Orioles: Wieters first words of spring
Top prospect Matt Wieters (right) reported to camp looking a little bigger than last year, and clearly carrying himself with added confidence after his terrific season at Class-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie. He said today that he knows what the score is, but he's still coming to camp to compete for the starting job on Opening Day.
"I think you've got to go into every spring that way,'' he said.
Right now, however, he's looking forward to getting acquainted with veteran Gregg Zaun and getting into the spring training routine.
"It's always good to get started again,'' he said. "I'm looking forward to getting going. It was a short offseason, but it's good to get back and start playing again."
Why was it a short offseason? For one thing, because he got married in December, and he wasn't the only one. Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis also tied the knot, though not with each other.
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Comments
A "good" bigger or a little out of shape Bigger?
Granted he probably did not walk by naked so you may have no idea if it is a healthy bigger or a little spare tire.
I would think Healthy..... He would be crazy to show up out of shape.
Happy slow first day in Florida!
Pull out those clubs while you can!!
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Pete's reply: Barely noticeable bigger in the upper body.
Posted by: Doug M | February 14, 2009 11:28 AM
Year 2 of AM's rebuilding plan starts in earnest today.
Some odds and ends to ponder:
Dale Murphy: "Playing baseball is not real life. It's a fantasy world... It's a dream come true."
Earl Weaver: "The key to winning baseball games is pitching, fundamentals, and three run homers."
George Steinbrenner: "I am dead set against free agency. It can ruin baseball."
Bill Veeck: "Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off."
Posted by: Barry from C-town | February 14, 2009 12:08 PM
Is he crazy????Married at 22 when hes about to become a superstar???? I wonder how that marriage will turn out...
Posted by: Justin Dellinger | February 14, 2009 12:20 PM
" Brian and Nick also tied the knot, though not with each other " . Rim shot !
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | February 14, 2009 1:22 PM
Matt's got unlimited potential. Which is why he's rated the #1 prospect not just for the O's but for all of baseball. I can't remember the last time the O's had the #1 prospect.
Still, I hope they don't rush him. Let him start at Norfolk and show he can hit AAA pitching the way he hit AA and A ball pitching last year. And then bring him up sometime in May or June, if he's ready.
Posted by: Adam B. | February 14, 2009 1:39 PM
Wonder if any of the players says that about you......
Matt Wieters to his wife: Saw Pete Schmúck in the clubhouse today, looking bigger than last year. That crazy shirt was sure puffed out.
Posted by: a fan with delusions of grandeur | February 14, 2009 1:42 PM
"though not with each other" - I really laughed out loud. Thanks for the humor - Combined with good reporting - what's not to like about this blog...
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Pete's reply: Thanks very much for the kind words.
Posted by: Timothy Morris | February 14, 2009 4:25 PM
Matt Wieters won me over when he talked with Jim Hunter & Rick Dempsey on MASN's O's Xtra pregame show last year. Looks like he's got an outstanding personality. I can't wait until he becomes the starting catcher. Go Orioles!
Posted by: Attila the Hon | February 14, 2009 6:14 PM
Looking for clarification...when a player is out of options waived and cleared...is he then free to be called up and sent down with no limit or is there a new set number of times a player can be sent down?
Posted by: David Winterberg | February 14, 2009 10:24 PM