Wake up call for Brian and Nick
Jeez, just when I think I'm about to get Burt and Bob off my case about Brian Roberts, he teams up with Nick Markakis on one of the worst defensive gaffes of the year in the seventh. Roberts jogged back on what was supposed to be an inning-ending pop up by Juan Rivera. Markakis jogged up and waited for Brian to catch a ball that should be the province of the right-fielder.
I mean, why would you bust it on a play like that? It's only the go-ahead run.
No excuse for that. The ball was ruled a hit, but it was a routine play that absolutely has to be made. Brian already had an error in the game, which cost the Orioles a run during the Angels' three-run comeback in the fifth. Throw in the slow reaction of Melvin Mora on an important play at third in the eighth, and you have to wonder just what's going on with some of these guys.
"There were breakdowns in various areas and we paid the price for them,'' Dave Trembley said after the game.
The O's were coming off an uplifting victory on Friday night and had a chance to secure a split of a very tough four-game road series with a chance to take three of four with a victory tomorrow. Guess that wasn't enough motivation.
Frankly, I know the emotions that bubbled up after the bullpen collapse against the Red Sox on Wednesday, but this comeback galls me even more than Boston's four-run ninth. Sometimes, you just get beat. In this game, the Orioles volunteered to lose.






Comments
Disgusting. Reminds me of bad high school games I've witnessed. Open the flood gates. Ol' Billy Martin would've benched these "all-stars" and replaced them with Salazar and Pie. Embarrassing to say the least.
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Pete's reply: True, but Billy also would have burned out all the young pitchers by now.
Posted by: Jay Peterson | July 5, 2009 12:12 AM
Hooray..about time you went after some of these O's "veterans". Maybe it's time to play Salazar at 3rd and yell at Markakis to take charge..Adam Jones has no trouble taking charge..he goes after anything. I also wonder about Wiggy tonight even though he has a double....is he really the future ? Where;s Reimold? Goodbye DT>
Posted by: Charlie SUllivan | July 5, 2009 12:12 AM
I have one word to describe the O's LOSER, The bullpen is bad, the base running and fielding is terrible and the lack of hustle is inexcusable. Trembley needs to go off on them or he to will be gone soon. I have been a fan for 40 years and worked for the club for 6 years and all I can say is "Get rid of the LOSERS and the guy that don't hustle." I am sick of watching them!!
Posted by: Scott | July 5, 2009 12:17 AM
Nick HAS to catch that ball, it's his play all the way, and he just watched it instead of making a play. I know they aren't going anywhere this year, but this bad fundamental baseball has got to stop.
Posted by: dave taylor | July 5, 2009 12:19 AM
right when markakis did not catch the ball, I would have yanked him (put him on the bench). Put in a sub at that very point. No hussle is worse then just not performing. That not only cost them that run, but the next innning. PATHETIC!!! You have got to make plays like that. Whether he is supposed to be a franchise player or not you have to show the team what you are about. That is what the Charlie Manuel did last year with Rollins for no Hussle. He was benched. They won the world series. Deflate egos and learn to play the game right.
Posted by: dan | July 5, 2009 12:22 AM
I know people were just making fun of Roberts for trying roids in the Raffy thread today but maybe he should start back up...
Posted by: Ted | July 5, 2009 12:22 AM
That run doesn't matter...have given up 6 already in the 8th. Nice game at the plate for BRob, but a disaster in the filed on those two plays. Oh, and Vlad just got his 3d, yes 3d HR of the year. Figures he'll get hot against us.
Posted by: Austin | July 5, 2009 12:22 AM
Pete,
You have never been more right! This was a pathetic display by what I thought was supposed to be professional baseball! I keep hearing about no leader in the clubhouse, well there are not even any leaders on the field! It sicken me!
Posted by: Keith Rowe | July 5, 2009 12:24 AM
This is what losing teams to do. They seemingly find new ways to lose games by quiting on plays and giving half-hearted efforts. They are just hear to collect a paycheck, winning is a bonus not a must which it is for the good players and teams.
