fire AM

Please raise your hand if you would rather not see the following things posted on this blog.

1.Andy Macphails record in Chicago.

2.All the reasons Andy is like the worst GM in history with a list of all the losing seasons etc. followed by something like "the truth will set you......."

3. anything posted by Wayne

4.anything posted by Jason C.

5. more reasons the O's should have signed all the free agents they didn't sign

6. more reasons the O's shouldn't have signed the free agents they did sign.

7. stating as a matter of fact that the O's will not be competitive this year.........

Everything accept #3.

Everyone loves Wayne!

I find it very interesting that you are getting more snow this winter than we are.

It snowed about 15 inches the other night. The next morning I shoveled our drive way for over an hour because I needed to get the car out to take my son to school. School's don't close in Latvia due to snow. They only close when we have several days in a row of very cold (0 degrees F. or colder) weather.

I have 5 Latvian friends currently visiting in Texas who hope to visit the DC area on Sunday, then fly back to Riga on the 17th.

By the way, this Saturday I will go to at a Super Bowl party at the home of an American friend. Looking forward to seeing the game.

consider my hand raised

64 FOR THE HIGH TODAY 42 FOR THE LOW SO THE WEATHER HERE IN SOUTH FLORIDA IS BRUTAL TO SAY THE LEAST. MAY THE SCHMUCK BE WITH YOU.

Mine's raised. Especially for #3. I read this every day because I'm a P Schmuck and a 1st ammendment fan in Northern VA but I'm tired of Wayne and the rest of the whack pack of regulars. We need ST to start.

You guys are nuts... Wayne isn't the whack job some on here are. He just hates the losing, as I do.

More Wayne!

I can't tell how much snow we've gotten in Bel Air. My yard looks like an Arctic Adventure documentary.

Further, I am pretty sure its AM's fault for the snow drifting and PA's fault the snow is highly saturated making it difficult to move.

I'd like to see a picture of Schmuck and Wayne together. I'm starting to buy that the Schmuckster created Wayne in order to spice of the blog. I wouldn't be surprised at all because they're both funny. Funny in a similar way even. Prove me wrong Schmuckmeister.

I'm guessing that the Willy Ohman biopic is going to be "Death of an Alesman"

wayne, wayne, wayne, I'm starting to have nightmares about wayne.

I'm considering jumping off the Key bridge because my middle name is wayne(Pete, you can see my e-mail, those are my initials, see the "w"?)

My best friend's name is wayne, I haven't talked to him in days, can't bear to say the name.

I'm starting to have flashbacks about Wayne Krenchicki.

I started listening to my "Exile on Main Street" CD and could of sworn it said "Exile on wayne Street."

wayne, wayne wayne...make it stop!!!!

When will sports writers learn that weather jokes during spring training are more played out then the Macarena? Yet we get the same stupid jokes for 30 straight years. Put down the donuts and Hawaiian shirst and come up with new material.

When will sports writers learn that weather jokes during spring training are more played out then the Macarena? Yet we get the same stupid jokes for 30 straight years. Put down the donuts and Hawaiian shirts and come up with new material.

SHAMROCK,

Actually the blizzard is George Bush's fault.

You can bet, however, that PA is wringing his hands in glee over the storm just like a body repair shop/tow company in an ice storm. There should be enough personal injury litigation resulting from this storm to keep the law firm in discovery 24/7 for months.

hahaha ken,

That was hilarious! But seriously, what would we do without Wayne? Unlike another commenter, I don't picture him in his mom's basement. I picture him instead at the game with his friends booing yet another base running mistake, walking with his head down after another loss. I don't have a man crush or anything, but I really think the guy needs a hug. Someone mentioned Wayne and Pete need a picture together. Maybe it can be a picture of Pete giving Wayne a bear hug, with the caption 'everything's going to be alright'

I read this blog for my daily O's fix cuz theres nothing in NC about the Orioles. Most days I'm a hopeful fan who wants to drink the koolaid but I'm also a business man who says the Orioles are in the entertainment industry and for the last decade have not been very entertaining. I agree with Wayne, its about winning. Its about fielding a winning, entertaining team. And like any business thats been in decline I want some tangible evidence that they want to win me back as a customer. Wayne, keep the pressure on them.

Go O's, Go Wayne.

Gil... its more like this...

Let me be clear, this was a problem that the Baltimore area inherited from the previous administration (pinching invisible quarter and bobbing and weaving to look at the teleprompter).

His firm is preparing a class action lawsuit against man for allegedly creating global warming, climate change, sunshine, wind and water.

hey pete- why are the security letters always either i or l. they look too much alike.

Funny how the (choose one) ...

