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Orioles top 2008 draft choice Brian Matusz made his second professional appearance for the Surprise Rafters today and gave up three runs over four innings, but only one of the runs was earned and he struck out eight batters. He was not involved in the decision in an 8-7 loss to Phoenix.
Matt Wieters was 2 for 4 with a walk to raise his batting average to .455. He ranks third in the league in that department.
Peter Schmuck wants you to know that, contrary to popular belief, he is more than just a bon vivant, raconteur and collector of blousy flowered shirts. He is a semi-respected journalist who has covered virtually every sport -- except luge, of course – and tackled issues that transcend the mere games people play. If that isn’t enough to qualify him to provide witty, wide-ranging commentary on the sports world ... and the rest of the world, for that matter ... he is an avid reader of history, biography and the classics, as well as a charming blowhard who pops off on both sports and politics on WBAL Radio. That means you can expect a little of everything in The Schmuck Stops Here, but the major focus will be keeping you up to the minute on Baltimore’s major sports teams and themes, whether it’s throwing up the Orioles lineup the minute it’s announced or updating you on the latest sprained ankle in Owings Mills. Oh, and by the way, that’s Mr. Schmuck to you. 
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Comments
Does the "surprise" in the name Surprise Rafters refer to when the team wins?
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Pete's reply: I think so. They're 3-7.
Posted by: Barry | October 17, 2008 11:11 PM
Thanks for the info, please keep it comming. How did your roast go? Did you cry when you got home? lol
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Pete's reply: No, it was great fun, though I did go home and vow to start eating healthier. Let's see how long that lasts.
Posted by: Tim | October 17, 2008 11:51 PM
Pete, how was the "Roast"?. You look medium well. What was your precooked weight?
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Pete's reply: No, I'm definitely well done. Probably bacon-wrapped, too.
Posted by: hungry blue mule | October 18, 2008 5:24 AM
haha I've actually been to a game in surprise arizona....and it is one HELL of a nice stadium complex. I wish the orioles had one like that to go down to in march!
Posted by: Alex | October 18, 2008 11:48 AM
Good to hear that the boys are doing well, because gosh knows we O's fans need to hear some good news, ANY news because, quite frankly, I'm less than enthralled by a Phillies vs. Rays Series, though it is nice to see somebody other than those millionares clubs in NY and LA playing in the fall classic. Okay, now to business, i.e. getting the Orioles on the right path again.
Number one: Trade Roberts. He's in his 30s, unless he is wearing a big red "S" under his O's jersey, he's soon to start making those first steps either towards the broadcast booth or selling insurance or AMWAY products, whatever happens to players when they don't play anymore. His value will never be higher and you never know if he'll have a recurrence of injury. Knowing MacPhail, he'll make a trade if he is given value. "Value" btw, looks like Alex Rodriguez and not Kiko Garcia. You'd think that would be obvious, but for proof, see Syd Thrift.
Number Two: Forget "Tex" and AJ Burnett. Tex ain't leavin' California, and AJ has injury issues and haven't we been burned enough with injuries? Take the money you would have wasted on these guys and their brethren and invest it in the farm system. We should be creating a network of baseball schools across the globe. Over a billion Chinese and Russians and not one can pitch or hit a ball? C'mon.
Number Three: Bring back the fans. Somebody get a decent medium so we can conjure the ghost of Bill Veeck to give the O's front office some halfway decent promotional ideas.
Number Four: Take the great 3-headed project, Olson-Liz-Burres, and put them in the bullpen where they belong. They all pitched a heckuva lot better coming out of the bullpen, particularly Olson and Burres, than they did as starters. But watch Liz. He's the one I think may have the best potential to stick as a starter.
Number Five: Give Kevin Millar the Key to the City and promise of a job, any job, with the club after he retires and then show him the door. Kevin is a tremendous asset, but he's keeping younger guys who need a chance from having that chance. I hope that if Kevin does leave, he does return in some capacity with the Orioles ala Rick Dempsey.
That's all.
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Pete's reply: Tha's all, Max? Do you have a publisher for that book? I hate it when the readers on this blog work harder than I do.
Posted by: maxmorf | October 21, 2008 1:12 PM