It makes me wonder why I watch them. If they don't care about the game and the team why should I? I don't even think I will stay up, as usual, to hear Davis and Dempsey making excuses for this pathetic play.
Posted by: Keith | July 5, 2009 12:26 AM
"I want the kid who wouldn't take the test!"
Posted by: Dan | July 5, 2009 12:29 AM
The seventh and eighth innings tonight fully exposed this team's fatal flaws: lack of character, lack of focus and lousy middle relief. Jim Palmer had it right: they looked like they were asleep. It was pathetic and disgraceful. Can anybody light a fire under this team! Can anybody give it a gut check. I'f afraid that if they did, they'd come up empty. Tonight was a disgusting, embarrassing performance. Does Markakis even give a damn? He looks like a robot.
Posted by: kjerry | July 5, 2009 12:30 AM
They should let Pie try leadoff tomorrow to punish Roberts
Posted by: Anonymous | July 5, 2009 12:31 AM
well, when losing is expected, it just goes to show you that you can't even shame a team into playing better baseball. When your best players who you just signed to big contracts decide they can screw around, you're screwed!
There is no excuse for lack of effort and doing things right ALL the time at this level is expected. You think this crap happens to the Sox or the Angels or the Yanks? The players police themselves on those teams.
I can give Mora a pass as I expect nothing good at all from him.
Posted by: jim66 | July 5, 2009 12:33 AM
I apologize for the multiple posts. My mistake.
Posted by: kjery | July 5, 2009 12:35 AM
I read someone's post that mirrored my exact thoughts. Do Nick and Brian really think that they've earned the right to dog it with THE WINNING RUN ON THIRD BASE? If I'm Dave Trembley, like someone said, I yank Markakis on the spot, and maybe Roberts, too. Enough of these bone-headed plays. Baserunning mistakes, fielding gaffes, pitching problems, they're inexcusable. This season isn't going to go anywhere. Although Markakis was scheduled to hit second, and replacing him with Salazar or Reimold may cost us the game, the risk is worth the reward. Talent is talent, but everyone can give the same amount of effort. If they have a problem with being benched on a play like that, they can take it up with the man paying their hefty contracts. But they don't deserve to make stupid plays like that while there are players like Nolan Reimold who are willing to bust their butt up-and-down the first-base line on EACH and EVERY hit, no matter how soft.
On the other side, Jim Palmer was dogging Melvin Mora for not covering third, but it was actually Andino's bad throw that prevented the out. Had the throw been made to the bag instead of way out towards left-field, Mora would have had the easy tag-out.
Pete, what say you about Nick and Brian? Is it better for Trembley if he benches (one of) them?
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Pete's reply: He doesn't have enough players to bench them.
Posted by: Michael | July 5, 2009 12:35 AM
Pete,I was going to give Roberts a break in spite of his lack of hustle on the ground ball,and the two defensive miscues,you keep going for the ball until the outfielder calls you off,and Nick never said a word,I think that's a play he's watched Brian make hundreds of times,but he has looked horrible defensively at times this year.And then I see the fans vote him as player of the game,despite adam Jones 3 hits and a stolen base.Unreal.
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Pete's reply: It was Nick's ball, but both of them screwed it up.
Posted by: Burt from Essex | July 5, 2009 12:36 AM
I know Roberts signed a big contract with us in the offseason, but he seems to be playing with so little energy and enthusiasm. What happened? Is he not happy here? Sure the losing must be wearing him down, but this past offseason was his chance to escape if he wasn't 100% committed to the rebuilding program here. Didn't he have decent offers elsewhere?
Posted by: Ed | July 5, 2009 12:36 AM
Someone must have bought Double-Doubles or Weinerschnitzel chili dogs for the pre-game meal (cuz the team is playin' like their feeling the after effects of a So-Cal fast food meal).