(a) Everything is Fine, Forget the Facts Crowd
(b) The Truth Hurts Crowd
(c) I'm Defending the Indefensible Because That Is the Call of a True Fan As Defined by Me Crowd
(d) Calm Down, We're STILL Just Two Years Away Crowd
(e) Warehousers

... fired the first salvo AND they post easily as much as wayne, et al.

The funniest one goes the shamrock the abominable all caps person who mockingly blames the weather on MacPhail and Angelos as if suddenly they are not accountable for any of the 132-191 (.409) record for 2008-09 or the 855-1,087 (.440) record for 1998-2009.

Hey, I'm predicting 74-88. If true, that record would be tied for second best over the previous 10 years. Going from second worst over the previous ten years to second best is quite an improvement.

It's still just not very good. Unfortunately.

Dude, you guys are silly. I read this Blog all the time and it's funny watching the same thing all the time. I don't know of any "rebuilding" projects that took 3 years, but it seems some folks have it in their heads that it can happen. Funnier still, they think they have facts on their side. Which team blew up their franchise and was awesome in 3 years? Which of those teams were in the AL Beast? You'll should just relax, you have no power to change the direction of the club. Crying over spilled milk. It makes me laugh, and some, wayne, make me weep. It's okay wayne, one day things will brighten up....Andy will be fired if you're right and you can be the next GM.

Waspman...

I am making a joke at the irrationality of peoples baseless, paranoid claims about Angelos (he's losing on purpose, AM is under orders to not spend money, etc)

Did you really expect the O's to have a winning record in 08-09? Did anyone promise you they would have a winning record in 08-09, or even 10?

Yes, they haven't won in 12 years. If you have any suggestions as to how to go back and change the past, I am sure the O's front office (and many others) would be willing to listen.

Stop dwelling on the past. You can't change it, but only hope they make better decisions in the future, which by all accounts (according to national writers), is happening.

Since I live on the west coast this is one of my only outlets to get O's news. I have been on here since Roch started it.

I don't really care if someone says things over and over as long as he/she is talking O's baseball and trying to make their point. But this name calling like we are all in middle school on the playground is way beyond ridiculous.

How about from now on we stick to baseball and leave the name calling etc out of this??

Who cares? Really, the O's suck and you are complaining about a guy like Wayne. He's just messing with you because you let him. I ignore his post for the most part and I have no trouble sleeping at night.

For those who say 'how could he be expected to turn things around in 3 years'. Please!

You're talking as if AM had nothing to work with. That's what they want you to believe. It's a lie!

AM inherited players like - Markakis, BRob, Bergesen, Johnson, Reimold, as well as other good prospects that may be the next Bergy or Reimold). And yes, no matter the debate, he also inherited Weiters (ok, give him a half point for signing him)...

The point is he didn't begin from scratch, so stop it!

Jones, although he needs to stay on the field, has paned out. As for the rest though, we'll see, it's a crap shoot!

Honestly, some of you really will saying the same thing in year 6 of his tenure. Some of you are already saying we'll be 500 in 2011.

That's how low the bar has been set in Baltimore, and it's a shame.

Wayne I will have to agree with you about how low the bar has dropped. When I was a kid, we win the WS in 66, then drop to 6th place. Then one year later we go to 2nd place.

69-71 we are in the WS again but drop to 3rd in the east in 72. The next 2 years we are first again.

Granted we had some pretty good players then, but it also seemed that we had someone to fill a hole almost every time and the expectation was not to be 500 but to be #1.

I hate this talk of 12 years of losing and how we "hope" to get to 500 next year.

I bleed black and orange, but this is getting ridiculous. we have lost for so long, getting back to 500 (some day) is a victory.

edward,

I remember those glory days as well.

Thing is, no one is asking for those days now, at least I'm not. All I've been asking for is a competitive baseball team in the city of Baltimore. Instead, they have become the Pittsburgh Pirates of the American League, and it's sad.

People will actually say 75 wins would be a successful season. Why? Because it would be a double digit increase from one of the worst seasons in O's history.

So yes, the bar is not only set low in Baltimore, it's set for losing (again)!

Can you name a GM who "began from scratch"?
Doesn't happen, so whats the point?

The minor leagues was a joke and rated one of the worst in baseball and is now rated among the middle to top.

That is because he was forced to make some trades to replenish the system and he made some very good ones.

Wayne's World! The guy tells it like it is.

wayne,
I'll get to you in a second but first eddward.

In 1967, the Orioles suffered a drop off by most of their key players. Frank went from 49/122 to 30/94. Boog went from 34/109 to 13/55, Brooks from 23/100 to 22/77.

