I wish the O's would lift the stupid facial hair restrictions so Nick could keep that epic beard into the season.

Did he grow it out this winter?

I'd be interested to know how many teams in the league still have the facial hair policies, or what grooming standards are required by each team. Would pony-tails and dread-locks be acceptable everywhere?

If the O's are one of only a handful, I'd say keep it...for posterity's sake. And cleanliness is next to godliness, or so they say.

So excited that he was the 'last' in camp, not 'one' of the last. But you knew that Pete... Right?

Let's hope NM displays a little more leadership going forward. Talk is cheap when you're the last to arrive under Buck's first ST with the team. Having Choo like #'s in 2011 however, would be the NM that's been promised.

Jim66,

No one laughs at your post more than you do. I'm thrilled to see you make yourself so happy. You can call me names and such, but you can't say I'm wrong. I wish you could though.... I wish you could....

Christopher,

I appreciate your post very much. Yes, I come across as negative, but I believe the piece I'm asking Pete to write is fair, very fair. Afterwards, people can simply make up their own minds. Unlike what Jim66 is lying about, all I'm asking Pete to do is write an unbiased piece comparing the Beattie/Flanny era to AM's.

Why wouldn't people support this? Why would posters like Jim66, paulie and smitty not welcome such a piece? Don't they think it would make AM look good?

Instead, they simply respond with name calling, etc. It's weird.....

Anyway Christopher, I hear what you're saying about the line up being much improved this season. And while it was impossible not to improve, consider this.... It's very likely that two of the KEY pieces of the middle of the line-up will be gone by the trade deadline.

So are we to be excited just until that time? Is that when we're suppose to become jubilant when AM brings in another Bell type prospect?

I'm a fan as well Christopher, and I'll be attending many games again this season. It's just that if anyone's truly keeping it real... they see that things are no better than when AM arrived.

How about that piece Pete?

@ Wayne

What would be the point of a article comparing what Beattie/Flanny did with what AM did.

They both sucked and I frankly don't want a trip down memory lane with the craptacular mess that was Beattie/Flanny.

I get it and I think many do that AM has sucked so far. But why with as much pain as we do suffer already as O's fans do we want a piece on past failures pointing out that the mound of Horse Crap that we had back then smells less than what we have now.

I think AM felt the heat from who knows who (I can't bring myself to think it was Potter) and did finally start acting like a GM this off season.

We may actually get the monkey off our back that is another losing season.

We are however setting ourselves up for more years of Steaming Horse crap unless something changes.

That should be the story. What we have in place now that Guarantees improvement in the future. Frankly I don't see all that in place.

Fran In Baltimore

@ Wayne

What would be the point of a article comparing what Beattie/Flanny did with what AM did.

They both sucked and I frankly don't want a trip down memory lane with the craptacular mess that was Beattie/Flanny.

I get it and I think many do that AM has sucked so far. But why with as much pain as we do suffer already as O's fans do we want a piece on past failures pointing out that the mound of Horse Crap that we had back then smells less than what we have now.

I think AM felt the heat from who knows who (I can't bring myself to think it was Potter) and did finally start acting like a GM this off season.

We may actually get the monkey off our back that is another losing season.

We are however setting ourselves up for more years of Steaming Horse crap unless something changes.

That should be the story. What we have in place now that Guarantees improvement in the future. Frankly I don't see all that in place.

Fran In Baltimore

Why cant Jim66 say you are wrong? are some of the keys on his keyboard broken? Certainly it is not because you are never wrong. IN fact Mr Perfect with the Jesus complex who thinks you are perfect, Nick was not last to report. Pedro Florimon was. So . . . all together now . . . YOU ARE WRONG! again.

No point in explaining how rude you are and the hubris it takes to try and dictate to your host how he write, what he writes and how he must accede to your wishes.

@ Wayne

What would be the point of a article comparing what Beattie/Flanny did with what AM did.

They both sucked and I frankly don't want a trip down memory lane with the craptacular mess that was Beattie/Flanny.

I get it and I think many do that AM has sucked so far. But why with as much pain as we do suffer already as O's fans do we want a piece on past failures pointing out that the mound of Horse Crap that we had back then smells less than what we have now.

I think AM felt the heat from who knows who (I can't bring myself to think it was Potter) and did finally start acting like a GM this off season.

We may actually get the monkey off our back that is another losing season.

We are however setting ourselves up for more years of Steaming Horse crap unless something changes.

