fire trembley

The Orioles struggled with clutch hitting en route to a loss in a close game on the road.

Shocker.

Mora is really cementing his position as the weak link on this team:
-2nd inning: strikes out with a man on second
-3rd inning: pops out with two men on to end the inning
-5th inning: strikes out with men on second and third
-7th inning: pops out with a man on second to end the inning
-9th inning: strikes out with a man on

That's 0 for 5, three strike outs. Players on base for every at bat (in scoring position for 4 at bats!) and he doesn't even advance a single runner all game. A hit in any one of those situations could have been the difference in this game, and unfortunately this isn't just a one-game snapshot but a season-long trend.

Mora used to be a guy you were comfortable having at the plate in an important situation. Not anymore- I cringe whenever Melvin comes up with men on in a close game.

He's had a good run with the Orioles but I wouldn't mind seeing less of him over the rest of the season. Why not give more playing time to someone who potentially could figure into the plan for next year instead?

At this point, I don't especially care about what level of "respect" Mora feels he is owed, or if it will make him sulk if he has to sit a little more often or bat at the bottom of the order when he does play. The fact that you were an all-star in 2005 doesn't earn you anything in 2009, especially on a young team in rebuilding mode.

If he throws a public tantrum again, send him to Norfolk to finish the year. That should send a clear message to the rest of the team.

The problem tonight was entirely one man - Mora. He left 7 men on base, struck out 3 times, and generally stunk. But that is not surprise, as he has performed this way all season. He doesn't belong in the lineup.

aw cmon guys...

Mora is happy!!!

Don't you want your hometown players to be happy?

If we sit him down he is unhappy.....even if we win 8 games in a row....

So lay off Mora, he hit a home run recently......If he hits one every game the rest of the year, he will have a good year....and if he keeps playing like this he will be HAPPY!!!!!

sigh.................

great post Andrew

it'd be nice if at some point in the near future that 4 runs wins you a ballgame....
starting pitching sets the tone. Not such a good one is it?

O’s should show some balls and cut Mora tomorrow. Yeah we will miss his leather but we have to get used to him being gone soon anyway. Lets get on with it!

The birds are right on schedule with their annual post all star game meltdown. Unfortunately they were pretty bad before the All Star break too.

Much like Mikolio, Andy Mitchell is wondering what he has to do to get an invitation to the Big Show. Last I heard he had a .650 winning percentage through NINE years in the minors, NEVER has had a losing season and presently has a 9-3 record at Norfolk. I'm surprised you,Pete, haven't picked up his cause or aren't you allowed to enter into someone (J Z's) storyline? He needs someone to ask questions so that we, the fans, can get some answers regarding this guy. Doesn't seem that he's getting fair treatment from the front office. Even the Braves gave that school teacher a shot, as shown in the movie "The Rookie". Might be the best story out of the O's this year!

Jim Hunter actually made a good point.

When lefties hit .260 and righties .150 off a pitcher, shouldn't the switch hitter (Wieters) hit left handed? At this point in the season, those numbers are not a statistical anomaly. Sometimes you see switch hitters hit from the same side against knuckleballers; it seems to apply to the soft tossing closer Howell as well.

For that matter, manned with that knowledge, DT could have pinch hit Pie for Reimold in the ninth. But that would involve thinking outside the box, and that ain't gonna happen. Ho hum.

So what are the chances Bobby Valentine is the Orioles manager next year?

Release Mora

Dan,

I heard the Nats are going to grab him if Riggleman doesnt get a certain amount of wins and fan support.

This organization will not release Mora this season.

If the O's release Mora he will get another job in less than a week.

Just getting somebody to take the rest of Huff's contract was a good move. Getting a 22 yr old reliever a bonus.

If they can't get anyone to take Melvin by 8/31, then, yes, they should release him. More playing time for young guys and call ups.

And if Scott and Wigginton are in the lineup together, then why isn't
Scott getting reps at first and Wigginton the dh? Doesn't Trembley want to find out if Scott can play there? Or was he tired after one game in the field?

Its funny almost every other team would love to have our players except us :)

I bet if you posted a blog tomorrow that said the O's released Mora, traded for Figgins for a couple of minor leaguers - they masses would find something wrong with that.