Palmer was gone for most of the 1967 season and no one knew then if he would ever pitch again. McNally went from 13-6 to 7-7, Bunker to 3-7 from 10-6 and on and on. Many people at the time felt the Orioles were a fluke and that they peaked too early.

In 1968, Frank hit his head on Al Weiss' knee and suffered double vision that led to him only hitting 15 HRs and 52 RBI. But Earl Weaver took over at the All-Star breal of 1968 and got the Orioles on track for their dynasty of 69-71. It didn't hurt that James Alvin came back in 69 to resume his HoF career.

But 1972, Frank was traded and the guy they hoped would replace his production, Don Baylor, didn't do very well, Rettenmund fell way off, Blair still had troubles because of the bean ball, Brooks hit only eight HRs, again, on and on.

They rebounded in 73 and 74, indeed, I'm sure you remember that 1974 was a great pennant race as they beat out the Yankees. But both years, the Orioles lost to the A's. It wasn't until 1979 that the Orioles returned to the post season.

It was a different time. Frank Cashen and Harry Dalton assembled a great organization that drafted well and developed their own players, much like MacPhail is trying to do now. The only big name FAs signed by the Orioles were Billy Smith and Steve Stone. John Lowenstein was a waiver wire pickup.

There was no talk of small markets vs big markets, the Orioles were considered every bit the equal of the Yankees and Red Sox in both resources and stature.

But as the 80s wore on, as gil has so adroitly pointed out, the union began getting more and more greedy, leading to the 94 strike, small vs big markets and excuses a plenty made by the Kansas Citys and Pittsburghs of the world.

Whatever the sins of the past 12 years, the Orioles were worn down to a shell of the 60s and 70s glory years.

But the hallmark of those great teams of yesteryear was building from within, getting top prospects and developing them. That approach was forgotten during the past decade and MacPhail, whatever his faults, has gotten back to it.

Sure, wayne, the guys you mentioned were there when Mac took over, but they were in the low minors and considered several years away. In fact, Reimold was in the same position then as Snyder is now, with people doubting his abilities.

Sure, there was Markakis and BRob, but pretty much nothing else. MacPhail came aboard in June of 2007, right around the June 7 draft that saw the Orioles pick Wieters, He might not have made the pick himself, I believe he did, but he certainly had a ton of input. And he did sign Matt, as he signed Matusz the next year. Not to mention all the rest that have come aboard since.

So, wayne, while he didn't start from scratch, it can certainly be said he added the milk and eggs to the flour in the mixing bowl and is in the process of baking the mix and putting on the frosting.

Sorry Pete, but this post relates to your article about the NFL. I don't think they are playing a game of chicken - they're playing a game of stupid.

ken,

well said. thank you.

There ain't much snow in Toronto... maybe 2 inches so far this winter. You Baltimorians hog it all.

C'mon Ken...

AM was loaded young with talent when he got here... Reimold! Bergesen! Hernandez! Berken! Rowell! Rleal! McCrory!

He had an ML roster stocked with top talent too... Tejada! Bedard! Huff! Mora! Walker! Baez! Bradford! Hernandez!

Otherwise... well said!

give it 4 hours and another mindless melodramatic rebuttal will pop up.

I think paulie shamrock should at least have an argument with himself to make it look more like he is really two different people

I feel cheated. The effort just isnt there anymore. Sloppy,very sloppy

Sendy Rleal, thanks, SHAMROCK, forgot all about him. I thought he was ticketed for the HoF.

I guess because Rleal didn't make it, there's no chance Tillman, Matusz, Arrieta, Hernandez, Bergeson, Britton, Erbe, Spoon, Patton, Hobgood, et al won't make it. They are all stiffs.

Ha ha, wayne, beat you to it!

When they called him in from the BP,
I would say, "Sendy him back down!"

he was awful with a capital A.

oh... be careful how you respond. We agree with each other, someone may think we are the same person.. Ken Shamrock! oh crap! we are the same person, retired pro wrestler and UFC fighter! you know what his middle name is? Wayne!!!

I think we've entered the Twilight Zone. Everyone get your tin foil helmets on!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Shamrock

HA!

Odds are, less than 2 of them will make good major leaguers ken. That's not negative, it's baseball. And some of those names? They're just names ken. Every team has em, every team hypes em.

The difference with the O's is, they have no room for error since they're already so bad.

Do you realize how much the O's are disrespected in other cities? It's that way because they just see the make-up of the major league club, without all the hype. They're not biased as all they see is the Win/Loss column.

Wins and Losses! Nothing else matters Ken. It can't! This isn't little league. This isn't the minors. This is major league baseball, and the only thing that's suppose to matter is winning.