That should be the story. What we have in place now that Guarantees improvement in the future. Frankly I don't see all that in place.

Fran In Baltimore

wayne

Flanagan/Beattie/Duquette's winning pct% were better then MacPhail's. I just don't Pete is going to take the time to write an article on The Biggest Loser (there's a good title).

Anyway, I think if you go through Pete's blog archives, look up all the players who were in the system before and after AM that you/we have already mentioned, you might be able to do it yourself and submit it to The Baltimore Sun

You've done most of work already anyway. Why let Pete take all the credit? Maybe The Sun will offer you your own blog!!!

Or you could be an undercover reporter on the Dark Side Of The Warehouse (good blog name!!!). Maybe you'll be able to snap a picture of AM giving a hummer to Angelos and use it as blackmail.....

Wow .. super massive blog fail.

It would not post there for a min and this is what we get.

My BAD :-(

Anyhow Wayne .. last point. If the O's pull out a non losing year your point is moot.

AM is an improvement.

So we would have moved on from a huge mound of crap to a smaller mound of crap.

Its still crap people. Things have to change tangibly (Won/Loss Ratio) to move on.

Fran In Baltimore

Wayne, pls dont stop putting your name at the end of your posts so i can continue to skip them...problem is, i still read the first sentence or 2 of people answering your post and from the looks of them, its the same every time.

NB, I think Nick would lose a lot of speed if he had the epic beard...think of the drag, although it would keep his head in on his swing.

And is it really that big a deal for Nick to be next to last to report...he's got kids, a wife and will spend most of the next 7 1/2 months away from them...even when he's in town, i'd imagine its still different from working a 9 to 5 job. Like Buck said, its voluntary and he certainly doesnt seem like the type whose gonna mince words if hes unhappy with someone.

cant wait for next tuesday for the 'oh crap the spring training game showed the os are gonna suck again' posts.

Wayne, why do you think i would not like to read a piece by Pete on the Flanny vs AM record?
The thing with me is -I don't care whether he does it or not.
You do. It's important to you.
The same guy who had a chance to ask AM a question about what you and others consider a terrible stewardship of the franchise and bailed for some lame ass excuse. You know, if you had the balls to ask the guy a question, I could probably garner up some respect for you. But you didn't. And you know what ragboy? Sorry, but you can't give me a good enough excuse why you didn't..

@ wayne,

Are you going to back up your claim with some facts or stats or anything?

Let's see the What did Flanny do book....

being criticized by Wayne? damn. it's like a badge of honor.

one more thing dopey.
When you see Nicky walking around town after a game, ask him why he was the near the last one to show up to ST. Make sure to video the Q and A with sound please. Then post it on here. I'm anxious to here a personal response from Nick about your latest gripe.

Hey Pete any chance you'll be able to give your anaylsis on Manny Machado. I know he's in the minor league complex but i am curious if you could do an article and interview with him. Maybe You could go watch and see if you think he will be the real deal. Seems like this would be a better use of your time than rehashing Flanny vs AM.

jim66,
Wayne is mostly jealous. He goes after those who most recently pointed out the errors of his thinking and the annoying manner in which he expresses himself. I wear the ABW (attacked by Wayne) badge proudly when he attacks me.
He may also be jealous that he can't make anyone laugh as you can. He has no sense of irony. No real sense of humor can I detect from his posts. And since he has no sense of humor he assumes your posts are not funny.

I believe he is a community organizer. I've never seen a person who simply likes to take a position that people will find offensive and then run it into the ground.
The dude knows that Nick is a favorite in Balto. and that is why he is criticizing him. He has already won in his mind because his goal is to simply be offensive and debate. Whoever continues to believe that he is an O's fan is simply not paying attention to him (which is actually a good thing to do).
The only time skills like his are useful is perhaps in community organizing. That's what agitators do, they agitate.
Agitators agitate.

Pete,
Can you do a story on why Nick Markakis showed up on time to spring training for like 5 straight years now.
Can you compare what time he showed up this year to the last year of the Beatty/Flanagan regime.
Something stinks here Pete.
How come Nick shows up on time for Spring Training every single year?
There is something quite fishy here...
I remember Eddie Murray used to be like a day late sometimes.
What makes Nick think he can just show up on time?
Are you in on covering up for Nick Pete?
It seems like you are ignoring all of Waynes good story lines for Spring Training???
Oh well it's your blog I guess.

@ wayne

u are an incredible dork, man

i just called u a name

its not your opinions that bother me so much, its the way you express yourself, your dorkiness if you will

get it ???

cool, my man, glad we're on the same page, my man. dork

Fran,

Terrific post....

