fire trembley

fire trembley

Pete,

Berken is going to blow the game by the third inning, so he can be pulled out of the game early, just in time for football fantasy draft.

Then Trembley is going to start the world famous bullpen musical chairs.

Markakis will go 0-4 while day-dreaming about being in a Redsox uniform and high-fiving his teamates in the dugout after a grand slam against the Yankees. B-Rob will rehearse in his mind new controversial comments against the fans, while Adam Jones will hit Pie in a face with a shaving cream pie, even though he will commit 2 gross base running blunders. And to top the night off, Jim Hunter and Rick Dempsey will rave about why Sean Henn gives this team another threat dimension they didn't posses before.

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Pete's reply: I'm familiar with the interview with Roberts, and he didn't exactly diss the fans. He said he cares what they think and, in some ways, he doesn't. If he had said anything else, he would have been lying. If that's what you want, fine, but what he said was not terribly offensive unless you're a fan who wants to be peed on and then told it's raining.

Nice pic of Berken up there. It makes me feel like he can get things done.

It's gut check time tonight I think. Berken just has to do his thing since he wasn't responsible for the pillaging that took place last night.

The veterans we do have got blanked last night again by the new Wilson Alvarez and need to set the tone for tonight. Best opportunity they'll have with someone who takes retirement advice from Derrick Mason on the mound.

Plus, Boston's offense has to be tired from last night...

Yeah Berken is doing much better now... hes 4-11 hahahahahhaha

Pete,

First of all, great column in the Sun today. Sunday is in fact very much needed in this town, for all the reasons you suggest.

I'm in Boston, and yep...was at the game last night. Aside from the game itself, which isn't worth discussing, it's interesting how Sox fans treat one wearing a O's jacket in their stadium.

There were no 'your team sucks' or 'go home you losers'. Instead, the fans I came in contact with mostly just felt bad for us. The best comment I got was 'hey man, sorry for what's happened to your team man. I give you credit for even wearing that jacket'.

To most last night, the Sox were playing (accept for a few players) a minor league team. There was non of the usual spark in Fenway, as it was more like an exhibition game.

I read your reply to my post the other day Pete, and I must again respectfully say that you've missed my point the entire time.

I have never called PA cheap. Instead, I've suggested he spend more towards the middle of the pack in salary's. Not like a small market (which baltimore is not) and certainly not like the Yanks....just somewhere in the middle. It's not about cheap though. It's something else!

I also have suggested that while building the young crop is important, there's no reason why this organization couldn't have fielded a more competitive team this year. Not even 500 mind you... just competitive.

And finally, I have also suggested that someone in the media truly stand up for DT properly. Yes, you have written how he's had a difficult task Pete, but I've never seen anyone really tell it like it really is when it comes to being the manager of the O's.

Off to NY where I'll again wear something with orange in it. You see, I'm far from a fair weathered fan. I do hold this team accountable however, for the disgrace of the past 12 years. And while I do 'get' what AM has tried to do in 2 years, he has to do something to prove that it's different than the 11 year plan that basically got him run out of Chicago.

By the way, I too am intrigued by Berken. Talk about someone who was thrown to the wolves. He was given a chance however, and I'd love to see him succeed beyond this year.

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Pete's reply: I think we agree that, over the short-term, we'd like to see them make some moves that would beef up the payroll, but the point is not to have a certain payroll (they've been there), it's to get two or three players who warrant the kind of money that would push the payroll into the upper third of major league teams. I don't know if they have the cachet to convince those kinds of players to come here, but money still talks, so it's possible.

Wayne,

I'd rather Redsox and Yankee fans hate us rather than feeling sorry for us. To me that's the ultimate insult, but as fans we are helpless at the mercy or Peter Angelos. I see absolutely no light at the end of the tunnel as long as he is the owner, regardless of all the BS being served around with how he has changed his attitude.

Given our track record, Byrd shuts us down on 3 hits. I mean last night we couldn't do much against a guy that looked like the RedSox bat boy who 'amazed' the O's hitters with junk. Bryd throws the same slop so look for more of the same.
Meanwhile, Boston hitters are all licking their chops getting to face Berken and the inevitbale collection of tired (and ineffective) arms from the 'pen. By the way, are they sitting on each others laps down there? I'm sure the RedSox aren't supplying any more chairs than they have to, as they can easily sell them to the 'rabid' Red Sox nation. They enjoy coughing up big $$$ for any game, especially one in which their 'darlings' can lay a pounding on a team that would have trouble beating Boston's AAA team.
Ah, the joys of being an O's fan in the dog days of(insert July/Aug/Sept.).

When did Berken bounce back from his rough start? Did I miss those good games he's thrown?

