No, Pete, the season is not already over. Just think of it. The Orioles have suffered through injuries and poor play that in previous years would have ended the season in May. They are 2-2 against the BoSox, 5-4 against Tampa, nut that's offset by the 0-6 against the Yankees.There were at least games vs the Bombers the Orioles could've and should've won, add them to the 8-7, come from ahead loss against the Red Sox, that's four more wins, and the Orioles are in first place!

Whatever the detractors want to say, and I am sure they will, this team is in a much better position to recover from their problems than any Orioles team of the past 15 years. Matusz is due back soon, that only strengthens the rotation and the bullpen, so things, on paper at least, can only get better.

Keep the faith, my brothers and sisters!

Ken it's good to see you again!

Also, I am willing to bet FP Santangelo, drives a Waaaambulance during the offseason. I am glad I don't have to listen to him on a nightly basis. blech!

I could not believe his reaction to that drag bunt from Bernadina. Cheese!

I want Chris Tillman to explain to me what he was thinking about when he walked Alex Cora. That's my request for the day. That's a guy in the lineup that you could throw your BP fastball to and have a great chance of getting out.
Dumb.

I must say, the view of O's baseball is much softer from Galway, Ireland.

It appears the latest incarnation is decent starting pitching, hampered by a bad offense and questionable bullpen. Oh well, it always seems like the O's are 1 for 3 in those areas over various iterations of the team.

Ironically, if the team was batting anywhere near 1 for 3 they would probably be in first place.

i guess he's studied the blueprint for how to throw 100 pitches in 5 innings

I give zimmerman credit. he looks at the Orioles lineup and sees that the only guy to homer in the last 5 games is on the bench, says good for me, and pitches accordingly.

Pete
Despite all the groaners, thank about where the O's would be had the bullpen been reasonably effective, not to mention the lack of runs being scored. Those 4 games could have come at the expense of Boston, NY and TB.
With a young starting staff you expect ups and downs but Guthrie seems to be a stabilizing presence.

WAKE UP UNCLE ANDY, I HAVE ONE FOR YOU....

Who ya got Junior?

LET'S SIGN RICH HILL.

You got it Junior....

I'm still skeptical, but at least the season isn't already over. -- Pete

Pete--My, aren't you a breath of fresh air?

Can we use your phrase for a new Oriole fight song in the tradition of "Go Orioles Go," "Orioles Baseball," and "Orioles Magic?"

What shall we call it?

"Four Games out of First, I Guess I Should Still Pay Attention?"

Pete--The Orioles are a better ball club than you think.

129 days remaining

Pete,

Since you play, let me put this in poker terms. The O's right now have a chip and a chair. They're pretty much short-stacked against chip leaders like Tampa, NY, and Boston. And until they can take down a big pot (like a series), no one is concerned with them.

You can only try to steal a pot with 9 7 off so many times...

Hey Wayne finally some light hearted fun from you. I know a couple wins will do that for a true fan.

WAKE UP UNCLE ANDY
What ya got junior?

Lets trade for Hardy and I think Vlad still has something left in the tank.

You got it Junior

hahaha. I have to admit you're creative wayne

You are so funny and creative Wayne I can't take it.
It's nice winning 2 of 3 though isn't it?
At least as a season ticket holder and big fan you are enjoying these wins.
I mean we will get to 65 or 70 wins so we better enjoy every one.... right?

I'm just hoping Macphail brings some more relatives to the front officee then maybe I'll get a shot.

He hasn't got to my side of the family yet but my cousin is making him look really good so I think I'll get my shot.

I know you are loving that we are only 4 games back too cause I know that all you want is "meaningful baseball in September". See we both want the same thing my man. Lets call a truce and root for them O's?
How bout it, I lay down my 2 World Series rings in the dust and you be nice to Paulie and jim66
I mean we are all rooting for the same team.....right Wayne? ....huh......Oh you hate everything about this city?.....but I thought you owned season tix and everything?.....oh sometimes people lie on here? .....but not Wayne!.....he seems so sincere......Oh man I'm going to the insider .....Tim!!! Tim!!!! I'm leaving Tim!!!

HEY UNCLE ANDY, WAKE UP!!

What junior?

HAVE YOU HEARD OF THAT LOSER, WAYNE, OVER ON SCHMUCK'S BLOG?

You mean the clown who says he's going to ask me the tough questions at FanFest and then never does? The clown who rips the local media, but never seems to be able to find the press box to confront them face to face? You mean the total coward who talks a good game but never backs it up?

YEAH, THAT LOSER.

What about him?

YOU THINK HE'S GOT MAYBE 1 FRIEND IN THIS WHOLE WORLD?

Not unless we're counting imaginary ones.

GOOD ONE, UNCLE ANDY. HEY, HAVE YOU ACCOMPLISHED MORE IN YOUR LIFE THAN HE COULD EVER DREAM OF?

We all have, nephew. We all have.

SWEET!

wayne, always have been, and continue to be, nothing. you know nothing, speak junk and don't realize how clueless you are.

the more hubris and ignorance, the more clueless.

at least you are a legend in your own mind.

what a dumbass.

leave for a while, come back and still spewing, wayne....a tragic waste. probably a permanent internet clown.

Am surprised to see Os pitching staff stablized a bit to win 2 out of 3 from Nats . But the bitter taste of last monday's collaspe and thursday/fridays' knockouts still stings .

With Robert's contiuning health issues , declining play , immovable contract , no-trade clause , we can forget about trading BRob for anything of value .

wish MacPhail traded BRob back during 2008 Offseason , we would gotten decent prospects back then . Oh well ........

Lets be real, this team is flawed but they have a talented top 4 in the rotation when Matusz returns. I usually just read this blog, Wayne seems to rant alot but he does issue valid points, although sometimes at nauseam. Andy has definately butchered the buying the bats theory. I dont care about the huge names like Tex, but it sure would be nice having Victor Martinez hitting in this lineup right now..

HEY UNCLE ANDY, I HAVE ANOTHER ONE FOR YOU.

You sure Junior? We need to start showing something around here.

NO REALLY... YOU'LL LIKE THIS ONE, AND HE'S CHEAP

Who ya thinkin?

GARRETT ATKINS

Wow, and I believe I can sell the fans on possible upside.

EXACTLY

Let's do it.

WOOOOOO HOOOOOOO

To be Continued.........

We get it wayne. Andy's nephew has done a bad job. I'm just afraid if you name everyone, you'll get writers cramp. It is amazing how this guy can have such a big job though. Even more amazing is that he gets to keep it since he obviously lacks an eye for talent.