Shamrock,

having both of us on at the same time will only further confuse/alienate.

did you re-read last nights postings 'tween jason and I...classic. wish you were there, but if you were it would have lost half the fun of being called you...even after jason admitted to blogging as you...

I read your blog everyday, but this is my first time writing. First off, thanks for everything you do.

This next comment is off topic, sorry

Secondly, the O’s haters reminded me of Leo Mazzone.

I currently live in Atlanta and on my morning drive I listen to 680 AM where Leo Mazzone is on a morning sports talk radio program. I have always respected Leo for his talents as a pitching coach, but every morning he finds a way to make fun of the Orioles. I can’t believe what he says live on the radio.
This morning they were talking about NASCAR and Daytona 500, and Leo makes the comment, “I hope someone drops a bomb on Dave Trembley’s house”. I could not believe it! It is very sad to see Leo making fun of the Orioles, where the Orioles gave him a job and a nice contract. Unfortunately it was not a fit for either Leo or the Orioles but still what he says is disrespectful. Not sure if there are other O’s fan living in Atlanta that can agree, but it needs to stop as well.

Have you heard of this as well?

nice touch,

talking tou yourself under different handles. Keep it up. Its the little things that make it more convincing

Like when you made a point to say you were shovelling the snow and then started posting as paulie, that was really a shrewd move. We all fell for that one hook, line and sinker. Really.

Mazzone should know from the inside what a joke this organization has become. most people seem to realize this already, save a few delusional macfailers

I kind of like it when people tell the truth

"Negative" truth > "positive" lies

Crazy. I know

speaking of same name...

check this out:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=bass--001all

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bassbr01.shtml

never knew this... two brian bass'es'ess dont make 1 ML ball player!

Paulie-

Thats pretty funny... you know he's been hitting refresh all day on his cpu waiting for someone to pay attention to him.

Its funny, I didn't get any response from him on my Big Fan/Patton Oswald reference. I worked hard changing all the Pauls to Jasons and NY Giants to Orioles.

Clown can't even appreciate a good pop culture reference.

shamrock,

lol, too true...

it's also pretty funny when he makes comments like "we knew" and "fooling us"...like, how many guys does he think he is...

that's why he's my puppet...all I have to do is post a string of letters and he fly's off into a fit of blah blah blah...classic.

be careful....don't mention the 2 World Series rings Macphail has....he will hate your guts...
I am proud to be called a SHAMROCK....just don't call me Wayne

I sense a drinking problem coming on at this rate.

james c.,

it's only a problem if you have nothing to drink. i kid, i kid.

what the hell just happened in the Caps game????

goal waved off because ovechkin popped a defenseman in front of the goal. puck trickles in untouched by anyone else.

if Ovie committed a penalty, why didn't he go to the box? he didn't kick it, they didn't review it, just huddled and called it off.

prob because the game is in Montreal. lousy mayonnaise eaters.

wtf???

SHAM,

It's funny he didn't respond to that Big Fan reference and call you me. I think I made that same reference to him a while back.

Also, if you haven't seen that movie, it's awesome. Great to see Patton getting some dramatic work in and Kevin Corrigan does his usual stellar supporting work. And if you haven't ever seen Patton live, I suggest you do so ASAP. Siegel has a great writing career ahead of him; The Wrestler and Big Fan were both top notch. But I guess that's what you'd expect from a former Onion writer...

Oh it's getting to be that kind of a problem. I was prepared for everything ahead of Saturday, but had to choose between the liquor store or grocery when it came time to restock after work yesterday.

I THINK SOMEONE SHOULD SPEAK UP IN FAVOR OF THAT NICE BOY, WAYNE. ALL HE IS TRYING TO DO IS FILL UP SPACE IN HIS SAD LONELY LIFE. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT ?
WHO IS HE HURTING ? IT IS BETTER THAT HE HAS THIS BLOG FOR AN OUTLET, RATHER THAN PURPETRATING HARM UPON OTHERS. AN IDLE MIND IS THE DEVIL'S WORKSHOP, YOU KNOW.

(what.... you say wayne and paulie and shamrock and pete schmuck and cush and jason and zriebeck and onley and kubatko and theoharis and syd thrift are all the same person...???)

oh, dear.....

NEVER MIND.

i have to wait until it hits the RedBox.

I think hes still sore that I told him his Forbes article was based on estimation and not likely accurate.

If he wants to be mad at something, he should be mad at the Dolphins taking Culpepper over Brees. That or Ted Ginn.

