Speaking of sweep week: part deux of my bold prediction was that the O's will sweep Tampa, after they emptied the dustpan from the Mariners. Let's make it happen. Don't let me down boys!

Go Os!

Britton was unbelievable tonight..... and while he didn't get the W, he kicked azz for my fantasy team tonight. Matt had a nice night as well.

And yes nb, just another example of how W's for a SP is a bs stat.

Aside from that, I just don't know how the overall hitting can get worse (unless you're the mariners that is). Markakis simply hurt the team tonight.... but he wasn't alone.

Hardy is a fine player. You just worry every time he swings hard or slides. Not the best idea tackling the guy while celebrating, even if it was a huggy tackle.

All and all, sweeps are always nice. Gets the team back on pace for near 70 wins.

Good stuff.

Maybe we can now show Tampa that the right to the
American League title goes through Balto. this year.

Thats the way uh hu uh hu I like it uh hu uh hu

Guys,

It was me, I know, wins are a bs stat for SP’s, my bad.

But than why do you guys care so much that Zach didn’t get the W? The Sun’s headline calls it a waste. Why?

JJ -

Because he deserved it.

JJ is right, it was a shame Britton didn't get a personal W but to call it a waste implied the Orioles lost. Britton's performance obviously contributed to the win. Therefore, the use of the word waste was a poor choice. Journalism isn't what it used to be.

"Gets them back on pace for 70 wins".

Wayne, do us all a favour and hit the road already. Even your "nice" posts always end up with some kind of pessimistic parting shot.

You do realize the O's are 17-19, right? which puts them on pace for 77 wins. And as you said, the offense can only get better.

I can't wait till this team finishes .500 or better to see what kind of whiny excuses you come up with.

Pete what a outstanding pitching performance by zack. I will take a 3 game sweep against anybody although this team is still not hitting anywhere like it's suppose to. Lets for once just enjoy and leave it at that.

This series is a good example of where the O's stand right now. With solid starting pitching, they will be in most games this year. If the bullpen gets its act together and the hitting ever comes around, they could compete. But they are a scrappy bunch that clearly does not get down on itself, even when others do. All in all though, I am very excited about the young staff. Britton is far better than I ever expected. I am sure he will hit some bumps in the road, but I really love his mental makeup. Can't wait until Matusz comes back. Big start forth Guthrie tonight. Has to keep the momentum going.

I guess Wayne is on the upside of his manic depression. Though he better watch himself. Actually praising an off-season acquisition like JJ Hardy might lead to, dare I say it, credit due to AM?

The roller-coaster continues. It will be like this all season. This is a year of transition. This is a year where the young staff finds its legs and its confidence.

And remember, y'all, 2 games under .500 with a patch-work staff missing Brian Matusz (I won't mention Duch).

Am I psyched this season with a starting rotation headed up by Matusz, Guthrie, Britton and Arrietta? Does that sound as good to y'all as it does to me? That sounds SF Giants good to me.

Did you see Ivan Nova got pounded last night? By who? Who? The Royals. So, let's see, that's CC Sabathia and who else? Who do you guys think the Yanks are gonna trade for -- and sooner than later I bet?

And the Rays are on top of the East, and yet, when we took them in the first series the talk was it was meaningless because the Rays were done. Done. Yeah, they done look like they may run away with it right now.

Unless we can stop them tonite.

The series was a matchup of two bad teams and the Orioles were a little less awful than the Mariners. Now it's back to playing teams on the road in the AL East, like Tampa, Boston, and New York. If the Orioles continue to hit like they have been, it's going to be an ugly road trip.

I see some fans are celebrating that we are 17 and 19. That's an indication of just how low expectations have fallen.

Keeping with our fearless leader's theme:

" ... the last time the O’s were swept in three or more games to open a homestand and then bounced back to sweep the next opponent in the same homestand was June 26-July 2, 1997, when the Blue Jays swept the O’s in a four-game set and the Birds bounced back to sweep three games from the Phillies" (mlb.com)

Oh yeah that's what I'm talking about! Its hard not to get excited about sweeping any team but the Mariners offense really is pathetic.

I'm pretty excited about the injection of pitching we are going to be getting within the next couple of weeks as well. With Matusz, Simon, and Duch we can finally get a little depth going on here. Put Tillman/Bergesen, Simon and Duch in the pen and all of the sudden the pitching staff looks like it was supposed to at the beginning of the season!

Gil as you can see by my last post i am trying to stay positive and not let my self get down like i did last week. But you are right in saying that seattle is a horrible team and we still had to go extra innings twice to beat them. Look after 36 games if the fans of this town aren't convinced that this hitting slump is just a short term thing then they are just kidding themselves. Brian roberts has turned out to be a very selfish ball player something you don't need from your lead off batter. His body language is atrocious and if i was buck he would have already been talked to.Look before i go on and on about the under performing offense lets just leave it at this gil and see what happens in the next week or so.

smitty,

please stop creating new names like ian and frox. It really becomes pathetic after a while. And by the way, do you mean show Tampa the way they did when they were in our house? Gotcha. And where were you during the latest losing streak? It just gets old. Dare I say you're even much worse than wayne.

I'm in the middle with this club. Obviously, they just beat a similarly bad club in the Mariners. Hard to get too excited about the last three games, although being the King was a pleasant surprise. And seeing Britton perform the way he did is just great. I'm starting to face the fact that this may be a lost season for Matuzs though. Even when he does come back, odds are he won't be sharp at all. People forget that he wasn't very good the first half of last season. We'll see I guess.

But come on guys, I mean the one's who are the many voices of smitty. Get real. Even you played into wayne's hand Christopher. Being on a 77 win pace is not a good season. Compared to what they usually do, maybe. But compared to good teams, it's just not a good season. And wasn't this team suppose to get to 500 last season? Hoping we get there now just seems like we're always putting it off, year after year.

Obviously, I digress. But I am excited about this team in some ways. I agree with the blowhard that they have some good players, but I also agree with hi that as a team, they're still a long way off. But hey, sweeping anyone, even if it were the little sisters of the poor is a nice thing.

And don't pick on smitty's optimism y'all. While he's obviously delusional and no one takes him seriously, you can vision him getting so excited when the team wins in dramatic fashion. It's almost like when Buck smiled, smitty felt he was smiling at him. It's a beautiful thing.

So now wins are just not good enough for some of you. Hysterical. I love this blog.

Here is a sample -

Man, the M’s stink – of course the O’s should sweep them every time. King Felix, whatever, it’s the M’s, they stink.

I can’t believe the game went to extra innings; the O’s should have won 12-0, I mean after all, they are playing the M’s.

Do you guys know what that kind of nonsense sounds like?

They swept a series with 2 comebacks in extra innings and Tillman, who all you guys want to declare a bust at 23 years old, out-pitched King Felix (fun, exciting baseball to this O’s fan).

You guys tell me, what was supposed to have happened; with this flawed O’s team that simply has no hope for the future. It sounds like you would be happier if they lost.

Oh, and blancione, please tell me what this conversation with selfish Brian Roberts would have sounded like. Let’s hear it.