Should someone tell Wayne that his "bit" stopped being even mildly amusing about four attempts ago? Or should we let this loser go on because he has nothing else going on in his life?
Wayne - you're the kind of guy who runs off at the mouth and doesn't notice how everyone around you is rolling their eyes and shaking their heads. Yeah, you're THAT guy. And you'll never change because you can't. Your parents must have been just as weird as you, or they just gave up on your a long time ago and let you dissolve into this pathetic excuse for a person.
And I'm sure you'll do nothing except continue to prove my point each time you post a comment.
To be Continued...

Wayne does not have a "bit" - in fact why don't we just totally ignore him. That usually works for those in my world with a little knowledge and a large ego. Funny thing for Wayne is that he still goes to the games which helps pay for Andy's salary. Wayne simply needs to walk away and join another team. His five minutes of fame is up. Well wake up Wayne the rest of us like rooting for the O's. The rest of us when they lose don't gloat about it -- the rest of us would just want to be fans. That little fact obviously is ignored by you in every little ugly and misinformed blog.

The greatest humor is that which is built on true events, and it appears that wayne has struck a nerve. It is difficult to argue against the fact that Macphail's 4 year reign has been an abysmal failuire when it comes down to the ultiimate measurement...wins and losses. The simple fact is that the Orioles are the only team in the AL East under .500, and they might as welll be 40 games out of first the way the team has been put together by the Macphails.

I invite the Macphail fan club members, including Oriole employees and Andy's family, to preview July's schedule. I will bet anyone on this site that the Orioles will be at least 20 games out on August 1. A friendly bet of course, but one that you will be able to rub in my face everytime I sign on...or me yours.

Any takers?

Don't listen to them wayne. How can anyone deny what is happening? You point to the fact that they're close to 500. They're not close.

Last night on espn, they showed the standings, and how tight the AL East is. They cut off the Orioles. Isn't that typical? Does it make everyone proud that the team is a better lousy than last year?

I think you're wrong Steve. I think you're the kind of person who has put up with this mess for so long without saying a word. It's fans like you who Angelos and Andy feel they can walk over over. And they do so with amazing success.

wayne's not the problem. Has anyone ever figured out that the guy will stop when the team is good? And if you answer by saying this team is anywhere close to good, then you deserve to lose your entire lives. I'll give you this though, they are good compared to last season. Funny thing is, guys like you and john really buy into that line of thinking.

And add me to the list of people who claim I am wayne. Fine by me. Go Wayne!

Looks like you've struck a nerve inside the warehouse wayne and Gil. Good going.

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Wayne, this is pathetic. It really is.

Hey, I'm somewhat new around here, but I think the UNCLE ANDY thing is funny. Why are people so upset? It's just a blog, and besides, seems to me the guy has hit the nail on the head. I believe you're correct Gil. It's interesting how people get when a nerve is struck

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: New around here? Really?

I think there might be one person who posts on this blog who is not critical of the GM and actually supports him.

No one is posting that the O’s are a good team this year or have a real shot at the playoffs this year.

Wayne and his buddies – who are you guys talking to? Who are you trying to convince that the team is flawed? No one here disagrees. Do you understand what that means? No one who posts here (except for one person) disagrees with you. So why do you post the same things over and over and over? It’s boring.

If an O’s fan posts something positive about the O’s, it does not mean it is an endorsement for the GM. Do you get it?

Hey Gil – I will take your bet.

Hey Jason –

Fans don’t only root for their team when they are good. Fans do not jump ship when things are not going well, only to renew the relationship when the team is winning again. People who only root for their teams when they are good are called “frontrunners”.

Jason, are you a frontrunner?

Like I said, a fan’s positive statement regarding the O’s is not an endorsement for the GM.

I invite the Macphail fan club members, including Oriole employees and Andy's family, to preview July's schedule. I will bet anyone on this site that the Orioles will be at least 20 games out on August 1. A friendly bet of course, but one that you will be able to rub in my face everytime I sign on...or me yours.

Any takers?

Posted by: Gil | May 23, 2011 12:24 PM

Gil - do we get to rub it in your face when you sign on as "Wayne" as well? What about when you sign on as "tommyatopacy"?

The Orioles are 13 games behind -- 4 + 4 + 3.5 + 1.5 GB. The AL "Least" is 11 games over .500.

And are we going to boo-hoo injuries again? The Oriole bench is sad. Norfolk stinks. Bowie has one player batting over .270. There is a total lack of depth.

So what's more realistic?

The O's catching TB, NYY, BOS & TOR? TB, NYY, BOS & TOR all collapsing simultaneously? Or the O's sinking further?

Hey, I predicted .500. I haven't left that prediction in the trash bin, but, c'mon -- the O's feel worse than their record because 2012 is feeling more hopeless.

Sure, compared to last year, the current record is better. And with the other teams doing their version of treading water with injuries and such (very different then the O's's version), we can pretend things are better. The truth is the results are better thanks to Showalter versus Trembley, but the team is not better. Even worse, the hallmark of The Plan was to build through the minor leagues. I believe I already mentioned Norfolk and Bowie.

I disagreed with MacPhail's one-trick pony approach. Or is it Angelos's? Doesn't matter, really. But I gave it a shot. A four year shot. And not only are the Orioles not better, the one farm system is devoid of hope for at least two more years.

It's sadly easy to beat a dead horse when the one-trick pony isn't even doing its trick.

Wasp - So stop beating it....it is boring.

Please tell me how a team feels worse than its record? I do not understand – are the wins not real? Are the losses more real? Please explain….

Whatever, just tell me the same thing again.

Mike H,

Last year Pete confirmed that I sign on with one screen name only. I don't play those games. Pete knows who I am and where to find me and I have communicated with him outside the blog. He has said he would like to wring my neck sometimes and I'm glad he has relented to do so so far. He is younger and bigger and does crazy things like wrestling and jumping in the Bay in January.

JJ,

You are on. I hope you are right. Before the year started I said if everything went right, the Orioles could be playing meaningful games in September. I also predicted that Dutch would never throw a pitch for the Orioles and that Roberts, Lee, Hardy would go on the DL,Berken would be innnefective due to his torn labrum and that Gonzalez would be just plain inneffective. I was wrong about Guerrero{so far} as I said he would also go on the DL.Things have not gone right and are going to get worse. As far as the hope I had, the ether has worn off.

Gil,

Sounds good, let's have some fun. All I want is the 13 years of losing to end.

I have no trouble admitting when I am wrong, so I am up for whatever blog style humiliation you have in mind.

I know about all the flaws with the team, but at 21-24, I am not ready to give up. To me, the game is pitching. I think the O’s young starters have a chance to be good.

Go O’s

JJ,

Of course the young Oriole pitchers have a chance to be good.

