Pete,

I agree with Buck when says that Vlad, Lee and the rest of the guys, at the end of the season will be around their average. So there is no need to completely panic when they don't hit. The thing that warns the panic is that you had multiple players going in a cold funk.

I think Vlad frustrates people when he swings at every junk thrown his way, but one can argue that's why he has those career numbers.

Matt Weiters has been a pleasure to watch behind the plate and with the bat lately. I maintain that if he hit the weights a little bit he will put up some Adam Dunn like home run numbers.

The player that I didn't expect to be in a funk is Nick Markakis. He is my pick for all-star selection this year. I think he will have a break out month of May, along with Derek Lee.

meso. I agree that players with a good track record over an extended period will usually hit their career numbers, but in case of Lee and Vlad, there are the age and injury factors to consider.
Both are in their late 30's and coming off various injuries. Hopefully, the O's can squeeze one more productive year from each and we don't see the Sosa-like sudden decline. I guess if we had a crystal ball then everything would be easy but then again, I suppose the O's were willing to roll the dice because they didn't have much choice. The minors apparently didn't have 2 or even 1 MLB-ready power hitter and the free agent market was pretty limited. Even at 70-80%, Lee and Vlad will probably give us decent numbers and I'm hoping that Lee in particular can find his stroke.
One of the hardest things to judge is when a player reaches the end of the line-kind of like trying to guess how much longer to keep the old car!

Pete,

With Lee, how much of this could be adjusting to a new set of pitchers in the AL? I mean, 14 years in the NL, could take him awhile to learn the pitchers, no? Do players making the transition from NL to AL ever produce right away? And if not, why is he not hitting lower in the order?

For now, you are Nostradamus.
Keep picking up on those long ball vibes.

Meso I wouldn't worry about Nick...he's always been a slow starter. Just look at his career BA splits by month.

Apr - .272
May - .267
June - .312
July - .322
August - .318
Sept - .285

....coccyx, now there's a funny word.....

COCCXY ! COCCYX ! COCCYX !

bwhahaha

I love when folks put up career splits for Nick. How bout putting up his entire 2010 season?

The only way Nick makes the All Star team is if the league must pick someone from the team (as usually is the case), and others (vlad, jones, roberts, etc) are having terrible first halfs.

Listen, I want Nick to have a break out year as much as anyone... And I love how he went over AM's head directly to the owner last season. But unless something drastic happens to the guy, he's not an all star... not even close.

If you don't hit for power, if you can't steal bases, then you must at least be able to hit for a very high average. Even nb said that Nick will be around 280 this season when all is said and done, and guys..... that's just not cutting it.

Even if he hits 295, and hits his share of doubles, he 1) is nowhere near being an all star, and 2) doesn't deserve near the money he's making.

No one wants to hear it... No one wants to face it... but Nick is an average ballplayer, with an above average throwing arm.

Even then, he'll never win a gold glove. Unless your name is Ichiro, those go to CF's for the most part. CF's are faster and must get to far more balls than your typical RF'er.

Now.... that's not to say that Nick's not one of the best O's - because he is. Problem is, that hasn't been saying a whole lot for quite some time.

If Nick breaks out,,,, bats 320 with an ops near 950, then I'll be happy to come on here and say 'i was wrong'.

I hope I have to....

Micah,

There's a big difference between 272 in April and 215. Maybe he'll up juicing it a bit before the end of the month, but he has a long way to go before getting to 272. To me, Markakis has become a serviceable ballplayer. Every team needs a couple on their roster.

I can say, without a doubt, that Nick Markakis is never going to post an OPS near .950. To post a number close to that, he would have to beat his career best SLG% by 50 points.

However, I do believe that he'll get back to the high .800's, where he was in '07 and '08. If that happens, we should all be happy, because Nick is never going to be better than he was in 2008. .300/.400/.490 with ~20 home runs and ~45 doubles is most likely his peak. I don't think we should ever hope for more than that.

I thought he was well on his way to that .300/.400/.490 type season through the abbreviated series with New York, but, for some reason, he's taken a massive dive since then.

Pete, have you heard anything from Nick, Buck or Pressley about the slump? 1 for 20 prior to last night was just brutal... Here's hoping he's on his way to breaking out. It sure was nice to see him hit a couple of balls on the nose against Blackburn. Too bad that liner in the fifth was right back at the pitcher...

I noticed this blog has people often asking Peter Schmuck questions. I also have noticed that he never answer them - any of them. I wonder, if you have a blog, why would you never answer questions from the audience? And, if you know Peter won't answer, why would you keep asking?

It's just habit, Tim. Schmuck used to respond a lot more than he does now.

Two more statistical tidbits:

Ten qualifying players posted an OPS of .950 or higher in 2010. Ten. And that's including Troy Tulowitzki's .949 mark.

Nine qualifiers posted an OPS of .950 or higher in 2009. And that's including Manny Ramirez's .949 mark in 352 at bats.

If Nick Markakis ever posts an OPS close to .950, the entire baseball world would be absolutely shocked.

Peter, you stirred the pot with your article about Luke Scott and his "blind-sided" interview over the winter. Now one of your want-to-be reporters who can't find a real job, picks things up and tries to flame the fire which should have been doused months ago. This Penn State and Towson Univ. grad must have done real well in Penn State to have to finish at Towson. Great credentials for a wonderful journalist? Please tell him to stick to covering the sandlot and high school teams because he ain't ready for prime time.

Nick Markakis doesn't hit 40 HR's?!!??!?!!

Fu*& that guy!

Totally useless!!!

The Orioles should have let him hit free agency!

I love that the same people who bitch and moan about the O's not spending money, complain about how much Nick is making.

h.y.p.o.c.r.a.t.i.c.

"waaaa, Nick doesn't do x, y, z...."

As long you keep saying what Nick doesn't do your missing all the great things he does do.

But hey, the Orioles are losers, Nick is an Oriole, Nick is a loser. Simple.

Let's kick Nick outta here. Andy should have traded him before Bedard.

I don't care that the players Nick most resembles are all HOF'ers, Nick couldn't single handily beat the AL East, so he's just okay.

Let's try the facts.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/markani01.shtml

Carl Yastrzemski...totally average, not great, suspect, overpaid, and over-rated.

BTW, Nick told me to publicly apologize to all the fans that "wanted" him to hit 45 HR's and bat .350. He has failed us all, and will immediately ask PA for a demotion so fans can believe him to be Santa Claus and he'll meet that expectation.

How dare Nick not be what we that fans "want" him to be. The bastard...

not brooks,

This is from a couple of days ago when I was talking crazy about Jim Johnson being a starter...

You had mentioned that in turning him into a starter, he'd loose the 96-99 velocity as well as some of the drastic movement on his pitches.

I think that's a given, and good of you to point out. My reference point is a Right handed version of Britton. I think Britton's velocity and movement are what JJ in the rotation looks like. 2-seamer sitting at 92-95 is still above average for a starter.

Fans on this blog have mentioned how it was standard operating procedure to put young guys in the pen before putting them in the rotation. Again, I don't remember this, it's before my time (or at least before my conscious recollections) circa early 1980's baseball, so I'll have to take them at their word. Although, It makes a bunch of sense.

- Learn the hitters of the league.
- Learn the ball parks.
- Learn the strike zone.
- Continue development of pitches.

Anyway, it's a thought, and I know JJ has been asked by Sun reports more than once, about being the starting rotation. When asked this Spring Training his response was something on the line of "{laughter}, really?? People still think that?!!? {laughter}, sure why not, but I think that time has passed."

So it's moot issue, and totally fanciful...but just saying is all.

be nice to see reynolds get a hit this week

ADAM JONES:

You know what I'm liking about Adam these days?

The home run love.

When he's crossing the plate, he puts the love on the left sleeve. The Maryland patch. Giving the love to the local. As a fan, I'm eating it up.

You know what else I'm liking about Adam Jones...the defense. He's been nothing short of a Center Field super ninja.

Speaking of which, he's been the top Web Jem for the last week on ESPN.

Tonight he might fall of tonight.

Be local fans for a second, and vote for Adams web gem. He gets extra "cool" points for blowing the bubble!

http://espn.go.com/mlb/baseballtonight

- To vote, go almost to the bottom of the page. It's on the Right side.

VOTE FOR ADAM!!!!

looks like this game might boil down to which pitcher can keep down the pathetic offense of the opposing team

lol, jim66...

but you're probably right.

Matt Wieters 5 game hitting streak...that's got to be close to a record for him...

well, walking roberts to get to markakis,,,i like the strategy

loved B-Rob's and Nick's AB's!!!!

Sure, Nick end up swinging at an outside Curve ball for strike out, 3rd out...but that's not mentioning the 9 pitches he battled through. Good AB's.

No paulie, No one is asking Nick to hit 40 hr's. No one has ever come close to saying that. That's just you taking something and instead of acting intelligent, you put out a ridiculous post.

Typical Markakis though..... Roberts has an amazing AB, putting runners at 1st and 2nd. Markakis then does what he's been doing since the beginning of last season. How can this guy be excused for so long now?

And as for his contract. I believe people are just bitching at his number. A number he obviously shouldn't be getting. He had a good year in 2009, then cashed in. Since then, he's been a tremendous letdown. You all can talk about his value all day long. He'd be a 4th or 5th outfielder for the Yankee's.

needless to say, nick continues his drive towards the mendoza line unabated

undeterred by the rbi opportunities, he continues the baffling de-surgence

this team get one guy going, and one quits

A 4th or 5th outfielder for which Yankee's what, James?

Normally, I'm not on grammar patrol, but people: COME ON! If you don't know the rules of using an apostrophe, you shouldn't be allowed to type.

And James, you're right that no one is asking for 40 home runs, but the fact that wayne even mentioned an OPS near .950 is borderline insane.

On tonight's game: I know that Scott Baker is a much better pitcher than he gets credit for, but come on, fellas! Step up your game a bit here!

Could there currently be a worse 2 - 3 combo in the game? It's just so difficult to watch game after game.

Looks like it'll be yet another hard luck loss for Guthrie. You kind of hope he gets traded to a contender at the trade deadline. For his sake.

James C,

Yes let's please act intelligent.

Like when you say...

"Typical Markakis though..... Roberts has an amazing AB, putting runners at 1st and 2nd. Markakis then does what he's been doing since the beginning of last season. How can this guy be excused for so long now?"

I respond by saying...

Nick Markakis in 2010 batted .338 w/ RISP.

.338 w/ RISP in 2010, his much be-groaned "off year".

and...

.327 w/ RISP w/ 2 outs in 2010.

His "off year" that has people saying things like... "How can this guy be excused for so long now?"

Yes James, let's be intelligent and not say "How can this guy be excused for so long now?" when we should be saying "Nick is tremendously under appreciated...even by his own "fans"."

.338 w/ RISP = "How can this guy be excused for so long now?" LMAO.

btw James...