Go O’s

bob,

I have seen enough of Reynolds and Lee to convince me that the middle of the lineup will not be very productive this year. Just two more bargain basement failures by Andy Macphail. Just think about the possibilities if the Orioles had gone out, spent the money and acquired two bonafide impact hitters this past winter.

Even if Dutch manages to get on the mound this year he is one wince away from retirement. Another wasted aquisition by the Jack Luskin of baseball GM's.

This season is all Andy all the time and his four year failure with "One Third of a Plan" becomes clearer every day.If Macphail isn't fired by July 4 we can assume that he is holding 8' x 10' glossies on Angelos. This team is going nowhere fast as currently constructed and anyone who believes otherwise needs to take off the orange and black glasses and look at the facts. It's not pretty.

Someone's posting and using my name. That's not nice. I suspected that might be happening so I threw in an expression I don't normally use -- "y'all." And, there it is, somebody posting using "jc" AND "y'all" which proves to me it isn't someone ELSE with the name jc, but someone trying to pawn themselves off as me.

Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but there should be an editor who can see the diff in folks' email addresses...

Anyone want to cop to this identity theft?

As for sweeping the Mariners, a sweep's a sweep. The games count the same. Anyone want to research how many series we swept last year? Year before? So far, and it isn't even May 15, we've notched two.

And a word about O's fans "celebrating" a 17-19 record. Let's get some perspective. We ALL hung our heads last week when we got swept. And, at that point, a 17-19 record not only looked unlikely (if not impossible) but any O's fan would've taken it in a heartbeat. That it came with two nail-biting extra inning wins is either a bonus, testament to the "new" scrappy nature of the team under Buck, OR to the fact that we could barely beat a team with AAA bats.

I choose to celebrate the positive, especially when it is hard-fought and following the heels of a stretch that could've spun into one of those losing streaks the O's and their fans have seen far too many of the past 13 years.

Will someone on this Board please stand up and tell me whether, on New Year's Day, you thought the O's would be 17-19 on May 13th - IF we told you that Matusz would not have made a start?

If we finish the year somewhere between two games under and two games over .500 AND not in last place in the AL East, would you guys be celebrating the improvement of O's baseball, or bitching about how the O's are mired in statistical mediocrity?

And what kind of comment is this:

"I'm starting to face the fact that this may be a lost season for Matuzs though. Even when he does come back, odds are he won't be sharp at all. People forget that he wasn't very good the first half of last season. "

Really? This is now a lost season for Matusz? Odds are he won't be sharp at all? People forget he wasn't very good last season?

Why torture yourself by watching baseball, man? You need an intervention for crissakes. The kid, who is known around baseball as one of the best young stud pitchers in the game, hasn't even thrown a pitch this season and already you're predicting that this is "a lost season" for him.

You're the kind of person who wakes up in the morning, sees it's cloudy, and says out loud: "I guess that's the last we've seen of the sun. Odds are the world is coming to an end. We'll see I guess."

Yo, seriously, get some therapy.

The REAL JC.

"Man, the M’s stink – of course the O’s should sweep them every time. King Felix, whatever, it’s the M’s, they stink."

A little swipe at me there JJ? If the O's are for real as you Smitty and others contend they are ... well .. hell yea, they're supposed to freaking school teams like the Mariners.

I love a sweep as much as the next guy (and I predicted by the way); however did you watch the same series we all watched? If Seattle had 1/3 of the way MLB team, they would have swept the O's. Playing Seattle was like playing a minor league team. I'm sure it's like that for the Yankees when they play the O's. But an AL EAST team is supposed to steamroll pretenders. "King" Felix may be good by the way, but even he can't win if his team doesn't score runs. Let's be clear about that. And yes, the O's (at least on paper), are supposed to beat the Mariners with that anemic lineup even if Cy Young was pitching against them.

Hey Gil -

The Orioles, as "currently constructed," are ahead of the Red Sox. Today. May 13. So, you would agree that MacPhail's a better GM than Epstein, right? And that the Red Sox are going nowhere fast? Correct?

Just want to make sure we are all on the same page...

Inconsistency has to be the theme for the 2011 Birds. Think about it...

6-1 in games 1-7
0-8 in games 8-15
6-4 in games 16-25
2-6 in games 26-33
3-0 in games 34-36

Games 1-7 Hitting: .233/.288/.381, 10 doubles, 7 home runs, 47 K, 17 BB

Games 1-7 Pitching: 2.00 ERA, 2.04 K/BB, 5 home runs allowed

---

Games 8-15 Hitting: .219/.279/.357, 8 doubles, 9 home runs, 20 K, 19 BB

Games 8-15 Pitching: 6.95 ERA, 1.92 K/BB, 14 home runs allowed

---

Games 16-25 Hitting: .250/.305/.391, 15 doubles, 11 home runs, 69 K, 27 BB

Games 16-25 Pitching: 4.30 ERA, 2.12 K/BB, 13 home runs allowed

---

Games 26-33 Hitting: .226/.325/.355, 11 doubles, 7 home runs, 57 K, 35 BB

Games 26-33 Pitching: 5.76 ERA, 1.84 K/BB, 12 home runs allowed

---

Games 34-36 Hitting: .328/.390/.393, 3 doubles, 1 home run, 23 K, 10 BB

Games 34-36 Pitching: 2.38 ERA, 2.18 K/BB, 2 home runs allowed

Inconsistency. Especially when it comes to pitching, which is to be expected when you've got four starters who are 25 or younger.

If this team can figure out how to avoid stretches like Games 8-15 and Games 26-33, when the pitching has completely collapsed, maybe they can figure out a way to win 80 some games.

Either way, I loved what these guys did against the Mariners over the past three days.

In beating Michael Pineda, the offense did what only the Texas Rangers have done against Pineda this season: they got seven hits, scored three runs and hit a home run. That's right. The Rangers are the only other team that has hit a home run off Pineda in his seven starts.

In beating Felix Hernandez, the offense did what only the Blue Jays have done against King Felix this season: they put up four runs. That's right. The Blue Jays and now the Orioles are the only teams that can say that they scored more than two runs against King Felix this season.

The v.2011 Orioles never gave up over the past three days. Can you imagine any other Oriole team over the past decade doing what this Oriole team did against those two pitchers?

Like Buck, I was damn proud of my team over the past three days. And I'm taking that as a little victory, because it doesn't happen very often.

PS - How about a little love for Jake Arrieta? Sure, he hasn't been as good as Britton this season, but Jake's tossed 6+ innings in six of his eight starts. And remember last season when his strikeout to walk ratio was almost even at 52 to 48 in 100 innings? This year, he's putting up a 2:1 K:BB ratio and he's already got 39 K's in 45 innings. He's cut the walk rate way down and the K-rate is way up. And he's giving up two fewer hits per nine than he did last year. Not too shabby, Jake.

Meso -

Weren't you guys using the same logic when we lost 2 out of 3 to KC to bash the O's? Are those the same Royals that just took 2 of 3 from the Yankees? And the Yankees are supposed to beat the Royals with their anemic line-up and staff?

Maybe the world HAS stopped spinning on its access and life as we know it is coming to an end.

Or maybe it is difficult for any team to beat any other team and hand-cuffing a major league ball club three games in a row should be a source of pride for O's fans, not a dismissive wave of the hand.

