126 days remaining

"[T]he loss of Derrek Lee . . . makes you wonder just how long they can keep their heads close to being above water."

I hate to be the negative guy here, but to be throughly honest, the loss of Derrek Lee makes me eager to see how a real number three hitter does in that spot.

Derrek Lee just hasn't performed, and after a quarter of a season, there is little to no evidence that he is on track to be the athlete who was once Derrek Lee.

(I'd love for him to prove me wrong once he's back.)

Nick Markakis batting third, while not the best solution, is a distinct improvement over what Derrek Lee has become. If Luke Scott can fill in at first base, we can give Felix Pie more playing time.

We know what Felix Pie is and what he's not. One thing he is, is an exciting spark plug -- something the Orioles can use every day, every inning.

(For Scott-skeptics, Luke Scott can be platooned if that's a better way to go.)

"[T]he loss of Derrek Lee . . . makes you wonder just how long they can keep their heads close to being above water."

I hate to be the negative guy here, but to be throughly honest, the loss of Derrek Lee makes me eager to see how a real number three hitter does in that spot.

Derrek Lee just hasn't performed, and after a quarter of a season, there is little to no evidence that he is on track to be the athlete who was once Derrek Lee.

(I'd love for him to prove me wrong once he's back.)

Nick Markakis batting third, while not the best solution, is a distinct improvement over what Derrek Lee has become. If Luke Scott can fill in at first base, we can give Felix Pie more playing time.

We know what Felix Pie is and what he's not. One thing he is, is an exciting spark plug -- something the Orioles can use every day, every inning.

(For Scott-skeptics, Luke Scott can be platooned if that's a better way to go.)

I'm a Scott-skeptic (or how about just a Scoptic?), and I still wish the O's had traded him last season when his value was it it's absolute peak.

Now, as we all should have expected, we're stuck with the same old streaky Scott, who is hitting .208 with a .597 OPS and zero home runs since May 4th. Oh, and he's got a torn labrum, to boot.

My take: Put him on the DL and tell him to get the damn surgery done. I don't care if it doesn't bother him when he swings the bat. There's no way that a torn labrum isn't affecting his swing and his power.

While Scott's out, play Pie in left and Snyder at first. Neither of those guys can be as bad as Scott has been since the labrum news came out.

@Wayne

The horse died a long time ago....It's not even funny

Shameless liar in the house.

The only good thing about wayne is that he signs his posts 'wayne.' look for that first and you can skip over what i assume is the same thing he's been spouting forever...I assume because i havent read one wayne post in a looooong time.

Strange???!!??!!

Nick Markakis is all but absent at the plate...and still 3.5 game out.

No shut down closer...and still 3.5 games out.

No Brian Matusz at all....and still 3.5 games out.

No corner infielders...and still 3.5 games out.

JJ Hardy hasn't played 20 games yet...and still 3.5 games back.

Brian Roberts injured again...and still 3.5 games back.

Chris Tillman has 6 GS out of 9 starts...and still 3.5 games out.

The "ace" Jeremy Guthrie has 2 wins...and still 3.5 games back.

Luke Scott is still on the team...and still 3.5 games back.

It's 5 days from June 1st...and still 3.5 games back.

But the very strangest thing of all...

...reports that the O's might be BUYERS in the trade season. That is strange.

Been away w/o internet.

Just a comment directed at what I think is a spot-on column, the enigmatic O's.

The roller-coaster ride continues. Nausea sets in as we plummet down the elevator shaft. Euphoria takes over as we climb ever so close to -- .500.

This is how transitions happen. This is how losing cultures become winning cultures. I contend that the O's lost just as ugly the last few years as this year, but didn't scratch and claw the way they have since Buck arrived. I contend that in the past 5 + years, with a flame-throwing rookie keeping the bats at bay, with dumbass mistakes like the bunt double-play, with our starting 1st and 2nd basemen out of the lineup on the DL and not-ready-for-prime-time plug-ins from AAA on the field, with journeymen 30 year old pitchers coming in relief, and a pitcher making his season debut after spending ST in a DR prison with the threat of prosecution for murder still hanging over his head -- that the O's of any other year in memory would have folded like a cardboard box, walked away quietly in the ninth, ready to begin another long stretch of losing baseball that would swiftly take them out of contention before Memorial Day.

But, instead, the evening, improbably, ended in euphoric celebration with a walk off home run to dead center field against one of the best closers in the AL.

I can't explain it. Don't know that anyone can. Except I think it is the Buck affect. I think it is the transition, grueling and unpredictable as it can be, from 13 seasons of being losers to turning the corner to finally become winners -- or, at the very least, mediocre which, frankly, I will take. If we are within shouting distance of a wild card past the All Star game, I'll take it. Meaningful baseball into August? I'll take it.

It may not be pretty, but growing up seldom is. There's lots of chances to fall apart and to give up and give in. Last night, the O's didn't. They didn't. That says something. They played a sucky game for 8 innings and they came away with a W. That says something.

Who's reporting that the O's might be buyers at the trade deadline, paulie?

And, honestly, who can they afford to trade that would net them an upgrade at any position?

wayne -

Why is it that you've accused virtually everyone on the blog of having multiple user names, yet when you're accused of the same thing, it's unthinkable?

Just a thought...

So "if" the O's end up buyers...who do they buy?

Personally, I want Eric Bedard. (another who Andy "attempted" from this winter).

Matusz, Guthrie, Bedard, Arrieta, Britton. (3 lefties!!! Hell's yeah!!)

The bat is a bit more...confusing. Hunter Pence?? That's an interesting one 25 HR and 20 SB...sure, that'll work, but I don't see the Astros letting him go.

Adrian Either is rumored/expected to be none-tendered this off-season...maybe that works.

In the end though, I'll let Andy do his thing. What's the worst trade Andy has made... Oh yeah, no bad trades so far. Andy might not know how to hire scouts, but he sure knows how to swing a deal. It should be exciting.

Go O's!

not brooks,

MLBtraderumors reported the O's asked the Astros about Hunter Pence. And andy himself is talking about looking outside the organization for 2B options.