It was Wieters that put himself on 2nd with his double, not Brian Roberts with his walk. Just saying.

nice to see scott rounding into form
nice to see 63 yr old jim thome can still hit

How does this team hope to compete against the Yanks and the Sox with an offense, that except for the 11 run anomaly this week, has been nothing short of pathetic?

Are they prepared to pitch lights out for the next week?

This could end up being the Camden Yards Massacre, Part

How many of those hits drove in more than one run paulie. Please do the breakdown. I always hear about his doubles, but rarely does he do so with a t least a couple guys on. You can look it up. Or better yet, how about a home run in 2010? That would have knocked in more runs, including himself.

Sorry about the grammer not brooks. People really still note mistakes on blogs though? Feel free to police the blog. Some people, like myself, don't care to proof read. It's a blog.

And ok, maybe not a 5th outfielder for the Yankee's, but certainly the 4th

I love how this blog comes alive during game time. Anyway, I see the majority of the Orioles line-up is making Scott Baker look like Cy Young.

Guthrie still can't pitch inside and he's been lucky to keep the ball inside the ball park.

Could be worse. Orioles need this win.
Where's that Orioles magic when ya need it?!?

If the Orioles expect to be .500 or better this year, they have to put teams like the Twins (current line-up) away!

The Orioles could lose the next 25 games in a row and some bloggers would still say 'The Plan' is working.
These same bloggers would dig up stats that make their case, just like they do when it comes to players like Nick M. I've been an O's fan for 30 years, but damn if I'm going to be blind towards the product on the field. Jeremy is pitching another unsung hero performance tonight. But like usual when he pitches, it will be for nothing.

"He'd be a 4th or 5th outfielder for the Yankee's." -- James.

What in the world are you talking about? You probably don't even know who's in the Yankee OF.

Nick - .366 OBP
Granderson - .341 OBP
Swisher - .358 OBP
Gardner - .350 OBP

And Nick is younger than all of them!!

You wanna start comparing the defensive #'s of this #4 OFer to the rest of the Yankees OF??

"He'd be a 4th or 5th outfielder for the Yankee's." --- almost funnier than "How can this guy be excused for so long now?".

Do you watch baseball? Have you seen Nick at the plate vs. Swisher, Granderson, and Gardner AB's...Nick is SOOOO much more of a complete player than all of the Yankees OF it's crazy.

well, it took the AL pitchers about 6 games to figure out how to get reynolds back on his strikeout pace. Couple that with no home runs and no walks, and yep, we got Josh Bell.

The Squirrel's comment about Guthrie say all you really need to know about Oriole fans. The guy gives up 2 in 7 innings, and oh yes, he still can't pitch inside.

The sharpest tool in the shed need not worry.

Oh look, Gonzo get's racked. Shocker. Glad to hear the fans booing him when he left the game. Why is this guy even on the team?

@Jim66
You're getting more surly each day =P
Seriously though, poor Gonzo just got booed off the field again. Wayne was that you leading the booing? Gonzo's mechanics are all fouled up, I do feel bad for him and will not add insult to injury by saying anymore about him.

Lets hope the O's offense is in the comeback mode tonight. You have to hand it to the Twins, they are not layind down at all.

PS - Is Ben McDonald coming back this year to MASN? I miss him! I like him so much better then Jim Palmer. Jim knows what he's talking about obviously, but Ben has a much lighter touch when making the same point.

hey, the team should be celebrating...last year at this time they were 2-16.

good job fellas.

splitting the series with the team with the worst offense in the league, that is missing the middle of it's lineup, is very encouraging.

-- "He'd be a 4th or 5th outfielder for the Yankee's."

-- "How can this guy be excused for so long now?"

-- "just like they do when it comes to players like Nick M."

Yeap, these are things Orioles fans say about their BEST player.

Above average Hitter.

Above average Defender.

Some may have rose colored glasses...

But the stench of loosing has made many of you blind.

Oriole fans have lost all perspective, let alone hope, if you haven't seen a great player in Nick Markakis.

Just blinded by loosing or dreams of Albert Pujols. Totally blind.

Jim66, I was thinking the same thing about Reynolds. He really is just about an automatic out. The thing about always striking out is you never give the defense a chance. The guy just looks lost most of the time.

James C and pauilie, I agree with both of you, although I'm close to James. Nick would find a spot in the NY outfield for sure. But Swisher is perfect for that team and the right field porch. He's likely be moved over to left, with Nick going to right. All in all though paulie, you do make too many excuses for the Orioles though. It's like you're watching a different team. You're constantly defending them, and it usually doesn't make sense.

Nick Markakis, career

RISP: 776 AB, 53 doubles = 1 every 14.7 AB

Bases Empty: 1684 AB, 108 doubles = 1 every 15.6 AB

12-: 192 AB, 10 doubles = 1 every 19.2 AB

1-3: 60 AB, 8 doubles = 1 every 7.5 AB

-23: 63 AB, 5 doubles = 1 every 12.6 AB

123: 66 AB, 2 doubles = 1 every 33 AB

There you go, James. I looked it up. And the only instance in which you were right was with the bases loaded.

But the stats prove that Nick hits more doubles per AB with runners in scoring position than he does with the bases empty. And the stats prove that he hits a lot of doubles particularly with a runner on third (one every 14.7 AB's with just a runner on third, by the way).

So, I think it's fair to say, in the immortal words of Floyd from The Shawshank Redemption: "Red, I do believe you're talking out of your ass."

Nick Markakis is a fine ballplayer. And he's a damn fine hitter with runners in scoring position (.861 OPS for his career in such situations). He had a couple of down years, by his standards, which were still damn fine years, and now he's in a rough patch to start the year. No different than Derek Jeter's 0 for 42 to start the season a couple of years back.

I really don't know why some of you guys are so hellbent on proving that Nick Markakis is just an average (or below average or worse) baseball player.

meant 'closer' to James, not close. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Paulie, Come on. Nick M is not a great player. He is a nice major league player. But to call him a great hitter is nonsense. But I can see that no one will ever sway you as you're a diehard orange and blacker no matter what. I'm an O's fan as well, but there must be a team in toen that I'm not aware of. The one you describe is foreign to the majority of Oriole fans. I do applaud your unconditional rose colored glasses though.

Dennis,

There's plenty of terrible things about the Orioles over the years, obviously. I've made plenty of bones about the team (from Mark Reynolds, to Chris Ray, to buying bullpens, never getting a 1B for over a decade...)....

However, many many many of the things mentioned on this blog are as wildly off base on over the top as they get.

--Angelos is primarly concerned with stealing fans money and disinterested in winning.

--Andy has done only one thing right (Bedard trade).

--Nick Markakis is an average/okay/mediocre player.

Again, there's plenty of legitimate issues with the Orioles that folks don't need to lie and contort reality to fit their diabolical hatred of losing.

Go back to December and see how furious I was about the Mark Reynolds thing...I'm not nearly as I track minded as you may thing. I'd like to think I'm a tad more complex than "if the Orioles did it, it must be Great!!"

I have provided PAGES of statistics about Nick Markakis that show him as at the MINIMUM a very good player.

PAGES.

And yet....

If people can't read statistics or use there eyes when watching Nick's AB's over 5 + years....

again, blind is the only possible explanation.

...and thanks not brooks. I feel like I'm going crazy here. Why is tearing down Nick Markakis in vouge? Notice how those that talk down Nick can't provide any substantive talking point other than "paulie is biased"... Hello...can anyone comprehend the stats and research I'm providing.

It's not bias when you right!

Not Brooks, I stand corrected. Thanks for the info. That said, I'm afraid to say that Nick still is by no means a great hitter. And I also believe that if you look deep enough, you can find positives with just about any player.

I applaud your research. While it doesn't tell the entire story, it does tell part of it. I believe that people talk about Nick M from time to time as he's just part of the overall hype that people like wayne likes to talk about. Nick M is hyped in this city, and most fans feel he has been disappointing for some time now.

So far this Orioles team is searching for an identitiy. As I said before the homestand started, the team needed to go at leat 6 and 4, and at the very least, 5 and 5. By splitting with the hapless Twins, The Orioles have set themselves up to fall further under .500. On paper the team should score runs in bunches but when you watch the individual AB's, you can see that the core group of players have a lot of holes and can be pitched to. Mark Reynolds looks awful as American League pitchers adjust to his weakness...which is making contact with the pitched ball. Lee looks over the hill and I agree with James C. about Nick Markakis. He peaked several years ago and now is an average right fielder in the American League. The recent numbers don't lie. Please NB, don't feed me an assembly line of stats about Nick. Look at his most recent season and this one so far. I'm from Missouri, Nick. Show me.

It's only 18 games but it's getting late early. I had high hopes coming into the season and I still think the team can play .500 baseball. But compete for a wild card? The team has too many holes. At this point, I'm still hoping to avoid a 14th losing season...and that's it.

At least Camden Yards will have good crowds for the next 6 games. I wonder how some of the new players will react when the Yankee and Red Sox fans take over the park.

"Nick M is hyped in this city, and most fans feel he has been disappointing for some time now." --- James.

BINGO!!

What's disappointing? What?

You sure it's not because he doesn't hit 45 HR?

Between not brooks and myself, we've just proved how effective he as a middle of the order bat.

He's number's are outstanding!!!

.338 w/ RISP

That's not amazing?

That's not "great?"

Albert Pujols: .343 w/ RISP
Miguel Cabrera: .322 w/ RISP
Mark Teixeira: .273 w/ RISP
Hanley Ramirez: .252 w/ RISP
Ryan Howard: .275 w/ RISP
Evan Langoria: .276 w/ RISP

G.R.E.A.T.

GREAT player.

School's over.

What's the issue here?

"The recent numbers don't lie."

2010 .338 w/ RISP
2009 .299 w/ RISP
2008 .311 w/ RISP
2007 .290 w/ RISP
2006 .273 w/ RISP

Just plain wrong.

Stop thinking that SLG% separates good from great.

Nick Markakis 2006-2010 .298 BA, .368 OBP, .463 SLG

Carl Yastrzemski 1961-1966 .293 BA, .373 OBP, .458 SLG

Seriously, the only thing y'all are proving is that you don't know what you're talking about. Nick isn't going to hit 45 HR's...get over it.

"The truth will set you free" - Orioles' fan axiom.

This blog is like a dysfunctional family. Someone along the way ... cough .. wayne ... cough ... started venting about Markakis and there goes the crew chewing each other out.

Markakis is struggling. And yes, I would give him a pass because at the end of the day he will catch fire and silence all the critics.

I think some people expect him to hit like A-Rod, run like Crawford and throw like Josh Beckett all in one, just to earn 11 million per year.

C'mon guys!

James C,

For realz player?! 5th outfielder on the Yankees?!

Last I checked Cakes is a doubles machine, is the best right fielder in MLB and hits the lefties better than anyone in the entire MLB. You all don't think that's worth 11 mill a year? C'mon man!

oh paulie, If you think hitting 12 hr's, knocking in 60, while not even batting 300 is 'great', then you win.