SHAMROCK

Wow,

SHAMROCK/bf/paulie is bringing out all the alter ego's tonight

LOL, people notice, but I guess you just arent interesting enough to even bother with anymore

No matter what name you use, ultimately, you are this:

http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/warriorshtm/bong.htm

Just give em enough rope, oh thats right already did, nevermind

omg, Ovi so robbed on that play.

Why is that not a goal?

so frickin' robbed.

Because the NHL is now employing NFL refs. that is the only logical reason. (hence the announcing penalties and reviews over the PA)

eww... was that sidney crosby's little brother kissing Jersey Shore's J-WOW? eww..

Chris,

thanks for the tid-bit on Siegel, I've had those films in my que for a minute, but you've pitched me into watching them.

you a big film fan?

Green so nasty.

paulie,

Yeah, it was my major in college.

My all time favorite film is Henry Fool. I'm always hesitant to recommend it though unless you're already into Hal Hartley films. But if you're game, watch it and then wait a week or a month and watch it again. And then repeat. For me, it gets better each time.

My favorite movie from the last few years was probably Let the Right One In. But (somewhat) recently, I loved The Road.

lol, Henry Fool is one of my favorite films. Recently watched the sequel, which was cool but not as much. LOVED Henry Fool.

a long time ago I was a writer, who hoped to sell some wares in the industry....well I'm back east now...sigh.

film I can't stop watching and find more-n-more each time, Way Of The Gun. Brilliant, brilliant writing.

I agree that Fay Grim wasn't AS good, but it was still pretty fun. I liked the way Hartley went in a completely different direction and turned it into this kind of take on an espionage flick. Of course, Goldblum was f-in' great, as always. I think there was a speech he gave near the beginning of the movie that was perfection. I'll have to watch it again tonight when I get home to see if that's just my memory or reality.

I've written a screenplay and I'm working on another. But Hawaii isn't exactly the place for writers...

You can email me if you want to share film insight and stuff --- claxton66@hotmail.com.

Look, paulie/shamrock took my advice and are now "talking to each other" to make it look good (its convincing)

Too bad "they" both had problems typing the same single word. Im just going to ignore that becuase this conversation is such compelling proof that they are 2 different people

I told you paulie/shamrock, to really make it look good, u guys should get into a beef

"SHAMROCK", please provide the correct rannkings since you have evidence that the forbes numnbers are incorrect. Heaven forbid, you learn something

Ive said repeatedly that I know the exact numbers arent accurate but I think the rankings are. Either that or there is some agenda from forbes to make the Orioles look more profitable than they really are. Yeah that makes sense

Seriously, you and "paulie's" shared stupidity is the give away and of course after thoroughly owned, u always fall back on "its just baseball" BTW, Writing style is like a finger print. You cant disguise it no matter how hard you try.

CHris in hawaii cant even understand the forbes article, no wonder he sits aroud watching TV all day

jason-

I work with a film festival... d!ck.

your right, it was a nice follow-up going in a different direction. More of the same would have been bad and typical.

yeah....reminds me of that old industry saw: wheres the best place for a writer? below the line. Maryland ain't such a hot spot for writers either.

I'll hit yeah.

idiot (sorry for the name calling but its the politest way to label you)-

stay up a little later tonight and go back and reread what I wrote discrediting the forbes article.

1. Its not public info.
2. Its based on estimates.
3. Do you really think the Yankees operate at a loss every year in the name of winning?
4. So you think its not exact, but the rankings are in the right order because that part is accurate, even though the hard data may not be. Makes perfect sense, Steve Forbes.
5. Schmuck has said himself that Peter Angelos refused to open the books to him. So he opened them to a guy at Forbes? Makes sense.

But whatever... bring it up again in a week.

Oh... and now you are a forensic writing analysis? Way to crack the case of the Sneaky Blog Poster, cool guy!

GO CAPS!!!

not that you can, but Imagine if Shamrock and I were different people...

how dumb do you look to each of us? lol...

call yourself a liar so you're not a 5 year old girl....lol

OMG CAPS!!!!

18 seconds left!!!

OMG!!!

YYYYEEEEEAAAAHHHH CAPS!!!!!

wave that one off...

Might name my kid Brooks in honor of Laich... HA!

I love that he wins a $100 resturaunt gift card for the hat trick... hahaha! only in hockey.

Call Detroit, tell them bullsh*t!

...ugh.

NOOOO!!!! 7.5 left???

Jeff Schultz rides in the hump seat on the team bus back to DC.

I heard Bud is going to give out a McDonalds gift certificates for each "cycle" hit this year, lol.

Caps fans on a baseball (mostly) blog in Baltimore? The miracles never cease!!

