueless , what can O's do with him ?
I made my own suggestion in my earlier blog.

General question from an out of town O's fan: does anybody use mlb.tv to watch games? is it any good? Can I plug my laptop into my HDTV and watch on the big screen (I have some kind of HDMI cable)?

Tom D. - I stand by what I said. I don't like you. No, I've never met you, but I'm sure if I did, I'd hate you. You strike me as one of those people that, no matter what someone says, you've got to top them with something bigger and greater that you've done or experienced. Yeah, some of your posts are quite insightful, but most would lead us to believe that you are some kind of expert on the Orioles, or that you are a drinking buddy to three fourths of the team (and Roch). Maybe it's not your intention, but you come off sounding arrogantly self assured, self righteous (to use your term), and snobbishly high browed - qualities that I really despise in a person.

Roch: I see that being called out by the players aren't stopping you doofuses at the Sun from coming up with yet more ludicrous trade scenarios. Right now, McPhail looks like a genius for making all the right moves in the offseason. I'm sure he wants to kill the buzz by trading furiously for a random assortment of other people's talentless minor leaguers. That's the scenario you and the rest of the Rhodes Scholars on the Sun sports desk have lusted for all winter and spring. Good to see it's still the hobgoblin of small minds.

A little off subject here, but what do we have to do to convince the Sun to send you on the road, Roch? No offense meant to Jeff, because he's good too...he's just much more straight-laced than you are.

Back on topic, do you really think there is a chance the Orioles would think about trading Sherrill if he does a stand up job as closer? Considering the fact that he's only getting ready to turn 31, he's got (as far as a know) a few more service years left and we don't know exactly what form Ray is going to return it...I would think it would have to be a heck of a deal being offered.

I meant to say this in the last post, but I absolutely adore Jamie Walker! I think he's a great guy to have around our young bullpen guys.

andy macphail is looking geniuser and geniuser.

let's just enjoy it!!!!

Robert: What trades are you talking about? Me suggesting that they might move Sherrill at the deadline if they're out of it? Not exactly the first time that one's been floated out there. I said they'd need to get another lefty just like him if they did that, so I'm hardly endorsing it. Just looking ahead to possible bullpen moves later, tied to Sarfate, on a day when I'm not on the road with the team and felt like running a few topics out there early in the morning. Take a deep breath..

Just wanted to change my name so I am not confused with the upset Tom C.

I say trade anyone on the roster if the return is good enough and it improves the team. And Sherrill isn't a spring chicken anymore.

I am also enjoying giving a friend of mine crap about the 1st place O's and the last place Red Sox. Its early but I have to get my digs in while I can.

3 days until the Keys hit town. I'm stoked.

Jennifer, I liked the febreeze anology... well done!

Tom C...stop beating around the bush & get to your pt...

Yeah Jennifer!
You and I have been backing up Millar on an island for a while and now everyone seems to be joining us. Funny how things work.

It's time to get serious about future infielders.................if solid prospects are offered ( and I do mean solid ) then you have to look at trading some relievers , that is where our strength is right now ..............our outfield looks good right now , catching is fine with Weiters on the horizon,,,,,,,,,,we have enough young arms in the minors with good potential , so we really do need to beef up infield prospects , a good bullpen guy may have to go,,,,,,,,,,,,go O's

Cintron we hardly knew ya. Roch, let me echo the request--what happened to the guy?

Seems to me that if Millar and Huff keep their goofiness in play, they will keep a looseness in the locker room that has probably not been in evidence last few years.

Roch, maybe one time you can comment on one aspect that rarely gets words. I hate to use a cliche like this, but here goes --- last year was there perhaps a "culture gap" between Miggy-Mora and the rest of the team? And now the kind of slapstick humor that Huff-Mill bring to the team is working? Mora-Tejada seemed to have a moody-surly persona. I think Melvin is a great person, but maybe not a clubhouse leader. Same with Miggy.