Yeah, you showed us. Nick is as good as those players you posted. He sure is. No paulie, we don't want 45 hr's. 25 would be nice though. that's 13 more rbi's, and given the fact that some guys would have been on base, that's up around 85 to 90 knocked in.

That's how you do it paulie. Obviously though, Nick M needs fans like you to be defensive for him. Gil is right, Nick peaked in 2008. Wayne's right as well. He cashed in immediately after.

I'll agree that Nick's a fine ballplayer, but there's more that goes into picking out stats to make your case. I didn't even realize Nick only had 60 rbi's last season in over 600 ab's. Ouch!

But this isn't about Nick paulie. You're defending the Orioles which is your right to do. Calling Nick a great hitter is also your right. Problem s, only the most extreme O's fan will agree with you.

wowowowowow.....

Didn't mean to start such a feeding frenzy y'all. I bring up Nick, check out the Yard, get back and that's the subject at hand?

Was a quiet night at the ole ball Yard all. The stadium was just dead. I didn't catch the final attendance, but raise your eyebrows if they say more than 13k were there. It'll be quite different with the Yank fans coming to town though.

Again, I want to be wrong about Nick, but paulie and nb... seriously? As mentioned, if you do enough research, one can find a peach in any turd bowl.

And come on Meso, Nick got that payday after the 2009 (or was it 2008?) season. Surely, the expectations were that he'd improve on those numbers (which were very good), even if only slightly. The guy was sporting upward at a very young age and was able to cash in... Great for him.

Problem is, he's been (I don't know what to call him) since. Why would you say people want him to be Arod? That's crazy. No one has insinuated such a thing.

I just wish he was as good as Choo in Cleveland. Look at his 2010 season. The guy hits for avg, hits with power, steals bases, and plays a very nice OF.

So no Meso.... Not Arod.... I would take a little Choo though

DAMNDAMNDAMNDAMNDAMNDAMN

Guthrie should be 3-1 folks. How long must this guy have to deal with this? Nice call out of Squirrel James C. You're so right. It typifies typical fan ignorance as pertaining to the O's. And I'm with you... let's hope the guy gets traded to a contender. For the Yanks, he could win 15 to 20 games in 2012.

Reynolds,

We agree jim66 (I know... shocking). This guy is brutal. Yes, he got some key hits early on, thus some rbi's. But I believe he's now down below 200, and the crazy thing is.... that's where he ended in 2010. This is who he is, and American league pitchers are just now adjusting to him... The guy actually may K 250x this season. It's possible. And two balls went under his glove tonight. Not easy plays mind you, but big leaguers make one of them....

nb,

You were right. Minny is not a good team this year. I thought perhaps it was just a bad start for them, but aside from a few really good players, they're not as strong as I thought they were.

Wieters,

My boy... He's my fantasy catcher and he's getting it done right now. Let's hope it continues. My other fantasy O's? Guthrie, Britton and Arrieta (I had to go with the none AM players that I could grab).

And the guy who has Nick in my league? He's not a happy camper. he can't say he wasn't warned though......

Goodnight Alice.....

A bad night. A game we should have won.

I know Baker used to give us fits. Apparently he still does, against the "new look" Orioles.

No support for Guthrie--another well-pitched game wasted. Markakis, Scott, Lee, Reynolds, Jones--all looked at a loss at the plate.

Showalter mismanaged this game, in my opinion, as he has several others so far. Bat Scott against a LH pitcher, when Scott is ice cold and you have Fox on the bench? Bat Andino in the 9th when you have Fox on the bench? Why exactly is Fox on the roster (certainly not for his catching abilities)?
Consistent mismanagement of the pen--how many more times is he going to bring in Gregg/Gonzalez in game-deciding situations?

A waste and a shame. Showalter and the offense are going to have to do better.

James,

No sir, what makes Nick great is ALL of his stats.

Not the absences of HR's....which you once again bring up as an issue. (predictable)

262 times on base in 2010 for Nick Markakis.

262 times.

How good is 262 times?...you know, for a "down" year like 2010.

5th most in AL.

5th. More than Teixra, less than Miguel Cabrera.

That's his "bad" year too. In 2008, he was #1 in the league.

2010, again, this is his "down" year....

9th most IBB.

Really? They intentionally walked Nick Markakis the 9th most?? But he doesn't hit HR's...why would they do that? I guess managers must be stupid...we all know Nick isn't hitting a HR.

They're soo stupid, those professional baseball managers and players...Intentionally walking Nick Markakis??? In his "Down" year? LOL, what a bunch of stupid professional talent evaluators. Us arm chair Managers know that Nick is average and should be pitched too not put on base....

Wow, maybe the oppozing teams know something Oriole fans don't know...Nick is a great player? Don't pitch to him with RISP??

I wonder if the 60 RBI's in 2010 can be attributed to...

A.) lack of Brian Roberts on base in front of him (or anybody really)...hum....how many RBI would Brian Roberts have been last year for the O's...

B.) being intentionally walked??

And I haven't even started talking defensive statistics.

I wonder how many times Nick has lead all Right Fielders in Assists?

Answer: 2 time champion.

Sorry James, the problem is you are blind. He doesn't hit enough HR's, there for, he's "okay"...

Duh...there's more than one statistic in Baseball for a reason. You don't read on stat and form a conclusion.

Hey 40+ HR's for Mark Reynolds!!! He must be great, huh....

HR argument, smashed.
RBI argument, smashed.

He had the best year of his career w/ RISP last year, top 10 in IBB, and you can only look at the HR and RBI totals.

((should I remind James about how Nick has 2 years of more than 100 RBI's...you know, with out 40+ HR's...))

James, you've decided to criticize me rather than supply any relevant argument. In a word...

o.w.n.e.d.

come on man, Nick has produced sooo many stats that are far above MLB average I can do this all day...and all you can do is "paulie is x,y,z" and HR totals.

I'm not even attacking you yet...I'm just punching holes through everything you're saying.

I wonder who batted behind Nick last season? DIdn't say Nick was terrible, but the guy behind him in 2010 likely was. Yeah, I'd walk Nick as well, even in a down year.

Maybe that's the real answer paulie. Maybe he literally never gets a pitch to hit. Maybe that's the case this year as well. I mean why pitch to Nick if you can throw to Lee? On second thought though, I'd just pitch to both of them.

@paulie,

Topic: JJ as a starter

I believe JJ has the stamina and the stuff to be a starter. With pitches that filthy, change of speed and pin-point accuracy at times, how in the heck wouldn't you want that guy as a starter, right?!

Here is my speculations as to why not:

1. He is way too valuable as a setup guy. One of the best in MLB in my book. Again, his stuff his just filthy, or I should say philthy.

2. I've noticed (not scientific by any means), that he loses focus and gets careless. Often you will see JJ get ahead 0-2, and instead of throwing some junk in the dirt, he throws a flat 95mph fastball with no movement, right down the middle for a base hit.

3. When the sinker is not working, JJ tends to elevate his fastballs and changeups, and usually gets bombed.

These are things that can be worked on; however

but lastly:

4. From the horse's mouth:

"Are people still debating that?" Johnson said. "You guys ask me that every year. What am I supposed to say? Ask Buck, ask [pitching coach] Mark Connor. How many career big league starts do I have? One. There's really not much of a debate."

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-02-15/sports/bs-sp-orioles-0216-20110215_1_orioles-manager-buck-showalter-orioles-rotation-bullpen

@paulie,

Topic: JJ as a starter

I believe JJ has the stamina and the stuff to be a starter. With pitches that filthy, change of speed and pin-point accuracy at times, how in the heck wouldn't you want that guy as a starter, right?!

Here is my speculations as to why not:

1. He is way too valuable as a setup guy. One of the best in MLB in my book. Again, his stuff his just filthy, or I should say philthy.

2. I've noticed (not scientific by any means), that he loses focus and gets careless. Often you will see JJ get ahead 0-2, and instead of throwing some junk in the dirt, he throws a flat 95mph fastball with no movement, right down the middle for a base hit.

3. When the sinker is not working, JJ tends to elevate his fastballs and changeups, and usually gets bombed.

These are things that can be worked on; however

but lastly:

4. From the horse's mouth:

"Are people still debating that?" Johnson said. "You guys ask me that every year. What am I supposed to say? Ask Buck, ask [pitching coach] Mark Connor. How many career big league starts do I have? One. There's really not much of a debate."

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-02-15/sports/bs-sp-orioles-0216-20110215_1_orioles-manager-buck-showalter-orioles-rotation-bullpen

CHOO vs. MARKAKIS: Round 1.

Lifetime totals:

Choo: .294 .387.482 .869
Markakis: .296 .366 .460 .826

Career highs:

Choo: 22 HR
Markakis: 23 HR

Choo: 38 2B's
Markakis: 48 2B's

Choo: 83 BB
Markakis: 99 BB

Choo: 151 K
Markakis: 113 K

Choo: 22 SB
Markakis: 18 SB

Choo: 14 OF assists
Markakis: 17 OF assists

Choo: .986 FLD%
Markakis: .996 FLD %

Choo: 156 Games Played
Markakis: 161 Games Played

"Never over look an Orchid when looking for a Rose." -- Buck Schowalter.

...what does Buck know...he's so old, the game has passed him by...last time he was manager, steroids weren't banned!

As the fans who are down on Markakis are debating his performance in 2009 and 2010, the real comparison is the recent one, paulie. And Choo has smoked Nick over that span:

Choo, 2009/2010: .300/.397/.486

Markakis, 2009/2010: .295/.358/.445

That's an 80 point OPS advantage for Choo. Not too bad.

It should also be noted, though, that '09 and '10 were Choo's breakout years. So maybe we should compare Choo's breakout to Nick's breakout ('07 and '08, when he put up a .303/.384/.488 line).

And, Choo's got a .607 OPS through 18 games this year, so maybe he's just as big of a flash in the pan as Nick was, if, Nick was, in fact, a flash in the pan.

But whatever...

This debate is never going to end. Nick Markakis was an exciting player to watch in his first three seasons, and in that time, when his OPS jumped from .799 to .848 to .897, we all thought he was going to be the cornerstone of this team for years to come. Three years later, he's in the biggest slump of his life and his last two full seasons were nearly as good as his first two full seasons.

Is he just not the player we expected him to be? Has he been a victim of a terrible supporting cast? Is he trying to do too much to live up to the expectations of a dying fan base?

At this point, I'm still a believer. I have a hunch that he'll end 2011 with an OPS closer to .850 than .800. I think everyone here, from smitty and paulie to wayne and James C, hopes that I'm right.