They don't overturn Placenek's goal, yet the Ovie goal gets overturned, I don't understand it. Can't wait to see "On the Fly Final" to get expert analysis of that play. A hell of a way to end a 14 game streak. And SHAM, they now on way to Ottawa.

wayne, your last comment is beyond silly. It is another reason I can't take you seriously.

Yes... Caps go on to Ottawa. Jeff Schultz is riding a school bus by himself on the hump seat 15 hours back to DC to shovel snow around the Verizon center.

Yeah. . . I like to multi task. Whatever is on my mind. Now The Office is on. $25 a month doesn't get you much on HBO.

we don't disrespect the O's nor you and we barely know Wayne so don't believe what he says about us.....

I look really stupid don't I?

I'm glad you agree...lol

Laughing my butt all the way to the bank.

I love all this attention i get and since i am more popular than jesus on here you (including pete) may bow to your holy master!!!

I love me i love me Waynes a zipperhead cant you see!!!

It is a pleasure to applaud the appearance of a truly useful new online database, an occurrence which, despite the flood of new information products, is all too uncommon. Frankly speaking, most new online databases are not exactly tools of the masses. The Quotations Database is a pleasing exception to the incessant narrowing of information niches.

Pete, anything new on Mike Flanagan and filling Buck Martinez spot?

Orioles= Nationals= Pirates=Royals

SHillrock

For last time, you are not "discrediting" anything

You are just verifying your ignorance

The forbes articles are written by forensic accountants

A forensic accountant can dissect your finances as accuarately as a M.E can dissect a dead man

The sad thing is that the Forbes article doesnt include the 100 million per yr angelos gets from MASN, so the Orioles are actually MUCH MORE PROFITABLE THAN FORBES GIVES THEM CREDIT

NOw go shovel some snow and come back as paulie, this is way over your head, you stupid, silly, apologist

:It just baseball" anyway as u love to remind us whenever youre getting owned

paulie coudnt hack it as a "writer"-- shocker of the week there

I guess hes working on an assignment where he comes to a blog and pretends to be different people. he thinks he's a writer after all

AGAIN,

The 11:49 post above was not mine.

I will find your device creep. Trust me!

look at the pauile/shamrock guy opened two pages and hit send at the same time 10.13, yet wouldnt post the one word that would've verified once and for all that they were 2 different people to shut that dude up

this guy has to be 12 years old. he thinks the cable bill is 25 a month

Yeah, SHAM, Schultzie let Plecenak get behind him, but got to give the Canadians credit. And its hard to fault a D-man who is second in the league in plus/minus. The streak might have been something special, but they can't keep letting teams get up on them two or three goals. That doesn't work in the playoffs.

But Ottawa will always hold a special place in my heart. SHAMROCK, remember the game there two years ago, during the great comeback season? The Caps won 8-6, Ovie had four goals, that was one of the most gut wrenching games ever and I believe the won that got them over the hump.

As much as I love baseball, it can't give you the heart pounding tension of hockey, that non stop action. Baseball gives you that one on one drama, but hockey's emotional ride is unmatched.

Caps/Hawks final, yes, followed by O's/Cubs in the World Series, whaddya say?

That last 15 seconds were a mess... tie the guy up, get to the shootout. Hell, tackle the guy and draw a penalty... just get to the shootout.

Oh well, the waved off go was crap. Someone worked hard to overthink that one.

Dont apologists always whine about redundant baseball posts, yet talking about DC hockey is ok ??

Who are these whackjobs ?

I like an O's/Cubs WS, O's beat the Twins in the ALCS.

I think if that happened the FailyMacFail crowd would committ mass Hari Kari!

Please raise your hand if you would rather not see the following things posted on this blog.

1.Andy Macphails 2 WS rings.

2.All the reasons Andy is like the best GM in history with a list of all the 5 winning seasons of 15 seasons etc. followed by something like "the future is bright.."

3. anything posted by SHAMROCK/bf/paulie

4.anything posted by Chris W.

5. more reasons the O's should NOT have signed all the free agents they didn't sign

6. more reasons the O's should have signed the stop gap, retread free agents they did sign.

7. stating as a matter of fact that the O's will be competitive this year......

Twins 98 million dollar payroll

Chicago Cubs 115 mil

Os are 65 mil

IF the Os make it, that would be impressive

Imagine how better they would be with a real clean- up hitter an #1 Starting P

Talking about the Os in the playoffs might actually be realistic instead of a teenagers fantasy

Raise you hand if you think its funny watching someone angrily rant talk to himself about a baseball team on a newspaper blog?

hope you find some sense of accomplishment, cool guy.

Raise you hand if you think its funny watching someone giddily babble to himself about a hockey team on a newspaper blog?

hope you find some sense of accomplishment, dumb guy.

