Back in the saddle again
That's not a reference to my recent camel experience. It's just to let you know that I have returned from my nine-day sojourn to the Middle East and am ready to resume my regular duties here.
It has not been lost on me that the Orioles did not win a single game while I was away, which is just more evidence of my intangible positive influence on the ballclub. When I left, they were only 33 1/2 games out of first place in the American League East. Now, they're 39 1/2 games out.
Coincidence?
Apparently, my absense had the same effect on the Maryland football team, though I can't see any connection there.
Oh, and since I'm still too jet-lagged to give you any real insight into the Orioles and their most recent descent into oblivion, I've included another photograph from my exhaustive (and somewhat exhausting) tour of Israel. This is me standing above on the Valley of Armageddon, which -- according to the Book of Revelations -- will be the site of the final battle between the forces of good and evil.
Of course, no attempt is being made here to draw a parallel between that apocalyptic theological outlook and anything happening in the sports world, but I'm sure there are a few cynical posters out there who will give it a try.
Later that day, we visited the Dead Sea, which -- at 1,378 feet below sea level -- is reputed to be the lowest place on the face of the earth. And all this time you thought that was Oriole Park.
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Comments
fire trembley
I am back too
Posted by: Anonymous | September 28, 2009 12:23 PM
Welcome back,
No analysis needed Pete. Too much of that has been done anyway, albeit always with a positive slant.
No need to talk about being in the same division as the Yanks and Sox, as they were swept by another bad team in Cleveland this weekend.
No need to talk about the youth movement, as you did that back in 2004.
No need to analyze the young arms, as we have no clue how they'll fair next year. You realized the odds are against the youngs arms, right?
No reason to analyze the offseason as you and others know John Angelos won't agree to spend.
There's just no need Pete. Besides, between the Sun, Masn and 1057, fewer #'s are reading, watching or listening than ever before. People are just tired of the lies coming from the warehouse.
So please, go on another trip and send us cool pictures. Makes for much better blog!
Posted by: wayne | September 28, 2009 1:20 PM
I think you meant to say "absence", although "absense" may be a tongue-in-cheek term you use to refer to your chiseled physique.
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Pete's reply: My bad.
Posted by: Mario Belt | September 28, 2009 1:22 PM
Hey Pete,
Are you keeping that goatee until the Orioles win? If so, you'd better get used to having it for another 6 months.
Posted by: Debbie Downer | September 28, 2009 1:32 PM
Hey Wayne, Funny thing is, the media has set it up so that it looks like a victory if the o's fall short of 100 losses. lol! Only in Angelosville!
Posted by: pete | September 28, 2009 1:43 PM
Pete, is there a list of upcoming Free Agents anywhere? I have been searching for 1 to see who the O's could tease us with and ultimatley not sign like they did with Tex last year. At this point we can only look to the future. I can remember thinking the Rays will never win either so there is still hope....... I think.
Posted by: Doug | September 28, 2009 1:43 PM
Welcome back Pete, the natives are restless.
The endless 2009 season is spiraling down into an absolute catastrophe. My sincere hope is that Andy Macphail is able to sort through the debris and put together a strategy to make the team competetive in 2010.
Based on how things have turned out this year, I would not want Andy Macphail's job, even if I were qualified.
Good luck Andy. You'll need it.
Posted by: Gil | September 28, 2009 1:46 PM
Baltimore is the 2nd worst team in baseball. Pitt is only 2 games behind the shitbirds because they are killing LA right now and will definitely finish out with a better record because the O's have quit this season. They should have fired Trembley sooner and let Dave Jauss take over to at least see if the team would be more responsive to him. Now they need to gut this puppy and start over to avoid a repeat of these September days we have grown accustom to.
Posted by: Q | September 28, 2009 2:09 PM
Pete,
The Ravens have been winning while you were away. Do you have any other trips soon?
Posted by: Slugger | September 28, 2009 2:25 PM
List of potential free agents:
http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2001/05/2010-free-agents.html
Lackey, Holliday, Bay, Harden, Figgins are the top 5. Slim pickins...no relation to Carl.