So did Garrett Olsen, Adam Lowen, Hayden Penn, Matt Riley, Rhadames Liz. John Parrish, Denny Bautista, Sidney Ponson, Daniel Cabrera, Rick Bauer, Rocky Cherry, Kurt Ainsworth, Jason Johnson, Damien Moss, Chris Britton, Eric Dubose, Josh Towers, John Stephens, Sean Douglass and many other overrated and oft injured young Oriole pitching prospects in past years. I'd throw in Matt Hobgood, but I'll wait another year or two before tagging him as another in a long line of busts. I'd also start throwing in relievers such as Cory Doyne but it would take up too much more posting space.

The Orioles seem to have a way to get the least out of young pitchers. Will this version 4.0 of a young pitching staff end up being any different?

JJ, good bet.
I mean at this point, what more rhetoric can be tossed your way that could be any more or any worse than what's been said already? Look, it took them 4 years to discover the nephew...

Blogsters, columnists, sabremetricians,
, Nostradamus,Yankee fans, the list goes on. What haven't you heard several times already?
The horse has been flogged, it's nearly dead. Only upside for you.

That's right jim66, and the floggings will continue until morale improves

hey I gotta ask- What took so long to figure out that the nephew was on the payroll? How did that go uncovered for so long?
That's a simple question.

gil, did you watch adam laroche over the weekend? what did you think? is he worth a 2 year contract? should the Os trade for him and that killer bat of his?wanna make sure we had him locked up you know.

Yes, jim66, I would still have done it in a heartbeat based on his career consistent numbers, and he is younger and not as injury prone as Lee. But heck, as the true believers say, It's early yet.

Frankly, he has a much better shot at getting hot, staying hot and on the field than Lee does.

What about the killer trade Andy made for swish Reynolds?

jim66, as far as Lee Macphail IV flying under the radar, the local media has gone out of it's way NOT to cover it. I have mentioned it in passing several times over the last few years. Now that the farm system has further deteriorated, people started looking to see who might be behind the mess. Bloggers, not the media.

All that being said, it's clearly a case of nepotism, and a symbol of the Oriole good old white boy front office.

Gil

I wont take your bet , here is why .
Os opponents for May 24 - July 31

Os possible winning series
SEA - 3 gms
WAS - 3 gms
PIT - 3 gms

Os very very possible losing series
KC - 3 gms
OAK - 6 gms
BOS - 7 gms
TOR - 9 gms
TPA - 3 gms
CIN - 3 gms
STL - 3 gms
NYY - 3 gms
CLE - 4 gms
LAA - 3 gms
TEX - 3 gms
ATL - 3 gms

As all you can see , Gil made this a challenging bet . All the teams in bottom part are either A ) Os have bad history with OR B ) the remining teams are currently contenders in their respective divisions .

If by Aug 1st , the Os are less than 20 gms behind 1st place AL East team , or have a .500 record .
Then Buck deserves AL Manager of the Year award .

JJ - good luck against Gil

Scary thing is wayne. I can see that conversation happening. I think we all can.

JJ, I agree what you said to wayne about there really being only one poster who won't get it. Well, maybe 2 or 3. Still, I think it's important for all of us to speak up when we choose.

Is that wayne dude 14? Whats the deal bro, never learn anything from baseball?

Baseball has always been a family affair.

Who's Andy's daddy, and what team did he work for?

Any guesses?

Guess who learned from his father, who taught Andy everything?

This is really hard now...

Acting surprised or upset at nepotism, especially as an Orioles fan (duh, can you spell Ripken?)...

Does Ozzy have his kid on the pay-roll? (or did...dumb kids and their twittering.)

So come on...grow up. Next you'll be stunned to learn that if you plunk a guy, one of your guys is getting plunked next.

Baseball is old school. Always has been. Always been filled with nepotism. It'll never ever stop.

Rex-ville, I have no idea if wayne is 14, but I do understand where he and gil are coming from.

Nepotism doesn't have to be a bad thing, but when the person hired is obviously incapable of doing the job, then questions should be raised. When Andy came to Baltimore, the team was in horrible shape. The position of Director of pro scouting was one of the most important jobs in this organization. That being said, it seems fair to question why someone who was successful in this field wasn't hired.

The players wayne keeps bringing up are quite embarrassing. And he could go on for days with this routine because of the players Andy's nephew has seemingly recommended.

The track record speaks for itself. Four years of continually bringing in one bad player after another. With just a few exceptions, it's really been bad Rex. Bad in an area that has to be very good to great, if we're to compete in this division.

So no, hiring family members isn't a bad thing. But if you're going to do it at this level, you better be prepared to be under the microscope. And after 4 years Rex, people aren't liking what they see.

Leave it to the bloggers to google stuff and blow the lid off of nookie, to steal a line from Albert Brooks. I was figuring that the Keith Laws of the world, in their exhaustive research of the Os plight would have run into that one like freddy lynn into an outfield wall. Guess not.
Anyway Gil, your defense of LaRoche is to use the same defense that some are using for Derek Lee, and then opine about chance of future performance? I can accept that. Tit for tat. Then just for good measure, bring up someone else. Snarky.
shall i dare say let's have a little fun...

I see the fun has already started.

Gil - your list of pitchers is funny - I had forgotten about most of those guys. Oh well, I still think Britton, Arrieta and Matusz have a chance.

I ask the blog to please submit punishment options (blog style) for the loser of the bet. I am a little surprised that there were not anymore takers.

Tim - by all means, post all you want. But just not the same thing over and over and over.

wayne – the Koji one was good….the others, not so much

i know Gil, Reynolds is just barely having a better year than laroche. crazy stuff.

here, let me take a flyer on the people that he recommended, since nobody knows, and my guess is as good as anyone's:
Brian Matusz, Machado. Klein.Schoop. Schutz, Townsend. Robert Bundy.
That's it.

Anyone know any better?

Gil,

One of the teams in the AL East will break out. It could be Boston, as they're getting hot and have studs up and down. Could be Tampa as well though.

SInce they ended up 19 games out of 4th place last season. Not 1st, but 4th (and that's only because they got hot under Buck), I think it's more than safe to say they'll be 20 games out of 1st by August 1.

I'm so depressed now.

you know tim, i was thinking the same thing about the sox, who's offense could carry a mediocre staff, as it looks now.
If that happens the Os could be 20 out, and everyone else 15.

i guess we can just roll that little ball out there and see what the hell happens.

I really think the O's will be out in front by 2 and a half games at that point. No one in our division will be able to hang with our pitchers once Matusz is back. This is the best starting staff we've had since you pick the year. They should only get better as the year goes on and the bats are just heating up. yes even reynolds who I think will wind up hitting .240 with 30 Home Runs and 90 RBI's.
The O's are the team on the move.

What do I win if I am closest?

haha smitty, I have to admire your tenacity. Start printing the playoff tickets, smitty says we're on our way.