You obviously get it, but remember, many don't. I just think it would be great reporting by the SUN. AM has gotten a pass in this town (due to his family name), yet Beattie/Flanny got destroyed by the local media.

Now that AM has been here almost 4 years now, I just feel it only fair that people see where we were as compared to where we are now.

As for a winning record. It's possible (barely), Still though, what happens when Vlad and Lee are traded off for still more prospects that don't pan out? Who is ready to come up from the minors next season, thus filling continued huge holes?

Ah Jim66,

The ole Fanfest yada. Ask Gil what happen that year. Ask him about the plants, and ask him how possible naysayers were treated. My biggest mistake that day? I didn't pretend I was a suck up.

But you do have a fan on the blog. smitty laughs at all your stuff..... You've got that going for you - which is nice...

Ole smit my brother,

When it comes to Nick, I simply came to Meso's defense. He had sound logic, yet was being attacked, thus I gave my two cents. The thing is, nothing I've said about NM is incorrect. Do I wish he was S S Choo? Of course I do.... but he's not.

You see, that's been the problem for 13 years around here. Hype, hype and more hype..... At some point it just has to stop.

It's ok to.....

look at Nicks 2010,
Reynold's 2010, JJ's '09 and '10, Duch's '09 and '10, etc, etc, etc....

because if we don't as fans, we'll always kid ourselves..... like many warehousers have been doing for a long, long time.

Now come on people.... support Pete writing the piece. It would be good for Baltimore Oriole fans. Then everyone would/could deal with the present in a realistic manner.....

One can't move forward effectively, until you understand where you've been and where you currently are....

Coming from someone who calls himself 'onceawarrior'...

Priceless

One can't move forward effectively, until you understand where you've been and where you currently are....
Confuscious Wayne

I don't know, there are schools of thought that say you can't move forward if you've decided that all you want to do is spend the rest of your life trying to understanding where you've been...since you've now decided to go all philosophical-psychobabble on me, which school is it to which you belong?

What do you think, you can just blurt out another one of your life's little Tony Robbins mysteries without some wise-ass response from me?

Wayne,

Your resume' of posts over time render this opinion...you are not qualified.

Pete,
If they O's are in first place at the trade deadline can you trade Wayne to the New England Journal of Medicine's Blog?

And you are right beaner...Jims post had me laugh out loud "Confuscious Wayne"

Please tell me you can't read what you wrote and say "That sure sounds silly doesn't it"

"Ask Gil what happen that year. Ask him about the plants,"

OK.....I'll bite
Hey Gil What happened that year? And were the plants they had in there blocking the view of Wayne. How tall were the plants they had there? Were they live or artificial?
Were there also fresh flowers in bud vases on the tables?

"Do I wish he was S S Choo? Of course I do"
Wayne as Dr. Seuss

I wish everyone was ss choo
what fun that would be for me and you
If Nick were choo and you were too
We'd have one heck of a Hallabalu.

I got to hand it to you Wayne, very few posters can go from sounding like Plato to Dr. Seuss in one small post
I tip my cap

Sorry Gil,,,,I'll go take my medication now

@ jim66,

Good stuff.

It's funny around here. The same people who accuse wayne, act the exact same way. Even when he poses legitimate thoughts, the anti waynes have no come back or answers, Instead, they just attempt to be funny, witty or both. Problem is, they accomplish neither.

I too would love to see a comparison of Beatie's time against Andy's. Wayne's right, Beatie was killed by the media and fans. Meanwhile, Andy keeps plodding along unsuccessfully. If anything, the comparison would be good journalistic reporting.

Don't let the leeches get to you wayne. They're here every year saying the exact same thing. And as long as they're the way they are, real fans will continue to be bullied.

So bf, just to clear up your last post, what you're saying is that some people are acting like wayne in that they also refuse to answer questions posed to them.
Wayne be sure to thank bf for the backhanded condemnation.

bf, it's not funny enough.

So I get home tonight from play rehearsal at the local university, and settle down with my laptop to catch up on the day in the lives of the only sports team I really, really care about: The Orioles. I check out a few blogs, and I see Schmucker's "Markakis is Fired Up" title. Cool, I think. If Nick is psyched, I'm even more psyched than I have been since the signing of Vlad, et.al. then, the blog becomes nothing but personal bashing and smashing, and lame attempts at humor that wouldn't be funny in junior high locker rooms. Pete, can't you get rid of this crap? I really think most of us (especially those of us from 'way out of town) want to read about the O's and the players and the injuries and all that BASEBALL stuff. I have no other way to get O's info. I don't a rat's ass about what Wayne or notBrooks or gil or any of these people think about each other. I want O's fans talking O's baseball. Please, Pete, help, or I may have to rely on mlb tv and espn.