But then, from your point of view, why play the games at all? You already know who should win and who should lose.

The Orioles have no track record to indicate they will finish anywhere other than last place. Where did Epstein's teams finish in the last decade, especially the last four years? Until the Orioles prove otherwise over 162 games it is silly to point out that they are "ahead" of the Red Sox at this point. Under Andy Macphail, the Orioles have continued to be perenniel losers and this year will be no different what with the "talent" he has assembled.

As a matter of fact, after the next 7 games are played ther Orioles will be firmly ensconced in their usual position in the standings and that is not a very bold prediction. It is easy. That is who they are. Losers. Since 1997. Tough to say it and admit it but the track record is there. They are losers until they are not. I am just one of scores of long time full season ticket holders Angelos has chased away. Actually I waited for two years after Andy was hired until I saw what he was doing {Acquiring and trading washed up veterens for prospects, and that's the only plan} before I cancelled. No serious Internationaql Scouting Effort. No marquee FA talent acquisitions. Just washed up veterens for prospects. Lee, Reynolds, and Guerrero will bring another batch later this summer.

By the way, the world is spinning on it's axis, not it's access.

JC,

If my memory serves me right, a couple of years ago the lowly O's went to Chicago and swept the Cubs. They then went to Philly and swept the Phillies (yeah isn't that crazy). And if I'm not totally out of whack, they swept the Redsox as well. I could have been 2009, I don't exactly recall. Was it last year they swept the Rangers in Arlington or the year before?

Anyone can beat anyone when they let their guard down. Didn't the Ms shut out the Rangers in Arlington for one game this year?

Heck, I still maintain that the success Buck had last year, had more to do with teams sleeping on the O's, rather than the O's being a good team. If teams had played the O's under Buck as if they were the Yankees, I'm not sure the O's win all those games.

My point is that everything has to be taken into context. The fact is the O's are something like 11-0 when they score at least 4 runs. That's all they had to do against Kansas City or most other teams they've played.

Frankly, I don't put KC in the same boat as the M's. They have actually made some good moves and have improved their team. What exactly have the M's done to make their team better, from the crappy team they have been for years?

Gil,

I have to disagree with your outlook on the next 7 games. I think Tampa will get swept. It's been done before. I think the Redsox will lose 2-3 because their bad trend is on my side. The Yankees just got beat by KC, so hopefully that's a sign of them going into a funk. They will lose 2-3 to the Os as well.

Your rationale is actually pretty sound and based on facts, history, trends and just plain logic. My rationale is simply lacking rational thinking. I'm just locked into some Oriole magic right now.

Have to get work done. Will post again this weekend.

But, Meso, I'm not disagreeing with you (strangely enough). All i'm saying is that we have to both be realistic AND celebrate when it's warranted. I realistically never saw the O's contending this year. But I see them playing better fundamentally and defensively and I see this young pitching core/corps as bordering on excellence. Time will tell.

Gil- one thing (and only one thing) you're right about. It is axis not access. Sorry for the multi-tasking brain fart.

The REAL jc

Meso,

I hope you are right. I have been hoping for 13 and a half years and I am all out of hope. I want results. Northing else will restore my faith in this organization. Just look at the attendance. That's where hope has gone in this city. Past and future fans need to see it on the field against good teams on a consistent basis...a run of 15 out of 19, 20 out of 25 before they will believe.

What have you seen in this team so far that makes you believe that they can win consistently? If you are just hoping, good for you. I wish I could.

Gil -

I thought you were reserving judgement on this team until Memorial Day.

What happened?

Nonsense – you guys are funny.

jc – the same thing happened to me – it is sad (who does that??)

Meso – why do you think everything is about you? Well, now it is. Not taking swipes, but your whole post is funny. The O’s won, but not how I wanted them to win. Huh?? Why would it matter if it was Cy Young anyway, I mean since wins are a bs stat for SP’s, was he even any good, yeah he’s got a lot of wins, but so what right?

What the heck does an “AL EAST team is supposed to steamroll pretenders” even mean. Please provide the list of teams it is acceptable for an AL East team to lose to. I’ll send the memo straight to NY, BOS, TAM and TOR (Hey you are in the AL East – DO NOT lose to these teams…) Haha

And now, the best part, this is what I love – “Heck, I still maintain that the success Buck had last year, had more to do with teams sleeping on the O's, rather than the O's being a good team”

First of all no one thought the O’s were good last year, but let me get this straight - when the O’s win it is because other teams “sleep” on us. Got it. I will tell Zack, “Hey man, you didn’t pitch great, the M’s were just sleeping on you.”

Along with the memo, I am sending ambien to Tampa. It is our only chance.

JJ,

Of course it was about me. I was the only one who "downplayed" how the O's beat Felix Hernandez. In reality I downplayed the M's not Felix. As I said, Cy Young could pitch for Seattle and they would still suck a baboon's arse. To win games you actually have to score runs. No pitcher ever won games by himself, unless he also hit or scored runs, stole home or what have you.

Thanks for walking right into my AL EAST trap.That just makes it like shooting fish in a bucket.

Since the day that MacPhail got here, he has openly expressed how difficult and unfair it is to compete in the AL EAST. Almost treating AL EAST as if it were a level above all MLB, or as if the entire MLB was the minors and AL EAST was the big leagues. Even Buck made some party line comments about the AL East and even took swipes at Epstein.

So that suggest that if the O's weren't playing in the AL East they would actually be a good team and perhaps a playoff team. Hence they're supposed to be good enough to beat any other team right? A team like Seattle should just be a bump on the road right, because we're an AL East team.

Instead of taking that memo to AL East teams, I would just take it to Andy "By God" MacPhail.

I have to disagree with the notion that teams were "sleeping on the O's" at the end of 2010.

Buck Era 2010 was all about pitching.

The O's put up a 3.54 ERA from August 3 2010 through the end of the season.

Brian Matusz was one of the best pitchers in baseball over that span, putting up a 2.18 ERA and a 3.25 K/BB ratio while tossing 6+ innings in eight of his final 11 starts.

And how about the rest of the starters?

Guthrie: 3.14 ERA, 3.36 K/BB, 6+ innings in 10 of final 11 starts

Arrieta: 3.78 ERA, 1.80 K/BB, 6+ innings in six of final eight starts

Bergesen: 2.88 ERA, 1.95 K/BB, 6+ innings in eight of final 11 starts

Heck, even Tillman wasn't too bad: 4.08 ERA, 6+ innings in three of five Buck Era starts.

And in the pen, Koji, JJ, Gonzalez and Hernandez were all lights out.

Sure, maybe other teams weren't expecting those guys to be so good, but the fact remains that our pitching was top notch after Buck took over last season. Apologies in advance, Meso, but to discount quality pitching by saying opposing teams were sleeping is just plain ignorant.

NB,

Reynolds, Lee, and Markakis are showing no signs that that they are going to be productive this year from an RBI standpoint. Without them, the team has no chance. It's not early anymore, we are nearly one quarter of the way through the schedule. How long should we wait to see if they are going to hit?

Just for fun, look at July's schedule and tell me what you think. Yikes! I just don't see this team competing into August. They can't continue to play like they are playing when they get to that part of the schedule.

Prove me wrong, Andy!