I still have no idea why there's "concern" that we let Mr. Grumpy go to Detroit. Where was HIS clutch hits? And his leadership? Ok, never mind, I'm the one who's wrong.

I am believing though (finally?) - it's time to look for a manager. It's just not happenin' with Mr. T.

Here's my lament. Not that it reallys matters at all, except for what little pride you have left.

I refused to believe all season that the O's would end up with 100+ losses. Finally made myself look at the numbers and the remaining schedule tonight.

A 14-29 finish gets us to 62-100. I my estamation that would take a small miracle with the way things are going and the level of competition throughout August and September.

Realistically 58 wins (10-34) will be the final number. Leaving me to remind you that, in that event, Mr. Schmuck you will owe one of your posters an apology. (blancione, I believe, but I'm not quite sure).

Who is going to teach these guys how to win? Not the vets on this team because none of them have ever won.

I know it is hot in the summer time in Baltimore but all the flailing at opposing pitchers is not going to cool things off - unless it is Orioles bats.

We need an impact player like Frank Robinson. Someone who refuses to lose. It has been a long time. Soon it will wear on the young guys - look what it did to others on the team. Right now the team is a bunch of losers and has been for too many years.

Who is going to teach them how to win?

In the exchange I'm referring to Pete I believe you asked the gentelman predicting 58 wins at the beginning of the season, if he was doing so for shock value?

I think we're all a little shocked right now. Wouldn't you say? Or are you gonna go back on that one too to defend the FO one final time this season.

.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: No, if they win only 58 games, I'll certainly be surprised and concede that I was wrong to predict they would win 68 games this year...and if you question my honesty again, that will be the last time I respond to you. Listen, if it will make you and bob happy, I'll apologize, while secretly wondering why you're obsessing over whether they win 60 games or 68. Either way, it's a horrible season. You could make the case that 58 is better, because you get a higher draft choice. The thing I find interesting is, that it's so important for you to have been right. I truly believe you and Bob would be disappointed if they started winning. It's really about you, not them, so whatever you need to make YOU happy, let me know and I'll do my best to accommodate you.

I know it's frustrating to watch the birds right now, but believe it or not, I'm encouraged. Like you said Pete, one of the options is a team not being far from putting it together.

This team reminds me a lot of the 2008 Rays. Good young offense, already starting to produce, and questionable bullpen an inexperienced rotation getting knocked around, but showing flashes of potential and brilliance.

That same team went from the bottom of the division in 2008 to a World Series appearance in 2009.

The O's are a year of experience, one or two good FA signings and a tough manager away from a playoff run.

You doubters and complainers out there, how about this: The O's are tied for fourth in the majors with a .270 team BA, trailing only the mighty offenses of the Angels, Yankees and Dodgers. When was the last time we could say something like that?

The biggest thing this team needs is a manager who will light the fire and institute a "losing is unacceptable" mentality in the club.

My biggest knock on Trembley is that he doesn't hold players accountable. He wants to win, he stresses the fundamentals and he expects a full effort, but there's no consequence when players come up short.

I remember early in Andruw Jones's career, he hot-dogged a fly ball in CF and Bobby Cox came out and took him out of the game immediately, MID-INNING! Jones was always hustling after that.

That's the kind of manger we need for these young guys and if we find him, and add one or two key pieces, we can be in the playoff discussion next year.

CORRECTION: 2007 Rays went to 2008 WS, obviously

Trembley is like that "cool" parent who wants to be his kids friend rather than be their parent, because he wants to be liked. He is like a cheerleader in the dugout, fist pumping Wieters and hugging Markakis. Give me a break dude! Be a flipping manager. This is not the flipping minors. No one needs hand holding. They need leadership.

Hey anonymous, how about starting a "Fire Kranitz" watch. These pitchers need to be taught about pitching the corners, pitching off the fastball, and mixing their pitches, and STAY OFF THE MIDDLE OF THE PLATE.

Here are our pitching problems as I see them. Guthrie keeps hanging breaking balls and throws belt high fastballs with no movement.
Hernandez 9/10 throws belt-high fastballs and does not seem to know how to keep the ball down. His fastball does have some velocity, which is why is hasn't gotten hammered as he should have. He however can locate the corners with his change up.
Matusz pitches too much of the change up. If you're going to throw it more than your fastball, I'm not sure you can call it a change up anymore.
Tilman keeps the ball down for the most part but he struggles with command.