KEN,SHAMROCK, PAULIE & JAMES C WERE THE ONLY GUYS POSTING LAST NIGHT AROUND MIDNIGHT

ONE IS THE WAYNE IMITATOR, ME THINKS

Anonymous (or should I call you Wayne)

Wayne posted at 11:49 pm

Does that count as around midnight.

WAYNE SAID THAT POST WASNT HIS

Anonymous

You said in your 6:01 pm post, "KEN,SHAMROCK, PAULIE & JAMES C WERE THE ONLY GUYS POSTING LAST NIGHT AROUND MIDNIGHT"

That is factually incorrect. Wayne posted at 11:49pm. Wayne was here and active at the very time you seem to be claiming he wasn't. Try again.

freeman,

I already said I did not make that posting at 11:49. You asked me a question on another post and I answered you.

You can either attack me, or fall for the crap that impostors have been pulling on these blogs for a few weeks now.

I have NEVER posted under another name. Have you freeman? I hope to find out a lot in the coming days.

I'm not responding on the other blog subject site any longer as I don't believe it to be appropriate. To those who see what's going on here though, know that I appreciate it.

freeman, wake up please. If you're going to attack and accuse people, you really should try to see the difference in how posters approach on these blogs. Perhaps you're the same as a number of the names being posted. If so, that will come to light soon. If not, then please be reasonable and understand that when people disagree with your view about the O's, it doesn't mean you need to revert to hate in return.

DONT YOU HATE IT WHEN ARGUMENTATIVE PEOPLE ARE ALSO CLUELESS

FREEMAN IS RESPONDING WHILE THE PEOPLE ACCUSED ARE SILENT, THAT DOESNT SEEM RIGHT

Wayne

If someone is indeed posting under your name, then you have my sympathies. There are a couple of lessons here though that if you take some time to think about you will see.

One, you are so consistently over the top that if someone does say something outrageous in your name, it's easy for others to believe it is you.

Two, you have angered so many people that you have set yourself up to be a target of this kind of thing. It wouldn't be fair, but then life isn't fair. What is the old saying. Those who sow the wind reap the whirlwind.

By the way, I don't know what kind of "device" you are talking about, but the only thing anyone needs to post a comment under your name is a computer and keyboard. Whoever told you about a "device doesn't have a clue what they're talking about. Trust me. Computers are my business.

freeman,

The fact that I would make anyone that mad just because I am completely frustrated about the losing ways of the O's is ridiculous. There have people just as adamant on the pro O's side as well.

The problem is (I think), I hit a nerve when it comes to the O's, and that makes people mad. But, I don't call people names, and I don't get negatively personal with other posters.

What i do is completely different than others who are negative. No, I'm not as gentlemanly as Gil, but I always post under my name and I never attempt to cross any line with posters.... like others do.

By a device, I mean a computer, Blackberry, whatever. I'm not a computer expert but I know people who are. I have been told that it would be easy, with the SUNS help, to identify exactly who people are, complete with their real email (and other info). I've been told it can also be done without the SUNS help if need be.

One of my best friends was close with Phil Itzoe and his family. I would never post the kind of thing written under my name earlier today. I challenge anyone to find that style under anything posted under my name (that really was my name).

Slander, well libel, but whatever.

I do appreciate good scathing sarcasm, but I always claim it.

Whoever it was, was subtle enough to use "Wayne" instead of "wayne." I don't think anyone really thought it was the real deal anyway.

That being said, people who know they've called people names, should really stop claiming they're above it. It takes away from the valid points they do make. Especially about this whole posting under other names thing.

1. We should all be above it. If you want to make jokes, put your name on it and be done with it.

2. Will anything ever happen to address this?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/ben_reiter/02/01/baltimore.orioles/index.html

Wayne

It's beyond dispute that you raise the ire of more people around here than anyone. It doesn't matter whether you think it is ridiculous or not, it just is.

Look, there have been occasions in my life when I've said things that have pissed off a bunch of people. Sometimes I couldn't understand why, but I at least had to acknowledge to myself what was plainly obvious.

You need to do that. When you have gone to the point of eliciting some of the things that a class guy like not brooks has directed your way on the last several threads, its time to take stock of yourself.

Do you have that in you, to care as much about what others think as you do of your own thoughts. Frankly, I doubt it but I'd love it if you proved me wrong.

I'll give it to Wayne, i don't think he goes by anything else, I think he likes everyone to know his dour view of the world.

Cool guy in FLA, who thinks he runs the blog, its more likely him. Here and probably on the Itzoe quote.