Choo vs. Markakis:

2011 Stats --

Choo: .214 .278 .329 .607
Markakis: .215 .288 .338 .626

Choo: 7BB / 20K
Markakis: 6BB / 6K

Choo: 2HR, 9RBI, 10R, 4SB
Markakis: 2HR, 6RBI, 8R, 0SB

Choo: 1 Errors
Markakis: 0 Errors

Choo: .975 FLD%
Markakis: 1.000 FLD%

yeap, trade Nick for Choo. Vastly superior that Choo guy....lol

That should have read, "...his last two seasons weren't nearly as good as his first two seasons."

Oops.

Mes,

Good on you for looking up the exact quote from JJ. I paraphrased it before by saying...

"When asked this Spring Training his response was something on the line of "{laughter}, really?? People still think that?!!? {laughter}, sure why not, but I think that time has passed."" -- paulie, 7:42 pm

But yeah, it's kinda moot.

My only disagreement with what you were saying is that I think Starter are more valuable than anyone in a bullpen. Closers, set-up men, specialists, long men. All, to me, are less important than a Starter.

Also, all pitchers struggle with "stuff" sometimes. Jim gets wild like any other guy. I don't see his issues as being any worse than any one else in the rotation...including Gut's tonight. Location was spotty more than normal tonight. Happens to everyone, right.

My big thing with JJ is that he has 4 MLB pitches, and that's unusual for a bull-pen guy. Typically with 4 working MLB pitches, your looking at a starter...unless the four pitches were all below averge velocity. Koji, for example.

nice find on the article though, thanks.

You look childish paulie....
I love wayne's example of Choo. I looked up 2010 and he's right.

Just put up 2010, and figure they're both off to slow starts. But 2010 paulie is the most recent full season example, thus the most relevant. If you don't know that, you should. And by the way, Choo makes far less than Nick, making him a significantly better value. Who's o.w.n.e.d. paulie?

Just look at 2010. Not 2007, not 2008...... but 2010. Then let's see how they do this year. Again, Nick doesn't need to be any of the great players you mentioned. Just as good as the most recent Choo. Most of us would take that.

Give it too me straight not brooks...

27 year old Nick Markakis

or

28 year old Shin-Soo Choo

who you taking...

(it should be pretty obvious which way I'm going...what's Buck say about "track records"...but the game has passed that old man by, so...)

Apples to oranges comparison on salary, James.

Choo just got paid for his first arbitration eligible season. And he's making $600K more than Nick did in his first arb year.

When Choo gets the extension he deserves, I'll bet he gets more than $11MM per.

paulie -

If I'm voting with my heart, I'm taking Nick. If I'm voting with my head, I'm taking Choo.

I don't think Choo has peaked yet, and when he does, I think he'll be a .900 OPS guy with added benefit of 20-25 stolen bases per year.

I love Nick as a ballplayer, but even if he gets back to where I think he can be, that Nick Markakis (the .850+ OPS version) isn't as good as Shin-Soo Choo.

James C,

Buck Schowalter has a saying about "track records". If you don't know that, you should.

Nick is a 5 year vet @ 27.

Choo is a 2.5 year vet @ 28.

"And by the way, Choo makes far less than Nick, making him a significantly better value. Who's o.w.n.e.d. paulie?"
-- James C

OMG, your making this too easy.

You see, in MLB, a player isn't eligible for free agency until he's accrued roughly 4+ years of MLB playing time.

Nick has done that.
Choo has not.

Scott Boras is Choo's agent. Wanna bet who's gonna be getting paid more once they both have signed extensions/deals.

btw, Choo will be 29 this year before Nick turns 28 (in the off season).

please make sure there is a cork on your fork.

not brooks,

Really? Choo is older than Nick, and clearly "thicker", but you really don't see Nick (now that he's in his "power years") ever putting up a 900+ OPS? Granted, if Nick were 30 years old and hadn't done it before, I'd agree with you.

But I still think Nick is young enough that trying to project his career is not so simple as cut-n-paste first couple years.

In addition, I'd give Nick the better defensive player without skipping a beat. No?

Wayne,Gil and the few others in the minority you are wasting your time even having a discussion about Nick M. See the fans of this town have a MAN CRUSH on him and nothing you say will ever change that. I would be crazy to come on here and say that i wouldn't want Nick M on my team because he is a excellent defensive outfielder and a good hitter, not a great hitter or a great player but a good player period.Fans will constantly throw all kind of STATS at you telling you how many doubles he had last year, tell you how many walks he had last year, tell you what a great batting average he had with runners in scoring position he had, and finally they will tell you what if nick played on a team with better protection in the batting order. That is what they will tell you to justify a guy that hit just 12 hr's and knocked in only 60 rbi's. See if my father was JOE holmes then i might be Johnny holmes instead of Bob lancione as well. The fact is wayne you are 100% right he doesn't steal bases, he doesn't hit for power like most other outfielders playing his postion do and so far this year i have never and i mean never seen him so futile at the plate. He alone has left at least 10 runners in scoring position in this past MINN series, he is totally overpowered right now at the plate, but buck as he should and the fans as they do will tell you that he has a track record and before it's over he will be right there. The only thing they won't tell you is being right there isn't good enough for somebody making that kind of money.

Amazing post Bob.... Get ready to be bushwhacked though. nb told paulie the truth, yet your 'man crush' theory is simply too powerful.

I get having players that you love unconditionally. I remember the year after Cal's 2nd mvp season (was it '92?). No matter how bad Cal was that season, I would dig and dig to find stats that would justify my 'man crush'. Looking back though, I was just being like James is describing paulie - 'silly'.

Now I'm not saying Nick will ever approach having a season like Cal had in '91, although I wish it were true (you're right nb. asking Nick to approach 950 was not realistic of me). I'm just saying that given Nicks first few years as an Oriole, I get how some developed a crush on the dude.

The fact that Nick may not end up being THAT player we all had hoped simply falls in line with the overall failure of the organization. Nick is one of those players we hoped would become a superstar. The fact that he hasn't, isn't the O's fault.... But it does go with the 13 run.....

How about 875 nb? Or a repeat of his 2008 season? Heck, he even stole 10 bags that season. I'd take '08 every time.

Mark Twain once said, "There are three types of liars, liars, damned liars, and statistics." People I consider freinds on here are literally contorting themselves about Nick Markakis at this point. Up until last year I held a full seson ticket plan. Nick simply has not been the same player he was for his first three years. My eyes are still pretty good. Nick is a good major league ballplayer and a superior defensive outfielder. He is not what he was and what I thought he would be at this point. He will come out of the slump and hit 15 home runs and drive in 65 to 70 runs this year. Ok, I'll take it. Just stop trying to tell me how many runs he has doubled in on Wednesday Nights when there was a 30% chance of showers after the 5th inning off of a left handed pitcher. GEEZ!

The Orioles are off to a bad start. Let's be honest about it. It's not too early to see that the team is not balanced offensively. This home stand could turn into a disaster after they could barely manage a split witht the hapless, outmanned Twins. I say at this point we lose 4 of the remaing 6 and go on the road with a record of 10 and 14. It will still be early but if that happens I am going to begin to panic. The rest of you may remain calm if you wish.

Gil don't get me wrong i get why the orioles extended brain roberts and nick m they are the face of this team and it doesn't hurt that they also are the owners pets. It a very fine line when you talk about a player like nick , but you really have to be honest with yourself when people start talking about him with the term great. Nick is a good ball player that will never carry a team something that i was hoping he would be able to do. I truly don't think nick cares about being a great player, with that last statement i don't want to say that nick doesn't work hard at what he does, but i think he just wants to fly under the radar and leave it like that. Great post as usual gil and i am coming to the conclusion that this team has way to many streaky hitters to amount to anything special .

Gil don't get me wrong i get why the orioles extended brain roberts and nick m they are the face of this team and it doesn't hurt that they also are the owners pets. It a very fine line when you talk about a player like nick , but you really have to be honest with yourself when people start talking about him with the term great. Nick is a good ball player that will never carry a team something that i was hoping he would be able to do. I truly don't think nick cares about being a great player, with that last statement i don't want to say that nick doesn't work hard at what he does, but i think he just wants to fly under the radar and leave it like that. Great post as usual gil and i am coming to the conclusion that this team has way to many streaky hitters to amount to anything special .

Gil don't get me wrong i get why the orioles extended brain roberts and nick m they are the face of this team and it doesn't hurt that they also are the owners pets. It a very fine line when you talk about a player like nick , but you really have to be honest with yourself when people start talking about him with the term great. Nick is a good ball player that will never carry a team something that i was hoping he would be able to do. I truly don't think nick cares about being a great player, with that last statement i don't want to say that nick doesn't work hard at what he does, but i think he just wants to fly under the radar and leave it like that. Great post as usual gil and i am coming to the conclusion that this team has way to many streaky hitters to amount to anything special .

Gil, Blancione, Wayne et al.

We see eye to eye on many things. I don't personally have a man crush on Cakes. I like the guy, and I think he needs to stop being so laid back and just be more vocal in the lockeroom and a bit more aggressive at the plate. I don't think he realized the athletic ability he has. He is a bit of a reserved guy.

When I see Nick Markakis, I see a guy with a high ceiling that he hasn't reached yet. Nick Markakis has yet to play on a "real" team, even this year. But this year he is a bit closer. I expect him to come out of the funk and never look back.

I give him a pass for last year, because every hitter has a bad year. You name me one who hasn't. Even his bad year wasn't as bad as people think, and it was for the 13 year losing streak O's mind you!

Nick Markakis will be a superstar in MLB, mark my words. I'm already preparing to dish out the "I told you so"s, when that happens. However by the same token, I'm opened to seeing the light and fall off the band wagon, should he repeat last year's performance.

Many of us agree on 75% things on Markakis. The 25% is just technicalities. We all love the guy, you included. We just have different levels of patience on the topic. Let's just all get along and agree to disagree. This topic has been beaten to death.

Let's go beat some Yankee ass tonight.

MLB Network compiled a list of "Top Players Right Now". An impartial, professional group of talent evaluators.

Nick ranked 8th among ALL Right Fielders.

Nick ranked 77th of ALL MLB players. (out of 750 players in the MLB).

77th = "average"/"fine"/"okay"???

Top 10% of all MLB players = "average"/"fine"/"okay"???

Top 10%...and I'm the crazy one. That's top 10% "right now", not in 2008, or 2007. Right now in 2011.

Did ANY of the Yankees Out Fielders get rated higher than Nick? Not a single one.

Paulie,

Cakes will never get his due by most unless he hits 40 home runs and 120 rbi per year. Unfortunately that's how most fans think. That's not the role that Cakes has on this team. I don't know why that is so hard to understand for most folks.

That's a big misconception that folks have about the role Cakes play, his skillset and the type of player he is. You have already demonstrated that with numbers. Numbers don't lie. I'm a big believer of that.

As long as people's opinions and expectations about the type of player Cakes is, don't align, there is no point in arguing.

If we're keeping score: you won in my book. :-)

Sorry Wayne, Gil et al. If you're wondering, I have not gone to the dark side. :-).

Speaking of beating some Yankee ass...

The O's better bring out the sticks this weekend.