Andy has been notorious for not showing his hand, and virtually every trade he's made has been unreported until it's completed. Andy is one sleathy ninja.

I think that "Andre Ethier is going to be non-tendered" business came from some goofy comment that Ethier himself made prior to the start of the season.

The only way I really see it happening is if Ethier plays out of his mind for the rest of the season, and MLB and the Dodgers can't figure out the financials in LA, and decide that they can't afford him.

My gut says that he'll put up his typical season, play 2012 making $12-13MM, and then put himself towards the top of the free agent list in 2013.

Paulie, that was perhaps the single best post on this blog all season long. It's baffling to say the least how this team is only 2 under .500 with the adversity they're dealing with daily.

Why all this talk about how losing Roberts is devastating to the team? The team was 5 games under .500 with him. He is hitting .220. The O's have won 3 of 4 without him. do we all look forward to getting B-Rob back and seeing him heat up? Sure, but let's stick with the present, and not the past.

Paulie, that was perhaps the single best post on this blog all season long. It's baffling to say the least how this team is only 2 under .500 with the adversity they're dealing with daily.

Anyone know if Snyder is able to walk today after that split at first base last night? That was a great save on that play; as one of the ESPN commentators said "I pulled my groin just watching it!"

From a Jayson Stark article:

"So where would a guy such as Hunter Pence (28, and three years away from free agency) fit in that mix? We've heard rumblings of early interest from the Braves, Orioles and Phillies. But an executive of a fourth club says he believes there's a "1 million percent chance" Wade would need, essentially, a job-saving haul in return to even consider trading Pence.

"If you're [new Astros owner] Jim Crane walking in the door," the exec wondered, "how can you trade the one guy on your team who represents that part of Texas -- a blue-collar, hard-nosed player?"

Doesn't look like he's going anywhere. Especially to Baltimore, since the O's don't have the prospects available to make up a "job-saving haul" if they're only getting Hunter Pence in return.

PS - I'm not trying to argue with you here, paulie. Just talking. Trades are one of my favorite things about baseball, and I love talking about them, whether it's deals that are done, deals in the works, or just good old speculation.

paulie and jc - I like where you guys are coming from. Good stuff.

You guys actually sound like O's fans. You know, fans, people who like it when the team wins. People who, while fully aware of the team’s flaws, don’t just complain about the GM and the farm system.

Is it Happy Hour yet? Go O’s

Wayne (outed as shameless, lying douche) is in the house.

I had to come out of self imposed blog boycott for this.

For real JJ? I'm starting to believe you work at the warehouse. Right on cue with your daily dose of "true fan enthusiasm". Your act is stale. Got anything else to offer? Who exactly on this blog isn't a fan of the O's? Who in their right mind would waste time reading a blog about a team on a 13 losing skid, if they weren't O's fans?

By the way, are Mar, Elton and whatever "new" handles I've seen on this blog lately, your alter egos?

I know a win is a win but what caught my eye more than the W was the 11 strike-outs by Oriole batters. You only get 27 outs in a 9 inning game and the Birds couldn't get the bat on the ball for 11 of them. That is very worrying.

Meso –

(Disclaimer - I do not think the post at 2:11PM was you, it feels like the work of an imposter. We have had our fun debates in the past, but always kept it cordial. Either way, here is my response to the post.)

Glad you are back, unfortunately, no one noticed or cared you were gone.

Blog boycott - that is so funny and so sad in so many different ways that I do not know where to begin. Post or don’t – who cares.

I just wish you would tell the truth, you are not on a blog boycott, you are just not posting. You have read every word on this blog since your so called boycott.

You asked me if I have anything else to offer. Like what Meso? What are you talking about? What do you offer?

And Meso, please don’t start accusing me with that nonsense. I only post as JJ.

It is no act. I am a fan and I love the O’s. If that upsets you, it is your problem, not mine.

Do you know what a fan is? I am not sure that you do.

Rick - I was also struck by the 11 K's. Lucky to win this one! But the luck is supposed to even out over the course of the season, so I'll take it.

Yes rick, I am worried too – right after Jones’s blast cleared the fence all I could think about was all the K’s.

Funny post – I love this blog

It's not all that strange or mysterious to me how this team is hanging in there despite the injuries and under performance. I'll give you four reasons. Guthrie, Britton, Arrieta, and Wieters. Guthrie's win/loss is bad, but we all know it's not his fault, and he has pitched deep into games often, helping the bullpen stay as sharp as it has (which outside of Johnson/Koji isn't very, but image how much worse it could be) and providing an example to the younger pitchers. Arrieta and Britton have exceeded my, and I expect most, expectations, and Wieters has not only played a part in their success but has also been as clutch as I've seen an Oriole be since Tejada in 2004. Good pitching and timely hitting, it's something we haven't seen in Baltimore in a long, long time. I just hope that it lasts with the pitching, that Matusz can be who so many think he can be, and that the hitting comes around to anywhere close to expectations (I'm looking at you, Lee, Markakis, Roberts, Scott, and power numbers from Reynolds because I never expected average). That could lead to a lot more Ws than Ls for the rest of the season.

I have to agree with Ken Singleton's very astute comment that the Orioles looked "streaky" to him.

Mesotheliangelos,

No one's alter ego here - I post on other blogs on this site under that name. Sorry that I didn't realize that this is somehow a restricted playground, at least in your mind, and no one else can join in the fun. I thought the Snyder play was awesome and yet it's not mentioned in any blog or article on the Sun website that I could find. I wanted to acknowledge it. In other words, she said sweetly, STFU and don't bring me into your dispute with someone else. Geesh!

Love the music references. Lennon today. Zappa a couple weeks ago. Keep em' comin'.

While we are shuffling players about: Keep Simon in the pen (nothing like 95 mph coming in in the late innings), play Jake at 3rd, play jake at 1st, with Tatum coming back, platoon Reimold and Pie in LF, move Bergeson to the pen for long relief and let, whoever go (Rapada or Gonzo) and make a run at the wild card!