Maybe handling so many prospects at one time is hard for a pitching coach, but let's pick at least one pitcher and try to make him better. Keeping Berken in the bigs thinking that he will turn it around is pointless. This guy is not mentally strong to pitch in the bigs. And his physical abilities are less than average.

Just a couple of notes on our biggest weakness in the field...3rd base. Last night in Norfolk, Justin Turner, who has hit .300+ all season, played THIRD instead of second. Josh Bell at Bowie had ANOTHER homer and 2 more hits since coming over in the Sherrill trade. Brandon Waring hit his TWENTY THIRD HR at Frederick last night. Decences was a 2nd baseman in the minors and was switched to 3rd. Could Turner follow? Josh Bell, if he can handle the fielding, seems like a true prospect. Waring could be a DH in the ML in another 2yrs. Some hope, at least.

First: young pitchers that all should still be learning how to pitch in the minors. The more veteran pitcher Guthrie..leads the majors in giving up dingers. His fastball has no movement..and has an average breaking ball. He needstodevelop additional pitches..and learn to really vary speed.
The reminder of the staff..is young..and needs to develop and learn.
the have the physical ability as a group to be
a respectable staff in a couple of years.

Mora should bat 9th... until they decide to release him.

I have said this before. I will say it again. Mora will not be back next year, so why is he still playing so much? If we are moving towards youth, and hopefully a couple of big free agent signings in the off-season. Then it makes sense to give one of the young guys a shot at third for the rest of the year. Wiggington can also get a couple of starts there every week. Let's just get on with the process. Keeping a discontented veteran around for the rest of the year and in the lineup is potentially destructive. C'mon FO if Trembly won't sit Mora, then you have to. DFA Mora if necessary. In the meantime put as postive a public spin on it as necessary to preempt any media bombs that Mora my lob at the team, and it's management.

Christopher wrote:

"This team reminds me a lot of the 2008 Rays."

This comparison needs to stop.

This team isn't CLOSE to the 2007 Rays. And it doesn't have an Evan Longoria type waiting in the wings ready to carry a team to the WS.

Do you honestly think this team can even sinff .500 next year let alont a WS berth?

..............................................................................................Pete's reply: The only thing that's similar between this team and the 2007 Rays team is, the Rays had a group of fans who thought Joe Maddon should be fired and that they would never be any good ever. They were proven wrong. I don't know if the Orioles can do that same, but I can't wait to see the posts if they do.

Yeah, nothing to see here, move along.
I continue to be baffled and annoyed that Mora is still getting as many starts as he is at third and batting so high in the order. I imagine McPhail will be wanting to see how Hughes and Snyder do before pulling the trigger on any deal for a new 1b. We'll probably get a look at Hughes when the rosters expand.
Since it is all too clear that everyone including the FO has written off the rest of the season, it's now audition time for next year. Why the heck not bring up Mitchel and see what he can do? How bad can he be compared to what we have now? What is the giant mystery with Guthrie? He showed that he could pitch well with Zaun as his catcher, so whats the scoop on figuring out why he can't do the job with Weiters? Shouldn't that be on Kranitz to figure out?
Does anyone on the O's coaching staff ever stress working the count?
I had certainly not expected miracles this season. We all knew it would be a rough year, but with all the new kids in the lineup and on the mound we were supposed to have some reason to be optimistic that we'd see some signs of progress as they got adjusted to the big leagues. Instead the team is playing worse and worse as we go on. That has to be the responsibility of the manager and coaching staff doesn't it? I think the pitching will be improved next year, but we still need a staff "ace". As for the offense, we seem to have a decent number of good individual players, but so far they are unable to perform as a team and win.
Overall, I was genuinely expecting to finish this season feeling pretty good about next year. As things stand right now, it's hard to imagine them winning 81 games next year, let alone being competitive.

This team just needs to go out and get a power bat. We have a collection of 5, 6, and 9 hitters. Also we need an ace if this team will go out and get those parts we might have a shot to be 500 next season then continue to build in the following seasons to come.

ARRRRRRRRR! You fake parrots are only 1 game in front of us pirates! We didn’t even spend half the amount of booty you spent to lose this season! You birds can’t even tank properly! Have fun hating peter angeloser the rest of the season we will meet again on the football field were Hines will burn you for 6 every time HAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!