Seriously, I think we've all seen enough from Jason Berken to know that he isn't going to be able to pitch effectively long term against the Yankees and Red Sox of the world.

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Pete's reply: I don't know if that's true, but his track record against the Red Sox isn't good. He has pitched well in five of his last six starts, which is impressive considering the pressure he had to be feeling. Everybody, except Trembley and MacPhail, wanted him out of the rotation when he was 1-9.

Awesome post Wayne!

I'm with you Slugger!

TONIGHTS PREDICTIONS:

Trembley will pull Berken in the 6th inning. His stats for tonight: 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 ER, 9K, retired 18 batters in a row. The bullpen takes over and blows the whole game.

Final result: Red Sox 8, Os 0

lol!

but I'm still intrigued by the up-and-down performance of Jason Berken (left). He has rebounded nicely from that discouraging 1-9 start, which says something good about the guy and something bad about those of us (me included) who gave up on him, even though you could see he had some decent stuff and was getting no run support.

ROFL!!!!!!!!!!

Speaking of pitchers, do you think that Matusz will start next year in the majors? I thought that he was called up this year only because we ran out of pitchers that were ready for the majors.

I remember that Matusz said a week ago that he looked over film and discovered he was having problems because he was trying to hard to succeed in the majors. Will management consider this a sign that Matusz doesn't think that he's mentally ready for the majors?

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Pete's reply: Ready or not, I think Matusz is in the rotation to stay.

Well Pete ... I was just having some fun with it, but if you must be serious, how do you interpret B-rob's quote:

"I care what the fans think, but in some respects, I don't"

I interpret it as "I don't give a crap what the fans think or want. They don't sign my paycheck. Peter Angelos does"

Pete,

I have commented previously on your blogs that I like Berken a lot. Berken can locate his pitches and change speeds and reminds me a young Greg Maddux from a mechanical standpoint. He seems farly cerebral and is working on different grips to get different movement.

I think he is far ahead of Hernendez from a developmental and control standpoint.

No one can predict the outcome of an individual game, especially when our team is in free fall and we are playing teams who are still in the hunt for the pennant.

I think Berken will go at least 5 innings and will give up 3 runs or less tonight.

Hey Pete: I have a quick question since I don't remember...how did the Yankees get Swisher? And has he ever shown this kind of a season before? This is the kind of player that woold be a great fit for the O's I think..he doesn't make mega bucks does he? Thanks

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Pete's reply: Swisher was acquired from the Chicago White Sox last winter. He signed a long-term extension with the A's in 2007 before being dealt to the Sox, so he's signed through at least 2011 with the Yankees.

I think Berken will pitch a decent game, but that's no guarantee he'll get a W.
The O's offense is so inconsistent anything can happen from another no-hitter against them to scoring 12 runs.

What do you think of the Orioles turning down WNST's request to bring approx 1000 people to next Tuesday's game with their $1.00 promotion?I can see both points,but to get more people into the ballpark on a Tuesday nite in September,seems to me to make a lot more sense.Just wondering what your thoughts are.
Thanks and i really enjoy your columns and blogs.

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Pete's reply: I'm not surprised at all. The O's and WNST have been feuding for quite awhile, and Nester really got under their skin with his walkout a couple of years ago.

slugger,

Your looking at one sentence?

There's 40,000 fans in the stands, (in case of the O's, about 20,000) and so many on tv. A player is going to be scrutized about everything he does. No matter what he does, he's not going to be able to make them all happy. So why worry about things you can't control?

Robert's acknowledge some of the mistakes he's made this season. Don't you think he wishes he could have a do over on some of them?

Robert's is not having that bad of a year.

I heard a clip on BSPN about a player who got benched for a game. The day before he didn't run out a grounder to 1st. The clip showed his first at bat after being benched, guess what, he ran to first.

chris w,

Slugger would like to see on ESPN that BRob was found dead in his house laying in a pool of blood with newspaper clippings and online comments printed out from a depression induced episode with the words "I'm sorry" written on the pages in his own blood. Because if you let every little comment get to you, then that's what would happen.

Pete I can't decide whether to go bowling tonight or watch the game. Even though it isn't my bowling night, I could still go practice. But if I stay home and watch the game, will you promise me the Orioles will deliever more than the Little League effort they put forth last night? Anxiously awaiting your response.

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Pete's reply: Sorry, I didn't get to your post earlier. I was waiting for you at the lanes.

Donald, Go bowling you need the practice!

I know this is off topic and minor, but it's a microcosm of what's happening. That Reimold play where he was called out at first really ticked me off. In an 8-0 game Mike Reilly was conceding the out, and the replay showed Youkalis running to the dugout before the ball reached first. I've never seen such an egregious call. We ARE busting tail, Donald. It's disheartning not to have it rewarded. I remember when the O's had the best record for 25 years. MLB is screwed up. Why not contract all but the 6-7 "chosen" teams?