JJ,

That was me. The feeling is mutual. I'm not losing sleep or noticing you or anyone else on this blog. Sometimes I just happened to read something as outrageous as yours that needs some bringing down to earth. I don't have any animosity toward you or anyone. Yeah, I know what a fan is. It's not synonymous with delusional. Keep on keeping on! You too Mar!

Hasn't the "You live in your mother's basement!" bit run its course by now?

Why don't we change it up a little?

How about "You live in your father's attic!"?

Or "You live in your uncle's tool shed!"?

More ideas: sister's old nursery, cousin's greenhouse, brother-in-law's garage

Any others?

And let's relax with the alter-ego, "you post under multiple names" bit too.

You all do realize that it's possible for two different people to have similar opinions, right? Heck, it's even possible for three different people to have similar opinions. And four, and five, and, GASP! even six!

Instead of all of this middle school BS (which I admit to getting caught up in every now and then) how about we just talk about baseball for a change?

Who's with me!?

NB

Im with ya ,
Alter-egos , name calling , etc , has gotten old .
I wanna talk about the Os

Meso –

I though you were boycotting the blog. Just a selective boycott, OK, I get it, weird, but I get it.

In my opinion, you made a few baseless accusations. So now, let’s see what you got. Let’s see if you can back it up. If you don’t respond, you will be proven to be just talk.

Couple of questions –

What was outrageous about my post? What was delusional about my post? Tell me one outrageous or delusional thing about my post. (You won’t because you can’t)

You are trying to bring me down to earth? What are you even talking about?

You say you know what a fan is. I would like to hear what you think a fan is straight from you.

I know you won’t answer any of my questions. You never do.

Post your definition of a fan.

Show me something outrageous in my post.

Show me something delusional in my post.

Or are you all talk?

(nb, Allan – I am with you, but I was personally attacked, so I must respond. I hope you understand)

Amusing to see y'all go at it. Great post paulie btw. My take...either they're gonna get it together and make a run, or implode. Only time will tell. Go O's!

The Orioles had luck on their side last night, and a KC third baseman who deftly dodged several ground balls. The team is still pathetic against left handed pitching. If Whitey Ford happens to see the Orioles hit against lefties, he may want to come out of retirement...and he is 83.

Roberts could be done for the year or worse, and he will be tough to replace, even though he had gotten off to a bad start. The Orioles should also be looking to replace swish Reynolds at third. He looks like Garrett Atkins, 2011 version. Another sorry piece of work reccomended by Andy's nephew, and approved by Uncle Andy.

JJ- nice to meet you too

You were personally attacked by someone using name 'allan' ? I have no knowledge of that . But I apologize that some imposter posing as me took shot at you .

Pete - May I ask you for your help ? Could you see if my ISP is tied to any other names/aliases ? I like to clear my name . Your reply here would be helpful , thanks .

Gil, as bad as Reynolds power numbers are, he still has 20 rbi, good for 3rd on the team. I believe he also leads the team in doubles.

Allan, JJ was saying someone attacked him, not that you did. Read that line again

Allan - what's up?

It looks like you are slightly confused. I was attacked by Meso – no worries.

I agreed with you and nb regarding moving on.

Welcome aboard – the more the merrier.

Go O’s

The big dogs in the Al East
are not barking too loud,
everyone losing even to
the lowly Royals......

Could be Texas or LA Angels
in the W.Series as most of the
other look like also rans....

Gil man, come on now. When they win it is because they got lucky? No one on the O’s can get any credit, just blame. Andino’s bunt – that was lucky? Great Britton’s continued progress – that was lucky? They overcame a lot to win that game last night. Not cool that Roberts is out, but I don’t think the season is over yet.

How is your American Legion team doing coach? Did the season start?

For what it's worth, Gil, Reynolds has stepped up a bit since he ditched the adjustments O's coaches made to his approach at the plate.

Reynolds in April: .169 average, .566 OPS

Reynolds in May: .217 average, .770 OPS

Reynolds since May 13: .243 average, .847 OPS

One more fun fact: His last four hits have been doubles, giving him six extra base hits in his last nine games (four doubles, two homers).

Take from that what you will.

Anyway, if Reynolds isn't hitting north of .220 by July 1, which would require him to hit about .250 from now until then, I think it'll be time to seriously consider cutting him loose.

SomeoneElse -

There's really no reason to talk about where Reynolds, or any other Oriole, stands amongst his teammates. Sure, Reynolds leads the team in doubles (and walks, as well), but, considering how bad this offense has been, who cares?

JJ - thanks and i am just checking MLB scoreboard to see how other clubs are faring......
Bob M - I thought Royals lost last night ?

For those of you fairly new here, I post under this name because someone started posting as jc- but it wasn't me, and seemed to try to pretend they were me. Why? I couldn't tell ya.

Wanna go back to my post and Pete's thesis. Do we see a pattern here? Is this a roller coaster ride, or what? I'll agree it's not very nice to us the fans to get gut-checked so often so far, but it can't be fun for the clubhouse either.

I don't know, but last night had the feeling of significance for me. They didn't just roll over and die. And it wasn't just AJ either. The pen kept us close enough to pull it out. How often could you read that sentence this season???

Who remembers the last time the O's scored that kind of come-from-behind victory, showed that kind of character, in a game that still was "meaningful," i.e. where they weren't 25 games out of 1st and 20 out of the wild card?

The problem is they could just as easily swallow the bit tonite and/or tomorrow, making what appears to be a significant win last night, just another false hope on the road to .500.

Your thoughts?

I'm especially impressed (or is it delusional?) to think that this is happening with so many injury excuses to justify giving up. Tell me in March last night's starting line-up, and tell me that Matusz has yet to throw a pitch and that Simon's was his first. Remind me of the brutal schedule in April and May. Then ask me what I thought the O's record would be.

Don't think I'd say it was within 2 games of .500. I'd be thinking I may be an optimist, but I'm not psychotic!