I'm truly confused, For the first time in what seems like decades though only 13 miserable years, the O's appear to be fielding an exciting , run producing product on the field. There is so much to look forward to, talk about, line-ups, match-ups against other AL East Teams, and Wayne you keep talking about YOU! We simply don't care about you, you were funny, overbearing, sickening and seldom amusing when we were losing, now your just irrelevent, please keep it on the field.

Also if you didn't notice, the O's signed Vlady Wayne, it's over, let go and go take your meds.

As for me I'm excited, the game scores may be high, a lot of 6-5 or more but exciting and we should be competitive in more games.

So yes, I'm with Colorado Oriole, lets keep the discussion to the play on the field for a change as we finally have something to talk about!

Go O's

Colorado,

What play are you rehearsing? Sounds interesting.

And where am I talking about me? All I'm asking for is an unbiased piece that discusses the current front office regime compared to the last. I think it's a very important baseball question.... Possibly the most important question facing the team today.

Once the piece is written, people can make their own minds about AM.

Scott,

When Vlad has a decent year, what are you going to say when he gets traded for a Bell like prospect at the trade deadline? Lee will likely be traded away as well.

I guess you'll be one of those posters that says 'let the kids play'.... something that has been said around here for over a decade.

bf,

Your post was so far over their heads, that it was both funny and ironic. Good stuff!

Jim66,

Remember, the only guy (and he's many) who thinks you're funny is ole smitty..... Oh, and you of course.
But that's cool.....

Fellas,
I wish to echo Colorado Orioles feelings....ALL of you are making this blog unreadable by making it personal. Its fine to point-counterpoint a previous post, but guys, leave it there. Have some decency and respect for other people (uncommon these days) and stop acting like a school full of 12 year olds. Schmuck, YOU need to take action if it doesnt improve....this blog is YOUR responsibility and these few are bringing down the "enjoyability" factor of it for the majority.

Lighten up Baseball Paul and Colorado Oriole. Don't read the comments or scroll through them. It's a sports blog, which incites fan reaction. The Orioles, with their proud past and futile recent history, incite particularly strong feelings, so banter ensues, just like it would in a locker room, sports bar or anywhere else fans gather to talk. "I'm right, you're wrong," it's what sports fan talk is all about.

In general, I think Wayne and his crew are missing the boat on what's happening with the team, but there is a kernel of truth in their endless derision of the front office. Their tone is provocative, as in thought or emotion provoking, so indulge it. I tolerate their nonsense, skip through it when I am not in the mood and reply when I have had enough.

Don't change the blog Pete. People care about the Orioles here, even if it sometimes feels like it's only about the commenters.

Cynicism about Oriole progress in rebuilding the club is certainly justified, but real fans of the team should appreciate the fact that, among the seven or eight clubs in MLB who have struggled the most over the past decade, no single organization has made a more concerted effort, this year, to rebuild than have the Orioles.

Crawl before you walk. Root for 82 wins from this group, along with some adhesion. Enjoy the upcoming season, which promises competitiveness, a well-run club, and some really interesting and exciting individual stories and tests from some of the new guys.

Imagine how we'll be feeling if Vlad has one more big year, and Lee plays up to his standard? How about Roberts staying healthy for 162 games? How about the young outfielders trying to get over the hump? What if all those young pitchers suddenly get a clue at the same time?

Jeez! I am so hyped about this season I can hardly wait..

If one could wave a magic wand the Orioles would have be winning WS 12 years ago. That cannot be done. The mistakes were made. No matter what regime was in charge, the mistakes won't be corrected overnight or with a MAGIC WAND. Some people need to learn this lesson. I believe this is the closest this organization has come to taking corrective actions for becoming viable again. The tampa bay rays did not do it overnight. They did it by building a strong base. The Orioles are working on that now. The team has some potential (even if people don't want to say so) in the minors. Machado, Henson, Mahoney, Erbe and others have potential. When a team has been down for 13 years it takes a little time to rebuild. Think of this organization as an expansion club. And it is being rebuilt. A team that has to be rebuilt cannot afford a guy like Texiera or Cliff Lee. If the team starts winning then those guys may come to Baltimore. They want to play for a winner. If it was the mid 90's they may have signed. This is rebuilding in 2011. The team is going in the right direction.

