Orioles: Needling Wieters
Don't get excited. This isn't a steroid entry. Just an anecdote that was left on the cutting room floor when Jeff Zrebiec did his big feature story on Matt Wieters for this past Sunday. First baseman Aubrey Huff told Jeff about the time his sister commented that Wieters looked hot on the cover of Baseball America.
"I told him how my sister thought he was really good looking on the Baseball America [cover],'' Huff said. "And I said, ‘yeah, he’s good looking because he’s not smiling. You should see his teeth.’ I said, 'good thing the big leagues has a free dental plan.'
"He took that pretty well. When young guys take that well, you know you’re going to like him. He takes all that ribbing well. He keeps his mouth shut, he does his work, he works really hard. You got to love guys like that. Not only is he a big talent, but he’s a good kid. To be able to handle stuff like that, it shows that he has a strong head on his shoulders."
Wieters obviously wasn't too offended. He autographed that edition of Baseball America for Huff's sister.
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Comments
Pete - Do you know if Weiters a country boy? Is he an outdoorsman/hunter by any chance? Do you know who among the Orioles IS a big outdoorsman? I used to take Brooks Robinson and Jonny U. goose hunting here on the shore many years ago. Thanks
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Pete's reply: I know Luke Scott is. Don't know about Wieters.
Posted by: shoreman | March 16, 2009 1:56 PM
We need a good steroid story .
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | March 16, 2009 2:10 PM
Funny stuff, Pete. I just hope Wieters is able realize all the hype. He could be the O's Teixeira at a fraction of the cost!
I wish the Orioles would have him take some balls at first base on occasion, because catchers normally don't have particularly long shelf lives. Better that Wieters be given some time at DH and first than used exclusively behind the plate, especially as the O's have Gregg Zaun to spell him.
One last thought on Wieters. I know when the team made its first cut, many fans were wondering if he was one of them. I'm sure there will be more speculation at the next cut, but I'm thinking he won't be sent down until the last cut because the extra time means he'll be seeing a little bit of better pitching and because he can work with Zaun, Demper, and either Moeller or Hammock on further devloping his catching skills. Does that make sense to you?
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Pete's reply: I think it would be more to work with as many pitchers as possible.
Posted by: Ken Francis | March 16, 2009 2:31 PM
This kid impresses me more and more. In spite of being such a hyped prospect, he is able to have such a Blue Collar aura around him.
The REALLY good ones are just good and, they don't need to talk about it. They already quietly know they are good and don't need it confirmed by others. They just go out and play.
Posted by: Basemonkey | March 16, 2009 2:38 PM
The baseball blog Biz kinda slow today?
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Pete's reply: It is for me because I didn't go to Fort Myers.
Posted by: A Fan with Visions of Grandeur | March 16, 2009 4:13 PM
I noticed Weiters teeth the first time I saw him on TV..What a grill.I think making Liz a reliever is dumb. You don't waste an arm like that on a one inning reliever. They've totally killed this kids confidence. It'll be funny to watch them beg Liz to start in May when the rest of these scrubs they picked up bomb out.What a farce this pitching situation has become.
Posted by: John | March 16, 2009 6:06 PM
no comments today....just want to get approved for future comments
Posted by: John K. Thomas | March 16, 2009 6:14 PM
Oooohh!! Making fun of Wieters' teeth. That hurts. What's next? His momma wears combat boots? C'mon Aubrey. You can do better than that. Just look at what everyone's been saying about you since the Love Sponge thing.
Posted by: Chris Joseph | March 16, 2009 6:19 PM
This begs the question as to who will be the face of Baltimore sports. Is it the ice-cold Joe Flacco? Or is it the even-tempered Matt Wieters? I feel lucky to be a Baltimore fan these days.
Posted by: Leroy Jenkins | March 16, 2009 8:39 PM
If Wieters could just pitch...How grand would that be!?!!?!
Posted by: O's Fan | March 16, 2009 9:39 PM
Pete-
Is this guy the second coming of Roy Hobbs? He sometimes seems to perfect to be real. The World Series returning to Baltimore in a few years seems more real with him in the mix.
Posted by: Patrick Lynch | March 16, 2009 10:23 PM
I know everyone wants to anoint Wieters as the second coming but wasn't he also the same guy that almost didn't sign with us?
I don't want to rain on the parade he may be just that good but so far his track record says delaying his free agency is a good move.
Posted by: David B | March 17, 2009 4:47 PM
Matt Wieters Took Batting Practice This Morning. There Were No Survivors.
Posted by: Daniel | March 17, 2009 9:38 PM
I agree with the previous poster who think's Wieters should be playing some first, and eventually shifted there in not too long. The shelf life of a catcher, and exceeded risk for injury. I know the kid is a good catcher, probably better than average, but his stick is out of this world, and I think the O's should be thinking big picture. It'd be alot cheaper to move him to first, and sign a cheap defensive specialist, than to keep him as catcher, and have to sign another 1B in a year or two... so even in that regard it make's sense. Love the "line", Daniel!
Posted by: Adam | March 20, 2009 6:16 PM
Wow. Weiters hasn't played a game yet in MLB and people are suggesting he start playing 1B! He'll have enough on his plate learning how to catch. Yes, catching is hard on the body but the man is in his early 20's. We have a chance to have a horse behind the plate for 10 years; then we can move him to first if he's still with us.
Why can't we leave well enough alone in the meantime?
Posted by: TerryP | March 21, 2009 9:00 AM
what's with these fans who still are hating on aubrey?
the dude is the only oriole besides trembely who has a discernable personality.
Posted by: the Wayward O | March 21, 2009 11:20 AM