There's no arguing Jake Arrieta's success against the Yankees, limited sample size or not. And Ivan Nova has been pretty terrible this year, so I'm expecting a win on Sunday. But Bergesen vs. Sabathia tonight and Tillman vs. Garcia on Saturday? Yikes...

And speaking of yikes, O's OPS's vs. Sabathia:

Roberts: .590
Markakis: .689
Lee: .750 (in 12 at bats)
Vlad: .557
Scott: .762
Jones: .919 (wow!)
Reynolds: Never faced Sabathia
Wieters: .521
Andino: 1.250 (in 8 at bats)

Fearless prediction of the day: Bergesen finds himself tonight and throws seven innings, gives up just four hits and allows one run - a solo homer to Robinson Cano. Scott and Jones run the offense against CC, with Jones hitting a two run homer in the second and Scott hitting a solo shot in the 6th.

O's win, 3-1.

Agreed Meso,

I for one hope you get to say 'i told you so' as pertaining to Nick.

As for you paulie,

You know you keep doing what everyone's kidding you about, right? Now you're digging on MLB Network rankings? Oh my.....

If you want to gravitate towards the nonsense, go to fantasy sites.... espn, cbs, yahoo (you name them). See what people said about him last year. See what they're saying about him this year.

The analyst of these sites have a ton of pressure on them due to the HUGE dollars now in fantasy sports. It's like the lines in Vegas paulie.... They're usually right on. That's what money does to prognostication.

Just as interesting though, is to see how baseball fans across the country look at Nick. Last year and this so far, he's been getting destroyed. Go look at the blogs at any of the sites paulie. I hope Nick doesn't go near them....

We like Nick though because he's on our team. That's the way it is in all sports. You have a man crush on the guy for likely the reasons I had one on Cal. At least Cal earned my crush however. Look at his season in '91 and ask yourself.... Will Nick ever come close to having an all around year such as that?

All I'm saying paulie...... Pull out all the obscure stats and opinions you want..... Just let the guy earn your love before you officially tie the knot.

On the defensive end, I'd take Nick over Choo every time, paulie. And if Nick was coming off just one .800 OPS year, I'd probably take him over Choo, hands down.

But we're talking about two years with an OPS that was 80 points lower than Choo's, and where Choo's stolen bases were a lot more icing on the cake.

I hope beyond hope that Nick comes back in a big way and goes on to post an .850+ OPS every year for the rest of his career. That's what I'm hoping for at this point. Anything more will be an added bonus for me. And even if he doesn't reach that level again, and he just continues to play nice defense while putting up an .800ish OPS and 45 doubles, I'll still see him as a fine MLB player.

In the end, I'm just trying to not let my obvious bias get in the way of what the numbers are saying.

Amen NB!

But my outlook is a bit different:

1. CC will get rocked tonight. Girardi will stick with him because he needs to rest the bullpen. CC is a work horse, yea I get that. The O's need to work the pitch count and be patient with him. No reason to give him easy outs when he is struggling to get a win.

2. Bergy has something to prove. He will be a man on the mission. I forsee lots of first pitch strikes and ground ball outs and a couple of double plays. He will pitch like he is double parked tonight, keeping the tempo up and keeping the Yankees off balance.

3. Cano's hitting streak ends tonight. He's gotta get cold at some point! Might as well be tonight.

4. Watch for Matt Weiters to go yard and add 3-4 rbi to his stats

5. Vlad and Cakes also go Yard (solo shots).

6. Cakes gets hit by a pitch - Benches come close to being cleared. CC warned, Gerardi thrown out of the game.

Final 8-3.

Brooks Robinson was "fine".

Brooks Robinson was "okay".

Brooks Robinson was "average".

Brooks Robinson never hit more than 23 HR's in a season...same as Nick Markakis.

Brooks Robinson lifetime: .267/.322/.401
Nick Markakis lifetime: .295/.366/.460

@ Gil,

"Just stop trying to tell me how many runs he has doubled in on Wednesday Nights when there was a 30% chance of showers after the 5th inning off of a left handed pitcher."

Ever single stat I provided were Season long statistics. Most of them from his "down" year of 2010. I tried to use his 2010 season as much as possible, and not rely on his "good" years. And that's the thanks I get. There are some on this board that are beyond reproach, but Gil...I dunno, maybe I thought different of you.

fml, this is Birdtown...

Wayne well said my friend well said.Guy's like meso and paulie act like we are pulling against nick , i guess i watch a game differently then most,while being a homer i don't let my heart interfere with my eyes.There are quite leaders and then there are guy's that lead through there play i am not so sure where nick fits but i certainly am more partial to the style of player that dustin pedroia is. Opinions are like a$4hole we all have one and lets just keep it like that

Well I agreed with you Meso, but then you wrote that interesting post.....

I believe...... No I'm sure people have not said ANYTHING about 40 hr's. The only persons saying such are you and paulie. Frankly, it destroys the cred of anything you guys say about the subject.

Has Choo hit 40 hr's and knocked in 120?

SInce Nick doesn't hit for power though Meso, and since he doesn't steal bases, then then let's just ask for his 2008 season.

Not sure about others, but I'll take 2008 all day long.

305 avg, 20 hr's, close to 90 rbi's and over 100 runs scored...... and he even swiped 10 bases.

That combined with his terrific fielding would be terrific Meso.

Notice though, that I (nor have I seen anyone else) didn't come ANYWHERE near saying 40 and 120.

If people are going to defend Nick, please do so honestly, without suggesting fans are asking for the unreasonable.

40 and 120? Based on that theory and argument Meso... Yes, paulie kicked our Azzes.

If that works for you..... Congrats.

nb,

I like your prediction, even if it would be a huge upset.....

Fearless prediction:
Reynold tires of seeing the field only with a glove on his hand and asks out of the lineup, to be used as a pinch-runner only. When Buck puts him in, he becomes confused about which way to run and passes Jones going the opposite way. Buck vows to be more committed to fundamentals going forward.

Taking a flyer...
the Orioles finish the month at 12-17, as the offense plays it out to the beat of
the blaring Eno-infused Heads-delivered Once In A Lifetime.

Paulie please don't even mention nick M in the same breath as brooks robinson. You are doing brooks a injustice by insulting him that way.

Brooks was also, without question, the best defensive third baseman of all time. From 1967 on, he never put up an OPS higher than .770, but it didn't matter. His glove did all of the talking. Even with below average offensive stats, the guy was still capable of putting up 6, 7, 8 WAR seasons.

Heck, in '72, Brooks hit .250 with a .644 OPS and still put up 4.4 WAR. By comparison, in Nick's "worst" year, 2010, he hit .297 with an .805 OPS and put up 2.8 WAR. Absolutely no comparison there. None at all.

Apples to oranges, paulie. You had to have been thinking that was a bit of a reach when you typed it.

Blancione,

Heck no, I'm not pulling against Nick. I just don't have a man crush on him. I have on JJ though! Heck I'm not pulling against Gonzales and Gregg either, and I can't stand the fact they're wearing our uniform. Are you pulling against Nick?!

Wayne,

No worries. I still love you man! We'll gang up on Paulie on other occasions.

wayne,

You can call it a "man crush" if you think that under minds the facts. Go ahead an rely on fans opinions over professionals...that's pretty consistent with how you do anyway.

Funny thing is, Nick doesn't even make my top 5 favorite Orioles. But I personally don't like going with the "obvious" favorites. The thing with Nick is, there is no better Oriole player right now. And folks call him "okay" and "average". There's only ONE stat that says he's "average"...SLG%. Every other season long stat says "better than average" or "great". But I get it...facts are secondary to the long ball.

My favorite Oriole is Jim Johnson. Jimmy is my "man crush", not Nick. I'm not going to argue that JJ's anything more than "good"...and even that might be a stretch. I'm not deluded into thinking that guys I like are better than they are. I let impartial professionals and season long statistics guide my opinion....and yeah, I guess that's "silly". It's much easier to make opinions based on the name of the blogger than on reality.

---------------------------

Tonight's game.

Yanks 10-2.

CC vs. Bergie.

I dunno how we're picking Bergie to out duel CC when O's bats are asleep, and the Yankees are on fire. But hey, maybe...

paulie,

Of course I was being ridiculous, but stats can be misleading and used to pretty much justify anything, like how much the economy is getting better, or worse,depending on which side you are on. All I know is that I just paid 389.9 a gallon for gas and 1/5 of my friends and neighbors in my development lost or sold their homes because of unemployment and rising taxes. Bad analogy, but what the heck.

I like Nick I hope he comes back this year to hit .300 with 25 home runs and 90 RBI's. That's what I expect from him. Maybe if he was playing right field for the Yankees his numbers would be a lot better. The Orioles will not do well against Sabathia, and might even get shut out. I see the Orioles record at the end of the month right where does. Our high expectations coming in, are eroding a little every day. Buck has no choice but to stick with the players they acquired and decided to keep I still think that the season will be more interesting than the 13 prior but I don't see a wild card anymore. I guess I got caught up in the euphoria.

Paulie,

Whaaaat?! Stop it! You have a man crush on JJ too? I don't even like you :-) ! What are the chances? Now folks will think we're the same person. OK ... let's talk about MacPhail you and me. This agreeing with you got me all messed up.

Interesting Stat:

If Nick averages 45 doubles per year from now until his 37-year-old season, he'll end up with 700 doubles.

Only four other players in MLB history have done that: Tris Speaker (792), Pete Rose (746), Stan Musial (725) and Ty Cobb (724). Their career OPS's?

Speaker: .928
Rose: .784
Musial: .976
Cobb: .945

Nick's career OPS: .825

I'm not meaning to imply that Nick will end up as good as any of those players. Just throwing up some stats for fun. It's what I do. Take from it what you will.

Meso, Fair enough.....

Enough about Nick......

Let's a look at AM's terrific off season acquisitions... shall we?

JJ - Before going on DL (shocker) he was hitting a cool 200.

Lee - 209, 1 hr, 2 rbi's..... But he plays a mean 1B (can't have everything, right?)

Vlad - Gotta love Vlad.... at least until the deadline.

Reynolds - Is anyone really surprised? As pitchers adjust further, it could even get worse.

Gregg - Such a warm and fuzzy feeling when he takes the mound.

Accardo - When not hurting, he's good (like now). Problem is, he's never not been hurt for very long.

Duch - Should I even include him? Imagine, for the 700k, the O's could have actually gained on the number of scouts the Yanks and Sox have.

For the past 20 years, one of the many knocks on AM has been his eye for talent... or lack thereof. Whether it's AM or those he surrounds himself with, this season simply magnifies the significance of the argument. Yes, it's early. But it's also true that there are no real surprises with the list above.

Just a little depressing... wouldn't you agree?