Everyone take a deep breath, go take a walk and enjoy baseball instead of getting mad over the past. Unless you are the person in charge of rebuilding don't sweat it. And I question if many of the behind keyboard GM's have any input into the rebuilding process.

Baseball Paul,

Excellent post..... I agree 100%

I must have missed it, is there been a rule change in baseball? I mean, I keep reading over and over that Vladi and Lee must be traded at the deadline. Could somebody please site the page and line in the ML rule book where it is stated.

Otherwise, it's just one blogger's opinion. And it's one blogger's opinion that neither guy will have an interest in resigning here. I haven't seen it printed anywhere that Guerrero, or Lee, have no interest in resigning here. Or, that the O's wouldn't consider resigning either player. Again, if I missed that articale,enlighten me...

Used to read about "the plan" on here, and "The Warehousers" were laughed off the blog for bringing up 2012. Now the same posters that ridiculed others for lookig ahead to 2012 are worried about holes in the 2012 lineup...

Seems somewhat ironic to me...

Oh, and the assumption that Vladi isn't happy to be here based on his news conference.

Pete, it's not the "here" that's he's not enthused about, he is slow to warm up to reporters. Always has been at every stop in his career. I wouldn't expect that to change at age 36. Players always love him, he's a well respected teammate that apparently likes his space.

Pete, I don't know what his opinion of StoneCrab Claws is, but maybe a dinner interview would help break the ice...

I must have missed it, is there been a rule change in baseball? I mean, I keep reading over and over that Vladi and Lee must be traded at the deadline. Could somebody please site the page and line in the ML rule book where it is stated.

Otherwise, it's just one blogger's opinion. And it's one blogger's opinion that neither guy will have an interest in resigning here. I haven't seen it printed anywhere that Guerrero, or Lee, have no interest in resigning here. Or, that the O's wouldn't consider resigning either player. Again, if I missed that articale,enlighten me...

Used to read about "the plan" on here, and "The Warehousers" were laughed off the blog for bringing up 2012. Now the same posters that ridiculed others for lookig ahead to 2012 are worried about holes in the 2012 lineup...

Seems somewhat ironic to me...

Oh, and the assumption that Vladi isn't happy to be here based on his news conference.

Pete, it's not the "here" that's he's not enthused about, he is slow to warm up to reporters. Always has been at every stop in his career. I wouldn't expect that to change at age 36. Players always love him, he's a well respected teammate that apparently likes his space.

Pete, I don't know what his opinion of StoneCrab Claws is, but maybe a dinner interview would help break the ice...

I must have missed it, is there been a rule change in baseball? I mean, I keep reading over and over that Vladi and Lee must be traded at the deadline. Could somebody please site the page and line in the ML rule book where it is stated.

Otherwise, it's just one blogger's opinion. And it's one blogger's opinion that neither guy will have an interest in resigning here. I haven't seen it printed anywhere that Guerrero, or Lee, have no interest in resigning here. Or, that the O's wouldn't consider resigning either player. Again, if I missed that articale,enlighten me...

Used to read about "the plan" on here, and "The Warehousers" were laughed off the blog for bringing up 2012. Now the same posters that ridiculed others for lookig ahead to 2012 are worried about holes in the 2012 lineup...

Seems somewhat ironic to me...

Oh, and the assumption that Vladi isn't happy to be here based on his news conference.

Pete, it's not the "here" that's he's not enthused about, he is slow to warm up to reporters. Always has been at every stop in his career. I wouldn't expect that to change at age 36. Players always love him, he's a well respected teammate that apparently likes his space.

Pete, I don't know what his opinion of StoneCrab Claws is, but maybe a dinner interview would help break the ice...

I must have missed it, is there been a rule change in baseball? I mean, I keep reading over and over that Vladi and Lee must be traded at the deadline. Could somebody please site the page and line in the ML rule book where it is stated.

Otherwise, it's just one blogger's opinion. And it's one blogger's opinion that neither guy will have an interest in resigning here. I haven't seen it printed anywhere that Guerrero, or Lee, have no interest in resigning here. Or, that the O's wouldn't consider resigning either player. Again, if I missed that articale,enlighten me...

Used to read about "the plan" on here, and "The Warehousers" were laughed off the blog for bringing up 2012. Now the same posters that ridiculed others for lookig ahead to 2012 are worried about holes in the 2012 lineup...