Problem is smitty, as you get close to realizing your prediction is wrong, you'll start changing your predictions like you always do.

This team keeps punching people like you in the gut, but darn if you don't get right back up.

e=mc^2 and the O's stink. Same as it ever was. Andy is a sorry SOB GM PBO EXEC.

not brooks,

I'm sure you realize the big contract handed out this winter will be to Andy.

"Not going anywhere." -- PA.

...not trying to salt the wound, just trying to limit the crying the over the spilt milk.

Hey...maybe Andy will sign a Closer this off season too!

Thanks Bob but you have me confused with someone else. I make predictions as a fan not as a betting man. I don't have to change it when I'm wrong. I just keep hoping things will get better. I have to admit my 97 wins I "predicted" was pretty over the top. I actually think around 91 wins will take the division this year and I see no reason why we won't be the one in first place at the end of the year. The division is down. Baseball is mainly about starting pitching and our young staff stacks up well against our foes. So why would I root for .500 and 4th place? Perhaps that's good for a gambling man, but again I'm like little kid making predictions and I think every Oriole from the owner to the GM to Buck to all 25 O's are not trying to get to .500. They are trying to kick some but and win the stinkin division. I'm on board so shoot me for hoping.

Paulie,
You are correct that AM will definitely be offered an extension (well deserved). Boy, that will be an interesting day on Pete's blog...I hope they Hire Macphails Mother in Law and Uncles while Peter Angelos is at it. You can't have too many relatives of a baseball genius if you ask me......I know... technically nobody asked me....
Go O's lets rip off 14 of 15 or something ridiculous!

smitty,

If the Orioles are not at least 20 games out on August 1, I won't sign on for 30 days to continually criticize what can only be described as a failed experiment by the Macphails. I don't use other screen names so you can purchase your playoff tickets with satisfaction. Just a little jab, you and the other members of Andy's support group originally said you could live with 230 strikouts and a .198 average if swish Reynolds hit 40 homers and drove in over 100 runs. Now it's 30 and 90. How about 19 and 60 and .216. Would that still work?

jim66,

I don't know, Reynolds might get hot and hit 50 this year. In batting practice. Laroche was not a player in decline coming into this year. Lee and Reynolds were. That's why they are playing for the Orioles. I think one of Andy's prerequisites to signing a player is that the individual must be qualified to compete for comeback player of the year.

Ok smitty, but I noticed you've already gone from 97 to 91 wins. Bummer. And while I agree the division may be down compared to past years, it's obvious the separation will begin to occur rather quickly.

And please enlighten us on why Andy deserves an extension? Why should he not be held accountable for anything? Imagine what the team would look like without the players Andy inherited, especially when he has little to bring along from the time he's been here.

And no, I'm not wayne, so lease don't make that accusation. That doesn't mean he's not right though. You have to admit. The players he's talking about is difficult to spin.

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Well, yes, you actually are "Wayne." At least have some integrity. I get your IP address with every post and this one is the same as all the "waynes" and also the new guy, Tommyopacy, who seems to like you. And, weren't you the guy complaining about other people making up identities? Unbelievable. Really, wayne or whoever you are. Unbelieveably shameless.

What a strange blog. Bloggers, the reason Andy will get a new deal is because Peter Angelos is a disaster of owner. In fact, it can be argued that there hasn't been a worse owner in sports over the last 50 years.

That's why Andy M will get a new deal. On any other team, any other organization, he would be sent packing. Anyone who can't see that doesn't understand how dire this franchise is under the current ownership.

What does "PBO" stand for?

And whoever posed as me: Get my M.O. right. I don't use caps lock.

Speaking of caps lock...

wayne -

While I do enjoy the mental picture of Lee IV screaming like a doofus while he recommends these players, if you're going to continue this Uncle Andy Saga, turn off the caps. At least use italics or something a little less aggravating. You're aggravating enough without six solid lines of all caps lock in every post.

Everyone -

Two more 1 for 3's and Reynolds will be hitting .201! WOO!

But Gilster, sorry to say, lee and even more sorry to say,Reynolds, are hitting better than LaRoche. Now just for a second, imagine if the Os had LaRoche. And had him signed for 2 years. Can you imagine the fun someone might be having with that? Would you be on here defending him, against that? I'll guess not.
So two guys in decline are... ahh forget it. This is funny stuff..
Oh wait, queue the Tex debate all over again...

We wouldn't even be hving this discussion if loser PBO (President of Baseball Operations) Andy wasn't such a tight wad and offered Tex the FIFTH lowest offer. If anyone should have over paid, that would be the O's. But, NOOOOO, we are the O's and feel we're entitled somehow... F this ownership and front office. F them. F them. F them.

But jimbo,

The object {for most competitive teams, ours excluded} is to try to sign players who appear to be performing at a high level. That's why we don't sign any. Of course Laroche is not hitting like he has for the last 6 years. But Lee and Reynolds are hitting like they have been....downhill. That's why we got them. That's who we are. As far as what people would be saying if we had signed Laroche for two years.... I say it was a better risk than Reynolds, Lee and Garrett Atkins. All three will be out of baseball in one or two years. It's called risk management. Palpable risks need to be taken if you wish to compete.

Now, actualluy it is all a moot point, because Andy will never spend the money necessary to sign a top flight free agent, to allow him to fail, if that is what is to be.

That's who we are. Cheap. And that's why we are where we are. and will remain as long as Andy And his nephew are making the decisions.

Grow the arms.Buy the bats. Unless, of course, the bats were active and productive the prior year. In that case, buy the bats that 31 other teams passed on.

You all keep arguing Andy...when the real issue is PA. You all want Flanny, Beattie, and the rest of the GMs the past 13 years? Of course not.

Come on people, wise up.

Nothing will change until PA relinquishes ownership. And we can only hope that his boys are willing to sell the majority since they aren't that interested in the team.

Alright, let's not bunch all us Andy relatives together.

I was not a fan of the Mark Reynolds trade. The strike outs are, to me, the antithesis of good baseball.

However, between the Pena, Dunn, or Reynolds who'd you rather? At least Reynolds can clip a bag or two, is locked up already in a deal, is 27, and was a "fit" for the needs of the O's.

Again, I don't even like the trade.

But what were the better moves for a 3B?

Miggy?...again?

Other than Beltre, there were not middle of the order 3B bats out there.

Are you as disappointed like I am that Bell is in AAA?

I'm busting the guys chops and i get a lesson in risk management. Nice deflection.

Wow, Wayne - busted i say -- BUSTED!! Thanks Pete for finally putting an end to such a hypocrite. Gosh Wayne - using other names to prop your own post up - when you have railed against that in the past. -- Wow - Wayne - no shame? no conscious? and finally, no fan!!

Again, thanks Pete for exposing the fraud. Much appreciated.