Why? to try stirring the pot with his imaginary friends in baseball blogosphere. good work. someday you will woodward and bernstein AM right out of a job and they will build a statue in your honor and give you a radio show.

SHAMROCK THE WAREHOUSE OPERATIVE

You really need to put a warning on this kind of optimistic article. Some of the pessimists on here could end up in 6 months of therapy without proper warning. Just kidding. Good link. Thanks.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/orioles/2009-11-23-orioles-organizational-report_N.htm

This is somewhat optimistic too.

I think u should post your home phone numbers if you really want to "own" it

at least an email or myspace page

freeman, the andy haters will call it a 'puff peace' and not give it any credibility.

I've read one negative mention about the Orioles direction (in a fantasy baseball mag) all off season. The folks who follow and write and talk about the game have good things to say. Not to say i agree with all of them, but it seems as if the Os won 64 games last year on their way to 76 this year (not that great) to 84 the following year. After 76 this year, will PA and AM pull the triggers to make that 84 a 94? That's where i start to waver on 'the plan.'

You want to make the playoffs out of the AL East, you gotta beat the best two teams in the League and even 94 wins doesn't guarantee anything.

66-96

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/09/AR2009120904218.html

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4750863&name=law_keith

cold hard facts,
you want to bet on that record? I doubt it.

We'll crack .500 this year. TB and Tor are down. Halladay is gone. Our lineup is as good or better than either of theirs. The writers are all excited about our upside, which is real.
Bos is nothing special unless Beckett returns to form, and he's a punk so he won't.
Even the Yankees would kill for our OF

psychopath...

I am not posting any of my personal information on here. or my facebook page. I dont want to come home and find you in my kitchen or hiding in the back seat of my car.

But if you really want to know, I'm Mr White from Reservoir Dogs.

2010 bet

were in a division that will have 3 teams with 90 wins or more, many at our expense

record vs bos last yr 2-17

Cush

I know what you mean when you say that "94 wins doesn't guarantee anything" in the AL East. However, if both the Rays and the Os are solid clubs then, with the unbalanced schedule, the Yanks and Bosox can't both be winning that many. Hey, if we're winning more then someone has to be losing more.

I don't have as much fear of whether PA will spend. He certainly did in the past, just not very wisely in a lot of cases. Hopefully, AM can figure a smart way to spend.

3 teams with 90 or more. No way, unless we're one of the 3. TB and Tor Will not have 90 wins.

Many at our expense. Okay I'll give you that, considering we play like 68 games against our rivals. I think we'll be close to .500 against the division too.

2-17 vs. the sox last year...I wonder what TB's record vs. boston was the year before they kicked their a$$ out of the playoffs (was that 2008?). Not saying we will beat them season series, but it won;t be 2-17 or anything very close to that.

facebook friend me please

NYY 94 wins 68
Bos 92 wins 70
TB 90 wins 72
Tor 78 84
Bal 76 86

last place!!

parade on pratt st

ill bring the kung pao chicken

You goofballs still think spending is coming next yr. Dont forget to leave your tooth under the pillow for the tooth fairy

yanks - sounds about right, I'll think they'll win more
Bos - maybe I like the M's and the Halos for the WC
TB - no way
Tor - they stink i doubt they will get 78
O's - you already added 10 wins so I think my point is made

mike's been listening to the scott garceau show today and forgets that MASN is an orioles propaganda machine

hes gonna be disappointed with another last place finish

Bergeson is gonna prove last yr was a fluke

Matusz will have a sophomore slump

guthrie will repeat last yrs performance

millwood will pitch just like he did in 07 & 08

Tillman not only looks like jimmy haynes but will pitch like him and none of the glowing lineup projections will matter

A couple of the old retreads will break down for good. The steroids have to be eating away at miggys cell tissues

garret atkins will be designated for assignment by mothers day

trembleys new hardline regime will be as successful as when sam perlozzo tried it'

The free agent buy date gets pushed back to 2012

angelO"s make another 100 million and you can hear the conversation between roberts and itzuirs from the bleachers cuz the stadium is so empty

dude,
Assuming you are an orioles fan...

If not, then good luck to your team, whomever they are. I bet we Kick their Ass, cause you're not a Yankees fan.

You may be right about Bergy and Matuz - but guess what I doubt it and it's more likely one of them is a young ace. I think we all know what we get with Millwood and that's fine. I agree on Tillman (but I hope not) I think Atkins will hit but I don't like him at 1B at all.

Trembly needs the most improvement of any person discussed on this board. he needs to step up and be a real manager.

Hey - if you have no hope, we don't need you. Good night,

FIRE MACPHAIL!!!

I thought paulie was the warehouse operative not shamrock?