Pre-Opening Day Dave
Manager Dave Trembley alternated between the practical and philosophical during his media briefing before today's offday workout at Camden Yards. Here are a few nuggets from that session:
On Opening Day: "I'm anxious for Opening Day. It's a special time for everyone. It's a new season for the Baltimore Orioles. We're anxious to get going and get off to a good start."
On Monday starter Jeremy Guthrie: "Guthrie is a man of pride and his work habits are very good. When you're not doing well, you look for answers. He's healthy. He had a good side session. We expect him to pitch well tomorrow."
On the strengths of the club: "Flexibility ... interchangeable parts ... not just position players but also in our bullpen."
On the weaknesses of the club: "I'm very much aware of all the question marks on this club, but let's give it a chance."
On the team's diminished expectations: "I have a tremendous amount of faith. I understand what the expectations are on the other side of the coin, but I also understand what our expectations are. I think attitude is a big part of it. ... Truthfully, I think we're a lot better than a lot of people think."
On the elephant in the room: "It comes down to how you pitch. For every team, it comes down to starting pitching. I guess we're a little different because of how many unproven candidates we had. I think that question is going to be there all year. I certainly understand that."
On his general feelings about managing this year's team: "I appreciate it probably more. I think as you get older you realize there are things in life that are very special. It has hit home a lot of times -- this doesn't happen to everybody. You appreciate it and want to make the most of it and represent the team, the franchise and the city well. ... I've been on so many buses and I'm standing here with 50 people crowded around me. Who would have thought that?"
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Comments
Trembley's in an odd position to have to win games to save his job but at the same time being told players that could help him in that are hands off.He's under the additional stress of having to leave starters in games when they're getting hammered so he doesn't wear the bullpen out.He has to start Pie enough to keep McPhail happy regardless of how he's doing.He has a horrible schedule starting out to make things even worse.And his #1 starter is about 3 weeks behind where he should be.
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Pete's reply: On the other hand, he's a major league manager and most of us would trade places with him in a minute.
Posted by: John | April 5, 2009 6:07 PM
i'm always optimistic this time of year. At least Ken Dixon isn't starting tomorrow. Against Sabathia (hard throwing lefties), i'd like to see Markakis in 2 hole and Jones in 3. Nick has higher oba and can focus on that rather than driving the ball. And it breaks up what i think will be the only 2 lefties starting. I think Wigginton and Freel will start; Pie and Scott may have to wait till Wednesday.
Posted by: onceawarrior | April 5, 2009 8:43 PM
I'd like to see last years opening day roster and where they are this year in comparison to this years
Posted by: Paul Cridler | April 5, 2009 11:12 PM
Pete, okay, so the O's win the opener against the Yankees then go on to lose the next 80 games and are 1-80 at the midway mark of the season. Is there any scenario where the bring up the kids from the farm or do they trudge on to a 1 - 161 season?
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Pete's reply: They'll bring up certain guys, but why would you want to subject your best prospects to that?
Posted by: David | April 6, 2009 5:15 AM
Dave has a resume similiar to Earl Weaver's. I think, like Weaver, that he can motivate player's well. He doesn't have Weaver's patience during the game. He over manages. The birds have a very potent offence. He ought to let them play and forget all of the bunts and hit and run plays.
Posted by: Richard L. Howard | April 6, 2009 7:03 AM
Trembley is the right man to lead the Orioles out of the basement and into the light.
Posted by: Chalkdust | April 6, 2009 7:35 AM
Something looks familiar here. Second and third and one out and Mora hits a soft high hopper to third and Roberts tries to score????? Nailed by 20 feet! What the hell? Make him throw across the diamond to first for crying out loud!!!!! Second and third and one out and don't score. HERE WE GO AGAIN!! It's gonna be a very very long year when you add stupidity into the mix.
Posted by: oldetoys | April 6, 2009 4:53 PM