Gil -

I agree with most of what you say, but...

If you look at all the players that AM made some sort attempt to sign last offseason, most of them aren't any better than Lee, Reynolds ect.

Not making excuses- just saying.

Yes, AM should had made a better attempt a Beltre. Yes, AM should had made a better attempt at Victor Martinez.

But if you look at Adam Dunn, Tony Pena, Adam LaRoche, and Jaysen Werth (to name a few), those players aren't doing much better than what we have now.

The offense in MLB is changing. We're not seeing the big HR hitters like we used to over the past couple decades. Honestly, pitching is now the name of the game and I think baseball is going back to the way it was before the 90's with lower scoring games and lesser players hitting 30+ HR's.

Looking at history, the game has gone thru cycles like that.

Geez wayne

That's sick. I mean really, dude.

Do you really have season tickets behind the dugout?

Are you really catching a plane to the next city that you go to?

Are you really 50% of Pete's bloggers?

I'm crying on the inside and laughing on the outside.

Have a nice......LIFE?

Thought I would break up the monotony with a a Randy Poffo Article aka Randy "Macho Man" Savage. I always thought he was a pretty good athlete, he just wasn't good enough to be a catcher in the MLB I guess
Great article though!

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/the_bonus/05/23/macho.man/index.html

PS I also miss his 1st wife Miss Elizabeth (RIP) Always, thought she was a hottie and seemed like a genuinely nice lady.

Ok smitty, but I noticed you've already gone from 97 to 91 wins. Bummer. And while I agree the division may be down compared to past years, it's obvious the separation will begin to occur rather quickly.

And please enlighten us on why Andy deserves an extension? Why should he not be held accountable for anything? Imagine what the team would look like without the players Andy inherited, especially when he has little to bring along from the time he's been here.

And no, I'm not wayne, so lease don't make that accusation. That doesn't mean he's not right though. You have to admit. The players he's talking about is difficult to spin.

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Well, yes, you actually are "Wayne." At least have some integrity. I get your IP address with every post and this one is the same as all the "waynes" and also the new guy, Tommyopacy, who seems to like you. And, weren't you the guy complaining about other people making up identities? Unbelievable. Really, wayne or whoever you are. Unbelieveably shameless.

Posted by: Bob | May 23, 2011 9:32 PM

Guess that's the end of wayne.

Nice try Pete,

Why don't you give this a try Pete. Seriously.... you should.

Look at my IP (do you know how to do that). Then, see if others have the same. Want to do that genius?

After you do that Pete, how about some real reporting on the Orioles. Here's an idea.......

How about a piece on AM's nephew? Or would that be getting too 'close' for you (if you know what I mean).

Why don't you tell people why you, Z and the other fine reporters who follow the O's, won't cover such a relevant, important story as it relates to the Baltimore Orioles?

Have you no shame?

I can't believe Pete would betray wayne like that. Wayne's always so respectful to Pete and is always talking about Pete being a beacon of journalistic integrity.

Wait...

Didn't "wayne" get busted on a MASN blog (?School of Roch) for the same thing?

But yeah, Pete's a liar.

I'm another one of wayne's many. That's right, just because I'm tired of an organization and media that constantly lies to its fan base, we must all be the same.

Instead of accusing posters Pete, I would worry about your own integrity. Like when was the last time you actually answered a question from a poster about baseball?

You should visit your own blog once in a while, and not just to attack wayne.

Forgot to switch to the other computer there eh Wayne?...
so now Pete is making stuff up?
uh huh.....Pete lacks integrity and you are a season ticket holder....got it

You actually are about 95% of all the posters who come on here and say "Wayne is crazy but he sure makes some good points" No not the Gils of the world just all the other dudes you have in your head. I actually feel sorry for you and I hope you come to your senses.
Perhaps the Minnesota Twins Blog could use someone like you...
You could go on there and say how even though Macphail won those 2 World Series all those years ago he is the one responsible for this awful year they are having now...You could say he left the Organization in such poor condition that this was bound to happen, You could blame Andy's nephew also even though he was only 13 you could say he was making decisions way back when
Maybe your motto could be something like "delayed residual incompetent decision making"
You can call it
DRIDM

James C....there are only 2 choices..
1. You are Wayne which is really sick that you don't stop even though you've been had...
or
2. You simply don't have a clue as to the nature of Wayne's assault on Pete's integrity over and over and over.

I agree wayne. Pete's definately had a few tall one's tonight.

smitty, I am wayne, and what integrity are you referring?

Uncle Andy,

I'm so sorry I've made you look bad. It was never my intention. When you get your extension, I promise to make it up to you.

Now wayne is saying he keeps this blog running, Pete's drunk posting, and still trying to deny that he's wayne Allan Steve Eilertson James C tommyatopacy Bob sensitive Anonymous Pete Andy just to name not a few.

Dude, give it up. You're busted. You're a joke. You're embarrassing yourself.

You embarrassed yourself with 'I have it from a reliable source that Pete's blog is ending around mid-May (What's today's date?). Then you tried to play it off like Pete begged for his blog to the O's shill Sun bosses.

But wait...I thought you are the reason this blog lives? That you are the only one who cares and that without you it'd be tumbleweeds? I thought Pete never posts and that he's a shill?

And if nothing on here matters, were you lying when you said that Oriole employees read this? And were you having delusions of grandeur when you took credit for the non-signing of Joe Crede last year? You know, because the warehouse reads this, and you're the voice of the TRUE fan, and you were against it?

Spin this into a wayne-logical excuse. Because your multiple positions and statements make NO sense.

Junior,

Please don't worry about it. Like you've said many times, we own the media in this town.

I thank my lucky stars every day that we're no longer in Chicago. Remember how they were always calling us out?

Just keep doing what you do best. We'll be ok, and as long as Mr Angelos owns the team, we're set.

I just wish wayne wouldn't re-print all those old emails we sent back and forth. How did he get those by the way? No worries though. My boy Pete will discredit wayne, which will mark his demise.

Now find me a new first baseman Junior. And remember..... keep the price down.

Spelling Steve Eilertson and tommyatopacy wrong doesn't make it any more believable that it wasn't you. Nice try, though.

It doesn't matter anymore Wayne -- you have been busted - you can post all you want - you can play the AM and nephew dialogue -- it doesn't matter anymore. Your integrity is gone. You have been exposed. Goodnite Wayne. Eventhough you will continue to post just remember everytime you do - it is a reminder of the person who Pete busted. Wow, i would have never imagined that you would be an example of a such a miserable person but the light has been shown on you Wayne - no more in the shadows of the internet. Again much thanks Pete!

jim66, paulie

How many teams lined up beating down Lee, Hardy, Reynolds, Guerrero's and Dutch's door? Seems 31 other teams know something that we don't.