Posted by: Cush | September 28, 2009 2:29 PM
Cush
The Orioles will not sign any of those guys. It doesnt make sense for a rebuilding team to get any of them. What AM is probably going to do is what he did this offseason and look for some cheapies. Its going to take a few more years of losing for the orioles to be reloaded and be able to contend and get FAs.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 28, 2009 3:18 PM
Remember what happened to Matt Holiday when he went to Oakland? That type of situation is the last thing the Orioles need. AM knows what he is doing. He won twice at Minnesota and he brought the Cubs back to respectability well as far as you can for drunken Cubdumb standards. He is making the Orioles a better team slowly by careful trades and prospects. You can’t sign Free Agent players like Matt Holiday or Lackey unless you are planning a run at the World Series and the Orioles have years before that is going to happen. Is that a bad thing? Nope as long as Andy Macphail is positioning the team to be better in the future that is what’s important. Yes its been awhile since they have been good but we are just going to have to be patient and wait the course. We waited this long we can wait a little bit longer!
Posted by: Jake | September 28, 2009 3:27 PM
I wish it could rain in domes….
Posted by: Two Bagger | September 28, 2009 3:31 PM
W L PCT GB HOME ROAD RS RA DIFF STRK L10 POFF
Pittsburgh 59 96 .381 30.5 40-41 19-55 617 745 -128 Won 2 3-7 0.0
Baltimore 60 95 .387 39.5 36-42 24-53 704 845 -141 Lost 10 0-10 0.0
Posted by: LOL! | September 28, 2009 3:36 PM
At the end of the day the Orioles are worse than the Pirates a team that traded away the whole team midseason and are slightly better than the Natinals. Great work McFail and Angeloser! Way to right the ship. Don’t mention that crap either about its going to take 2-3 more years to become 500 again because this fan base deserves better than that.
Posted by: SAME O'shi* | September 28, 2009 3:47 PM
Welcome back Pete! Hope the achilles held up ok with all that walking.
Battle of good vs. evil??
I was gonna say Schmuck vs. Roch but I can't figure out which is which. :)
SAME - how is 59 - 96 better than 60 - 95, unless of course by saying "at the end of the day" you are predicting their fortunes tonight? The team that was traded away wasn't exactly dominating baseball, by the way.
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Pete's reply: Ankle held up okay, but it never let me forget it.
Posted by: Bob F. | September 28, 2009 4:14 PM
For all those complaining about how bad we are. Is there anything wrong with finishing with the worst record and drafting Bryce Harper?
Posted by: Bobby | September 28, 2009 4:28 PM
Bobby - one thing, Gnats have clinched it already.
Posted by: Bob F. | September 28, 2009 4:30 PM
I had a horrible dream last night that DT was back as O's mgr....tell me that cannot happen please. The big question is who gets the job. We need someone who can nurture young players and I don't see anyone in the organization who has the skills. Jim Leyland is ideal but....If we change mgr/pitching coach etc again don't we regress again? What is your opinion Pete? any suggestions for mgr who would fit in. As regards the other coaches...I think not.
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Pete's reply: Without a significant talent upgrade, it won't make any difference at all.
Posted by: Charlie | September 28, 2009 5:01 PM
welcome back Pete, hope you enjoyed your sojourn! The good news is the Ravens are 3-0. The bad news is we still have one more week to slog through with the O's. I like the goatee....makes you look dignified!
Posted by: dave taylor | September 28, 2009 5:27 PM
Glad you had a safe and fun trip Pete, good to have you back.
Being an Orioles fan has been pretty rough lately with Tillman getting lit up like a candle as the O's got swept by Cleveland of all teams. All I'm waiting for now is that final game of the season when we can finally put this latest nightmare behind us.
At least the talk of Weiters being a bust has pretty much vanished from the board.
Posted by: Roy | September 28, 2009 5:33 PM
Last Time...
What is with all the DT bashing? Let's look at the decisions he gets to make.
Which starter who has no chance of winning do I start today? Do I have anyone available with an ERA below 6.00?
When he is slam dunked and at his pitch limit in the fifth inning, which unreliable releiver do I bring it? Do I want a quick death or a long painful one?
Where should I but my power hitting corner infielders in the line up?
What about my power hitting corner outfielders?
It goes on and on. This team has nothing... How did they win 60 games? It is a miracle...
DT may not be the best manager for this club but who would be? How much better would this team be with Joe Torre? Jim Leyland? Not much if any...
Posted by: birdfanman | September 28, 2009 5:42 PM
Hey GETHIM!!!!! next time just post a damn link, if we want wikipedia, we know where it is. Back to topic, Hey Pete, what's with the boring tourist shirts?
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Pete's reply: I'm in a solid color phase. Goes better with the new goatee.
Posted by: punk flamingo | September 28, 2009 6:03 PM
Since when did you have a goatee?
Posted by: Ilana in DC | September 29, 2009 11:37 AM