Ty Cobb would run singles into doubles because no infielder wanted to get within 8 feet of his flying spikes to tag him. His type of game made imperative the 'swipe tag' or the 'phantom tag', or the famous 'ball beat you you're out so stop it' call. Second baseman were being lost at an alarming rate, so MLB and the Players Union had to do something. Look it up here...
www.TyCobbKilledMyCareerAndLotsOfOthers.com

Upon further review, Cobb should have been credited with only 7 actual doubles.

not brooks,

The Brooks thing is a reference point comparison. Look at their careers through 27 years old (Nicks age), and it's "similar". I know you get what I'm doing here, trying to demonstrate that Nick is much better than "average" and "fine". But there are excusses and "yeah buts" everywhere. Mostly, it's aimed at me, and not at the history of the baseball player in question -- "Man crush", "stats lie" (say that to Albert Pujols stats), "paulie isn't credible" (love that...I'm literally cutting and pasting.

We've done the side by side comparisons of Choo to Nick...at the MINIMUM it's a tie. You yourself point to the OPS (a factor of SLG%) to say Choo is better than Markakis. It's one stat. Singular. I've been trying to say that OPS/SLG is not the defining factor of great players. It "can" be. But it's not the exclusive factor. Is Adam Dunn a better player than Nick? Is Jason Giambi? It's a "factor" of evaluation...obviously, to most folks, it's "the" factor. Despite tons of HOFers, All Stars, and exceptional players that are known for things other than OPS/SLG.

...okay, even I'm sick of this debate. I'm done, nuff said.

"Never over look and Orchid when looking for a Rose" -- Buck Schowalter.

((@ wayne...hyperbole destroys credibility??!?!?! Did you comprehend that before you typed it...hello, black kettle...thanks for the lesson though. Can't wait the 24 hours to throw that right back at you :-) ))

Wayne,

You know me. I can go on MacPhail all day. It's like shooting fish in a bucket, but let's wait and see what happens. Let's give this mess some time to work itself out. You know I didn't like the moves, but for once I've lowered my expectations and I'm willing to wait to at least the All-Star break until I pass around grades for MacPhail's 2010/2011 acquisitions.

Leave it to wayne to ruin a good discussion by completely changing the subject with his off season checklist!

Thanks, buddy!

Speaking of AM have you heard a peep from him since the season started. Wayne in all fairness to him and believe me i am not a fan of his, i finally get what the orioles had to do this off season. After the finish the orioles had last year if am didn't try and make a splash the fans of this town would have revolted. Considering the fact that under no circumstance can we sign any top tier free agents we have to continue taking what is left and signing them to 1 year rental deals, something that has never worked out for this team. Gil told me the other day not to start worrying about the 2012 season yet because it will drive you crazy if you do.However if you think about next year roberts 34, no vlad, no lee, no scott i hope, and no minor league ready players to come up once again. So we go back out once again in the player leasing business again and hope you finally get one that is a keeper. Gentleman as sad as it sounds that is the way that this team has to conduct business and once gain they will just spin there wheels and not go anywhere.

OPS is actually two stats: OBP + SLG%

By the by, when I say Nick is a "fine" ballplayer, I'm using "fine" to mean "of superior or best quality; of high or highest grade" or "choice, excellent, or admirable".

And I don't care how you're comparing Nick to Brooks. There's no comparison. Brooks had WARs of 4.0, 4.9, 5.9 and 7.2 before he turned 27. Nick, at 27, has only two 4.0+ WAR seasons to his credit (4.2 and 6.1 in '07 and '08.

And there's still no comparison, regardless, because Brooks was a defense first player. He posted an OPS north of .800 just twice in 18 full seasons. We all know that Brooks wasn't a very good offensive player, and we're arguing Nick's offense. So why in the world would you compare two guys who couldn't be more dissimilar?

You're welcome nb, Just trying to change the subject away from Nick, since I started it in the first place...... Just time for a new thread. Gotta throw your dislike at me in there at least once per day though, right?

That's ok nb, I have a tough jaw......

paulie,

Looking at the most recent season, saying Choo and Nick are equal just throws away everything you've said previously. You're like a kid who lies to his parents so often that you begin to believe what you're saying is actually true.

But I have to hand it to you.... comparing Nick to Brooks was the icing on the cake. You really nailed that one my friend.

Meso,

That's why I didn't put a grade on it. Of course it's early. But can anyone be surprised about Duch? About JJ being hurt? About Gregg? About Lee not being ready?

Does anyone still expect Reynolds to hit 250 with 35 bombs, thus diminishing his K's?

Yes, it's early..... But it's also very, very predictable.

Bob,

I get what they had to do as well... It's just who AM did it with. And it's widely understood that the one good player (Vlad) was forced on him by PA.

As for 2012? Gil's right. Why harp on such now? The thought of it is horrid though. The hope is that the pitching that was already in the system when AM arrived + Matusz, will all come together. Otherwise, the future, with a poorly rated minor league system and no international efforts......combined with AM's track record of off season acquisitions, sure looks ugly.

TIP......

If you want to avoid being surrounded by Yank fans before the game, you're better off over in Fed Hill. Due to a few altercations 2 seasons ago, Yank fans have learned to stay away.

Of course you can't escape it when you get to the park though..... their park (for the next 3 days anyway).

NB,

Interesting projections about doubles for Nick. Some players just have a knack for it, like he does. He will go with an outside pitch and hit it into the left field corner, and turn on the inside pitch. I understand that Nick has a large ganglion cyst on one of his wrists and refuses ot have it removed. Such a growth causes weakness and a loss of flexibility in the hand/wrist area. Maybe if he had it removed his power numbers would go up.

As for Brooks Robinson, he had some very good offensive years. He was up and down with the team his first 4 or 5 years because of his lack of offense. He worked hard at it and in his middle years put up some very good numbers. He hit 20 or more home runs 6 times and played in much bigger ball parks. He hit many a fly ball to the fence in left center at Memorial stadium when the power alleys there were 390. The year he hit 28 home runs he hit at least a dozen or more caught right at the fence. Brooks himself used to joke that he had "warning track" power.

Brooks has ties to York and I have met him on over a dozen occasions, and was at the ceremony for him at Sovereign Bank when they unveiled his statue last year. His first minor league assignment was to the York White Roses a former Oriole farm team. He was signed right out of high school in Little Rock. I had an opportunity to sit next to him at a Holiday Reception/ Dinner about 5 years ago and talk baseball for two hours. He said that money has runied the game. He said, "Can you imagine what Boog Powell, Frank Robinson or Jimmie Palmer would be worth today if they were in their prime?." I asked him then why he was not more involved with the team and he said that the owner wanted more of committement of his time than he was willing to give at this stage of his life.

Humbly, he did not mention what he would be worth today, in his prime.

I don't dislike you, wayne. You just annoy me.

We were having a fun debate and you had to throw it off by posting the same bit that you've already posted 4,000 times since the beginning of the year.

You can see why that's annoying, can't you?

@Gil,

I'll bet my house that if the O's shortened the left field or took that out of town scoreboard down, Cakes and Weiters power numbers would be much better. That double Weiters hit against the score board the other night is a home run at Yankee stadium.

The O's just irritate me with their lack of strategy to make Camden Yards a park where home field advantage really matters, whether it is for hitting or pitching.

Fenway and Yankee stadium both have a huge homefield advantage for their respective teams.

@Gil,

I'll bet my house that if the O's shortened the left (correction right) field or took that out of town scoreboard down, Cakes and Weiters power numbers would be much better. That double Weiters hit against the score board the other night is a home run at Yankee stadium.

The O's just irritate me with their lack of strategy to make Camden Yards a park where home field advantage really matters, whether it is for hitting or pitching.

Fenway and Yankee stadium both have a huge homefield advantage for their respective teams.

Gil -

Where did you hear about this ganglion cyst? I, for one, have been surprised at the lack of reporting on Nick's slump this year. You would think that we would have heard something from Nick, Buck or Pressley by now. I guess a health issue that Nick doesn't want to deal with might be the kind of thing that the organization wants to keep under wraps.

On Brooks' offense: We could argue all day about the size of parks and the difference in the quality of pitching because of expansion and that sort of thing. Looking at his stat page again, I'm seeing that Brooksie's career OPS (.723) was better than the league average OPS during his career (.705).

That said, it's still plain as day that Brooks Robinson was never known for his offense. He had a long, solid offensive peak from '59 through '71 (.277 average, .761 OPS, 18 HR per), which looks even better when you consider the league numbers (.253 avg, .711 OPS). But outside of maybe four or five seasons ('62 and '64 for sure), I think it's safe to say that people weren't really talking about his bat.

I mean, look at his offensive comparables:

Rusty Staub (850)
Buddy Bell (827)
Robin Yount (824) *
Vada Pinson (807)
Steve Finley (795)
Gary Gaetti (795)
Julio Franco (783)
Al Oliver (778)
Brian Downing (777)
B.J. Surhoff (774)

A couple of those guys at the top were real solid, but none of them are making my all time team. And Brooks makes my all time team because, along with decent to solid offense, he's got the best glove of all time at his position.

PS - That's awesome that you've had a few opportunities to talk to Brooks. I've never met him, but he's always seemed like a humble guy who's more proud of the accomplishments of the teams that he played for than his own. To me, that's pretty much the best quality you can find in a baseball player.

Ah but nb...... not true.

That was my first mention/update of AM's fine acquisitions since before the season began.

We may not like it.... We may want to avoid it.... We may not like admitting it..... But...

... simple reminders/updates from time to time can be productive. Productive in understanding that the sooner AM is gone, the better hope we'll have.

Meso is correct..... It's mostly about PA. I guess I'm just hoping for that younger exec who understands the current game. Someone who can have success despite PA being the worst owner in all of sports.

Thus my update nb.... Just a 'friendly' reminder of what we continue to deal with.

Besides, The Nick debate was over when paulie compared Nick to Brooks. He was at the end of his rope, had already lost the debate......then he went all desperate on us...

So I changed the subject. Hey, since Pete never does it, why can't we?

Heading downtown. Enjoy the game tonight y'all. Go Wieters!

Hey guy's the reason they don't talk about nick's slump is the same reason they don't talk about anybody else's slump, buck just keep telling everybody that these players have a track record and because buck say's it it must be true. Did you notice this time last year when atkins was batting at the same horrible pace as reynolds they already had his plane ticket out of town. Look guy's the players are already approaching 80 ab's buck is giving them every chance to get out of there slumps but fox should be spelling reynolds or lee for a game every now and then. If not they release him, just like last night when he should have pitch it for scott when they brought in that tough lefthander.

Regarding Nick,
Is it my imagination that he always seems to get the sharp end of the stick when it comes to the 50/50 ball strike calls? Seems to me that almost every "close" pitch against him is a strike.

He is in a terrible slump but he'll get out of it, the guy is a professional hitter and my guess is that 1 week from today we will not be talking about how unprodocutive he's been.

Great video...

http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?tcid=mm_sf_vid&c_id=sf

Great video...

http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?tcid=mm_sf_vid&c_id=sf

Hey Mike in Columbia, that depends on what your expectations are. See until he proves to me that last year was just a fluke, due to every excuse his fan club could muster his unproductivity will still be a topic of discussion. Then again if you are satisfied with last year numbers then at least you won't be and that is fine.