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Pete's reply: You could have caught that pop up in right field after four double-doubles and six chili-cheese dogs.
Posted by: logiopath | July 5, 2009 12:38 AM
Pete,
You catching Dave's postgame? Where is the anger, the frustration, merely water off his back, kinda like part of the game! Poor Jim Hunter, reliving the horrors of tonights game, but Dave just takes it and moves one. How bout a Lou Pinella outbreak? Pick up a bat and whack the water cooler, he really needs to send this team a message!
Posted by: Keith Rowe | July 5, 2009 12:39 AM
Sorry to reply to myself, but what did it mean when Nick is standing there at the end of the play with his forehead in his hand? It's a worthwhile question if you get one of your insiders to ask it. He seemed to be exasperated at the fact that Roberts didn't catch it, or that he himself did not. I've never before seen Nick get upset at himself on the field, only at umpires (and he usually has good reason with that batting eye of his).
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Pete's reply: Unfortunately, it's a West Coast game with only a couple of reporters there on deadline, so it's tougher to delve into it on a night like tonight. If the team was at home, there would be a bunch of us to wait around and ask those kinds of questions.
Posted by: Michael | July 5, 2009 12:41 AM
Yes, DT's "well, that's baseball" comments are getting old.
Posted by: Ed | July 5, 2009 12:42 AM
a new low even for the O's
Posted by: Wayne | July 5, 2009 12:44 AM
What do you hate more? Roberts lack of hustle or that sickening stare he has which looks like he doesn't care at all every time he makes an out.
Posted by: Big Al | July 5, 2009 12:48 AM
Mskes you wonder if the steroid story quieted down the trade talk with Roberts.I have never seen him look so unfocused,both in the field and at the plate.Look at his streaks this year,like a pndelum,1 for 32,then 9 for 14,then 1 for 23,I don't have the statistics in front of me,but I've never sen him this hot and cold.Reminds me of Tejada his last year here,and I think with that big contract,we're stuck with him,and Mora for the rest of the year too.Move Huff to third and play Salazar and Wigginton at first.And Andino has to throw the ball to the player,if he threw that ball to the bag,Melvin would have never been there to catch it and the run would have scored on the spot.Error Mora,not Andino.Let's see what our Sunday,Bloody Sunday lineup looks like tomorrow.And which Rich Hill shows up.
Posted by: Burt from Essex | July 5, 2009 12:49 AM
Pete do you think Brian Roberts getting married in the off season has anything to do with the way he is playing this year?
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Pete's reply: I don't think so, but I really have no idea what's going on with him.
Posted by: Donald | July 5, 2009 12:52 AM
Pete, I honestly feel that the O's are packing it in. This disgusts me and probably every fan of the Orioles. I accept the losing, don't like it, but I accept it because without question, there is a bright light at the of the tunnel, but awful plays like the ones Brian and Nick are making, as well as al lot of the vets on this team, is terrible.
I have never been more disgusted with this team than I am right now. Brian Roberts isn't a leader and honestly, I am finally starting to think that he has his contract, will play hard, but not go above and beyond that to help this team win. I might be wrong, but this isn't the same Brian Roberts that I've seen since his 1st day in an O's uniform.
Pete, I don't 100% blame Dave, but it's as clear as day that this team has given up. The F.O. can't get rid of all the players that aren't hustling, but they can do something about the manager because anyone who thinks this team will be able to turn on a switch next year and play . 500 ball or better, is dreaming. This team needs to start acting like they give a damn and it starts with Dave. I can take errors and players having bad nights, as it's part of the game, but this isn't a 5 game stretch of bad baseball fundamentals, this is a seasons' worth. I don't think Dave is the manager after the break, just a gut feeling.
Posted by: Birdland Todd | July 5, 2009 12:58 AM
It is far too early in the season for the Orioles to begin their late season swoon. Something has got to give. If I'm Dave Trembley I'm not answering any calls from the front office. Dave does not deserve all the blame for this weeks' fiascos but it is apparent he is not getting 100% from his players and as a manager that is his job.