-A Pirate

PS tell your local MASN idiots like Anita Marks to stop comparing the pirates and orioles we have an actual plan! Look at our payroll!

The Pirates actually have fans???

Pete,

You go back and forth, just like many of us on your great blog. We know the team is rebuilding and it's not about winning now. But the team has enough abiltiy to win some games now and stay comptetitive. When you continually lose by one run, it means that the other team is one run better than you. That one run in many cases has to do with leadership and strategy, with is sorely lacking.

I hate to say it but the team needs a spark, and can do better. I know some people on your blog are unhappy that we traded Sherrill. How many times has the team taken a lead into the ninth inning lately to require a closer?

I think we need to change managers to see if a different personality and strategy can keep the team from falling into the abyss. There may not be many fans left by the time the rebuilding effort is successful.

Macphail needs to make a change now

I see the #1 pick going down to the wire maybe like 2-3 games between the AngelO’s and Natinals. Just looking at schedules the Orioles only have a handful of games they can win against Cleveland maybe against a few against Minnesota and Toronto but this is a tough schedule even for a good team. Look at what the nats Schedule is

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teams/schedule?team=was

It is hard also filled with playoff contenders but they are easier than AL East contenders and they have 6 games against the mets and 3 against San Diego

It isn't rocket science to put together a competent, less horrifying product. The addition of just one healthy, respectable starter, (somebody with a career era of 4.00 or less, no Tommy John or torn anything history), a solid
clean-up hitter, and a reliable set-up man in the bull-pen are all that stand between this club and a possible .500 record. Please, however, do not bring back Huff, who is a clone of Jeff Conine. The new personnel need not be Scott Boras products, they should, however, come from winning traditions, value winning, embrace winning, and see losing as not acceptable.

2010 is coming. It is reasonable, I believe, to seek 81 wins in 2010. 86 in 2011. 90 in 2012. A play off berth in 2013. A World Series in 2014.

Pete, if you truly believe your past prognostications, this estimate will seem conservative to you.

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Yes and no. I would only try to project a playoff berth. After that, anything can happen. The Yankees haven't won the World Series in almost a decade, but get to the playoffs pretty much every year. I think the Orioles COULD be a wild card team in 2011 IF they make some key acquisitions to go with the young players. Not predicting that because there are too many variables. I don't believe you can become a playoff team in the AL East without the free agent component.

NEWS FLASH TO ALL KOOL AID DRINKERS. Date Line Baltimore. It's August 19th and we now have the second worse record in the majors, with washington the only team with a worse record. We now lead the league in giving up home runs with 154, 33% of our current roster are rookies and yet everyday we get fans on here that are completely in denial sayibg that we can compete next year. They won't even play 500 ball next year.I have to give it to andy for brain washing everybody because for some reason they all believe this year is different then the previous 11 because the theme of this year is we have a plan. We are 27//1/2 games out of first, we are 8 and 23 since the all star break,we are on course to have one of the all time worse records in modern day oriole history and yet these fans come on here day after day in denial and actually believe that this plan is going to work.Given the benefit of the doubt if everything goes as andy expects they can't possibly play 500 ball until at least 2011 and they still will be 20 games out and might make it to 4th place.They tell me to go find something else to do, go start rooting for the ravens, stop agonizing over this team. I am the one being realistic and not having pipe dreams about something that is impossibe to attain. They will not win in this divison the odds are to staked against them and if you think that they can you are far worse off then i will ever be.

I heard a rumor that MASN was starting to just run a tape of the same post game q & a every day rather than actually have a live one. Any truth? :)

DT - "Our guys are really trying out there."

DT - "He made just one bad pitch"

DT - "That base running mistake really cost us and took us out of a big inning"

DT - "He is going to be a great pitcher one day."

and finally.........

DT - "Beam me up Scottie."

schmucko i noticed that there was 47posts that you offered no response for. i get the feeling you feel like madeline kahn in blazing saddles.."i'm tired" I'm Tired Here I stand, the goddess of Desire Set men on fire I have this power Morning noon and night it's drink and dancing Some quick romancing And then a shower
Stage door johnnies always surround me They always hound me With one request Who can satisfy their lustful habits I'm not a rabbit I need some rest
I'm tired. may the schmuck be with you.

