I am in actual, physical pain looking at that picture. I am going down to Sarasota in about 4 weeks, but I don't think I can wait that long. Thanks for nothing, Schmuck.

So I am in Altoona, Pa on business for two days, where they are expecting 7 inches of snow....and you are taunting us from Sarasota. I'm sure that when wayne reads your little stick in our eye he will put things in proper perspective for you.

Do you know if the Orioles will change their facial hair policy? I don't think I have ever seen Guerrero without some king of chin hair. Do you think they would change that policy for one player? Is it the owner or GM's policy?

Based on your malevolent comments above, I suggest you change your last name from "Schmuck" to "Putz"!
ps it's 78 here in Ft Lauderdale and I've given up driving to Lockhart Stadium to find the O's. I'm changing MY name to "Shmendrek."

...Hope your Hawaiian Shirts all have wrinkles from being packed in your airline suitcase!

Hey Pete,

While you're blanketing everyone with O's coverage, how about starting on a story comparing the Beattie/Flanny era with AM's?

I believe when you begin doing the research yourself, you'll be quite fascinated, as well as surprised.....

In the story, please factor in how Beattie/Flanny had to follow the disaster of Thrift. For the sake of perspective, I do believe such is important.

I just think that after 3.5 years of AM's reign, the comparison is enlightening. At the end of your unbiased piece, people can make their own deductions.....

Not being negative Pete. Rather, I'm simply asking that someone at the SUN (hopefully you) does a piece that informs us fans who simply prefer Wins over Losses.

Thanks

@Wayne,

Wishful thinking! Do you really expect the Baltimore media to walk that line? That requires cojones. How many articles have you read in 4 years that grade MacPhail's job in Baltimore? If you knew anything about MacPhail, you know that he has a knack for controlling what is said or written about him in the media. He was a master at it in Chicago, and he is a master at it in Baltimore. Perception is reality my friend. He is not going to leave that to chance. Has any sport writer in Baltimore taken anything other than a favorable approach toward MacPhail? How does that resonate with the reality we fans know? Exactly!

Meso,

I hear you..... But I have some hope left...albeit just a tad.

Pete's column about Vlad looking less than enthused was a sharp departure from what we've heard otherwise. And I must admit, Pete has been sharper with his tongue (overall) about the O's than in previous years.

My thought was he could simply do the research, then let people make up their own minds.

Truth is, because Beattie/Flanny had to follow such a disastrous regime, and seeing how AM has done no better (except for the ST facitility), they really got a bum wrap in this town (in comparison to AM).

Call me naive, but I just thought it would be cool if Pete did a piece, then allowed everyone to make up their own minds.

The fact that it's now even a debate though Meso, sure is eye opening - even for the most loyal warehousers.

Ain't no sunshine if "Lurch" Hendrickson makes the team. Just what we need, a lefty who was lit up by lefties to the tune of .317!

Wayne, there is a W/L column. They still have the score up from the last game of 2010! Now THAT's reporting!

By the way Pete, the editor must be sunburned too. You mixed up "invariably" and "invariable" in describing the wind and the golf shot. They need to be switched.

Wayne --- I like the idea of comparison. Might b e better to wait until after the season. BTW, not to pick nits, but a "bum wrap," as you spelled it, would not be a "lousy reputation," but one of the following: a) Depends, or diapers; b) moldy pita bread; c) blanket thrown over the shoulders of a beggar on the street.

well pete, since wayne has done much of the work already, supplying you with the theme, the lead, some mid-article fodder, and a conclusion(Surprise! ), this should be a slam dunk. Write it in the bar while rehydrating. Be sure to misspell, double-talk, contradict yourself(easy to do-just forget what you wrote in the previous paragraph), and give no context as you include some real hard "facts" as they are called. Be sure to give the proper credit.
Also, looking forward to 20 or 30 articles about why the Orioles suck.

Thanks, jim

wayne -

Just because the entire town hasn't figured out that Andy hasn't lived up to his promises, I don't think we should rewrite history about Beattie and Flanagan.

Sure, Andy doesn't get what he deserves, but that doesn't mean that Beattie and Flanagan don't deserve what they get.

if you can fit in 20 articles on why they've sucked, and 25 or so on why they'll always suck, that should get you thru the month.

not that i'm telling you what to do or anything...

Wayne, does it ever cross your mind that sometimes fans just want to be fans?

While I do think you're much to negative for your own good - likely intentionally, just to counter all the foolish optimists - I do think there's a lot of truth to what you say.

That being said, just because some of us choose to focus on the positives, doesn't mean we're naive or not aware of the flaws and shortcomings of this team and - especially - the front office.

The O's are my team, for better or worse, and I'm sure it goes the same for many others. I've been a fan for a very long time, as it sounds like you have too, and that won't change. I'm not about to just transfer to some other team. So my only other option is to look for the positives and find reason for hope. And thankfully, this coming season actually provides some legitimate reason for optimism - certainly a lot more so than any of the past 10 years.