Is it enough? Of course it isn't. But it's close.

nb - where does Reynolds stand in doubles, RBI's and walks among AL 3rd baseman? That might tell a better story of how he is doing. I don’t think comparing him to the rest of the O's reveals too much.

JJ -

Here are Reynolds offensive ranks among AL third basemen (out of 14 with 100+ at bats):

HR: 4th (tie)
RBI: 7th (tie)
2B: 3rd (tie)
BB: 2nd
K: 1st
AVG: 14th
OBP: 7th
SLG: 8th

NB- Reynolds has this year and 2012 left on his contract . His salary is $ 5.3 million this year , I couldnt find what his 2012 salary would be .

If the O's let him go , they have to eat his contract .

Everyone - How did are the Os doing on Reynolds trade ? Update :
Os
Reynolds .191 5 hr .298 obp

Diamondbacks
Hernandez 2.12 era 22 K's
Mickolio 7.94 era

not brooks,

Yeah, there's no way Pence gets dealt. I mentioned it because it was worth mentioning. I think Either is probably an easier trade than Pence. Personally, I'd rather Either. But again, it's just speculation. I don't think either is coming to OPACY.

I've been busting my brain trying to figure out the 2B that Andy can grab that would be a good addition. Has me flummoxed...any ideas/guesses?

Most peculiar Mama.
Everybody's smoking and no one's getting high Everybody's flying and never touch the sky ...

The only second baseman I can think of off the top of my head who might be available is Kelly Johnson.

But two things there:

1. Since he's off to a terrible start, I doubt the D-Backs would be willing to sell so low on him.

2. Andy & Co. would be hard-pressed to convince Angelos that it makes sense to bring on another sub-.200 hitter who strikes out a lot.

Heck, even after a search, I have no idea who MacPhail should be targeting.

Too bad the O's DFA's Justin Turner. Whose idea was that anyway?

Mark Reynolds contract:

2011: $5 million
2012: $7.5 million
2013: club option on $11 million or $500k buyout.

Allan -

Such a move isn't unprecedented.

Back in 2007, the O's released Jay Gibbons when he still had almost $12MM remaining on his contract.

If Reynolds continues to hit south of .230 and doesn't post the power numbers to make up for it, the front office would have to do something. And if he's performing that poorly with $12MM+ remaining on his contract, it'll be damn near impossible to trade him.

Who knows though. Reynolds appears to be picking it up a bit since he ditched the adjustments that Presley made to his approach at the plate. Maybe the past two weeks or so are a sign of things to come.

Here's hoping...

not brooks;

Good point about Reynolds ditching "the adjustments that Presley made to his approach at the plate."

A question for you. Do you think that there has been a little over-coaching in that regard and not just with Reynolds? They've done similiar things with Gregg and Gonzalez which obviously hasn't worked out to well.

not brooks,

Yeah, Kelly Johnson is the only one that had really come to mind. Maybe Alexi Casilla, but that's not particularly good either. Kinda a brain buster when looking at 2B. Brain buster like Justin Turner...but I guess with the off-season focus of finding middle infielders he became expendable. I thought he was better than Andino at the plate last year too. I was sad to see him and Lou Montanez go.

I don't see the O's releasing Reynolds, nor do I think the need is there yet. Although, after much bitching and moaning in the off-season about his acquisition, I was content to have a slugger like him if the "D" was as advertised...ie. being above average. He's got 8 Errors as of tonight...yikes!!!!! A buddy of mine that's a Diamondbacks fan told me in the off season "Enjoy the mind numbing K's, and the one outta 5 days of gold glove defense." Man.

dan qz,

Great point. I think dave in GB mentioned it before on Nick Markakis. A lot of "changes" that have been abandoned and the offense suddenly seems to have a pulse. Interesting. I don't know how to read that though. I wonder if the coach gets the blame and the player the credit. Did Adam Jones have any changes?...

You got a lot of nerve to say you are my friend
when I was down you just stood there grinning
You got a lot of nerve to say you got a helping hand to lend
You just want to be on the side thats winning
Bobby D. 70 and still going

Oh man the wayne/bob caught me. Man, I was trying to lightne things up but you have found me and my M.O.
Ok I'll come clean
I AM
Macphail Watch
mjr
not brooks
paulie
DCB
punk flamingo
Gil
Allan and Allen and Alan and Big Al
Tom in Seattle
JJ
jc
and jc (the real jc)
and jc (the fake jc)
I live in my Uncles tool shed and sleep in my sisters old nursery.
really it's only you, me, and Pete and a few others
Pete will you please verify that my IP is all these people?
unlike waynebob I am proud to have dooped the other 2 people who check in here every now and again
The only one I'm not is dan qz
I cant even spell qz

oh and I used to be jim from fenwick island when i was a teenager

How bout them O's ?

who put together this juggernaut anyway?

What's this about the library?
Someone going to get beat up at the library? Of all the places to beat someone up, the library?

My neighbor was once the director of the local library. So I asked him, hey Leo, anyone ever get beat up at the library? He said he had heard of a few nasty paper cuts, and he once heard a very heated argument between 2 members of the Rat Pack Motorcycle Club (RPMC) regarding the relevance of Thomas Pynchon since the novel V, but he never saw anyone take an uppercut or a shot to the gut.

Crazy.

alright alright!
I'm jim66 too.
jim66 revisited also although I havent posted as him yet.
I'm saving that for when I do my "opposites week"

I'm waiting for the posts that say that Arrieta could barely pitch his way into the 6th, that Reynolds home run is meaningless because the game was already put away, that Wieters had a hitless game and therefore is the biggest bust in draft history, that Gonzo's inning is meaningless because it was a rout, that the O's beat up on an inferior team and an inferior pitcher. That the O's are still a game below utter, horrid mediocrity. That the O's should dump all productive players and stock up on minor leaguers before it's too late.

I'm waiting for those posts, fellas. let me have 'em.

Because, win or lose, the O's suck.

I mean who are you gonna believe? Bloggers or your liein' eyes?

Nice game tonight. I like it.

smitty - you are killing me, funny stuff.

nb - thanks for the stats on Reynolds.