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: No, it's just been a busy 24 hours, complicated by a spam wave. I had to write a column, do the radio show, go to physical therapy and read hundreds of emails (generated by the column, not just the blog). I just try to balance all of it, but I had to slow down on the blog to get it all done. As Arnold would say, I'll be back.

we are a game ahead of KC also.

If you have talent you can learn to win. If you develop your talent you will win.

Bob F i couldn't agree with you more. Dave t is actually pitful on there. He doesn't even know what to say anymore. I actually feel sorry for him. But he is a trooper to the end, no matter how bad things get he will defend and make excuses for the troops.

It's always darkest before the dawn.

Thank God for rookies and young players. They will get better and so will the team's record. It's not "drinking the Kool-Aid." It's viewing the situation dynamically, seeing the tremendous potential in the lineup and pitching staff and looking forward. Take off the blinders, blink a couple of times, focus your eyes on the future and you might realize you have in fact been missing something.

The Orioles will acquire a pitcher, bat and manager this offseason- by free agency and probably by trade. They will be a .500 team next year and competing for a playoff spot the following year. No Kool-Aid in my cup, just thoughtful, detached analysis.

FS you are the typical in denial fan.Potential is for losers , it's a word used way to often it's used to make excuses for not winning and for giving false hope to those that can't see the writing on the wall.

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: And yet, Bob, you are still here, which means that down deep, you think they'll get better. You just can't bear to admit it.

To All
All the comments about Mora are ridiculous. Not to say he has been productive this year, but the fact is there is no one anywhere close in the Orioles system ready to play third for the Orioles. Yes he has failed with runners on and can no longer hit 20 home runs a year. But clutch hitting has been a team issue with Mora included in that mix. You saw Jones last night chase a ball over his head, like an overanxious little league player.

The fact is they are 4th in hitting, but 10th in OBP, and they do not score runs is a team issue. But the real problem is pitching where it really counts. They are dead last in almost every category.

A lot of you guys point and call out one player but really it is where the Orioles are today, They are pressing too much at times. When you give up 5.5 runs per game it is easy to figure out, you have to score more to win and that is not how this team is going to win in the future. We tried beating the other teams into submission in the past and that failed. Pitching, speed, defense and hitting in the clutch is the way to win.

Based on the freefall and the record, this season is no different than the previous 12 seasons, but IMO, the reason it's not is because of the young talent that has come through the farm system. Young talent that needs proper direction. 20 years ago, this organization was coming off a 54-107 season. The manager had young players named Deveraux, Finley, Ballard, Olson, and Milacki. With veterans Ripken x2, Bradley, Tettleton, and Milligan. That team was not only predicted to finish last, there were some that said they would be no-hit by the Opening day pitcher, Roger Clemens (then of Boston). We all know that team was in contention until game 161. The team BA was .252, the team ERA was 4.00. But they led the league in Fielding, meaning besides the great catches we swa almost regularly from Devereaux, Anderson, and Finley, they made the routine plays as well. My point: A good manager and coaching staff can make a world of difference to a young team, keep that in mind the next time someone says they don't affect the outcome of games, much less a season.

blancione,

I kind of like what F8 said. He is looking to brighter days. Since 2009 was not a year the Orioles would contend in, why spend 80 million on a 33 year old pitcher with injury history or 200 million on a first baseman. The 2009 year has been a season of experiments; Pie, Eaton, Simon, Hendrickson, Huff (being an everyday first baseman), Wieters, Bergesen, Berken, Hernandez, Matusz, Hill, and Riemold are just some of the experiments. Having potential is a good thing, being a top prospect is in that category. Yes a lot of these prospects with Major League potential should not have been called up. Simon and Hill injured their arms, Hendrickson proved he is a bullpen guy when he started and Eaton just flat out could not pitch, so all time lines for call ups were thrown out the window. Sometimes you need to find out what you have before you raid the free agent market.

At the same time it is tough to be a fan of a team that losses year in and year out., so I hear you.

Cb Coach,

For the first time ever, I'll say, I agree with you 100%. Hitting is not the problem. We could have the best hitting in MLB and still be in last place. Those who know baseball know that pitching wins games, PERIOD.