Posted by: Dan | July 5, 2009 12:58 AM
After tonight's wretched demonstration of sleep-walking, the really scary thing is that Sunday is the day when this team really doesn't show up. This team needs some guys who don't just these things off with cliches about the long season.
Posted by: rockville | July 5, 2009 12:59 AM
The worst part is they actually looked good for the beginning of this game and then folded. Again, I'll go back to leadership. On game day, it starts w/the manager. Some will disagree w/this, but that's how I see it. If DT isn't really PO'ed at that effort in the later innings, I hope he doesn't make it much further as this team's manager. He has to shake things up by benching some folks. What's the worst thing that happens, we lose? That is already happening. And Pete, who's fault is it that DT doesn't have enough players to bench BRob and Nick? Or did you mean just tonight? Don't let them off the hook just because the Angels pushed 6 across the next inning. I actually thought about driving down 3 hrs to see this game w/my 5 year old. Glad I saved my $.
Posted by: Austin | July 5, 2009 1:03 AM
When is the poor execution, the lack of concentration, and the awful lack of basics going to be seen as a reflection not of individual players, but as the fault of the manager and his coaching staff? Clearly, these guys aren't having their heads kept in the game.
Posted by: Bryan | July 5, 2009 1:08 AM
BROB looks like a totally different player this season after getting his payday.. The guy is showing his true colors and winning teams arent gonna want him after seeing this mess. If he leaves the O's I hope he lands with the nats.
Posted by: Tom | July 5, 2009 1:09 AM
Pete, Thorne said it again early in the game on Huff starting the double play..."Look what I found!" Do I win a prize for finding that? I did put a nickel in the "Thorne's sayings" jar.
Lot of fingerpointing can go on in this game, but I'll bring up one...has anyone commented on how horrible Baez has been lately? Tonite, he loads up the bases with no outs. He was lucky it even came down to that pop up gaffe! Baez did the same thing in a close game at the Marlins- loaded up the bases...he started out well this season, but is really stinking it up lately! Maybe he got nervous with all the trade rumors surrounding his name or maybe he just doesn't have it anymore.
Posted by: Brian | July 5, 2009 1:14 AM
Its hard to build around toxic waste!
Posted by: Mark | July 5, 2009 1:21 AM
It all starts with the players,one of these guys,not the manager,has to hold these guys feet to the fire.I for one am tired of hearing the quote"he leads by example". That was a sorry example we saw tonight and not the first time this year those two have allowed a ball to fall in between them.
Posted by: willie | July 5, 2009 1:23 AM
The Orioles play stupid baseball. Scott started the last inning by walking and when down 7 runs what does the next batter (Wigginton) do? He swings at the first pitch and grounds into a double play. That's Little League . What did Wigginton think he was going to do? Hit a 7 run homer. There are many players on this team whose heads are not in the game.
Posted by: Donald | July 5, 2009 1:37 AM
Peter,
I'm wondering if you and other reporterd with real access to the clubhouse can shed some light on what goes on when the coaches try to deal with these problems behind closed doors.
Considering that the mental mistakes plaguing the team all year are not only still showing up but appear to be spreading, it seems safe to say that something isn't working. Either the manager and coaches aren't doing enough or the players aren't listening.
Either way, I don't think it bodes well for Trembley's job security. It doesn't matter if he has lost the clubhouse already or if he has started to allow fear of that to affect his managing, either way would turn him into a lame-duck sooner rather than later.
This is all just speculation from someone with no access, of course, so I am sure that there are things going on that I don't see. However, things aren't adding up, which in a math equation* tends to mean either there isn't enough information or that there is a problem with the equation.
*Please feel free to insert your own English-major or liberal arts joke there. I'm one, too, so I understand.
I think this is one situation where a baseball team can be compared to a math equation. The way the team is playing right now, though, I tend to lean towards there being real problems rather than just not enough information.