Meso - Nice try, but you have it all wrong again.

AL East trap. What trap??

From your post, I will give you this; I think the GM may have said something along the lines of how difficult it is to compete in the AL EAST. This is actually true. Show me a quote where he says it is “unfair” – good luck.

All the rest is just something you made up in your head. Doesn’t even seem logical to me.

I will ask again - What the heck does an “AL EAST team is supposed to steamroll pretenders” even mean. Tell me who AL East teams are allowed to lose to. They are your words, not the GM’s.

I think everyone needs to calm down, take a sip of coffee, and check their facts before they make bold proclamations to support their emotional claims.

This happens on this board (and the internet in general) rampantly, but today, specifically, I'm concerned about all those who are being so disrespectful of the Mariners. This is not an epically bad team. This isn't even necessarily a team on a particularly bad streak before this sweep. They had won 8 of 12 games against the Tigers, Red Sox, Rangers, and White Sox before this series. They have two potential Hall of Famers on their roster (and calling Ichiro "potential" is an insult to him).

The fact is that there are very very few teams in baseball that are easy to beat by anyone. In a game where the best teams only win less than 2 out of 3 games, it's not a smart idea to assume anyone should sweep anyone else.

The team with MLB's best record, the Phillies, have completed three sweeps this year, only one more than have the Orioles.

Are the Mariners one of the lesser teams in the AL? Yes. Should we dismiss this sweep as an insignificant accomplishment for the Orioles? Absolutely not.

My fanhood always seems to refill my irrational hope tanks, Gil.

I know there's no reason to believe this, but I don't see how Reynolds, Lee and Markakis can continue to be this bad all season. Something's going to snap for those three at some point. Hopefully...

And, like I've said a bunch of times already, the success/failure of this team hinges on the young pitching. Britton has been fantastic, Arrieta has been very good, Guthrie has been solid. I have no hopes or expectations for Tillman, but if Matusz can come back as something resembling his end of 2010 self, that'll be a big boost. Hopefully...

I have no wild expectations for 90 wins or a shot at the playoffs or anything crazy like that. But I do think that a solid core is starting to form around Jones, Wieters, Britton, Arrieta and Guthrie. If only Markakis could step back up to put himself back into that discussion, and guys like Reynolds, Lee, Hardy and Vlad could add some support, we'd have something going here.

Of course, where things go from there with our out-of-touch chump of a GM, who isn't willing to spend on free agents or the international market, is an entirely different story that I'm done talking about.

Awesome pitching duel last night. I can't remember the last time there was two complete shutouts and neither played a role in the decision... other than pitching 9 scoreless innings that is.

70% of the 108 pitches Britton threw were strikes. And threw first pitch strikes to 21 of the 29 batters he faced. Get ahead early; that is the way to get it done. Great job!

Not Brooks,

Fair enough. But to say Britton and Vargas pitched gems when they each faced anemic lineups could be perceived as "ignorant". It's not like they shutout lineups that were on fire. Nothing is ever cut and dry.

I don't really value individual numbers in an individual sport, unless those individuals are phenoms like Peyton Manning, Alex Rodriguez, LeBron James and their likes. Baseball in general is so dependent on most players doing their job, that is unfair to praise a pitcher when he shuts a team out, but say he pitched great but had no run support when the team loses 3-1.

nb - that is the definition of a fan. Irrational hope. If you don’t have irrational hope, then you are not a fan, just a critic.

I wonder if this blog has some critics?

Me, I am a fan.

Go O’s

Mean to say: I don't really value individual numbers in an team sport

Look on the bright side. At this rate, Reynolds is only on pace for 172 strikeouts. That's pretty good plate discipline for him

I understand the frustration that many on here have with the Orioles and their sagging offense. People are asking how long we should wait for them to hit. Well unfortunately I think we have all been blinded by the ridiculous offensive output during the steroid era. Consider:

The average of all hitters in MLB through the first 6 weeks of the season...

.249/.319/.382

The Orioles in the same time frame...

.243/.309/.374

I know the perception is that the Orioles offense stinks, but offense is down all over baseball (and yes I know that the Orioles do drag down the MLB average by being included). Check back in a few weeks to see if the O's offense is as bad as the rest of baseball...

Ben S,

I think what you're looking for is a court room. This is a baseball blog. Up-tight much?!

The success or failure of any MLB team rests on pitching. Young, old, whatever. Baseball is a game of getting the other team out.

Pitching and defense.

Meso - So now we are to the point where pitchers get no credit for throwing 9 inning shutouts. Funny stuff, you are joking around right.

Meso -

Ben S destroys your argument (well said Ben S - you are more articulate than me) and that is what you come back with?

I believe you have used the phrase “I rest my case” a few times on this blog. So who is in court?

It is fun when it gets like this.

Look on the bright side. At this rate, Reynolds is only on pace for 172 strikeouts. That's pretty good plate discipline for him

I don't think you understand how difficult pitching is, Meso.

Britton pitched a shutout last night. He allowed three base runners. He threw 70% of his 108 pitches for strikes.

Even against a college team, that would be impressive.

If nine innings of shutout ball isn't an accomplishment against an anemic offense, then why didn't Felix or Pineda do it against the O's? Why didn't Arrieta or Tillman do it against the M's?

If nine innings of shutout ball isn't an accomplishment against an anemic offense, then why is it that no other pitcher has done that to the Mariners this season?

Good one JJ!

I'm not sure what argument he destroyed. The fact that the Mariners are not terrible sitting in 6th from the bottom in the MLB? Or the fact that since 2004 the Mariners have had 1 season above .500 and the rest include 101 losses in 2010, 101 in 2008, 93 in 2004 and 99 in 2005?

Is that the argument? Yes? OK. I rest my case.

Not Brooks,

I do understand how difficult pitching is, and I appreciate a pitching duel as much as the next guy. But it's not the same as Britton silencing the red hot Texas Rangers lumberjacks earlier in the season. I'm not diminishing the accomplishment; however everything has to be taken into context. The O's cannot hit left handed pitching. That's a fact, no matter who the scrub on the mound is. They can't even touch Bruce Chen.

To add, the fact that Britton threw 70% strikes is even more telling of how bad Seattle hitting is. Usually a pitcher who throws that many strikes will be touched for a couple of runs (usually not always). We can agree to disagree I guess.

Meso -

Yes, that argument. Did you read his post? It does not look like you did. Please slow down, read his post, try to comprehend it, and get back to me.

Here are your words (any typos are exact quotes) –

“If Seattle had 1/3 of the way MLB team, they would have swept the O's. Playing Seattle was like playing a minor league team.”

“yes, the O's (at least on paper), are supposed to beat the Mariners with that anemic lineup”

“In reality I downplayed the M's not Felix. As I said, Cy Young could pitch for Seattle and they would still suck a baboon's arse.”

” team like Seattle should just be a bump on the road right, because we're an AL East team.

For real, read his post. The whole thing this time.

Sorry, Meso. I just don't buy the "If you didn't do it against a good team/good player, it's not as impressive" argument.

I don't believe in qualifiers for dominant performances.

Feel free to do so if you want, but make sure to split shutouts, no-hitters, perfect games, cycles, home runs and literally every other statistic into "Impressive" and "Kind of Impressive" and "Not As Impressive" categories.