Fire Matt Wieters

congrats to mickolio on being called up and pitching well. keep up the good work!

Please Please Please bring back Gary Thorne ASAP! I dont even like him that much and he does mess up a ton but hes 1000% better than Jim Hunter.

I get the MLB network and from watching many of the other teams local broadcast I have to say MASN is the worst. The horrible super lame commercials, 80’s graphics, and all around bad quality the O’s should be ashamed. With the exception of Camden Yards everything they put out is poor quality and they try to hide it as much as possible with PR and having a nice stadium.

blancione,

Then why do you come on this web site and waste energy on trying to "enlighten" us. We get that you think you're the genius who knows we aren't going to win. Who are you trying to convince? The "Kool Aid Drinkers" or yourself? McPhail said this would take 5 years when he took this job. To make a judgement on how he's done his job after 2 offseasons is just plain stupid. He's asked us to be patient obviously you're not willing to do that, but I'm not willing to go one way or the other until let this thing play out. But asking for Andy's head just shows that people are just complaining just to complain. The plan was not to be competitive one year but to be there every year once we get there. That's not a process that takes 2 years.

Since you are so convinced that you're the only realistic person why don't you just stop being a fan and stop wasting your energy on something you know is a lost cause. But don't come back here when the team is competitve and start spouting BS how Adam Jones is better than Ken Griffey Jr. ever was.

So blancione,

Looking back historically, there has not been just one World Series Champion. That means that every team that has won the championship has been a loser at some point.

When a season starts, I think everyone knows there will be 29 losers and just one winner. Statistically that's pretty pathetic odds that your team will win. I suggest you go on blogs around the country and tell fans everywhere how futile their plight is as well and tell them how delusional they are because they only have the "potential" to win the World Series this year. I mean look at all the good you could do in New York lately All the wasted money on the "potential" to win a championship up there. Those misguided owners, those delusional fans. They must be warned, they must be stopped from their diluted thinking.

You must spread the word. Please, rush out and inform the masses. We'll miss you, but you're needed elsewhere.

The Orioles do have nice players and they do have nice prospects. You know when you have enough when teams start plucking players from your team as a Rule Five player.

The Orioles do not have a difference maker. Not pitching. Not hitting.

You can talk all you want about not spending too much money or spending it wisely, but the truth is money will need to be spent.

There probably won't be any free agents worth talking about this year.

As for Huff, 72 RBIs batting behind three .300 (or so) hitters are not that big of a deal. Tejada--this year's version--would have had 90 batting in place of Huff this year.

Last year, Huff was obviously having either a career year or vitamin injections. That might have been the better time to get something for him, although that wouldn't solve the difference maker void on the Orioles (unless a single-A or double-A player develops into one).

All good teams have at least two difference makers--a hitter who makes the other eight hitters better, and a pitcher who makes the entire rotation better. Some even have a third--another hitter, another starter, or a closer.

The Orioles have had one since 2000, and that was Tejada. The last difference maker the Orioles had pitching was Mussina.

The Orioles will never win more than they lose until they can reliably keep teams under five runs and/or can have box scores where the hits aren't more than doubling the runs.

If the Rangers are tied with the Red Sox for the wild card there is no reason the O’s cant compete either.

Pete , believe it or not it kills me every time this team loses.But i am steadfast in fact that while i can truly see the improved direction and leadership of this club with andy they have to many things going against them. I will let myself get teased anymore like i have been the last 11 years when maangement has promised every off season that things will be different. While it's so refreshing to see young kids play instead of washed up over aged players thay we get off the scrap heap , i know in my heart that you can't win with all kids alnoe playing in this division. With that said playing in this division as i have stated so many times makes it virtually impaoosible to get any tier 1 free agenst to come here. Pete like you said yesterday in one of your replies you have been around 30 years and watched 4000 games , so you know down deep what i am talking about. No top free agent will even come here by andy's own omisson, you can't change the league's perception of you just by offering dollars and cents to them, we have seen that it doesn't work that way. There isn't one leader on this entire roster that the young players can emulate, there isn't one pitcher on this entire roster that the young pitchers can emulate, there isn't one coach on this team that can make the players elavate there game strictly because they respect them and would ruin through a wall for. So yes pete i stay on these blogs everyday because i am still interested almost to a fault, but i as i have stated many times almost to many for my own good the orioles can't play 72 games against the toughest competion in all of baseball every year and truly compete and win regardless of what anybody tell us or regardless of what anybody wants to beleive. Pete that is all there is to it nothing more nothing less.