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Pete's reply: He missed the call, but there's no conspiracy.

I know this is off topic and minor, but it's a microcosm of what's happening. That Reimold play where he was called out at first really ticked me off. In an 8-0 game Mike Reilly was conceding the out, and the replay showed Youkalis running to the dugout before the ball reached first. I've never seen such an egregious call. We ARE busting tail, Donald. It's disheartning not to have it rewarded. I remember when the O's had the best record for 25 years. MLB is screwed up. Why not contract all but the 6-7 "chosen" teams?

I agree with Rick. We're way past the "any team can win with just a little creative management" nonsense. Badly needed: some form of cap, some serious limitations on trade deadline deals, some expectation that your team at the end of the year isn't comprised of salary dump players. I also remember when the O's had the best record for 25 years. You've got to be crazy, in many MLB cities, to watch the late season pummeling of your home team when the system is built for the mega-rich.

Id like to see a 0-21 ending to this season, maybe even 0-24, then they'll have the right side bookend to close off the bad years between the 0-21 start in '88, that was the year they started 0-21?

Then next year we start with a clean slate!

I think Rick and Mike are on to something here. MLB should adopt something like they have in European soccer, with an elite league for the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Cubs, Angels and Dodgers who can spend unlimited amounts on players. Then have the remaining 24 teams compete in a four-division salary-capped league (call it 4-A baseball if you want). After those leagues conclude their respective playoffs in mid-October, have the champion of the 4-A league play the elite league champion in a sort of David versus Goliath World Series at a neutral-site domed facility in late October/early November.

The "8" statue is probably pretty messed up if this is what's left - http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bal-ripken-statue-stolen0909,0,203808.story . What do you think about them putting up an iron "8" instead of flimsy aluminum?? Not only would it be harder to steal, but a bit nicer looking and in accordance with the substance that makes up Mr. Ripken.

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Pete's reply: Great idea.

Slugger, Please stop, let go of it.

That stolen Cal 8 sums up the orioles. Nice looking but hollow on the inside :)

Berken should be at Norfolk.

Pete, Belated birthday greetings. You just turned 39, right? ; )

I think that the Orioles' rookie starters this year (Berken included) have acquitted themselves fairly well, relatively speaking, much better than what we've been accustomed to seeing over the past several years. At least they're not afraid to go after hitters.

Before, there'd only been a bright spot here and there, but now there seems to be genuine reason to be optimistic about the future (and of course we have yet to see what highly touted hurlers like Jake Arrieta or Brandon Erbe may bring to the team).

Although Brian Roberts doesn't need me to defend him, I think it's time to address the continuing number of readers who are misinterpreting a quote of his in a recent Sun article.

The quote in question reads: "I care what the fans think, but in some respects, I don't."

Some have read this to mean that he doesn't care at all about what the fans thinks, even though in his very first words he says he does care.

Now you rightly went to bat for him, saying that he wasn't "dissing" the fans, but you neglected to mention something, Pete, and that the context.

In the very next parpagraph, Brian i quoted as saying about fan perceptions of his play: "I'm not worried about that. If people get judged on their work every single day by 50,000 people or the three million people that watch, they'd probably get criticized, too. I have no problem taking criticism. It doesn't bother me. I understand that I signed a large contract but I'm also not going to try to live up to what people think I'm supposed to be. I can't do that because I'll never be able to live up to everybody's expectations."

In other words, there's no way that he can take the time to reflect on the different ways thousands of people may perceive him. Some criticisms may be warranted and others may be utter rubbish, but he has no responsiblity to surf the net to find out what people are saying about him in this blog, and a dozen other blogs out there.

It's not part of his job description to sift through the garbage some people are writing about him to find valid points to improve his game. If something's wrong with his game, that's why there's a coaching staff; fans aren't going to be able to fix anything (even though at times we think we can).

So all Brian is asking is that we be realistic in our expectations. He's always been fan-friendly, but he doesn't need a thousand "coaches" trying to micromanage his game.

Switching gears, Pete, concerning a deal for Adrian Gonzalez, you joked about how I must think the O's have a good team if I had so many players I think should be untouchable or near-untouchable.

Actually, just the opposite is true. I think when a team's rebuilding it doesn't have the luxury of trading key players.