Seems somewhat ironic to me...

Oh, and the assumption that Vladi isn't happy to be here based on his news conference.

Pete, it's not the "here" that's he's not enthused about, he is slow to warm up to reporters. Always has been at every stop in his career. I wouldn't expect that to change at age 36. Players always love him, he's a well respected teammate that apparently likes his space.

Pete, I don't know what his opinion of StoneCrab Claws is, but maybe a dinner interview would help break the ice...

The thing is, nothing I've said about NM is incorrect
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You can repeat this lie all you want but it doesnt make it true. You have now been wrong twice in this thread alone about NM. Not my opinion. fact. Unlike you I know the difference between what is my opinion and what is cosmic certainty.

Baseball Paul,

Excellent post..... I agree 100%

Posted by: wayne | February 22, 2011 10:54 AM

Looks like we should be expecting some big changes from our good buddy wayne.

Lucky,

Tell me where I was wrong my friend...... The floor is yours....

And Dan,

'overnight'? You think AM's only been here 'overnight'? Why didn't people say that about Beattie/Flanny?

Compare each regime and then look at 'overnight' again....

'Overnight'.... Really?

Mountain,

You really think if both are doing well, that AM won't get what he can for each?

Of course he will.... Then you'll be saying 'let the kids play', which has been said around here for over a decade.

'Overnight'?

Uh oh, fifteen minutes to Judge Wapner.
Ten minutes to Wapner.
'Course it's 10 minutes to Wapner.
I get my boxer shorts at K-Mart in Cincinnati.
Gotta get my boxer shorts at K-Mart.
Boxer shorts. K-Mart!
K-Mart, we should go to K-Mart. 400 Oak Street.
Have to get to K-Mart. 400 Oak Street. The sign said 'Don't Walk'. Have to get to K-Mart.
Gotta get a piece on Andy vs Flanny.
Andy vs Flanny. Yeah.
Andy vs Flanny GMs of The Baltimore Orioles.
Yeah.

The thing I am most excited about is our young SP. Matusz is a stud w/ one of the best change-ups in baseball and excellent control. Duchsherer (or however you spell it) has been an above average pitcher when healthy. Guthrie showed what he is capable of last year and Bergesen got something clicking once Buck got here. If Arrieta can just trust his electric stuff and put it over the plate, we will have a solid 5. I have a lot of money bet with buddies that we will finish above the Yankees and I base it mostly on the SP. The Pinstripers have CC and Hughes, then they lose. I do not feel that we will be able to hang w/ Boston, but contending for the WC is in the realm of possibility.
Pete- what have you seen of Brittons bullpen sessions?

Wow Paul,

If you play poker, do you mind if I join? Did you at least get odds?

You have a zero chance of winning your bet.... Typical of pre season Baltimore hype though.

Duch hasn't really pitched in 3 years, yet he's part of your solid 5? Guthrie is solid, but the best you can say about Matz and Bergy is that both have showed signs.

I get optimism...... but you people must lose your hard earned money every year.

Next time.... just ask me first. I'll save you allot of casshhh.

Didn't take long for you to forget about Paul's 8:54 post, eh wayner?

Lucky Horseshoe,

Glad to see you back, and I mean that. Your intellect enhances the blog. I recently quoted my favorite post of all time that was attributed to you several years ago: "Screw the fans. It's Angelos money and he can do with it what he wants." Truer words were never spoken..

smitty,

I have been out of town and am getting up to date. As I have said before, Andy Macphail and Peter Angelos are public figures. People on this blog are entitled to say pretty much anything they want about them. I have and will continue to do so. You are very transparent when you disparage other people's opinions about them in such a viscous and sarcastic manner. Can't you just repond to the comments they make with a fact based rebuttal? As I have said before, you and several others on here remind me of the Bill Clinton war room. If you are not getting paid by Andy you should be.

jim66, Onceawarrior

Why the name calling? Has wayne gotten that much under your skins? It is uncharacteristic of both of you. I don't think I have ever called anyone on this board a demeaning name. Unless you think "The Andy macphail booster club, AM apologists, or AM fan club is demeaning. Well, maybe once but I'm sure you will research it. I try to address the arguments without resorting to "I know you are and so am I." Hell, nobody is perfect, least of all me but I actaully like evrybody on the board, even smitty, and that is pretty hard to do.

wayne,

Keep up the good fight in the battle of ideas. It's sounds like several of the posters have acquired little wayne dolls. Just in case you are getting shooting pains all over, you know why.