If Albert Pujols puts up a three homer game some time this year, but it comes against a 32-year-old career minor leaguer on a September callup, it's "Not As Impressive".

If Mat Latos pitches a no hitter, but it's against the Astros at Petco, it's "Not As Impressive".

Have fun.

NB

Of the three{ Markakis, Lee, Reynolds} Nick is the one I would pick to put together some semblance of a productive season. Lee is on the downside of his career and like Jeff Z. I see a lot of rollover ground balls and pop ups. He will have to get to convince me he has anything left. Reynolds played in the desert thin air in Arizona whih no doubt helped his HR totals. He is swinging himself right out of the major leagues and he doesn't make enough contact to go on an extended tear.

Not Brooks,

Statistics is more of an art than a science. Even though over the long period of time they give you a good indication of good or bad. But for a single night's pitching performance, any one rationale can't be proven completely wrong or right.

Let's have some fun with this.

Is it a coincidence that the Rays had 3 no-hitters (including 2 perfect games) thrown against them in the period of 12 months between 2009 and 2010 season? Or could it be because they are an aggressive hitting team?

My name is Ben S., and I am an Orioles fan (not sure what step I'm on, but I do know that I am powerless over of Orioles fandom).

Friday, Happy Hour time again - Cheers everyone, enjoy the O's tonight.

I see Vlad is taking a seat tonight, and though Mr Reynolds has not swung himself out of baseball quite yet, he has found the 9 spot tonite.Hey, let's be positive, lucky number 9.

Let's hope Guthrie tosses a gem, and the Os forget who is pitching(fboth for them and against them) and they hang a few crooked numbers tonite.

Tim,

Yes, Isn't it always funny how the bar goes lower and lower each season? Now you have posters like Christopher acting like 77 wins is a good season. I mean for the O's it is... but what many posters don't understand is... 77 wins is garbage....meaning you're one of the worst teams in baseball.

Oh boy.....

Warehousers,

Are you serious? One or two people under so many names now? Good golly miss molly. I hope the pay remans good.

jc,

jc meet JJ. JJ meet jc. You're both delusional, but at least you have each other.

Duch,

Anyone who EVER talks about Duch as if you was ever penciled into the rotation.... please stop it. You're a moron. The guy was broken in more ways that can be counted, and only a Duuuch like AM would have penciled him in.

smitty,

Love ya man. I'm still hoping to give you 20 games for next season. I'll do it my friend. Promise. Now get us to those 97 wins.

Core,

Anyone notice how the core of Guthrie, Britton, Arrieta and Wieters were in the system prior to AM? And the one position player AM brought in with promise (Jones) was from a trade almost 4 years ago?

Do you all still realize that AM would like to send Britton down for the required amount of time (for business reasons)?

And speaking of young players..... anyone notice how poorly the minor league system is rated?

WIns,

When I say that the worst teams in all of baseball still win 60 - 75 games, you all understand that, right?

Again... The WORST teams win 60 -75 games.

Nick,

He literally was a liability last night. If you don't agree, re-trace his at bats.... the last one in particular. (#3)....

Reynolds,

The guy just needs to go on the DL. Make up an injury Buck. Please just get him outta there.

Hardy,

Never a question whether the guy could play. All I ever said is how he can't and won't stay on the field. So far, I've been more accurate with that assessment than I even imagined. I'd love nothing more for him to stay healthy. But guess what? The Twins wanted that as well. You think they knew what they were doing? You think that organization is a little smarter than the O's?

Lee,

Who was it that compared Lee to Eddie Murray? Was it you smitty? Whoever it was..... come on, fess up.

BRob,

Anyone 'get' that he's not right... and hasn't been right? Who's his back up in the system?

Speed,

Anyone understand how this team continues to lack speed? Didn't AM say that was something he wanted to address 4 years ago? Ahhh, good ole AM says allot of things... doesn't he?

Vlad,

Come on bro... take it to up a notch. Posters around here want to get something good for you at the deadline.

500,

Ahh, the dreaded 'winning record'.

What happened to the posters/warehousers who said the team would be 500 in '09?

What happened to the posters/warehousers who said the team would be 500 in '10?

Ok...... So now that it's 2011, with AM working on his 5th year, you will still be thrilled with 500?

Really?

What happened? Did the last 2 seasons not even count?

The Rays,

Huge Free Agent losses...... The Manny debacle...... payroll much lower than the O's...... Yet.....

Meso,

You should have quite while you were ahead...... Optimism like yours however, is understood. After all, you've always been a realist.

Gil,

Has AM given a time table for this team yet? Do you really think it will be open ended forever?

jim66,

I'm with you. Andy's vaunted offense should explode at some point, sometime. Let's hope it's tonight. But I wouldn't bet your IRA on it.

wayne,

Of course there has never been a timetable. If Andy had committed to one, he would have been gone by now. Just "The Plan" Wayne. Just "The Plan." No benchmarks, no goals, no apologies. Just "the Plan." By the way wayne, I forgot, just what was the plan? Was it for Andy to piss and moan about the payroll of the Yankees and Red Sox to cover his sorry a**? so he could keep ours down for PA? I think that is and was "The Plan." It couldn't have been about winning.After all, look at the mess he inherited. He has done a great job of continuing the tradition started 13 years ago.

Taking up a lot of space there, eh, wayne?

I'm not going to argue much. I just have one question:

If you only ever questioned Hardy's health, who was it that kept telling everybody that, even when he was healthy, he hadn't played well since 2008?

Who was it that kept telling everybody to go look at Twins blogs to see how happy they were to get rid of Hardy?

That wasn't you?

Uh oh... 2-0 and Jeremy Guthrie's pitching.

Game over. Might as well turn the tv off.

Hey nb, what’s up? -

Why? Just leave it alone. He simply says the same things over and over again. It is boring.

It is a waste of time to debate. Your response will be ignored and he will just continue to say the same things over and over and over….

How about this: take reynolds the hell out of the lineup because it is distressing and depressing the other 24 guys to have to watch him hit. I think I saw Buck covering his eyes. I saw Pressley run into the tunnel. Roberts wasn't even in the on-deck circle. It's bringing down the entire team. Send him on sabbatical, get him to a hypnotist, put him on a bus to Rochester. Just get him the hell out of Baltimore!
Here's the difference between Buck and Earl:Reynolds would never see the field under Earl. He's play Rayford if he had to.

@ jim66

. I saw Pressley run into the tunnel.

Come on Jim66, Pressley recommended Reynolds. He thought he could help him. As for me I have this crazy notion running around my head for the past few days. Felix Pie for Alex Gordon. It's a nice enough idea. Put Gordon back @ 3rd. Pie gets playing time. Everyone could be happy. Reynolds plays third base better when the ball is hit hard. He doesn't handle the slower stuff all that well.

Guthrie has to keep himself together better. 1st pitch right after Reynolds miscue, long drive it's outta here!
Oh well...
PS: Remember Guthrie minimize mistakes, just worry about what you're doing!