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Pete's reply: Fair question, but whatever discipline takes place in these situations doesn't take place when the writers are in the clubhouse. I've never seen a manager on any team call out a player in front of the media (I don't mean in a press conference, I mean confront the player face-to-face) ever, and suspect Dave would get fired for doing that. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen in his office a lot. I suspect it does. But it doesn't seem to be having the desired effect.
Posted by: DJ | July 5, 2009 2:02 AM
MY OH MY - I wouldn't know where to start, Trembly, sigh!!! Roberts - GAG/SIGGHHH!!! Markakis - turn your head when you take your fat check you "face of the franchise"! Byaz - just when we coulda got sumpin for him in a trade!!! SIGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!! Another day another lackluster half ass effort of a train wreck! Pedroia would have run right over Markakis on that play! SIGGGHHHHHH!!!!!
Posted by: shoreman | July 5, 2009 2:08 AM
Almost every sucessful coach/manager in any sport can fit into 1 of 2 stereotypes. The "professor" or the "alpha male". Insert you're own examples. But wether you are on or the other, every winner is in some way, intense.
Trembley is certainly none of the above, and I dare anyone to make a case otherwise. In fact, DT seems more like a stoner to me. (I don't recall too many famous stoner coaches). Has anyone ever heard the pre-game interviews on 105.7? I swear he's baked out of his mind everytime I listen to those. And he has this way about him as if to him everything around him isn't real. Like he's watching it on a TV screen. I'm surprised we haven't seen an open bag of Dorito's next to him in the dugout yet.
My point is that I subscribe to the approach Mike Singletary took with the 49's last year. (though granted, you could admit it was a little over the top). I love that "can't play with em, can't coach with em, can win with em. I NEED WINNERS!!!" speech. It's still true in any sport no matter how much we want to over analize things. Anyway, when I think about some of the winners in professional sports (their demeanor, not necessarilly their accomplishments) DT is the last guy that would ever come to mind.
In my opinion he won't be here next year, but if he is, we should all just prepare to have our hearts broken again, because this team (whatever their goal at that time may be), will never achieve it with DT at the helm. My personal opinion.
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Pete's reply: I have to admit, this description of pre-game Trembley cracks me up. He isn't your typical media conference guy, but I like that about him. Maybe because I've heard the same old stuff for decades.
Posted by: djph | July 5, 2009 3:44 AM
Why all the negative thoughts? Tonight's loss was actually a success. Don't lose track of Andy M's PLAN to lose for a few years while building a young team to compete in 201?. The O's have average or above talent so the lack of effort is necessary to meet the PLAN to lose.
The fans should also ease up on the player's lack of effort and focus. How hard would you work at your job if you had a boss like Andy M who told the workers the PLAN is for the company to fail?
The bottom line is for the results to change the expectations must change. If the PLAN was changed to immediate success is expected and lack of effort and focus will be dealt with severely, the results would change. The players, like children at home and like all of us at work will do what we have to do and not a lot more.
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Pete's reply: Your sarcasm is amusing, but to answer the serious part of your question, everybody in that clubhouse knows what the plan is, and it's not to lose. They signed big contracts knowing that the focus was on 2010. What you wanted in spring was for Andy to sign Pedro Martinez and spend money on short-term fixes so that the team could win 77 games. That way, they could keep losing every year, just not quite as much as this year. You see, judging from your post, I've deduced that it is your plan for them to keep losing, so that you can keep writing posts like this.
Posted by: abc123 | July 5, 2009 4:07 AM
After 4 years playing together why can't Markakis & Roberts get on the same page? And why after 4 years of playing major league baseball is Markakis playing 3 strides from the warning track with a runner on 3rd and 2 outs.
Posted by: Cameron | July 5, 2009 4:12 AM
wake up EVERYBODY! none of these guys can stay awake on the road!!