Great video...

http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?tcid=mm_sf_vid&c_id=sf

I'm forever confused why this "town" has a faction that goes after the local teams' (yes, plural, and not just the O's) best players in down years -- and I mean the teams' down years, not even necessarily the players' down years whether they coincide or not.

It's disheartening and emabarrassing.

@ Gil

A Ganglion Cyst on Nick's wrist?
When the heck did this happen?
How did you acquire this news?

Speaking of wrists, I saw Derrek Lee looking at his wrist after hitting that line drive last night late in the game, maybe when he was standing on third base. I hope all is ok with it. No one from MASN said anything when the camera panned by Lee. I really would like to see him come thru this slump.

NB,

No argument that Brook's amazing defense made anything he did offensively a plus, but he was a tough out in the clutch. He was slow afoot but a very good instinctive baserunner. He got few leg hits and hit into a lot of double plays. But as far as his glove was concerned, Buddy Bell, Brian Downing, Gary Gaetti and other Third baseman couldn't carry another piece of his apparel when it came to defense. I noticed that Frank Robinson didn't make your list. Frank was a teammate of Vada Pinson, and Pete Rose when he was with Reds. He had a much better career than Pinson. The wrap on Pinson his entire career was that he underachieved based on initial expectations. He was heralded to be the next Willie Mays, Hank Aaron or Mickey Mantle and never quite lived up.

As far as the cyst is concerned, on a MASN broadcast either late in spring training, or in the first game or two, Jim Palmer was talking about the injuries to Derrick Lee's wrist and thumb and casually brought up the fact that Markakis has been playing with the cyst for years and claims it doesn't bother him. It was the first time I had heard about it too. Pete could probably look into it if he ever decides to start another thread.

Be nice to see Cano's streak end tonite, but the guy is hitting 850 with 117 HRs and 637 RBIs at OPACY.
He likes it so much that the Yanks hitting cage in NY has a pic of the Warehouse in it.
I mean, the Yanks have the BP pitcher put on an Os uniform when throwing to him.

It's crazy stuff.

Not since the beginning of the season, wayne, since the beginning of the year.

The Plan will have to wait till tomorrow for it to unfold! Also, take a lap, then hit the shower!

aND IF YOU HAD TWO TO THREE GREY CELLS, you might be able to qualify as a TRUE IDIOT!

Bummer.... I liked our chances against a freezing Sebathia.

Let's see......

If Pete paid attention to his blog, what would the new subject be?

Any idea's?

Bummer.... I liked our chances against a freezing Sebathia.

Let's see......

If Pete paid attention to his blog, what would the new subject be?

Any idea's?

Bummer.... I liked our chances against a freezing Sebathia.

Let's see......

If Pete paid attention to his blog, what would the new subject be?

Any idea's?

wayne, How about.

How To Run A Blog By Doing The Bare Minimum?

What would happen if Wayne took a lap and hit the shower? I am sure it would be very exciting!

Scmuck would write something like:
13 MORE RAINOUTS AGAINST THE YANKEE'S AND ALL WILL BE GOOD

This site is whacky. It's pretty clear that the Schmuckster has lost interest in it. The Yankee's are in town, the first game was rained out. Perfect opportunity to engage fans within a nice little Blog. What else were they to do? Watch Basketball?

Blogs are complicated. If the host feels there are just a dozen or so in regular attendance, he or she will lose interest. Seems to be the case here. Too bad because Blogs are difficult to build an audience. The Schmuckaroo seemed to have one, but when you don't put something up at least every other day or respond to the public once in a while, the base will go elsewhere. That's basically what has happened to me. Just thought I'd give my two cents.

Al,

Pete has not lost interest in the blog. The SUN has lost interest in Pete's audience, because he doesn't want to take the time to screen the comments here. This has resulted in many negative, but pointed comments posted here about the owner and the pathetic state of the franchise. This has made the owner and his family very unhappy and they have let the Editors at THE SUN know about it in no uncertain terms.
Pet's so called "vacations" have really been suspensions by the Sun editors as far as the blog is concerned. They feel the less that he blogs, the less they have to hear from the owner.

Therefore Pete has been asked to be a good soldier and gradually wean his audience to the other insider blogs without losing them. At a point in the not too distant future, Pete's blog will end.

I did not make this story up, and I admit it came second hand, although from a source close to THE SUN. I can't vouch completely for it, but it has a basis in fact.

@Gil,

I would be inclined to believe your conspiracy theory because I know how MacPhail operates. I've read books about him. He is a media control freak. However, in this day and age of the internet, where governments are overthrown by social media, Peter Angelo's minuscule "empire" cannot silence the frustrated voices of fans. That said, you're giving this blog and his contributors (us) too much credit. Peter Angelos is not fooling anyone. There are hundreds of Orioles blogs like this one where people voice their opinions about O's. This blog is just a small fish in the ocean.

Manny Machado is such a bust. He's only hitting .276 in Delmarva. 9 strike outs and no home runs.

Meso,

Most of the other blog owners screen the negative comments, like Roch does. Roch is paid by the Orioles so he has to. The SUN still has a powerful control on what type of press the Orioles receive, since it the only major newspaper in town. The SUN'S writers like Jeff Zriebec are always being interviewed on WBAL radio and MASN. There is connectivity there. Pete's blog in particular has drawn Angelos' ire for years, initially because Pete used to unload on PA on a regular basis to the point that I believe that it nearly cost him his job. All of the other SUN insider blogs are screened. I know, I have had comments deleted, particlarly on Dan Connolly's blog. The comments deleted were not profane, merely highly critical of Angelos and Macphail. Most of the other Oriole blogs are not as popular as THE SUN'S blogs and are really quite amateurish. I don't even look at them and wouldn't know where to find them. I read comments on Roch's blog a couple years ago and it was apparent that he was controlling negative comments about Macphail and Angelos, because there literally were none. But you are 100% correct on one point....If Angelos really cared about what the fans were saying, he would have fixed this awful franchise a long time ago. He just tries to control what he can as far as the print and broadcast media are concerned. If you watch the shills on MASN you get it. He and his son John think the fans in the town are a thankless group of whiners, and are lucky to have a major league baseball franchise, thanks to them.

Al,

Pete's a good guy.... I'm tough on him from time to time, but he obviously has seen big changes in his gig lately.

Back when he left ST, I knew something was up. Pete attempted to clear the air about such, but no one was buying it. No one..... not even SUN columnist take as many vacations as Pete has.

Pete works for the SUN. The Orioles are the Sports department #1 advertiser during the baseball season. You do the math.

Pete works for WBAL. WBAL is now the Orioles flagship. You do the math.

There's no beating around the bush here. The Orioles and WBAL don't like Pete's column. For the most part, the post on this Blog speak the truth. We simply call it like it is...... And when you're as pathetic as the Baltimore Orioles, why would you want anyone you advertise with, to call things the way they are?

I've mentioned it before, but I'm sure you all remember when Jim Palmer mysteriously was gone from MASN for a time (was it last year or the year before? I forget now). Word got around quickly that he was pulled because the O's felt he was overly critical one particular broadcast. Palmer took his punishment, came back some time later.....and has never been as opinionated since (unless it's pro O's).

No... Pete is not Jim Palmer. But his blog is just another example of how AM and PA want to control the media.

Notice how 1057 TheFan has changed since no longer being the Flagship station? Sure, there remain a couple apologist, but overall, the tone has changed dramatically. Why? The O's can no longer control them.

Now.... If the O's stopped advertising in the SUN (which they won't do since this is a one paper town), Pete would be all over this Blog. But Pete's not dumb.

He wants to keep his gig.....

So as Gil suggest, he will Blog less and less, responding will eventually come to a complete stop (which it pretty much already has), and the SUN will further promote those on the Orioles payroll, like Roch.

Roch is sad. You wonder how he even looks at himself in the mirror at times. Constantly, he lies to the once proud fan base, ruining whatever last bit of cred he may have.

As has been the case in the past, perhaps he'll be sitting in one of the Angelos field boxes tonight. Maybe not though.... as those seats go to Yank fans when NY is in town.

Perhaps you'll get hooked up when the Sox are in town Roch.....

This is real folks..... This is the Baltimore Oriole organization.

Gil -

I also see this blog ending in the near future. I said that earlier in the offseason. It will probably become part of Oriole Insider when Schmuck has some sort of witty insight, such as Dan Connelly's little "Connelly's Bar" segment. Remember when that was a blog before Oriole Insider?

For what it's worth, I do enjoy Schmuck's blog more then Insider because I don't have to wait for my comment to be "approved". It would be nice, though, if he was more active on it. It would also be nice if he would screen some of the childishness that goes on here, which is the reason why I haven't been logging on to this blog.

You'd figure Pete would have time to control his blog more during his lenthy sabbaticals that the Sun's been giving him every 6 weeks. But who knows his reasons? Maybe he's taking care of a sick family member. Life can hit hard.

I can give him the benefit of the doubt....

I wasn't buying the Schmuck Conspiracy until I read Gil's comments this morning and checked back in the archives to see how often Pete posted this time last year.

And it's real ugly...

This year, since Opening Day, Pete has posted 19 blog entries about the Orioles.

Last year, from Opening Day through April 23rd, Pete posted no less than 75 blog entries about the Orioles. Not to mention at least a dozen football entries and a few "Schmuck Being Schmuck" entries.

Yes, my friends, I fear the blog is dying. I, for one, probably won't stick around if Orioles Insider is the only option. I enjoy catching up on the O's there, especially since the beginning of Schmucks almost radio silence, but I have no interest in being censored. And there's no way I'm going to Roch's blog. I've posted there a few times, but I've heard far too many censorship stories to continue to support MASN.

If Schmuck's blog goes down, I suggest that wayne starts one up to keep the gang together.

I's it fun 'sitting on a blog talking to your'self, wayne? It i's getting a little embara's'sing.

wayne -

the thing is though, he doesn't even have to start a topic directly about the Orioles. He can start a baseball topic, engage in it, and stop the ridiculous redundancy that has infested this blog. You know what I'm talking about.

He doesn't have to praise, critisize, bitch, applaud, and moan everything Oriole's just to satisfy what people want to hear.

Here's a topic - "When Is .300 not really worth .300?". Then go from there.

My perspective of it is he doesn't care about the blog anymore. It's his blog and he can do whatever he wants with it. It's his activity on it that almost seems apathetic, and it also seems that the only real reason why he posts a new topic every 4 days is because the Sun requires him to meet some kind of quota.

Agreed wayne, Roch is embarrassing. I didn't want to believe your conspiracy theory, since you have a few, but you're on the mark with this one. You know it's funny. I think the koolaiders will hate losing this blog as well. Sure they can go to the Oriole owned Insider, but it's not the same when you're just one on a short list who are happy about the Orioles. Who wants to part of a blog like that when the team has lost 13 years in a row, with no plans of turning it around anytime soon?