Go O's

Actually jim the library thing is from a post or two back where I expained to Wayne how he wouldn't get caught using the same address and coming on here as other people.
My trick is to go to the library and keep switching computers every 5 minutes. That is how I'm able to post as like 15 people every night and not get detected by Mr. Pete.
I had to stop going though because Bob or Wayne threatened to meet me there and beat me up.
Truth is stranger than fiction sometimes.

4 game winning streak.

Pretty much all due to Adam Jones. (Andy McPhail)

Or Vladimar Gurrero. (Andy McPhail)

Or J.J. Hardy. (Andy McPhail)

Or Nick Markakis. (who Andy Over-Paid...and you thought he was cheap? lol)

Go O's!!!

Arrieta really is fun to watch, even moreso than Britton. Britton and Matusz may end up being better pitchers but Arrieta is the wild card, not sure what you're gonna get from start to start but his stuff can be electric at times. Hopefully he's able to harness that stuff with experience. The O's could really be onto something in the rotation.

And Pynchon will always be the greatest unsung American novelist. The Crying of Lot 49 and Gravity's Rainbow remain two of the greatest American novels ever written.

Just wanted to say it: The O's are 3 1/2 out of 1st, and 3 out of the wild card.

And sorry for the Pynchon post. But whenever I see his name mentioned, I get all excited.

Pick up Mark Knopfler's cd Sailing To Philadelphia for a musical version of Mason and Dixon. Little guest spots by Van Morrison and James Taylor, and the usual nice work by Knopfler.

Great game tonight, all around.

Nice bounce back start from Arrieta.

Every hitter either scored or drove in a run.

Reynolds took a positive step in his quest for 200 (a .200 batting average, that is).

Just a really good game.

And no, I don't care that they only beat the Royals.

ahhh Mark Knopfler meets the Schmucks baseball blog... gotta love the interent sometimes

Juliet says hey it's Romeo you nearly give me a heart attack!
She's underneath the window singin eh la my boyfriends back.
You shouldn't come around here postin up as people like that...
anyway whatcha gonna do about it?

Just to keep the record straight it wasn't long ago some posters were complaining we weren't rebuilding the smart way like the Royals. Now they are 4 games under 500 and about to get swept.

Also wasn't too long ago that some were wishing we had Dunn or Laroche instead of Lee. How are those 2 guys lookin? Worse than Reynolds even who is inching closer to respectable overall.

Seems like posters should be consistent and admit when they are wrong. My 87 wins prediction isn't looking too good but at least we are stabilizing now.

Can't wait for Matusz to come back then we will have 4 good pitchers! When is the last time we could say that? The 80s? Might have to win games scoring only 2 runs with this inconsistent offense but at least we will be in those games now.

Just to keep the record straight it wasn't long ago some posters were complaining we weren't rebuilding the smart way like the Royals. Now they are 4 games under 500 and about to get swept.

Also wasn't too long ago that some were wishing we had Dunn or Laroche instead of Lee. How are those 2 guys lookin? Worse than Reynolds even who is inching closer to respectable overall.

Seems like posters should be consistent and admit when they are wrong. My 87 wins prediction isn't looking too good but at least we are stabilizing now.

Can't wait for Matusz to come back then we will have 4 good pitchers! When is the last time we could say that? The 80s? Might have to win games scoring only 2 runs with this inconsistent offense but at least we will be in those games now.

Jesus, Wayne, get help. Your life does not need to be a total waste.

You could salvage some of what's left of your life.

Dogs like you think they can hunt. So they bark.

Good grief. Waynebob is talking to himself now. If anyone knows where he lives, call the disoriented express to go pick him up before his head starts spinning around like Linda Blair.

vmoore – what’s up?

What are you talking about? This blog is very consistent – consistently nuts.

I love it.

I agree about the starting pitching.

...and others -

There's a difference between "close to respectable" and "inching closer to respectable", which is what vmoore said.

I know it's surprising, but Reynolds is actually hitting quite well (for him) since May 13th. After struggling from Day 1, Reynolds ditched the adjustments that the O's coaching staff made for him, and he's doing much better as a result.

wayne -

Keep this up and I might pass on seeing The Hangover Part II this weekend.

You consistently accuse nearly everyone here of posting under multiple names, and then when Pete accuses you of doing the same thing, you lose it. Like I've said before, buddy: If you're going to dish it out you've got to be able to take it.

Oh, and my favorite part about this whole thing is that you say that "IP-Gate" doesn't matter, but then you dedicate an entire posts to it.

Comedic gold, buddy! Keep it up!

Gnight nb
gnight jj
gnight smitty
gnight wanyebob
gnight pete
gnight waynebob
Go O'sssszzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I believe "since May 13th" is the pace quoted above, at least by me.

Since then, Reynolds has got an .850ish OPS and three homers in eleven games.

Now, I'm not saying, and I never did say, that he's even close to respectable. In fact, I said that if he doesn't bump his average up by 30 points by July 1, we should get rid of him.

All I said is that Reynolds been doing much better since he ditched the adjustments that the O's coaching staff made for him. And that's true.

HEY UNCLE WAYNO, DID YOU HEAR ABOUT SCMUCKS BLOG?

i didn't Bob. what happened?

They are calling you an idiot... WOO HOO

darn, Pete called me that over a year ago.

BUT UNCS, HE STARTED GOING AFTER ME AS WELL.

huh? why?

SEEMS WE HAVE THE SAME IP ADDRESS.

what? I hoped Pete wouldn't notice . Please tell me didn't Bob. mercy me, tell me Pete didn't notice. My sock monkey, Andy, told me the blog was shutting down soon....

UMMM, YOU CAN RELAX UNCS. OF COURSE PETE HAS A REAL JOB AND DDOES GIVE A CRAP ABOUT US...

wheeeeew. thanks goodness

HEY UNCLE WAYNO, I HAVE SOME MORE FEEDBACK FROM THE BLOG FOR YOU.

goodnight bob.