Posted by: steve | July 5, 2009 5:28 AM
I shudder every time there's one of those RF Bermuda Triangle pop ups. If I'm not mistaken,Roberts had a collison on one of those and has been gun shy about going back on them since.The bullpen would have never held the lead anyway.
Posted by: John | July 5, 2009 5:34 AM
I said two years ago that I would never watch another Orioles game until Jamie Walker was gone and Trembley was fired. He reminds me of a robot whose battery is so low, it's almost dead. I know a mime who speaks with more passion that DT. He's a pathetic excuse for a manager. I give AM credit for player acquisition and development, but I can't imagine he and King Angelos are going to put up much longer with the career minor league manager who should have stayed there. The downside to firing Trembley is that the players will get the message that someone else will always take the blame for their gutless efforts.
Posted by: easywriter01 | July 5, 2009 6:00 AM
Dang, I left the game when it was 4-3 O's to go hit up a BBQ and catch some fireworks. The way the O's were playing I figured we had a win.
I didn't see the play myself but I hate to read about dumb things causing a loss.
Just when they start playing good baseball they turn around and do something dumb to screw up the momentum it seems.
Maybe in free agency we can sign a player who knows what it takes to win on a regular basis. I still standby the fact that the clubhouse needs a legitimate leader.
Posted by: Chuck in Hawaii | July 5, 2009 6:04 AM
I think that Trembley is ok for a team that is building. But if the Orioles want to move up to the next level, I think they'll need a manager who won't stand for the kinds of bone-headed plays the Orioles seemingly make game after game.
Posted by: mikezpen | July 5, 2009 6:09 AM
Sit the prima donna's, ( were not going anywhere ) . Get rid of the "teacher" Trembley . Bring in a manager with some fire . Too bad Davey Johnson left on bad terms.
Any chance he'd be considered Pete ?
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Pete's reply: No. Not a chance.
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | July 5, 2009 7:33 AM
sorry for the spelling and punctuation miscues.... it's too early .
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | July 5, 2009 7:50 AM
djph,
I was thinking the exact same thing. We need a Mike Singletary like rant directed at the players. CANT WIN WITH EM!! Something like that lol jk. As funny and entertaining as it would be I don’t think that would work. This season seems more like a player try out and a time for observation for AM to see exactly the needs to be addressed for future season. If Dave is not in the plan he goes same with BROB, Kakes, anybody is subject to go for the right deal. Sometimes losses like this sting but they expose flaws that can be worked out.
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Pete's reply: If I was the manager, I just might have dropped my pants after last night's game.
Posted by: John | July 5, 2009 8:01 AM
The team is not focused. They have no drive, no spark. Lackidaisical. At times, braindead. Someimes it looks like they don't even care. IMO, that's a poor reflection of bad leadership. Trembley must be replaced.
Posted by: Bob S | July 5, 2009 9:22 AM
Maybe this is DT's wake up call. The team reflects the style of the manager and this style of baseball is not working for this team.
Last night's game was like the O's season in miniature. The BRob and Nick play speaks volumes about this team's lack of urgency. There is plenty of blame to go around- so the solution has got to start at the top.
Posted by: Woody | July 5, 2009 9:29 AM
Isn't Markakis the guy we've been asked to cast an All-Star ballot for? Give me a break. As for Roberts, since he received his multi-year contract he is not the same Roberts. This season is "down the tubes." So, give some others some playing time, When I was in Florida in the Spring, Baltimore was being called the worst team in baseball for this year. It's bad enough to have 11 losing seasons, but getting named to be the worse for a 12th year? It;' looking as if somebody knew what they were talking about.
Posted by: maryland cat | July 5, 2009 9:40 AM
Sixteen Million Dollars worth of lackadaisacal players in Markakis and Roberts doing the Alphonse-Gaston on an inning ending pop-up makes me ill. But, looking in the dugout, DT's facial expression never changed. I can just see Earl or the Terps' maniac Williams MFing them all over the dugout after that one. There is of course a happy medium, but I haven't seen it.