When Seattle and Houston gave the O's nine players total for Erik Bedard and Miguel Tejada, those teams thought that were a player away from reaching the playoffs. I don't believe the Orioles are laboring under such an illusion. Yes, there is good young pitching in the system, but only Brad Bergesen has to my thinking shown that he clearly belongs in the majors (Brian Matusz is close to showing it, but he's pitched way fewer games). The others have shown promise, but haven't proven themselves as ready to be part of the rotation for a contending ball club. The consistency is just lacking at this point in time.

As for the core position players, there is too much uncertainty as to who's behind them on the depth chart to give them away. Two cite just a couple of examples, consider the following:

* Would anyone be comfortable with the unproven Robert Andino or Justin Turner taking over at second? Remember last year how after the Tejada trade, there was a black hole at short that the team wasn't able to fix until after the season. If that were to happen again, then the rebuilding process get's pushed back yet anpther year.

* Center field? Same situation. Trading a budding superstar like Adam Jones would be suicidal to any hopes of this team getting better sooner than later. Felix Pie has shown signs of finding himself, but he hasn't done it consistently over the long haul. All the team would need to continue the downward spiral would be to deal Jones and have Pie turn out to be the new Corey Patterson.

At this point in the team's development, the prudent move would be no move if it takes compromising the future. Far better that Andy MacPhail spend the money of the free agent market and bring more quality to the club that way than to give up quality that is in such short supply as it is. Yes, Gonzalez is a big bat in the lineup, but there are others out there and it's just a matter of when--not if--Matt Wieters is going to rediscover his power.

Peter- allow me to take your light work?

Slugger asked "Well Pete ... I was just having some fun with it, but if you must be serious, how do you interpret B-rob's quote:

"I care what the fans think, but in some respects, I don't"

I interpret it as "I don't give a crap what the fans think or want. They don't sign my paycheck. Peter Angelos does"

What he meant was that he is as appreciative of the life the fans make it possible for him to live as the next guy but if we want him to pretend to respect that moron Slugger, it would take ARod money.

There, now you know just what he meant.

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Pete's reply: Thanks for the help, but we don't need to revert to name-calling. I would say that what he was saying is, "I play for the fans, but if I listen to what my critics are saying from the stands and change my game, I'll soon be sitting up there with them."

So the Orioles finally steal a big money free agent from the Sawx and it is an architect? named Janet? Has to be more humor in that than in the lame Sean Penn jokes.

Brian Roberts doesn't want to be a leader. So be it.

Jason Berken = long relief. Having him in a rotation over the course of a season would not be pretty. Please don't mention him in the same sentence as Greg Maddux.

When does Mora get to 2nd in most games played at third for the O's? I want to see Justin Turner play not Mora. I want to see Aubrey not Wiggenton.

When are we going to see the young guys? It is horrible to watch the old bunch play out the string.

Freddie should be in Costa Rica.

Ken,
If I read the whole thing, can you at least give me a quiz or something to see if I retain anything? :)

What if Jones is the new Corey Patterson?

Pete, nice to see a one run game w/ bsox, in sept, going into the 6th inn, Berkin getting out of a jam, riemmy tossing out hekillsus at the plate. Baby steps, baby steps.

Hey Peter, can this Janet Marie Smith play first base and hit cleanup?

Hey Peter, can this Janet Marie Smith play first base and hit cleanup?

Ken Francis. You feel that a rebuilding team can't afford to trade key players so what's your take on the Sherrill deal?
The Orioles have far too many holes to fill such as 1B/3b/DH and half a bullpen and probably at least 2 starters so it's going to be awhile for we contend. It doesn't make sense to trade a guy like Jones, even if we get 2 players because now we need a CF.
It's pretty discouraging because there doesn't appear to be too many MLB ready guys in the minors to fill the above noted positions. Unfortunately, what ends up happening is that we bring in mediocre guys like Wigginton, Eaton, Meredith,etc and the cycle continues.
We look more and more like the Pirates or Royals-just roll the dice and see what happens(usually a losing season!). I mean the Pirates just set some record of 17 losing seasons; it may be us in 5 years!

the baseball should be setup like euro soccer league thing is back? that was months ago.
The salaey cap argument over and over again?
Stop you're crying, buy a damn ticket and go watch a game.

Note to the salary cap crowd, who feel obliged to site the NFL as the shining star of capdom: Let's see what happens next year when,if the players have any brain cells left from whatever they do to be bigger stronger faster than any cartoon superhero, decide to try and negotiate a CBA with no cap. Let's see what happens when the owners will have none of it. And then come back and tell me who the cap benefits.One guess, and it's not the fans or the players.

Kind of after the fact and nobody will read this except the confined....but well worth noting

Jason Berken posted his fourth consecutive start of three earned runs on fewer Wednesday. In that stretch, he is 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA (eight earned runs, 21 1/3 innings). He has allowed three earned runs or fewer in six of his past seven starts