Yes, Andy could have and should have signed Beltre and Martinez. As they say, "pay the man." Unless you are the Baltimore Orioles of course. Then it's try to get "good stuff cheap."

Andy did not come here to build a winner. He came here to play out the string until he starts collecting his pension and Social Security. PA rented his name and what do you want to bet that his dumb a** nephew will end up being the next GM. I love this town but if that happens we deserve it. We bent over once for Andy, might as well take another for the team.

If all of this is true about Wayne acting as multiple people, which would not be a surprise at all, the number of posts from people should drop off. And the number that wayne posts should either stay the same or increase. He is not able to help himself if he is the SERIAL poster.

Lets see where the numbers go. It really is not rocket science. The extra names here do not all of a sudden pop up and post multiple times. Someone most likely is using other aliases.

Drum roll...who is it???

It is entertaining though

wayne is busted (who does that?)

Peter - thanks for confirming what we already knew (I love this blog)

Each post by wayne gets sadder than the last.

Wayne – my advice would be to come clean. If not, you truly have no integrity. I will wait for your admission, until then, you will be ignored.

The cover-up is worse than the crime. Come clean and I will forgive you.

Damn, Gil, I bust your chops about you wanting LaRoche, who's now on the DL and having a worse year than any of the Os free agent pickups, and look what I get as a reply. Pretty much expected. If you think Reynolds and Lee were bad choices, what would you possibly think of LaRoche if he was on the Os?
Continue on. BlahBlahBlah. But please, no more lessons in risk management. i hear enough of that at work.

jim66,

I gave you a reply. Sometimes you have to take chances and pay if you want to win. They all will not work out. I would not second guess signing laroche if he never plays another game, because it was the right thing to do. Of course, Victor Martinez was the best thing to do. When you continue to sign broken down players past their prime, or in Reynolds case, baseball's all time strikeout king coming off a .198 average, you get what you pay for. Laroche did not have a previous injury history and was coming off a solid 6 years. The bums Andy signed occupied part of the wing at the mayo clinic.

Don't you get it Jim? We sign bums. That's who we are. That's why we are where we are.

We sign bums - that's how we roll.

"Grow the arms, buy the bums".

You know guy's i have to give this blog some time off because when i post something i like a reply and jeff gives well thought answers to most questions.You noticed i said most, but that is better then none and that is what you get here now with Pete. All everybody does on this blog is argue back and forth with each other and i guess if that is what you like then it's ok.

Without switching to an approval system, what did you want Pete to do, wayne?

He acknowledged that other IP's were coming on with your user name and he acknowledged you your IP was showing up under other names. With an open blog, what more can you do?

Sure, maybe Pete was a bit more hostile towards you, but considering the fact that you blast his journalistic integrity with every other post, are you really surprised?

Anyway, this whole thing is stupid. I, for one, wish the Sun would switch to a user name and password comment system, but that probably costs more money, and they probably don't feel the need to spend much money on the blogs.

Oh well.

Back to baseball, sort of, for a second:

I know he hasn't thrown a pitch for us yet, so it's not surprising that people don't know this, but Justin Duchscherer's name is pronounced "DUKE-SHER", making his nickname "Duke", not "Dutch".

Now that you all know this, please bash Andy for wasting money on "Duke" from now on.

Andy doesn't mind wasting money on people like Duke. It's what he does. His FA signings can be seen tooling about in hover-rounds at Walmart. The physically challenged are are all he can afford. Angelos needs most of the money for discovery on class action litigation.

not brooks;

You misread what Pete had to say in response to the 9:32 post by "Bob". He did not say that others were posting as "Wayne". Read again carefully. He said, "I get your IP address with every post and this one is the same as all the "waynes" and also the new guy, Tommyopacy."

While it may well be true that others have put up posts as "Wayne", Pete didn't say that.

Gil,

The difference between Adam LaRoach and Derrek Lee is the lefty splits. The O's finished last year with one of the worst AVG's toward left handed pitching. Derrek Lee solves that problem. Adam LaRoach does not. (wanna look up Vlad's splits and see what he does to lefties? Kills them.)

Added to that, Derrek is a better defensive player than Adam too.

Better bat. Better glove. Better contract.

I was talking about a different occurance, dan. It was a while back that Pete acknowledged that others had been posting as wayne. Probably before you started posting here.

Regardless, old wayne's got to get a grip on things. He hurls out insults, questioning everyone's intelligence and integrity, and then he gets upset when stuff gets thrown back at him.

dan, he said that in the past when wayne was crying about ppl posting under "his" name.

The larger issue regarding LaRoche vs. Lee is who will the Orioles sign to play 1st Base in 2012.

Let's assume that Derrek Lee's one-year deal was intended to allow the Orioles the opportunity to sign a bona fide slugger in his prime in 2012. Who here thinks that the 2012 O's starting 1st Baseman will be:

a) Prince Fielder,
b) Albert Pujols,
c) Derrek Lee,
d) Brandon Snyder,
e) Joe Mahoney,
f) other?

not brooks;

Thanks for clarifying that and you're right that "Wayne" should get a grip. Pete could block anything originating from his IP address if of a mind too. Wouldn't upset me at all if he did, but I'm sure it would "Wayne".

JJ,

I will respond to you. If you get either response, it will be a bonus. My response to you is more for others who may be new here. Those who pay any attention already know.

Point 1 - Beating it? It has only been a week or so that I have decided the results of Andy MacPhail's tenure -- regardless who is to blame -- deserves a C-minus. In my opinion, that is not good enough.

Over the last few years, I have pointed out where I disagree with the approach. During that time, however, I have given credit where credit is due. The results (with respect to you) will not be repeated here, but nevertheless has more short-comings in roughly four years than positives.

Point 2 - My post was mostly in response to Pete's original blog post. The "feeling" for many fans including myself is not a heck of a lot different between now and a year ago.

You are talking about players' feelings. Which players? The one-year rentals who have come from elsewhere? The injured? The rookies? I think you might get 25 different answers at any given time with the players.

Getting back to my feelings, I'd say in some ways I actually feel worse than a year ago. I was hoping the signing of Guerrero and Lee might spark the owner into spending real money on difference makers. Or, at least, give it a proper shot.

I was hoping some players who probably don't figure into the Orioles' future having good years and having good trade value.

I was hoping enough young pitchers would be successful enough, a few select ones could be parlayed into bringing back players that would make a 2012 team truly competitive.

None of those things are happening. And, strangely enough, my prediction of 81 wins remains on the table. Unless something really substantively changes, it will be a hollow 81 wins with regards to 2012 and 2013 at the very least.

The only thing that will perk me up besides the entire roster changing character out of the blue is for there to be a new GM ... AND (this is most important) ... he starts making dynamic moves where one move sets up the next move, and so on.