Pretty obvious that Andino at 3B makes the O's a much better team right now. Guy usually makes contact and is not a bad hitter. Two things we can't say about Reynolds. I also don't think you lose much defensively with Andino.

some of these guys are going to have to hit 350 the rest of the year to get to their 'track record' numbers. I see the doubles machine has now opted to hit catchable fly balls. God forbid he hit himself in the helmet again and self-concuss.
Look at poor Guthrie...I mean c'mon,with apologies to Mr Zimmerman, he deserves more than to be stuck inside of Baltimore with the Oriole blues again.

Ahhhh, Typical O's apologist who always believe the unimaginable.....

So KC is going to take Pie, an unproven part time player, who shows no signs at being very good at anything....

For Gorden, a 27 yr old player who is finally meeting early expectations. He's their #3 hitter batting 294, and on pace for over 100 rbi's and runs, not to mention someone who may swipe 15 bases.

If I'm George Brett.... I'm dumping my guy for Pie... then losing my gig soon after.

Wow.... some Bird fans need to find some nuts to chew on

Well Squirrel, is pressley gonna pick up the rest of reynolds 2 or 3 contract years when it just gets impossible to put him out there any more?
Here's the deal- there are no more than 3 or 4 guys in that lineup tonite that will
be around when this team actually plays even 500 baseball.
This team looks dead in the water. Not being able to score any runs will do that to you.

And you're right Squirrel, Guthie needs to pull himself together...... I mean he's given up 2 runs in 6 innings so far.

WHAT A FREAKIN BUMMMM

Guthrie's record at the end of the year could be really ugly. He might be something like 5-18 with a 3.80 ERA. And If I was him, I'd want out of Baltimore in a hurry.

Problem solved though 66..... Didn't you here?

KC's giving the O's Gordon for Pie.....

Yessssss. We have our #3 hitter for years to come....

Great job AM... Now we're talking

Jeremy,

When you go into the tunnel next, RUN. And keep running and never look back. Tell them you're retiring if they wont trade you.

They'll have to trade you because they know they can get the goods for you. Plus, they won't want to pay your arbitration number next year anyway.

Run Jeremy, RUN
Run Jeremy, RUN
Run Jeremy, RUN

RUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

Buck seems to think that the approach should be to keep the lineup relatively stable so no one panics. Subbing Pie for Guerrero or Andino for Reynolds isn't enough. It's time to move B Rob to the 8 or 9 spot until he starts hitting. Let guys like Jones, Andino, Hardy bat leadoff. They have the best obp on the team, and are decent baserunners.

Andino 2B / 3B
Pie LF
Guerrero DH
Scott 1B
Wieters C
Jones CF
Nick RF
Hardy SS
B Rob 2b / Reynolds 3B

Bench a few guys, give them a bit of an earful, and start shaking things up, Buck! We love you, but talk is cheap.

Reality Bites!

OK ... time to collect!

Not Brooks, JJ, Ben S et al, where are you guys?

So was this another of those pitching gems where I should give credit to the opposing pitcher, tip my cap and move on?! Did the O's anemic offense have anything to do with the back to back 9 inning shutouts or what? So are you ready to admit the flaws in your arguments?

Let me ease the pain for you. Hellickson prior to tonight was 0-2 at home with an ERA or 5. Prior to tonight he had thrown one complete game and that was in the minors in 2007. Also this was his first MLB career complete game shutout. Was it all him or was maybe it was the minor league lineup he faced tonight?

Also, here is your chance to revise your praises for a scrub like Vargas last night pitching a 9 inning shutout.

And Bergesen pitches tomorrow...loss. The Rays must be thrilled to have six games against the Orioles in a week.

You think Gordon likes LF, Wayne?
Plus, the Royals at one time liked Pie.
They have similar contracts
Is it going to happen, probable not.

Guthrie needs a new address.
Hellickson throws the same kind pitches as Tillman. Obviously Hellickson has better location. Still, no excuse the Orioles to lay an egg out there tonight

Can't wait for Bergy. He will last 3 innings if that. Also, I hear Wieters has the day off tomorrow. Can't wait for Fox to lead the way LOL. I wonder how Izzy is doing with the Catcher's Mitt? I bet that project was thrown into the trash can after the first day.

I can't always throw strikes Wayne. Jim 66 keeps on saying change is in the air.
But when and where and who should be part of the equation!

Guys, STOP.

The team just swept the Mariners.

The hitting will come around, Nick will hit, Lee is Murray, Reynolds is just getting used to the AL, the core is solid, wait til Matuzs is back, we're ahead of the Sox, patience, patience, patience, the plan is on track.

So STOP

You think Gordon likes LF, Wayne?
Plus, the Royals at one time liked Pie.
They have similar contracts
Is it going to happen, probable not.

Guthrie needs a new address.
Hellickson throws the same kind pitches as Tillman. Obviously Hellickson has better location. Still, no excuse the Orioles to lay an egg out there tonight

Can't wait for Bergy. He will last 3 innings if that. Also, I hear Wieters has the day off tomorrow. Can't wait for Fox to lead the way LOL. I wonder how Izzy is doing with the Catcher's Mitt? I bet that project was thrown into the trash can after the first day.

I can't always throw strikes Wayne. Jim 66 keeps on saying change is in the air.
But when and where and who should be part of the equation!

Yeah ummm Squirrel.... probably not.

Squirrel, Jim66, Wayne et al,

I know it's frustrating and it doesn't bode well for the team to be hitting so poorly; however they are extremely lucky they're only 3 under .500. So technically, if you hadn't watched a single game all season, and you just picked up the paper and looked at the record, you'd be thinking they're actually where they should be.

Let's stop looking at this team like they're a playoff team. They need to crawl before they can walk. I know, nobody wants to hear it. We've waited to long, and God knows I sympathize.

The way they have played, they should have been 10 under .500. That's why it's not time to jump ship and panic yet. If the team gets hot and gets on the roll, they can win some games in a hurry and make a contention for a winning season.

As fans we get frustrated and go back and forth. As Not Brooks said: the O's have been inconsistent, and by God they will continue to be. But I sure hope they can flirt with 500 and get hot late.

Right now, it's bad; however it's not all gloom and doom when you put the record into perspective. The good news is that other AL East teams are also struggling. Believe me, I'm no apologist and you all know it.

@Meso,

It would help the team get hot if Buck shook things up a bit. It's as stale as a Wayne posting.

PeteyPablo,

I don't disagree, but when the entire lineup is scuffling there is not much shaking up you can do.

I've said it before and I continue to maintain that Buck's "Earl Weaver" 3-run bomb philosophy doesn't work with this team.

Buck needs to play small ball first and force teams to make mistakes. It's ridiculous how a team with so much speed like Roberts, Andino, Pie, Markakis, Jones, and Hardy, doesn't steal bases. Also guys need to hassle and force errors. I see B-Rob one more time jog to first base, I'm going to throw up.

Tough game tonight. Things will turn around soon.

Meso –

You’re killing me…so now pitchers get no credit for 4 hit shutouts? Tell me what a pitcher must do for you to “tip your cap”? This was his 11th start in the big leagues – how many shutouts should he have had by now?

Meso,

No rational person thought this was a playoff team.

As for crawling before they can walk? That was suppose to be two seasons ago. To get excited at the possibility of a 500 season when at worst, it was suppose to happen last year (remember when AM said this was the best team he has taken North?) is what we've been taught to hope for. It's a losers mentality. Not yours mind you.... but those who fall into this trap.

