Roch--Real nice report on Jesse Beal. Thanks.

Jesse, looking forward to seeing you in an Oriole uniform.

Dear Brian Roberts,

I love you. You are a fabulous player and I hope that you stay in Baltimore for the rest of your career. With that said, I have one simple request.

Change your song. Ya know the song that you come up to the plate with. It is the most depressing song of any player in the MLB. Every time I hear it, I want to pour myself a glass of grandfather's old irish whiskey and talk about my aches and pains. Seriously, you are B-Rob! The man. The best on the team. A stud. How can you go from "Hypnotize" by Notorious B.I.G. to that depressing crap you have now?

Please change it to anything. I'll even take a Celine Dion song if you are looking for something inspirational. But please, please change it.

Thank you,

Jennifer

I know i'm probably the dissenting opinion here, but I think Liz is the real deal. He'll settle down (and probably lose some velocity) and start throwing strikes after a little more experience.

Did anyone else watching the game notice that Liz did not seem to want to leave the mound without getting a pat on the back from Dave?

Welcome back, Randor!

The way you change speeds, the way your ball moves, it's great having you back.

Jim Palmer doesn't remember your fastball going above 89 but I remember reports from Roch in spring training when you were dealing it in the mid 90s.

Heh, whi cares how fast it is as long as it moves and you battle and pitch.

It's great having you back in an Oriole uniform, Randor.

It wasn't a pretty win for Liz but hopefully it's another step in the learning curve for him. The best part of his night was not giving up a longball. That's been one of his biggest problems to date. He battled and his teammates rewarded him. I'm hoping this is a springboard for a stronger start next time.

As for the Markakis contract situation, I hope the club does not decide to quibble over $5 or $10 million in the total deal. When you are talking a $60 to $80 million package, it really doesn't mean much. I'd rather see the cash go to a homegrown talent than to be wasted on a frivolous free-agent signing like Texeira.

And I'm hoping MacPhail is hard at work guaging the market value for a couple of his veterans, especially Huff. The organization needs more pitching prospects and we're closing in on the prime time to cash in.

Gratz and good luck Jesse. Love of the Orioles is bringing these kids to sign with Baltimore the past couple of years. Now it's time to land the big game fish in Teix so he can make his dream come true too.

What screwed up the Markakis contract extension talks? We have to keep him happy. I wish Guthrie and Cabreara could get the run support Liz gets. Of course Cabrera should be grateful for the 11 runs he received Saturday night.

Any nusz on Matusz?

Someone responded to one of my previous posts with a Pat Kelly/Earl Weaver story, and I've got one to share too:

Pastor Pat was mingling with the Oriole players before a game. This was in the twilight of Ken Singleton's career, and he wasn't hitting very well. Weaver hands Kelly one of Singleton's bats and says, "Here, see if you can resurrect this!"

Did I miss something? I haven't heard of any Markakis extension talks.

Roch- Any update on Matusz? I quess even with Hoes hitting 300 down in the GCL, a draft is still only as good as signing your first pick. Especially after we were told how easy it was going to be.

I think BRob's song fits him to a T. Just look at the words, including, but not limited to, the lyric about a hole in the heart.

Would you rather his song be Cindi Lauper's "I have a hole in my heart that goes all the way to China?" :D

Just found the link to the Markakis extension talks. I wouldn't read too much into it that they couldn't get a deal done. Mcphail doesn't like to do this in the middle of the season, so they tried to do it in a few day window around the all star break where Nick wouldn't be distracted, and they couldn't get it done in that short of time. I expect him to sign a long term deal after the season with no big issues.

Let's just hope before we all get too optimistic that Nick isn't in pinstripes in 2012.

Jessica Beal??!! We signed Jessica Beal??!! Yeah Baby! I can just see her in those road grays with Baltimore across the front.... but this really isn't that kind of blog, is it? Never mind!

'z' is for Zowie!

rick dempsey for prez

Trade Ramon Hernandez to the yankees. His value now will never be higher, and Jorge Posada looks like his season will be lost.

I'll take any 2 guys in triple A, or three guys in double A...

I don't think there's any doubt Liz is going to be an impact pitcher - but not until he can throw strikes which he has not show as yet. I have to also mention some of the people complaining about Palmer on the broadcasts - you're all under 35/36 who do that. I say that becasue if you followed the O's in the 70's Palmer is royalty...he was just an amazing and consistent pitcher.

I was recently at a Bluefield game and saw the First baseman, Elvin Polanco. WOW...excellent hitter, big and very strong guy. He is hitting .358 in 120 at bats,43 hits,11 doubles, 7 HR, and 27 RBI. I know its Bluefield but Roch, what have you heard about this player??

I was able to watch the game on Sportsnet-the Canadian version(sort of) of ESPN. The Jays announcers did have a funny comment when Liz left in the 6th to somewhat of a standing ovation-"Jim Palmer must be cringing over there in the next booth"...
A win's a win but Trembley must have been sweating when Safrate came in and promptly threw gasoline on the fire. I say use this guy in blowouts only and substitute Beird. He either really had some movement n his pitches or the Jays were in a hurry to sample the renowned Balmer night life.

Not to worry Baron , Huff and Sherrill will be gone real soon , hopefully for a few quality infield prospects , like a SHORTSTOP..................

I liked the fact that Liz stayed on the mound listening to Dave and the IFs. Hopefully he learned a little something and will put it to good use in his next start.
I hope the O's get the rest of the picks signed soon especially Matusz.

Jennifer, are you cheating on me with Brian Roberts? haha

can we please trade sherrill for a middle SS prospect! I'm glad the guy likes to play here but I'm sure he would love to play for contender too. Let's cut the presonal strings and do the right thing for the long term success of the club.

More on Pat Kelly and the Weave:

Pat told Weaver, "I want you to walk with the Lord."

Weaver responded, "Pat, I'd rather see you walk with the bases loaded."

Barry,

Thank You it's good to be back.

JJ.... I WISH! Actually I think every girl in Baltimore wishes they were cheating on you with B-ROB! HAHA!

sorry but he's b-rob.

I think Andy may have been just checking the potential price tag for Nick. How does 8 yrs at $95 million sound? B-Rob needs a nice extension for 5 years. Sherrill should bring in at least 2-3 prospects with 1 being almost or already MLB ready...hopefully a SS.

Roch - what other rumors are floating around down at the warehouse? Ramon? Huff? D-Cab? B-Rob? Walker? Millar? Mora? Crowley (gotta be worth something given his lifetime stats)?