Now, was that sanctimonious enough for you. There, before you jump the keyboard, I said it for you.

"Compare each regime and then look at 'overnight' again...."

Hey Wayne, I've been telling you for weeks to take a good look at the roster AM inherited in 2007.
OK , Now take a good look at the roster that is now in 2011. Which is better Dunder Mifflin?
Even you should be able to see a clear distinction between the 2. OK I'll help. The one he inherited basically sucked. The one we have now could (will according to smitty) win over 90 games.

There's your answer dude> Night and day.

You see it's at the END of a rebuilding we are looking at, not the process to get there.

But you don't get it do you?

"You are very transparent when you disparage other people's opinions about them in such a viscous and sarcastic manner. Can't you just repond to the comments they make with a fact based rebuttal?
Gil

Hi Gil,
What's a fact based rebuttal to "AM Sucks " AM Sucks"?? I Guess it would be to point out his 2 World series teams eh?
How does one respond with fact based rebuttal to harsh and over the top nonsense?
Since I've posted here I've been in the minority of being patient while Mr. Macphail did his work.
Your posts (and Waynes) have been some of the most nasty personal attacks against someone (AM) I've seen. I don't happen to believe it's OK because they are public figures to talk the way you and others talk about him.
So I've used sarcasm and attempts at humor to stake out the positive side. I really don't think I've been "viscious" to anyone.
Your tone changed as the O's have obviously improved on paper this year. Some posters like Wayne just picked up new subject lines to continue to agitate people. And you seem to really enjoy his agitation. So be it. I enjoy pointing out his many many errors etc. because of the way he comes across

I think it's time to establish a breakaway column for Wayne and his minions. Hope Waynes.

Last I checked Smitty, Andy was a big boy. A big boy who makes millions per year. Millions per year while running a very poor baseball team year after year. I actually think it's perfectly fair for wayne and Gil to question Andy the way they do. I don't see name calling. I don't see personal attacks.

Instead, I see them going after Andy, the professional. And since he runs the Baltimore Orioles, who survive by fans supporting the franchise, I feel that makes him fair game for criticism.

You see harsh criticism as personal. I don't. Actually, you attack personally like no one else on the blog.

The biggest problem you have smitty, is you don't have a credible rebuttal because Andy's tenure has basically been a failure. The one rebuttal you do come up with is two world series wins during a different era of the game. And everyone sees that but you.

Possibly you can be positive without constantly berating others for simply being harsh critics.

cmon Wayne you can come up with betternames than bf. I've seen you do it!

Wayne,

Since you directed the overnight statement at me, I still have not solved the reason you are not the true GM of the Baltimore Orioles?

You sort of remind me of a stock basher. You want to sell a stock short so when it goes up you bash even harder to try to make up for the loss on your short position that will end up losing you a lot of money.

And the next GM of the BALTIMORE ORIOLES will be WAYNE: announcement will be made October 30th, 2012. Good luck. I will expect a WS title in 2013.

Sorry smitty,

Just because there are posters who rag on you, it doesn't mean they're me. By the way, where's the beaner post? Everyone's waiting.

Dan F,

Nah.... Not me.... But let me ask you... Could I have done worse? COuld many of the posters on here have done worse?

It's a good question

I'm not a true GM of a professional baseball team either, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Really.

Now let me preempt smitty with his canned comment whenever Andy's name comes up on the blog, no matter what context.........

BUT ANDY HAS TWO RINGS, HOW MANY DO YOU HAVE, YOU LOSER POSTER? HAH? HOW MANY?

TWO!! THAT'S RIGHT,TWO!!!! TWO!!!
TWOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! LOSERS!!!!!
HE IS A GEEENIUS! A LIVING LEGEND!! A GOD!!!HE HAS COME DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TO LEAD THE TEAM OUT OF THE WILDERNESS!!! YOU ARE NOT WORTHY TO MENTION HIS NAME UNLESS YOU ARE ON YOUR KNEES!!!!!

By the way, where's the beaner post?

To quote a frequent poster on this blog:
Look it up.
OR
I don't know how to copy and paste.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

Gil,
Weren't you just spouting some crap about not getting personal with posters?

That you talk baseball exclusively?

Basically, that people need to act their age?

I refer you to your last post, about 15 minutes ago. Aren't you 65 years old? Were you acting your age? You didn't call him a name, but you were very insulting.