Brian Roberts has become a terrible 2nd baseman. He has 8 errors already. Makes me long for the days of Rich Dauer and Bobby Grich.
Too many no hustle plays, whether it be Huff not running out double play balls or getting picked off third, or Adam Jones nearly getting thrown out from right field on a single.
I will always be an Oriole fan, but this is hard to watch.
At least Albert Belle hustled.
Posted by: Jim K | July 5, 2009 10:55 AM
The Orioles should be ashamed after last night's game. Some more than others. They play like there's 9 new guys and it's the first day of spring training. Their casual and flippant excuses like "well, it happens" show a lack of pride and professionalism. Maybe worst of all, Trembley is meek and gutless, and just as mealy-mouthed as the players. I actually feel a little sorry for Angelos and how little value he's received for his money. My first and LAST game at Camden Yards this year was their season opener. Raven's summer camp can't get here soon enough!
Posted by: TomG | July 5, 2009 11:04 AM
I watched the Phillies Mets game yesterday. I can see Brian Roberts in a Mets uniform before the trade deadline, and Justin Turner (he of the hustling attitude and line drive bat) establishing himself at the Yard for the next several seasons.
Posted by: Jay Peterson | July 5, 2009 11:26 AM
Pete: wow looks like all was said about the terrible play of the Orioles (I hate calling them the O's) last night .... clearly, this team lacks leadership at all levels .... to play with such low intensity is wasting too much precious time for us bothering to watch ... then again, we had the 11-10 win .. which seems like ages ago .. guess that will be the high-water mark for the year. As for Brian Roberts, he should run to first base much much harder (I don't think I ever saw a infield hit from him?), he's not alone in that, and he needs to play with at least some sense of interest (after all, i am watching with interest)... but remember, he's the same guy the the Orioles decided they must have ... not a good decision on their part ... lastly, thank goodness for Jim Palmer or MASN would be unwatchable. Jim tells us what he thinks ... often, so does Rick Dempsey ... rest of them, not so much.
Posted by: WilliamsburgMel | July 5, 2009 12:21 PM
I'm not sure Roberts is 100% healthy to begin with.
He's looked gassed after running the bases a couple of times recently. I have seen him moving his eyes around like he's having trouble seeing; he's struck out more times in the first half swinging than I can ever remember and he's been lollygagging to 1st on routine ground and pop outs.
I don't think its attitude, I think its health, but I could be wrong.
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Pete's reply: Or you could be right. The thought has crossed my mind, too.
Posted by: Ed | July 5, 2009 12:22 PM
Pete, You write that one must wonder just what's going on with some of these guys.
I think to a large extent it comes down the mental fatigue that goes with losing as much as the Orioles have lost for as long as they have.
Remember Roberts and Mora have been with the O's through years and years of losing teams. They're both professional who by and large are able to keep their focus regardless, but there's only so much losing they can take before it starts to wear on them.
That's not meant as an excuse, because these guys are being payed handsomely to play a boys' game, but they are human. They're under a microscope out there and the mistakes get magnified, but let's not forget the good plays from them that vastly outweigh the bad.
As for the remarks about Brian not running out grounders, if accurate, that's pretty much inexcusable, although fatigue could factor in ther, as well. The last time I looked, however, B-Rob's leading the league in runs scored, so he must be doing something right.
Getting his players to address deficiencies is an area where Trembley, for the most part, does a good job. Usually, he is able to get the team to bounce back and play well after a stinker. I know there are the complaints about the ongoing baserunning gaffs, but I don't know how much can be a manager when his players are making boneheaded decisions; after all, he has to play the cards he's dealt.
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Pete's reply: Ken, I might buy the "losing fatigue" under normal circumstances, but the O's had an uplifting win the night before and they won that great 11-10 game earlier in the week when nobody would have noticed if they had packed it in. You'd think that would get them fired up to try and win the series in LA. You don't get to this level without a lot of pride, so I don't know what to think.