Frank Wren doesn't count because he only got 11 months, but we haven't seen that in Baltimore since Pat Gillick.

Agree, disagree -- I don't care. If that isn't understandable, barking at me won't help.

paulie,

Laroche had a better year season last year and is 5 years younger than Lee. Laroche drove in 100 runs and had 25 home runs. Those stats dictated much more money than Lee got. Lee's contract did fit Andy's profile as "better" for the Orioles. "Better" as in cheap. That's why he is here. It had less to do with lefty splits. Garrett Atkins was supposed to help solve that problem, as Andy said at fanfest prior to the 2010 season. I'm beginning to forget what year it is with the Orioles. They all look the same. And paulie, why do you worry about how much money the orioles spend? You should worry about how little they spend.

AngelOs,

It won't be A,B, for sure. Bringing back an aging, oft injured Lee doesn't make good sense either. He is a one year band aid. Mahoney has only had 38 AB's at AA this year due to injuries, and is hitting .235. He is a long way from major league ready. Snyder doesn't have the pop to be a corner infielder in the Bigs. So that brings us to "other" and your guess is as good as mine what bum Andy will dig up.

Wasp –

Starting out with an insult and accusing me of “barking” – nice, thanks, I appreciate it. Anyway…

Point 1 – OK, so maybe you have not posted it before, but, beating it? Yes. Do you read this blog?

Point 2 – I was not talking about players feelings. Not sure where you got that from. Sorry I was not clear.
This is the part of your post regarding feelings that I asked you to explain –
“Hey, I predicted .500. I haven't left that prediction in the trash bin, but, c'mon -- the O's feel worse than their record because 2012 is feeling more hopeless.
Sure, compared to last year, the current record is better. And with the other teams doing their version of treading water with injuries and such (very different then the O's's version), we can pretend things are better. The truth is the results are better thanks to Showalter versus Trembley, but the team is not better.”

So, please correct me if I am wrong, but it looks to me like you are saying better results and a better record equal a worse team.

You do remember the season was over after 3 weeks last year, don’t you?

Hey, I thought this was a funny article!
Although, I like both pitchers, so this duo wouldn't be too much for me!

Anyway, why in tarnation don't the Orioles give Jose Diaz a chance?
He throw 98 miles an hour! Who wants to hit a 98 mph fastball at the end of the game. I know I wouldn't!

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/sports/flying-squirrels/2011/may/18/tdsport01-bowies-mound-duo-too-much-for-squirrels-ar-1046374/

Happy hour time - what's up O's fans?

Great Britton on the mound tonight.

Go O's

You forgot option number three wayne: Maybe you're lying.

But like you said, it doesn't matter. It's the internet. Maybe we're all lying. Maybe I live right next door to the stadium. Maybe Gil's a 16-year-old high school baseball player. Maybe paulie's real name is Anthony.

But if it doesn't matter, why do you care so much that you continue to post about it?

Just a thought...

PS - Who calls their Uncle, "UNCS"?

Actually, Brooks

There was a Magnum PI episode years ago. Don't ask me why I remembered this! I think the goofy nephew called his Unlce, Unc. Close enuff to uncs

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0639724/

Now, I have to go respond on the insider. I have to rethink a trade proposal. I really don't like being wrong or uninformed. Messes with my reputation. As if I have one lol

Gil,

Adam LaRoach is getting less money than Derrek Lee this year. Adam gets 8 million next year. That's 750K more than Derrek Lee...hardly "cheaper".

I don't get how this was about money.

So if you don't think it was about the Lefty splits, and it's not about the money (since Lee is getting more today than Adam), then was it about the Defense maybe? Was it maybe that Derrek is a better player than Adam?

How about this split: Adam LaRoach:

Pre All-Star break: .246
Post All-Star break: .295

Adam is not a better player than Derrek. He is younger and cheaper.

Just some food for thought...I know neither one of us believes that the 1 year deal to Derrek was to get Prince this off-season.

Big win for the boys tonight? Britton holds 'em down and the Os explode for 5 or 6?
Do I hear you typing with the CAPS LOCK ON!!!

Nicky "Stick Man" Markakis is about to go on a wicked, yes I said wicked ,tear...

Now Playing; Lou Reed, Vicious

Can't argue with jim's assertion that Nick's about to go on a "wicked tear".

Everyone's favorite whipping boy has added 56 points to his batting average since May began and he's on a mini-tear (.412/.500/.529, one home run, two stolen bases) since the start of his current eight game hitting streak.

Here's hoping...

lefty on the mound...
TROUBLE, right here in Charm City
and that starts with T and that rhymes with P

This blog needs a little music...

jim66,

This blog does need some music...

However, since we can seldom agree on the 25 men on the O's, the music would be even more contentious.

Anyone for some At The Drive In, maybe a "One Armed Scissor" back ground music...

Bob, who would not want to be Wayne?
I don't get it...

and that ladies and gentleman is your 2011 Baltimore Orioles. Leadoff double, and don't even move the guy off of second base against a guy with 6 innings of major league experience. Excellent.

Whatever happened to that drill where Professor Presley yells out the situation and the hitter does the right thing?

paulie, paulie, paulie

Laroche got more total money on his contract than Lee because he had more market value after last year. Lee is pretty much done, as demonstrated by the fact that nobody wanted his old, injury prone body but Andy. He is a perfect fit here, fits our FA demographics to a T.

if you're brandon snyder, hitting 9th, you have to figure that the absolutely last thing you want to do there is strike out. The least is to somehow get the guy over to third.
Are they just so unskilled at age 24 after 6 years in the minors that what they need to do escapes them?
When Buck talks about smart baseball, that is what he is yapping about.

Is this gonna be four straight starts for Britton where his offense doesn't get him a run? Sure looks like it.

i would have to call presley's first 50 games with the Oriole hitters an unmitigated disaster, except for Vlad, who does not speak English so has nothing to do with the hitting coach except to smile when he walks by.

Presley's career average was .247. I'm not surprised he hasn't been much of a hitting coach.

@ wayne, beaner, eta all...

Give it up already wayne. You were called out, shown to be a liar, and continue to instigate. We all know you can change IP address, but you must have forgotten for once, and it was thrown right back in your lying face. You pitch the biggest hissy fits every time smitty counters with equal belligerence and bombastic attitude. Everything you have accused others of, from shameless to a**hole and hypocrite and stupid can't begin to describe your response; more name calling, challenges, and insolence. At best you can be described as consistent.

However, I'd be careful not to dehumanize your persona to much. It might lead some to realize it was you that posted vile hate on a dead mans Obituary. Only to then crusade and bemoan others of posting under different names. There was of course a notorious poster at the time that had employed such questionable ethical decision making which seemed to make it easier to believe your hollowed calls of innocence. Now though, en-light of being called out by Pete and the subsequent reaction, it's all in doubt now. It even begs the question as to whether you were the notorious poster in the first place even before speaking ill of the dead.