BUT UNCS, I PROMISE THIS ONE THIS US SMART...IT'S FROM GIL

I said goodnight bob.

Can we snuggle?

FINE!!!

Honestly not brooks, I don't know why you try with him. But you were a big reason I gave the Mark Reynolds a break. I do think the bat is coming around, and really, other than a 2 weeks at the end of April, he's seemed to have had good AB's more times than not. I dunno, at first I half expected something close to a Vlad style at the plate from Reynolds....just not nearly as good. But he's working counts, fouling off close pitches...but the full speed swing misses a bunch. Fortunately, he's not always back legging it--he has gone with pitches and gotten doubles off of outside changes-ups and such.

The thing that is bugging me is the D. He's quick as a ninja on a lot of in-field plays, but he seems to rushed so many times going to 1st. I think 3 of his errors are rushing to grab the ball from the glove, or bobbling the ball. Anyway, I like the raw skill set, but I'm not so sure it's anything to write home about. Maybe it too will come.

Just arrived home from work and .....goodness gracious.......the Os took the second game from the Royals ?

What a lovely morning =)

NB-
you are correct , the Os did bought out whole $ 12 million left on Jay Gibbon's contract in 07 .
Thanks for your research Reynold's stats . I do to have admit that Reynolds is NOT my favorite Oriole . Everytime he bats , he leaves too many men on base . Oh well , Os won , right ?

While i often agree with wayne to set the record straight i am not the bob that is getting mixed up with the same ip address.I am already disliked by many on here for my views on the 2 golden boys BRIAN and NICK so i don't need any more disenters or do i.Anyway just trying to set the record straight. And by the way It's already May 26th so all you fans in the NICK M fan club you just keep waiting for him to turn it around.See all i have heard recently about Nick is his improved month of May. But if the STATS are right as of today he has 4 hr's and 15 RBI's which projected over the long haul will equate to even a lesser production year then last. And by GOD i know how all his fans love to go by the stats. You all better wake up and come to gripes with the fact that he doesn't even come close to the ball player that you and yes even the orioles projected him to be.Keep watching and hoping people.27 years old and now the word serviceable is the best word that can describe him.11,000,00 a year wow. Bet the orioles would love to go back in time with both those extensions.

Yeah Reynolds is inching closer to respectable like nb said. If he hits 230 and gets has an obp of 300something I bet his stats would be similar to some old time Orioles like Boog Powell. Walks do count , right?
I.e., low average but power and some rbis.

He looks like a decent fielder and I think he comes to play, ie has heart and wants to win unlike some millionaire players.

He's not Brooks Robinson, but this ain't the 1970 Orioles. And how are your free agent choices Dunn and Laroche doing Wayne/Pete. Maybe you should be calling for yourself to be fired.

Wayne i really get why fans are reluctent to jump off of his bandwagon, but the thing that i can't understand is more then enough time has elapsed between last year and this year to see that something is drastically wrong. Nobody and i mean nobody is ever going to convince me that you can be satisfied with his production for what he is getting paid.If it was anybody other then nick, buck would have already moved him down in the lineup and given him some time off.Every other at bat he is changing his stance and i have never seen anybody hit so many weak ground balls to the first and second baseman.But buck continues and will continue to tell everybody that nicky has a track record and will straighten himself out. I guess that is all a manager can do up to a point and i don't no how long that point can last.

So Boog Powell's career stats here:)
Avg then HRs: .243, 15, .265, 25, .290, 39, .248, 17, .287, 34, .249, 22, .304, 37, .297, 35, .256, 22, .252, 21, .265, 11, .265, 12.

Boog was a good player on a great team and a larger than life personality. He may have hit for better avg than I thought (260s career) his homers were only in the 20s avg per year.

So his production is not unthinkable for Reynolds if he can continue on the upswing NB pointed too.

If not maybe I'm wrong. Who'd a thunk a casual fan posting on a blog could be wrong, right Wayne/Pete?

Now Playing: Allman Brothers Band, Whipping Post

JJ,

If you wonder why I didn't respond: I'm taking the high road. You started questioning people's fan-hood. I jumped on you for that. I said what I had to say. I'm moving on.

Paulie,

Now we're giving MacPhail credit for 4 game winning streaks?! Hilarious.

On Reynolds: There is nothing to be said that hasn't already been said. Terrible acquisition. Period.

Vlad: Great one year deal. You see why he is a future HOF

Lee: See Reynolds up there.

Hardy: not great. Good enough.

Duchscherer: Below the grade of failure, if one existed, I don't care if you paid one cent for the guy.

--

As Buck said the bats are heating up. That's a good sign. Contrary to popular belief, the Royals are a pretty good team, and the O's are about to sweep them. Good sign.

Jonesy is playing like he is supposed to. Markakis is coming around nicely. Arrietta, even when he struggles, still manages to fan 7. Those are the signs of pitching maturity and greatness in the making. (yea I'm on the orange cool-aid today). Can't say enough about Vlad. Weiters solid, except you can't bat two slow guys back to back. C'mon Buck!

Luke Scott needs to be sent to surgery and then rehab. Play Pie out there, because he is the only one you can use as trade bait. Give Reimold more playing time. He is 28. If he is not part of your plans, why waste your and his time?

Ryan Adams: Please send this kid to the minors. Are you kidding me? We need to win games, not be a training facility for the "up and coming"

On Luke Scott and Brob's injuries: I've been telling you so, and will continue to tell you so. Damaged goods that should have been traded long ago. Timing is everything. Notice how the Redsox get rid of guys at the right time and continue to win? Yea, exactly.

Meso with all due respect how can you make the statement that nick is coming around nicely.What in God do you see that you feel comfortable with making that comment. Is it because he has raised his average from 198 in april to illustrious heights of 258, is because he hit 2 hr's and knocked 7 runs in the whole month of may, god man please tell me what possiblly makes you believe that nick is coming around nicely. Do you people that belong to his fan club what to believe so hard that he is the player that you rememebered when he had the good years. Even the beloved doubles that everybody pointed to last year have completely vanished.If you wrote last year off as a 1 time thing i could understand but with his lack of production and mental state once again how is he clearly coming around.