You don't have to call someone an as*hole to call him an as*hole.

If you don't want to act your age or practice what you preach, don't get on the cross every time someone insults you.

to smitty's latest made up hybrid screen name.{pretty damn creative, by the way}

Haven't you ever heard about the healing power of laughter?

By the way, who is the poster that people keep referring to as "beaner?" have I missed something here?

So what you're saying is it's just all fun and games jokey jokes when you do it, but when he does it, it's time to grow up and talk baseball.

Hypocrisy sent, hypocrisy received.

And if you're not smart enough to pick up on the writing style differences between me and Mr. Sunshine Smitty, your reading comprehension sucks worse than your math skills.

wanyegilmeso,

Come to think of it I do recognize the style. You are not smitty, I apologize. You can actually make a cogent point. When I get the time I am going to go back into the archives and try to find the screen name you used to post under before you decided to go rogue with your composite. Hey, you are OK as far as I am concerned. Your opinions are as good as anyone's oin here, no better no worse, so have at it.

I love to talk baseball until somebody brings up Andy Macphail. Then all bets are off. I see red. Sorry, it's a little thing I have and an admitted weakness. I see red over the three years{not counting 2007} that Andy swindled the fans by planning to lose. There is nothing he could ever due to make it up as far as I am concerned.

Gil:

Truce. Some may never give it up, but if someone wants to say sorry, I'll accept and say it too. So, sorry for being a jackass at you.

I'll save my smartassery for wayne.

I've been a fan for 20 years, so I've been dragged through the mud right along with you.

I remember sitting over the scoreboard in the extra seating for game 1 of the '96 playoffs against the Indians. WBAL filmed me(didn't make the cut) talking (clean) smack about the Indians. Bobby Bo hit a grand slam two rows in front of me. I almost had a stroke. It was the best experience I've ever had relating to sports, and I've been to a game or two.

In light of that, I certainly can understand why you and others can be so frustrated and jaded. No one likes to watch their team lose. And lose. And lose. Or, watch the upper management make stupid signings and trades, being cheap...it's been covered ad nauseum on here. I sure as hell don't like it.

But here's the thing. The Baltimore Orioles will win the World Series again. Probably not this year or next year, but at some point they will.

I prefer to look forward to that and not back on the past 13 years. If I want to look back, I remember that grand slam. Or being there for Ben McDonald's debut shutout, or Randy Milligan hitting 3 homers.

I think we all have enough in our lives to get aggravated about without having a sports team add to it.

And for anyone who has a deficiency in understanding the meaning of these words, I do not sign off on Andy MacPhail or Peter Angelos. I do not work at the warehouse. It'd be a long commute.

wgm,

Although I have long since relocated, I lived in pigtown until the age of 10. I have commuted at leat 60 miles one way into Maryand for many, many years. I love Baltimore. On Sunday mornings in the fall back in the 50's ,my mother and sisters used to go to Church, my Dad and I would take the bus up to 33rd and Ellersie. I have baltimore in my blood. I guess I am fortunate to have witnessed the rise and glory of the Colts and the Orioles and I also have many memories burned into my mind. That's probably why I admittedly have become very bitter to watch the demise of one of the greatest franchises in the history of professional sports. I have seen Nolan Ryan pitch in the twilight game at 5:35 with only 1,000 fans at the start of the game. You could hear Earl Weaver yell and Ryan grunt with every delivery. Saw Rocky Colavito hit 4 Home Runs in one game. Bo Jackson run up the left field fence. Jim Gentile get into a pushing match with Jim Piersall at first base. So many memories. I just think Andy Macphail did not really have a plan when he got here and has been more reactive than proactive. Sure, spending some one else's money is easy for me to say, but things aren't moving fast enough for me.

Andy had a plan: To run an organization on the cheap while building a core from within.
Cheap: win.
Young core: lose. Yeah, there are prospects. In A/AA. After 3 off seasons and drafts, at least year one should be MLB or AAA.

All the Orioles are to him is a stepping stone to commissioner while (attempting) to prove that a team can be built Dollar General style.

I think if he gets commissioner, he's going to do what he can to end the A-Roid/C.C. type of contracts. I don't have anything to back that up, just a feeling.

Anyway, my first game was in '85. All of what you experienced with the good years were before my time. Too bad. I remember them winning the World Series, but I cared more abot G.I. Joe, He-Man and Transformers than the Orioles.

And upon further review, MY math skills suck. That would be 25 years of being a fan, not 20.

I guess this name will do for a while.