This is a blog and it shouldn't be taken seriously, even by you. Which would mean you ought to tip your hat, and take the deserved credit and blame. After all, blame is your calling card and not knowing how blame works only further illustrates the complete lack of comprehension you exhibit.

Maybe when they run this manager out of town the Os should reach down to the little leagues for a manager that is more on par with this teams baseball iq.
Pop up a bunt and get doubled off on the pop up, OMG any other team would let the guy walk in a couple runs. Aaaarrrgh

Gil,

The off-season didn't go down like as you suggest.

It was the O's that had been pursuing Adam LaRoach and suddenly the talks "cooled off". Then, before Adam was signed by the Nat's, Andy signed D-Lee outta nowhere. Pundits had D-Lee signed with the Nat's for the better part of the off-season, and Andy caught them all of guard.

I guess what you're getting at is that Andy choose not to sign a multi-year deal with LaRoach. After all, Mark Reynolds was advocating for Adam LaRoach to sign here and talked about texting him and encouraging him to sign with the O's.

Andy did want Adam LaRoach. But not on a 2 year deal. That's what you're getting at right? That Andy balked at a 2 year deal to Adam LaRoach, and then signed D-Lee?

American Prof,

Are you kidding me? Where did you beam in from? That was entertaining but obviously not original.

Pete, please check the last IP and tell us who it matches up with. I have my suspicions.

paulie,

If Andy is "pursuing" anybody that is code for the player wants too much money. We could have signed Laroche several years ago but Andy decided he didn't want to spend another million for two years. Paulie, look at the list of FA's Andy has signed, not just here, but in his two ring, pleocene era.

Gil,

You lost me on that last one. I thought this was about Adam LaRoach. I don't understand how he's a better player or deserves the Same money as Derrek Lee.

Wow they won. You'd think it might carry over, but I've lost that spring training hopeful feelin already...

I like the question of who will play 1B next year (better than the Wayne/not Wayne soap opera). No way its Pujols or Fielder, etc. My guess is it won't be DLee either though that makes sense to me. He either plays well when he comes back and wants to much or poorly and they can't justify bringing him back to the fans.

I'm guessing they recycle someone not currently a first basemen (and the D suffers). Maybe Scott or Bell or Fox, whatever. And they say its just a placeholder for the next dud prospect at 1B.

I was hopeful with the signings this year, but nothing seems to work out for this team

JJ,

Playing .500 ball is not the Promise Land. With the Orioles having players who are past their prime, one-year rentals, and so thin they can't afford any injuries whatsoever, a .500 record will mean less than it did in 1957.

The Orioles -- the entire team, the entire organization -- was building its strength through the farm system back then. They endured two more losing seasons before they made a legitimate run in 1960. The Orioles back then didn't have free agency but they did have trading at their disposal, and they used it wisely.

Since that was the battle cry of The Plan, the farm system should be a little more along and balanced now. With the Orioles in the state of being I mentioned in the first paragraph, and Norfolk and Bowie having little there, this .500 (assuming it will still happen) will be a high water mark rather than a prelude to 2014.

That is what makes this .500 feel worse than the .500 scenario I was hoping for.

There should be not one single player on this roster or any minor league roster who is untouchable. Not one. Sure, some players have more value than others. It would take some smart evaluating and trading to make it work. I have seen no evidence MacPhail is a take-charge guy, a forward thinker who is not locked into keeping players to die on the vine the way Roberts did and Markakis is doing.

I had hopes the Orioles would make baby steps on all fronts to lead to bigger steps. I had hopes the farm system would start developing more useful players who would either become major league players or who would entice other teams to try and make them useful major league players.

I no longer have those hopes. Well, I guess I still do, but I don't have a realistic expectation of those hopes reaching fruition.

As for the rest of your post, you're right -- I don't understand a lot of what you write. It's not very linear, and some of it sounds like you're responding to voices in your head. As for reading this blog, sometimes I read it all; sometimes I skim. If I add something, it is because I think I have something to add. If people disagree, fine. If people just want me to shut up, too bad. And if I don't post for several days as it sometimes happens, it is simply because I don't feel I have that much to add -- and I am governed by how I feel.

Wasp –

Hopefully you will understand this.

To me, starting pitching is the foundation of a successful major league team. Good starting pitching can overcome a lot of flaws (who won the WS last year? How did they do it?)

Right now, the O’s rotation is better than it has been in years, with the chance to improve as the season goes on (Matusz has not pitched an inning yet).

Also, the O’s have had their fair share of injuries this year and at 22-24, they still seem to be hanging around. Why do you think that is?

The O’s finally have a good Manager (56-47 since Buck took over) and some pitching to build around.

It is long overdue, but I see improvement.

Check out the O’s starting pitching and maybe you will feel better. No worries.

we.... uh, I... no we..... I agree

There's a reason people who respond one-on-one on this blog repeat themselves -- what they say is overlooked.

I picked 81 wins and am sticking with 81 wins because there are bright elements to the Orioles. I picked 58 wins just two years ago.

My concern for pitching had nothing to do with talent. My concern was early misuse. My examples of burnouts were famous ones, and the Kiddie Korp. My examples of correct development included Mike Flanagan and others.

Some of that concern has waned because of Showalter, although I still think a quality veteran would help on many fronts. (I'm not going to repeat that because it has come up from time to time over the past two years at least.)

So is the assumed 81-81 The Promise Land? Or is it a step to bigger and better things?

Even if the Orioles finish 85-77, I have grave concerns for this organization (don't want to just say "team" here because this is my last attempt) moving forward. Why?

Because there is no depth. There hasn't been any depth for at least half of this losing season streak, and there isn't any now. Everyone has injuries. Look at Boston last year. It affected them but it didn't condemn them to the cellar.

Because the farm system has already been played out. The Orioles are worse at AAA and AA than their division counterparts. They will even have less picks in the upcoming draft. They have next to nil international presence. Their best players are primarily at A and low-A ball.

When the cornerstones of the Oriole future are hitting their prime, the one-year rentals will be long gone and the few players in their prime now will be withering on the vine. I just don't see the front office having the fortitude to make a significant move. For whatever reason.

And finally, you mention San Francisco as being ths hining beacon for hope in Birdland. Do you know what their regular season record was? I'll tell you. It was 92-70.

Do you know what was the last year 92-70 would have given the Orioles the AL East title or a Wild Card berth? I'll tell you that, too. The year was 2000.

The 2011 Orioles are on pace to score 25 less runs than the 2010 Giants, and their AAA and AA teams are batting sub-.240.

Stay thirsty, my friend.