But of course, to ever become a contender, one must get to 500 first. But it's AM's 4th year Meso, and once again, this is an incredibly flawed overall group (500 or not).

Who will AM get to replace Vlad and Lee next season?

Who will be the lead off hitter, as it's becoming obvious we'll soon need one.

I mean the prospects for 2012 are just brutal...... but guess what Meso?

Next year, posters will once again hope for 500.

The pace to 74 continues on......

stupid firefox spellchecker - I meant hustle

JJ,

You missed the point of my argument, which I've beaten to death by now. Yes, of course I give credit to the pitcher, but all credit. You guys seem to make it about how good the pitcher is, EVERY TIME.

I try to be the voice of reason and say that YES, the pitcher deserves a lot of credit; however let's look at other factors: e.g HORRIBLE HITTING. And my argument resonates louder than yours when that same hitting gets shutout in back to back games. CONTEXT ... that's what I'm talking about. Let's not glorify these pitching performances, albeit good ones.

As I said earlier, Tampa had 3 no hitters (including 2 perfect games) thrown against them in a span of 12 months. Coincidence? I think not!

Is it a coincidence that the O's got shutout in 9 innings in back to back games? For you to dismiss that, you're just being hard headed. I'm not saying you win, I lose. (ok yes I am). I'm saying, it's not as cut as dry as you all make it be.

Wayne,

I say crawl before they can walk, because the pre-Buck Era wasn't rebuilding. That was buying time. The rebuilding started with Buck. GMs don't rebuild teams, managers do. Buck has done it before, and will do it again.

Hopefully, if we're lucky, MacPhail won't be here to derail the process.

Meso –

Why didn’t you just say that the first time?

We agree on this topic a lot more than you think.

Of course the talent you are pitching against is a factor… but a 4 hit shutout is good pitching.

Posted by: Anonymous | May 13, 2011 10:40 PM

that was me

Meso,

Good perspective.... I hope you're correct.

So wayne –

Your number is 74? Mine is 82. I want the 13 years of losing to end.

So I guess we have to endure two more Bergy starts before Matusz replaces him in the rotation. Don't know if I can stomach two more starts of his though.

Squirrel,
Except for Weiters and Jones, and a few of the young arms, I'm in a make-me-an-offer mood. Who cares? Seriously. What do the Os have now? A really really really bad veteran offensive team with some good young pitching.
This team is 6 games and 5 years behind the Rays.

Where are all the baseballs flying off of Oriole bats and over fences?
37 games into the season and Buck is telling his veteran lineup that they have to figure it out, that's why they call it the major leagues. What????? They're getting worse, if that is possible.

Wait until they hit bottom. Is that what Ol Slowhand is doing? I said it before- if another team has a need, fill it. Be the spare parts bucket for major league baseball if you must.

Meso,

Disagree with you a bit. I agree Buck is capable of rebuilding over time.

As for now though, if you "hope" the team gets hot, by sticking with the same lineup, you'll still just be hoping. The pieces of the puzzle are weak overall, but Buck knew what he had and certainly had input when they were signed. He's quite capable of making a point by sitting a B Rob for 2-3 games. If B Rob reacts negatively, oh well. Same with any one else on the club. It's time to put some heat on these guys, and not the self-imposed "aw shucks i'm disappointed in myself" kind.

Anemic lineup or not, a four hit shutout is tough to accomplish.

Sure the O's weren't doing themselves any favors, but whatever pitcher throws that kind of game against whatever team deserves whatever praise he gets.

Is it a coincidence? Yep, I think so. Same thing with the Rays example.

I'll admit that these O's are easier to shut out than the Yankees or the Rangers, but like I said before, if it's because the offense is so bad, why doesn't it happen more often?

Classic post Robert....

'Run Jeremy Run'

Classic because you know that's what he wants to do. No worries though. His big payday with a contender is coming.

I know this..... When Jeremy pitches for that contending team against the O's, my friends and I will be pulling for JG. He deserves such.

Wayne, start your own team and you can draft Jeremy!

The Orioles need to bench Reynolds and start someone else. The Orioles can bench Roberts and call up Adams.
Hey, they use to say Chase Utley wasn't very good at defense and look how he turned out. Well at least for a few years.

There is no fan base here to appease. I wish Showalter would go younger in positions where he can.

As a side note and I know he's injured but should be off the DL soon. However, why hasn't Showalter called up Tatum?
I do not like Fox out there behind the plate, Bergy has no shot in winning today's game. No Shot!. Then again Bergy could surpirse me, but I doubt it.

PS I would have traded Guthrie last year. I would trade him this year. He needs a change of scenery!

I said a few days ago, during those heady times that we were sweeping the mighty Mariners....that this team would come off the road trip firmly ensconced in last place....where they will remain for the rest of the season. Soon it will be time for NB to start putting together his wish list of who we can get for Guerrero, Lee and Reynolds and we can start jabbering about 2012. After all it was never about 2011 anyway. It never has been about any year since Andy Macphail got here and started throwing sh** on the wall hoping some of it would stick. It's called "The one third of a plan." By now Andy should have had our farm system bulging with prospects, since he has made no effort to compete in the AL east.

I have tickets to an upcoming homestand and it will be good to finally see some fans in the seats...even if they aren't ours.

Predicted Bergesen line: W, 5.2 IP, 4 runs, 7 hits, 2 K, 2 BB.

Orioles lose 6-3.

I hope I'm wrong...

Pete it's truly amazing what a 3 game sweep can do for the fans of this town.After they sweep a lowly seattle team everyone was feeling great again about this team. I heard talk shows and read blogs where everybody said that back in january if somebody would have told you the orioles would be 17 and 19 you would have been estatic. Last night once again reminded me just how bad this offense really is. In the last 36 innings against TB the orioles were never in the lead, close to the lead or ever in danger of taking the lead.

Pete , i know you have taken the time recently to point out just how confused and lost nick m has been. But do you realize that the orioles extended brian roberts and nick m to contract extensions worth 100,000,00 and haven't come close to getting what was expected out of the 2 veteran cornerstones of this franchise. We are nearing the 1/4 mark of the season and almost 150 ab's for both of them and this is no longer considered a slump in my eyes's it's has to start being considered diminshed skills on both of there parts.We can continue all we want to make excuses for both of them but there mind set and body language is starting to say that something is drastically wrong.

We can continue to talk about the rest of the off season pickups but then we will just be repeating ourselves. Lee is now ties with mark reynolds in strikeouts and these 3 guys that were suppose to enhance this lineup have failed miserably. Reynold has to be one of the worse hitters that i have seen in a very long time.Pete i know this is a continued rant on my part but this anemic offense isn't going away anytime soon. Buck can continue to talk about track records all he wants but the orioles are going to have to make some very difficult decisions pretty quickly.

100,000,00?

Do you mean 100,000.00, 100,000,000 or 10,000,000?

Wayne writes: "I know this..... When Jeremy pitches for that contending team against the O's, my friends and I will be pulling for JG. He deserves such."

And there's your biggest scoop of the season. Wayne has friends.

Or don't imaginary ones count?