Blancione,

Sure ... I'm biased - full disclosure. I like the guy, and how he plays the game. I'll be the first one to tell you he has sucked this year and the year before. That said, I will give him credit when I see that he has turned the corner.

What I don't grasp is how you have given up on him completely, even now that he is showing signs of making a comeback. I think Nick is a guy you want to pull for. Don't you think? Good guy, talented player, with a lot of upside. Has he grossly underperformed? Well ... hell yea. But I won't give up on a player like him, Jones or Weiters. I will give up on Roberts, Reynolds and Lee in a heartbeat. No upside there. But we all know what Markakis can be. Give the guy the benefit of the doubt. That's all I'm asking.

Meso –

So your boycott is over? hahaha

Taking the high road? – give me a break. It is a little late for that, you started this.

Get real. You didn’t respond because you don’t have a response. What a cop out.

You have just admitted that you are nothing but hot air.

I challenged you to back up your post and your accusations against me and you got NOTHING. Try to think before you post next time.

And yes, I do question people who claim to be O’s fans but yet all they do is complain about the GM and farm system and appear to be unhappy when the O’s win and pleased when the O’s lose.

Mes,

No. I'm not giving Andy credit for a 4 game winning streak. I am giving Andy credit for the players acquired.

"But while he still has a solid glove, everyone knows his arm is not nearly what it was. " -- wayne

-Nick is top 5 in OF assists. I guess it's the glove that leads to assists huh.

"What they don't see is that we would like nothing more than for Nick to come close to fulfilling his promise." -- wayne

-What did he promise?

"If you don't hit for power, or a high average, or steal bases, then hit more doubles than anyone in the league...... Something." -- wayne

-Please list the MLB avg for batting AVG. Then list Nick's career AVG. Wooops, that's high AVG. Hit more doubles than anyone else? Yeah, Nick is top 3 in doubles all MLB players since 2007. Geez...not #1...failure!

Over and over and over again. Nick is judged by what he doesn't do, not by what he does do.

I still love how those that harp on Andy being cheap, complain about Nick being overpaid.

"Andy is cheap!"
"Nick is over-paid!"

lol, always makes me laugh. It makes me sad to have to list the stats of the O's best player to dis-prove the "feelings" of fans. Is the season over? Can Nick get his numbers back in line with career averages? A betting man would say yes...why? The body of work. The litany of established career averages. Consistency. It's Nick (and waynes) middle name.

nice to see reimold get back up and get back to hitting a few home runs
Understating, the Os can definitely use his bat, and Pie and him might make a decent LF platoon if nothing else.

Guthrie must cramp up with 2 outs.It's probably me, but it seems like he gives up a bunch with 2 outs.

Hey mr irrelevant, will you just STFU and enjoy a game for once?

Paulie you are losing more creditablility every time you post on here. Stick all those stats right up your A$$. Nick came up again today with 2 men on and once again didn't produce. You keep telling me what he has done in the league since 2007 with doubles and i will tell you he has drastically under performed for 2 years now. Keep wishing and hoping that things will change, keep looking for any stat that proves your point and the more you keep posting the less crediable you become.

there goes guthrie again with 2 outs...the guy just does not finish off his innings, and it's a problem

w, isn't that your guy guthrie out there getting hit all over the park today? No 1?
A scout just said he'd be a decent #3. Oh that's right, why trust a scout's take when it doesn't fit your spittle.
Wait, you forgot what you wrote about Guthrie...

Is Nolan Reimold making a case or what?

wayne –

Didn’t realize I was crafting a persona – just being myself – thanks for the compliment.

But now you are just making stuff up. Imagine that from a proven liar. Every single word in your post is a lie. I have never said any of the things that you are claiming I have said. Prove me wrong.

Did you actually write that “I tell the truth”? Wow

You are the only one who posts under multiple names (who does that?)

And by the way, your obsession with me is starting to make me uncomfortable. I told you that you will be ignored until you come clean, but you just can’t help yourself from hanging on my every word. I know I am a likable guy, but this is too much. If you come clean, all will be forgiven. Until then, do not address me. My posts have nothing to do with you.

I will say it again since you have forced me to repeat myself –

You can be both a fan and a critic. But you cannot be a fan without irrational hope.

wayne – are you a fan?

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: JJ, who is this wayne character you're writing about? There used to be a guy by that name here, but when he got ratted out, he went off the deep end and started using profanity against other bloggers and making up crazy stuff to go with his several made-up identities. He may pop up here occasionally -- and temporarily -- but the best way to handle him is to ignore him.

Nicks stats in May

.319 Avg
.376 OBP
3 stolen bases,
0 caught stealing
still short on power and RBI, but everything else is looking up, and he still has more outfield assists than most RF

I say Nick is fine, and getting better as the weather warms up. No doubt I'd like more power, as least doubles. He'll never be a monster homerun hitter.

Meso - so wayne's got your back now? Well, at least he stands his ground. If you can’t back your accusations up, it is OK to admit that you were wrong and made a mistake. I don’t hold grudges.

Go O’s

Thinking of the Orioles these days reminds me of the scene in Who Framed Roger Rabbit where the old villain walks around the bar picks up the Merry-Go-Round Broke Down record, smells it, and then smashes in against the wall. The O's are a crazy, half cartoonish roller coaster that has more dips and hills than the Rebel Yell. You really have no idea what team is going to show up every night. The wins are fun and loses are head scratching.

And for those of you who have no idea of what movie I am talking about… Netflix that classic.

Pete - I see what you have done - nice work. It looks like we just had some bad timing. I will not let it happen again.

One request – can you take my post down too? It seems kind of silly now.

Love the blog - thanks

JJ,

You remind me of the little kid (Julian ... strange coincidence with your initials) in Big Daddy ...the scene when they're playing cards and the kids keeps saying ... I win!!! ... I win!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HUvTp8ZcJs

Meso –

I watched the clip - are you implying that I change the rules to suit me? I am not seeing the parallels.