Huff-Millar may be able to keep the cameras and reporters focusing on their antics and take pressure off the young stars, too.

I propose we trade Tom D and Tom C to Dining @ Large for future considerations... Elizabeth is much more accustomed to dealing with internal petty bickering and name calling.

O is for O-R-I-O-L-E-S!

Good call Roch....Take A Deep Breathe Everyone. Lets enjoy our O's having the best record in the AL.

The excellent start from the O's has just been great. But, the thing I find most impressive is Andy McPhail. Everything he has said and done translates to better baseball. He has put a good mix of young players and veterans on the field. He has shown a commitment to building towards the future, while not just rolling over and playing dead for this year and next.

In my opinion, I think this will be the year of Andy McPhail. He has already earned my trust, and I hope more fans jump onboard. It is a new day in Baltimore....and to me, that is far more impressive than a 5-1 record.

Allen. I do watch games on MLB.TV and Its decent quality. If you pay extra you can get exceptional quality.

You should be able to link it to your tv if you have the right cables

Roch, don't involve yourself in the muck that the comment section arguing has become.

Seriously, what is the deal with benching Roberts so early in the season? Is he still having back problems? Even if he is shouldn't his day off come against a lefty, not a righty that he hits .333 against in 21 at bats? Moore should get his at-bats in place of all the mediocre players at positions he can actually play.

Roch is certainly correct in thinking that if the opportunity arises to deal one of the following: Walker, Bradford, or Sherrill for a quality bat near the deadline we should probably do it assuming we are not perched at the top of the AL East all season long.

I think some of your readers are just surprised that we have to engage in trade speculation so early instead of just enjoying the ride for another 60 games which we will have to do anyway before any real deals come our way.

Keep in mind however that Sherrill is an extremely "young" 30 having played in the independent league and makes just above the league minimum (about $400K). Cheap with a lot of years left in the tank. Honestly, I am far more impressed with him than Chris Ray. Keep in mind, Ray got absolutely torched before the injury. Maybe the injury had something to do with it, but there are still many concerns. I'll take the guy who is proving he belongs in 2008!

Adam Jones t-shirt night is next week!

Scott Moore HR in first at bat!!!

Whoever is playing in front of Scott Moore better watch out. Moore is breathing down their backs for more playing time.

Roch:

Can you explain what restrictions there are upon you regarding in-game descriptions?

With all these day games I am forced to follow the game at work by exhausting my pointer finger and constantly clicking refresh on the box score. Certain times though I can't follow exactly what is going on: Yesterday I see that there is a runner on second who scores on a ground ball out (later found out it was D-Cab losing his cool) and today with runners on first and third the play-by-play says runner out at home, runner to second. Did the mariner's try a double steal, home and second? Thanks Roch!

"o" for... well I can't seem to think of anything for "o"

The Scott Brothers strike in texas!!!! go O's!!!!

Luke Scott Homered in his 2nd at bat!!!

So far Burres is doing well! Go O's!

Luke Scott is my new favorite player! (I still love you Millar) Who is this guy and why did the Astros give him up for Miggy? What were they smokin' and where can I get it? This guy is nuts!

Scott Moore---Homer?!?! YOWZA! Quality stuff from everyone!

Can you believe Luke Scott!?!?!?!?!

tvdpdx: a lat is a latissimus dorsi muscle, there's one on each side of your back used most prominently in rowing motion/overhand pull-ups. Why a pitcher would pull one is anyone's guess but if I tried to throw a baseball 100 times at 90ish miles an hour, both of mine would probably explode not long after my right arm fell off

You are a genius, you called Albers coming in and Acquino pitching a scoreless 9th.

Nope . cant believe Luke Scott , cant believe Scott Moore either ! Sarfate , Albers , Sherrill and Jones are also unbelieveble .
Mr MacPhail , you done outstanding job. Please secure some more future O's from trades this year !

The Wizard of MacPhail