Not sure I'm buying into the conspiracy theories surrounding The Schmuck Stops Here. Maybe Pete's just bored? Maybe he has family obligations that take precedence over coming up with new topics for Wayne to dump all over? Maybe Pete's just sick of all of us. I would be.

Seriously -- if Angelos was *really* trying to shut down a blog, wouldn't that be the best blog material of all? And why would he force The Sun to just reduce the number of entries? It's not like that's stopped us from posting hundreds and hundreds of comments.

Finally, it's not like Pete has been all that hard on the Orioles ownership. Several people here have called Pete out numerous times for not being harsh enough.

However, I heard from a friend of this dude who blogs on another blog whose IP address is similar to this other guy's blog, whose girlfriend was on a treadmill at the gym next to a local celebrity that you ALL KNOW, and that celebrity let her know that she had decent-to-good insider information that someone once drove by The Sun's offices and saw Pete carrying a box of Hawaiian shirts to his car. Coincidence? I don't think so.

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I'm still here, but if you've been reading my Facebook page, you know I've been under the weather for the past couple of weeks, part of which was vacation. No conspiracy here. I'm just doing a lot of different things I wasn't doing a year ago, from the aforementioned Facebook stuff, to a series of long Q&A's to some spot news coverage to Twitter to my regular gig as a columnist several days per week. And, Ferg, you are one of the few who are prescient enough to realize that I do have a family and also help take care of the affairs of an aged parent. My dance card is unbelievably full. Sorry if I am a little sapped at the moment, but I'll warm up with the weather. The notion that Peter Angelos has anything to do with anything here is absolutely moronic.

I don't think it's about what Pete writes Ferg. I think it's more about what he allows to be posted by those who are tired of the continued poor management and vision. The fact that Pete allows people to post whatever they want has to upset the Orioles.

They're having a hell of a time getting people to the stadium. You think they want bad press anywhere? And it's not about conspiracy theory's everyone. It's about business. And like it or not, this is how the Oriole have chosen to do their business.

While Peter Angelos and his sons are running this team, it's not going to change. I will tell you guys. What wayne is saying about the owners seats going to Yankee fans is true. Since he mentioned it last season, I've made inquiries. While remarkable, it's very much true. If that doesn't make you sick to your stomach, then you're really not an Oriole fan.

James C.,

In essence, that is what I was told. If you remember, about 5 years ago Pete used to savage Angelos with every post. It made PA very unhappy and he let the SUN know. It's all about access to his team and his players and the SUN needed it. By allowing the blog comments to continue uncensored, Pete has gotten himself in a little hot water, but it is his way of remaining independent. I worked downtown for 35 years and developed a lot of friendships with SUN employees, the sports writers who used to hang out at a local restaurant and watering hole two blocks down the street from the paper. I won't be able to prove what I posted, but when the blog shuts down before July 4, I hope Pete gives us some insight.

Pete is a very special person and I have communicated with him outside this blog. It will be a great loss when he shuts down his blog.

There goes my Bergy prediction. Buck needs to take him off the game right now, and just put his ass on wavers. This guy can't pitch. Right down the middle BP fastball to A-Rod with 2 men on? Get the F outta here you freaking loser!

@Meso, kinda rough on Bergy weren't you? Look, I know it's 3 to 0, and I know he got drilled hard on most of those hits.
Bergy's had bad luck or no luck at all.
Plus, he already has a high pitch count.

The only good thing of the game was Andino jawing with Tex. That's why I like Andino gotta like it when he stuck it in Tex's ear.

Oh did anyone watch the Braves/ Giants, see what good pitching does.
I love the Braves pitching staff. Love that guy Kimbrel. I think you will see the Braves come playoff time.

Oh and as a side note, maybe I will have to ask the Insider. Why can't the O's give Jose Diaz a shot at the closer. Makes zero sense not even to give him a gander. Also, how much does it help us to keep Reimold in AAA? Either call him up and give him some at bats or trade him. I think it's appalling to keep him under wraps. He's not a spring chicken anymore. It's gotta be now of never.

Squirrel,

Any pitcher who doesn't pitch with a purpose with every pitch has no business playing big league ball. Bergeson has no life on any of his pitches. He is not elusive. He doesn't hide his delivery. On top of that is not accurate. If you're going to throw 84-86 mph fastballs, you better paint the corners and keep the ball down. He throws pitches as if he is expecting to get away with one. That pitch to A-Rod is just inexcusable in my book. A-Rod is a great hitter, but that pitch was insulting, even to fans watching the game. I don't see how Bergeson actually earned a spot on the rotation.

Meso, well sadly the O's don't have many options. Bergy did settle down, now we need the bats to come alive.
CC has never looked so good. I always felt he was one of the most hittable 20 game winners. Just not tonight. Lights out and Runge is giving a nice big strike zone. Its helping CC more then Bergy at this point.

Still like Andino's sense of style and that was a helluva play on Jeter's chopper aka Baltimore Chop. He's really growing on me, shame he will have to take a seat once Hardy comes back.

Sad Gil. I understand the business side of things, but I hate that you and wayne were right about this. It's not about the Blog. Hell, there will always be Blogs and if you want to vent about the Orioles, there are places to go.

It's really about how the Orioles treat people. It's become a common theme around Baltimore about how the Angelos family feels entitled to act and do whatever they want, when they want.

I understand that it must be exciting being able to own a major league team. But when does someone become embarrassed? Hell, I'm embarrassed to say I'm an Oriole fan at times. Wouldn't you think it be worse if you owned a team that has been one of the worst in baseball for over a dozen years?

You're right Meso. The Berg performance was just ugly. Anyone can get hit hard, but he doesn't even come close to looking like a major league pitcher at times. He had a good run a couple years ago, but that was a couple years ago.

Knowing that we don't have much of a choice in who to put out there only makes the overall pitcher clear on where this team currently is. Where it always is.

Meso -

Bergesen didn't earn a spot in the rotation.

The only reason he's here is because Matusz is hurt and this team/organization has zero depth.

PS - When did Jonesy learn how to go with a pitch so well?

--------------------------------------------------
Yanks 10-2.

CC vs. Bergie.

I dunno how we're picking Bergie to out duel CC when O's bats are asleep, and the Yankees are on fire. But hey, maybe...

Posted by: paulie | April 22, 2011 12:54 PM
---------------------------------------------------

Not looking to far off on that one.

Men against the Boys.

Just one game? How about the definition of the Orioles? ARod hits a grand slam and OPACY erupts like they're the home team.

Bad pitching. No hitting. Yankee crowd. Yep - must be an Oriole home game.

not brooks,

....yeah, he went with it. I guess the strike zone has been banana's tonight anyway, so it probably was a strike tonight. But the pitch was low and away change up....and the other night he roped one down first base line...again, low and away garbage.

but hey, if he can't "stay off" that stuff, and can "Vlad" it...sure. I'm game. I just don't think that's a repeatable success. But I'm still game. Maybe it's Vlad that'll have an influence on Adam rather than Derrek.

Our starting pitching is ineffective
Our bullpen is even worse.

While our line up is kinda constipated right now. At least at times it shows life.

Rupe and Rapada have no business in the bigs. Rapada can't find the strike zone. Rupe makes up for it by finding "TOO MUCH" of the strike zone.
Grand Slam A Rod.

Why do I bother watching these games anymore. I am fed up. The big problem is no one on the O's pitching staff throws fear in you. No one! Eventually everyone is hittable. Ugh. It's not just one thing, its multiple things that are wrong with the O's. Whether the O's trade for one player or scour the waiver wire for something. It's not just one player. Right back to square one. Dreadful. They should have kept Bergy in there for one more inning, what did we have to lose? At least he ended the night on a solid defensive play and that was of his own doing. Also, who thought Berken could be a closer? Berken, Rapada, Rupe, Gonzalez, and Gregg. We'd be better off holding amatuer night, this coming Monday the 25th to find someone to hold the bullpen together.
Sorry all seeing A Rod hit a grand slam, just ticks me off.

no bf, this isn't just one game. You're right, it's what we as fans have come to expect. The only good thing is that wayne has to sit in the crowd and watch this mess. Sorry wayne, I couldn't help it.

Just watched Nick get a gift of a hit. That gift should put him around 203? How can they rule that a hit by the way? And you guys love to pick on Jones wailing away at outside pitches. Have you seen Nick with his weak waves of those outside pitches this season, like on the gift of a hit he just received? Jones gets a raw deal in this town, while Nick is the overrated golden boy. Makes you think, doesn't it?

Ha, Men against the Boys indeed.

Rupe hits a guy who homered, then the next guy goes deep. I mean that was classic. And to top it off, now an Oriole can expect to get hit. If this isn't a perfect display of Oriole baseball, nothing is.

Paulie,

Yea, you told me so. I was on too much orange koolaid when I made that dumb prediction.

About the strike zone. Yea, it was ridiculous, but not an excuse for the O's. CC, who's a big league pitcher knew how to milk it, whereas Bergy, who has no business taking the mound in MLB, couldn't begin to comprehend what the strike zone was tonight.

Not Brooks,

Jonesy is my sleeper for this year. I'm developing a man crush on him. He hit that ball while leaning to his right. Great at bat. If he keeps hitting that outside ball with some authority and pop, he will get more pitches in the wheel house where he can be devastating with his quick and powerful bat. As he matures he will become a premier hitter in MLB. Mark my words.

Final thoughts:

We all get frustrated watching games like these; however that's why the Yankees have a 200 million dollar payroll. They're bombers. They will expose your weakness and make you look like you don't belong in the MLB. The O's right now are living up to their reputation. On the bright side. Angelos made a ton of money tonight. Maybe he puts it toward the fund bucket for acquiring real MLB players.

Mesotheliangelos -"Maybe he puts it toward the fund bucket for acquiring real MLB players."

Dream on.

What a long night.......

Yes Meso, the Yanks have a 200m payroll. But the Indians don't..... Besides, the HR pitches were served up on a platter tonight. It was laughable.....

Yank fans weren't as obnoxious as usual tonight. Question: Why is it that Yank fans, whether home or away, ALWAYS wear Yankee gear (as do Sox fans). Every single fan always either has a Yank hat, Yank Jersey, Yank Jacket..... or all three.

Meanwhile.......

Very few Baltimore fans wear O's gear. Sure, you see some orange hear and there, but for the most part.....No Oriole hat, no Oriole Jersey, No Oriole jacket...

Just an observation..... an obvious one at that.

Another observation........

Continuing on the subject of Pete. I believe he answered our question for us tonight gang. The Yanks are in town, they make the O's look like a minor league team....... story lines everywhere..... Yet, Pete put's something up about the Ravens. Now I love the Ravens. They make you feel proud to be Baltimore fan...... But could Pete be any more obvious?

Read between the lines folks.

Blog ------ Just about gone.