Posted by: Ken Francis | July 5, 2009 12:53 PM
I am going to totally agree with Austin 1:03 a.m.
If Trembley doesn't show disgust over his team and express it, then he is in fact condoning it and his usefulness as a manager is in question.
I'm an angry fan today.
Posted by: kenneth the menneth | July 5, 2009 1:07 PM
You are too much Pete.
Way too late in your calling out of Roberts.
Why is it almost everyone can see his pathetic effort every night except you?
You make excuses that he has "poor body language" to deflect from the truth which is his effort has been embarrassing.
Last night's game revealed it all. The manager is a joke and has lost the team. The players don't give a damn. And the team continues to lose in embarrassing fashion.
.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I still see the stats and he's one of the better players in the league, so I'm not going to throw the baby out with the bathwater. If you want him traded, fine, but understand that might put you back another year in the process. The guy is one of the major league leaders in runs scored. I'm mad about that play last night, but if you told me I could have a sullen BRob with his overall stats or an Eric Byrnes-type player at second base batting .230 and running real, real hard all the time. I have to take the better player who looks disinterested. Guess I'm stupid that way.
Posted by: Mark | July 5, 2009 1:56 PM
I've got to agree with Micheal on that play at third base. Mora took all the heat on that, and may have broken a little late, but the throw to his left side made him reach back and get to the bag late.
I still think BRob takes too much heat. He has been in a bit of a funk and hasn't played his best baseball this year, but it's not fair to question whether he cares. The guy has just done too much, and it's not like he isn't contributing. 27 doubles at the halfway point?
Posted by: Kevin Johnson | July 5, 2009 2:39 PM
Williamsburg Mel i agree completely with MASN statement. Palmer and Dempsey give objective personal insights, and even when they disagree with each other, as they did on assessing Berken's performance, its interesting because its real. The other commentators range from completely useless to theatre of the absurd.
Posted by: onceawarrior | July 5, 2009 2:58 PM
Hypothetical: If Dave Johnson, Lou Pinella, Jim Leyland or Earl Weaver were manager of the O's what do you think their reaction woud be to last nights play? Something tells me it wouldn't just be a shrug and say "well, thats just baseball."
You don't have to yell to be an effective manager, but you can't always be the nice guy either. Joe Madden of the Rays is not a yeller, but last year when BJ Upton did a similar lack of husstle play, Madden benched Upton for the next game to make a point to him and his other players that it was not acceptable.
Posted by: Bill | July 5, 2009 3:37 PM
The Orioles crowned Markakis too soon...long before he deserved it. He was not consistent last year and he is a waste at the clean-up position. I was so annoyed that his picture was on the season tickets. While he may be a nice guy, he does not appear to be team leader or motivator. A few years ago, Brian Roberts was anointed the "great white hope". We need a team with leadership and a greater number of consistent hitters.
Posted by: emjay | July 5, 2009 3:42 PM
~~Hypothetical: If Dave Johnson, Lou Pinella, Jim Leyland or Earl Weaver were manager of the O's what do you think their reaction woud be to last nights play?~~
Hypothetical: If Dave Johnson, Lou Piniella or Earl Weaver were manager of the O's what do you think the team's record would be?
Posted by: Lucky Horseshoe | July 5, 2009 3:57 PM
I agree 100% w/emjay. The media & the fans in this town act like Markakis is some sort of superstar, and I don't get it. He hits for a good average, but has absolutely no power, and is a liability in the #3 spot. He simply doesn't do enough offensively, and I also think he's overrated defensively.
Posted by: Steve | July 5, 2009 4:22 PM
What about the affect of losing a guy like Kevin Millar? I really think we're seeing the results of losing your locker room guy, even if he wasn't hitting all that well last year. His intangibles are sorely missed.
Posted by: James C | July 5, 2009 5:51 PM
It's time for Peter Angelos to stop payment on a few paychecks.
Posted by: Al East | July 6, 2009 10:16 AM