You made accusations, I asked you to back them up. You could not. So yeah, in this case, I do win.

Would you like to try again?

SOMEONE ELSE comes on here and tells us that nick is fine , although he say's that he is still short on power and rbi's. He tells us that he has 3 stolen bases without getting caught, and that he is batting 319 in the month of may.Tell me what is fine with that. Over a 2 year period he now has 16 hr's and 75 rbi's Please somebody tell me how they consider that fine, What is it going to take for fans to stop looking at stats that don't mean anything to justify a continued pattern of futility. Nick is Fine.Nick is ANYTHING BUT FINE

@blancione, I was replying to the banned one that said, if you're not going to hit for power, hit .320, and if not that, steal some bases.

My point is that since the beginning of May, Nick has done just that. So, I say he is finding his stroke and regaining confidence, and that he is looking more like the old Nick. Those that would give up on him refuse to see that.

And, if Nick is as bad as you seem to think, tell me what they could get in trade, considering his contract? No one worth playing everyday, that much I can assure you.

What stroke is he finding. 7 rbi's and 2 hr's in the whole month of may. My god people what has the expectation level fallen to for somebody making his kind of money.

You make good points about Nick, bob, but then you go and say something stupid like this:

What is it going to take for fans to stop looking at stats that don't mean anything to justify a continued pattern of futility.

Now, considering what others have said about Nick and the fact that the only statistics that you ever mention are home runs and rbi, the only thing I can take that sentence to mean is that batting average, on base percentage, doubles and stolen bases "don't mean anything".

Is that really what you meant to say?

Also, SomeoneElse flat out said, more than once, that he wanted to see more power. Did you miss that?

Finally, as SomeoneElse said, Nick is hitting .319 with a .376 OBP since the start of May. And he's hitting .381 with a .458 OBP since May 14th.

When we're talking about a guy who we all hope will somehow get back to being the hitter that he was in 2008, isn't that at least a tiny bit encouraging?

Hey Meso predict the Os win already, I'm dying to see 500!

vmoore,

I'm slipping. My apologies. Here comes:

Bold prediction: Reynolds automatic out. Reimold doubles. Hardy brings him home on a line drive the left field.

O's win!!!

TWO - OH - OH!

TWO - OH - OH!

Mark Reynolds is hitting .200!

WOO!!! WOO!!!

A few points:

1. Meso is from the future.

2. Luke Scott needs to go on the DL.

3. Bases loaded, no outs, Wieters pinch hitting with one out. That used to be automatic! Come on, Matty!

no words for that, are there?

your job is to hit a fly ball
that's all, a fly ball

too dificult i guess

winner!

Hey, I'm just a dumb blogger.
W

Ok, for once I am going to take you at your word...

When was the last time you wrote about baseball without blatantly insulting someone's intelligence, wayne?

If you don't want your posts to get deleted, maybe try to get back to that.

Just a thought...

Things we learned today:

1. Jeremy Guthrie doesn't know what to do with run support, due to no fault of his own
2. Nolan Reimold owns KC. Did he make an out today?
3. Vlad's bust is being worked on as we speak, and scheduled be shipped to Cooperstown as soon as he retires.

Apologies to Reynolds for jinxing him. I won't do that again. I was happy he got the hit, and felt terrible when he made the out at the plate. Dang you KC manager for messing with my prediction. 3 out of 4 in the prediction dept. I'll take it.

NB,

I'm not from the future, but I did stay at the Holiday Inn last night. Or just a lucky guy with "irrational hope".

A comeback...A sweep…A 5 game winning streak…a winning home stand….a .500 record…what team is this?

I wanna be on that plane to Oakland.

Happy Hour time - Go O’s

What the hell are you guys bitching about on this blog? The O's just swept the Royals, with two out of three by walk-off hits (one, of course the Jonesy homer). They are now at .500 3 days before Memorial Day. The bullpen locked it down in extras. The O's offense threatened continuously. And future HOF Vladdy bounced one up the middle for the win.

Can't we post about this series? Can't we enjoy this????

A comeback...A sweep…A 5 game winning streak…a winning home stand….a .500 record…what team is this?

I wanna be on that plane to Oakland.

Happy Hour time - Go O’s

This team is just better with Buck, period. They don't win these types of games last year. Winning without their second best pitcher, leadoff hitter, and gold glove 1B.

They are clearly taking a step in the right direction. They may not win this year, but things are looking up.

Allright Meso – you made me laugh. You know I don’t like it when it gets like this. I don’t let the anonymity of the web change the way I treat people. I may be a little sarcastic sometimes and I could be accused of poking the bear a little bit, but that is what makes this blog fun.

I don’t call people names and I try to be polite. You admitted you jumped on me – is it so hard to give me a “my bad”?

That was me taking the high road…friends again?

JJ,

I don't usually have problems saying my bad. I will say my bad for overreacting a bit, yes. But to re-iterate, there are no people who aren't O's fans on this blog. I don't hold grudges either. I view this blog as a big dysfunctional family.

Cool Meso – glad its over.

I will take you at your word that everyone on here is a fan – you have been here longer than me. But when people get happy when the O’s lose just because it supports their argument that the GM is a failure and the farm system stinks…well, that doesn’t sound like a fan to me. When people criticize anyone who posts something positive about the O’s… well, that doesn’t sound like a fan to me. When people just rip players up and down without providing any real alternatives or potential real world solutions… well, that doesn’t sound like a fan to me (no, saying release the bum does not count).

I can only think of one instance in which I would be happy when my team loses…care to guess?

Wayne;

You are profoundly mentally ill. Get help.

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Dan, I don't think wayne is coming back. I feel sorry for the guy because this is so important to his self-esteem, but he crossed the line so many times on so many levels (none of which had anything to do with criticizing the team, however redundant he was about it) that I had to block his various IP addresses. I suppose he could sneak back on by going to the library or changing internet providers, but I can't imagine he'll go to that much effort to keep repeating himself. I wish him well in his future endeavors.