I love talking baseball like the rest of you, but keep one thing in mind: not many of us know what it's like to be a rookie in the Bigs for the first time.

Our O's have a plethora young men in this situation. They will show us flashes of brilliance and they will show us flashes of failure. That's the nature of the rookie year whether we like it or not.

All of us have been rookies at one time or another. Did we do well our first time at that particular task or job? Was it All-Star quality?

It's easy to pass judgment on these guys because we can without consequence. I suspect not one of us on this post would ever say anything nasty written here to an actual Orioles' face.

I really hope our young O's don't read a majority of the posts here because they just might think: "Boy, our fans really hate us. No wonder the seats are nearly empty. I'm trying man."

And we know we love our O's because we take time out of the day to post our thoughts here, but an outsider looking in at these posts would think O's fans are really bad fans. And we're not; we're good fans with super-like patience and tolerance.

Maybe we should think about how patient and tolerant we have been out of love for our team next time we read Pete's comments and then decide to post.

2 for 12 w/ RISP. In three previous games, 0 for 4, 2 for 11, 1 for 9. 11th in the league in runs scored (worse than 10th, where we commonly rank.)

This team needs to improve offensively just as it needs to improve pitching. Case closed.

Pete, I never meant to question your integrity. I respect you for your hard work in several different capacities around Baltimore. And I realize it's been a tough year for you personally as well. The fact that you share some of your trials with the people who read your blog makes it feel like a small group of friends or something.

I give you the brunt of my frustration sometimes cuz through it all you remain so optimistic.

The point I was trying to make was that all season long (when we've vented frustration on here or made a case against Trembley as the manager) we've heard that it was part of the plan and to be more patient, but if you said in the beginning that 58 wins would be shocking and that ends up happening, maybe it would be time to re-think things a little and take a deeper look at what exactly it is that makes the O's as bad as they are.

I don't care about being right. It just annoys me when everything seems so sugar coated all the time. But if that's who you are then fine. I still enjoy the forum. And I choose my words more carefully.

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Pete's reply: No problem. I guess I'm a little touchy, but not because of the second-half collapse. Can't sugar-coat that, but I still think next year will be better. I don't expect anybody to wait much longer than that.

Pete when trembley is let go why not hire rick dempsey to manage ?

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Pete's reply: He might be considered if that happens, but I would guess Andy already knows who might be next if he intends to make a change. We're just not that far down the road yet. He hasn't announced a decision, so I wouldn't totally rule out Trembley coming back.

Pete when trembley is let go why not hire rick dempsey to mqanage ?

Pete,

I love you! However, I think you and a few others just bought a condo in Jimmyville! I have been a ex season ticket holder and fan for over 35 years. No FA of any consequence will sign here unless he is grossly overpaid. The young arms, I love Tillman but not impressed with the rest and Patten just got killed in Triple-A. I am tired of hearing about a plan that involves purposely losing 100 games. We have had a 'plan' now for over 10 years and we have bubckas to show for it. McPhail said it was important to finish the season strong and on an upswing not like other years. Well we are finishing on a brutal downswing so now what, that apparently wasnt part of the plan but it is now reality.

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Pete's reply: No, it's not a reality yet. There's a quarter of the season left. It doesn't look good, but they do play the games for a reason.

A few writers have already said it: this offseason they've got to belly-up-to-the-bar and sign a that big, superstar type, a difference maker as one person said. Third and first are wide open to fill, and those are positions where you're supposed to be getting a lot of run production. If I'm not mistaken, A.M. said it's his style to develop pitchers from within, and go out and spend the big bucks on a position player or two to get the team over the top. Don't know who's available this winter, but it's time to spend some big-time dough to show us win-starved fans that team is really serious about winning. There's a lot of nice pieces in place, and hopefully enough of these young arms will pan out, but we're in desparate need of a "Mr. Big" or two around here.

Bobby wrote:

"McPhail said this would take 5 years when he took this job. "

He did?

When and where?

What GM is gonna put a timeline out like that when they are hired?

Makes no sense at all.