We've got a lot of offense, some really solid defense, a deep bullpen, and a young staff that could turn the corner. Do I think they'll win the AL East? No, but I definitely think they could be this year's "2010 Padres" and at least push themselves into the WC race going into September if all goes well.

Bottom line though: I'm not saying you're wrong about everything, but just take a break and let fans be fans. The best part of being a fan is being able to ignore the negatives and get pumped about the positives. Let's see how it all turns out.

you know meso, you're right? How does an innocuoul blogline like this one turn into an entry about AM? Must be all of his friends and family hijacking the entry if you will defending the guy.

Pete, why limit this AM thing to a few articles? I mean this is such a huge story, perhaps we turn it into a musical; Andy!How one GM Ruined the World's Greatest Sports Franchise. Then everyone will know!!!AHhahahahahahahaha

jim66,

I am working on composing a post dated July 20, 2011 on the state of the team at that time. It includes 3 pitchers and 3 position players on the DL and one still in prison. Can you guess who I might name? Also, I'd like you to take a stab at how many times Mark Reynolds will have wiffed up to that point and what Mark Hendrickson's era will be. Thought we might have some fun today since I finished early and am heading back to the hotel, watch it snow, turn on ESPN, and down a few cold ones. When you are in Altoona, that is called a party.

Anybody else can jump in here and give me the answers.

Who really cares about Reynolds K's? Enough already.

If he strikes out 300 times next year and hits .220, but it comes with 45 HR and 100RBI, I'll take it, as I'm sure many others will too.

i don't know if hendrickson is going to make the club this year. he's versatile, but not so effective, and i gotta think that having adair in the pen with these guys might make the need for a player-coach unnecessary. I like rapada to make the team along with Rick Vanderwhatever I like the change in pitching coaches and the obvious change in pitching philosophy when Buck got here.
Reynolds is gonna strike out a bunch, how many games by 7/20?

I'm thinking you're seeing Pie, Hardy and jones on the DL, along with Justin, Koji, and Hernandez?

How'd i do?

@Gil,

DL - Pitchers:

Duchscherer, Gonzales, Bergesen

DL - Position Players

Grab a bunch of darts with their names and throw at the board:

Guerrero, Roberts (take this to the bank), Lee on my top 3

jim, I had Pie, Hardy and Roberts on the DL with honorable mention to Vlad and Lee. The pitchers were Justin, koji and Berken as the torn labrum acts up.
Reynolds has 145 strikeouts and is hitting .211 with 18 Hr. Hendrickson makes the team and his ERA is 4.95.

that was me:

Posted by: Anonymous | February 21, 2011 2:41 PM

schmuck.

And this article accomplishes....What?I get more news form the posters

pete,

well played sir.

well played.

No offense Pete, but please write something with some information or substance. I usually enjoy your writing.

@ wayne,

The drafts from Bettie/Flaney are better than Andy's? Is that what your getting on about?

Or is it Wins/Losses? Better to be 4th than, 5th right?

All management groups have had their success and failures, Andy's included.

But I'll tell you, a BIG victory for Andy's regime is Buck Schowalter. Best manager hire since...gosh...

Gil,

I love the idea.

Position Players: JJ Hardy, Nick Markakis, Luke Scott.

Pitchers: Michael Gonzalez, Jason Berken, Mark Hendrickson.

(I tried to get all the lefties...)

Marc Reynolds: 210 K, .187 AVG, 26 HR, .650 SLG%, 26 SB, and Gold Glove defense!

Dear Pete:

I'm terrible at checking for text messages on my cell phone. I just got a few Earl Weaver sent me back in February 1969.

- This is it! This is the year Bobby Floyd takes over for Brooksie.

- That Jim Palmer is a great guy; we're gonna be best friends. Shame he can't pitch anymore. Looks like Dave Leonard in my #4 starter.

- I ask for relievers and they get me Dick Hall! I guess next year they will bring back Moe Drabowski.

- Just saw Mike Cuellar throw his screwball. Boy, I miss Curt Blefry already.

- Was thinking about platooning Etch and Ellie. No, I'll just start Dalrymple.

- If I start Terry Crowley at 1B, do I bat him #3 or #4?

- Mike Adamson will be in the rotation by June. I promise.

- Gee, that Davy Johnson is one smart guy. I could learn a lot from him.

- F Robby said Hello to me today :)

- I'm afraid McNally's lucky streak is over.

- If Cashen and Hoffberger don't get me some quality players, I'll manage for the Yankees next year. We've got about as good a chance this year as the Mets!

If you forget to duck your head when entering a "low-bridge" door at one of your rehydration stops (which may qualify you for the disabled list) would that delay your return to help us shovel snow?

Hey Peter, we could raise an uproar and get someone else assigned to this grudge detail. whaddaya think?

You are a cruel cruel man. I just spent 2 hours shoveling my sidewalks and driveway. Who shoveled yours at home? I think I know.

You fixed the one invariably but not the other...the grammar police.