Every time I look at the box score and see that an opposing player stole a base, I think, "Oh, Wieters must have the day off."

And then I skim through the O's lineup, and, sure enough, Fox is doing the catching today!

Bergesen's throwing well today. Or is it just that the Rays offense isn't any good...?

Bergy is pitching well! At least IMHO
Shields looks like he's ripe for the plucking. Only if the Orioles could find their mojo. Reynolds is having a tough day already. Poor Fellow.

Still think the O's should trade for Lou Marson. Give the O's a legit back-up and maybe rotate Lee and Wieters at first.
Marson, Lee, and Wieters I could see that trifecta working!

YAY!

Sorry I meant to say Wade Davis!
That's Wade Davis!
Mark Reynolds with the solo shot!
Go Mark... about time!=P

D Lee uggh!!! strike out on a hanging/flat slide. Don't understand you at all. Your reflexes for defense are still there. For some reason your swing is in the crapper. You would think both skill sets should be in the crapper and they are not

wow, I'm running out to get my lottery tickets right now-tell me that today is not a different day...I was just thinking that Buck sure gives these guys a chance to succeed, he has Hardy, one of the better hitters as of late, sac Jones over to get fox a shot at a fly ball rbi

The Squirrel was wrong! Happy and Proud to admit when I am wrong!

I do not like Fox out there behind the plate, Bergy has no shot in winning today's game. No Shot!. Then again Bergy could surpirse me, but I doubt it.

Wow... was I wrong!
Where has this version of Bergy neen hiding? Jolly good stuff from Bergy today!
That A Guy!

PS Wrong about Fox too!

Wayne, is the reason you're so grumpy when the O's win that each time they win, you sound like a bigger jackass?

What's your biggest question? "Who will AM get to replace Vlad and Lee next season?" Two players who, by your estimation, aren't contributing that much to the team anyway? Good grief, lighten up and enjoy what's going on. The O's are hovering just under .500 and they haven't even started hitting yet. Doesn't that mean anything to you other than gloom and doom?

Brad Bergesen beat the Rays. Brad Bergesen BLANKED the Rays with a complete game shutout. We're not talking about the Mariners here, we're talking about the first place AL East Tampa Bay Rays. And Jake Fox was catching.

Quick, Wayne, spin that for us. Tell us everything we missed that actually indicates what a terrible team this is.

Interesting that when Matusz and Duch join the rotation soon, we could have a AAA rotation headed by.....
Tillman
Bergesen
Simon

When was the last time we had that kind of depth?

If Brob and Markakis and Lee all heat up together this will be a fun summer

this sounds strange to say, but the last thing this team seems to need to worry about is the pitching. The last 4 games, they look like the bunch that ended last year- 6 runs in the last 38 innings, no need for the bullpen the last 2, and holding the rays to 3/17.

It'd be nice to see the offense begin to Support Their Local Pitching Staff.

I still think the team needs to get some better players in here, and some of the decisions about what to do with some of these guys as the season wears on will be important ones.

But at the end of the day, 4 out of 5 is moving in the right direction.

Beautifully pitched game by Bergy today. He may not be a good major league pitcher, but today he was.....

Birdfan,

You're correct sir. I'm warm and fuzzy all over because the O's are 'hovering just under 500'.

I have to admit though..... I have never heard anyway describe 'hovering just under 500' as a good thing..... Only an O's apologist could come up with that one.

Perhaps it would be pretty cool if the O's weren't suppose to be 'hovering' back in '09 and '10. The fact that they're 'hovering just under 500' now simply gives the last couple years a pass. No?

I can see it now......

Next off season, warehousers will be saying. This is the year we get to 81, especially since we 'hovered so close to 500 all last season'

Have a 'hovering' evening everyone......

Amazing,

What one win does for some.....

People.... This team can't hit. They have no speed. They don't score runs. Most of the guys (like 66 said) have to hit over 350 the rest of the season just to get back to their career averages.

Should I repeat that?

So for those of you who say 'they're going to hit'....... Some will hit better, but others (most) will continue to stink.

The WORST teams in MLB win 60 to 75 games each year. The win today puts the O's very slightly ahead of that pace.

Remember...... this team was suppose to be 500 in '09 and then better in '10.

WHY DO YOU FORGET THAT?
WHY DO YOU FORGET THAT?
WHY DO YOU FORGET THAT?

So to hope for 81 or 82 wins this season is..... like our favorite broadcaster from Major League likes to say.....

'Juuuuuust a bit outside'

Hey Wayne,

Do you ever even look at the standings? Do you not see that the Orioles are hanging with the AL East pack? Guess who else is hovering just under .500? Boston and Toronto. Guess what that means? The O's are currently competing in the AL East.

WHY DO YOU FORGET THAT?

How about you "hover" around some reality sooner than later, Wayne? Do you ever notice that you have to inject your BS into what other people say in order to make sense for yourself? Lighten up and grow up!

Can Geico really save you 15% or more off your car insurance?

Does Weine seem to grow even more bitter and nastier as the O's and AM's rebuilding plan begins to bear fruit?

This is what I love from Wayne and his ilk:
"Beautifully pitched game by Bergy today. He may not be a good major league pitcher, but today he was....."

There just is no pleasing some people. BB pitches a complete game shut out (away) against arguably one of the best teams in MLB, and he gets "he may not be a good major league pitcher..." Hey, if "today he was" that means that he "is."

There are maybe 10 starting pitchers in MLB who are consistently lights out - and Britton is fast joining that list - does that mean that every single other pitcher with consistency problems is "not a good major league pitcher?"

So, why do you have to back-hand complement a gem of a pitching performance?

The O's, with the most anemic offense in MLB, with an offense that is offensive and hardly minor league calibre, with an offense stacked with horrid over-the-hillers and never-gonna-be's --- these O's have won 4 of their last 5.

I said the other day that this young pitching staff is looking very SF Giants-like. And, again, without our best starter.

Like it or not guys (and I like it) there is talent here and that talent is in the pitching. BB pitched a helluva game just when everyone wrote him off - ESPECIALLY with Fox catching.

But he confounded the critics and now Jake can see the O's take 2 out of 3 tomorrow.

Go O's!

@ jim 66 nb and others
when you consider how the staff finished last year and what we are beginning to see now...

Let me ask you this?

When you factor in Matusz and the age of our pitchers...
Keeping in mind my rose colored glasses..

Is there a major league team that you would swap our 12 or 13 pitchers for their 12 or 13 straight up? I'll give you Philly
If you even have to pause to think about it when was the last year for the O's that anything other than hysterical laughter would have been appropriate

smitty,

My brother..... What kind of fruit we talking?

You thinking the fruit that sometimes sits in the clubhouse untouched while the O's are on the road?

You know....

The fruit with the flies 'hovering' around...

The fruit with the gnats 'hovering' around....

The fruit with the worms 'hovering' nearby.... Can worms hover?

The fruit with the rats 'hovering' nearby....

Eeeeeeeeeeeckkkk

That's some nasty stuff smitty. Makes one want to 'hover'.....

jc this comment of yours

"The O's, with the most anemic offense in MLB, with an offense that is offensive and hardly minor league calibre, with an offense stacked with horrid over-the-hillers and never-gonna-be's'

is so far over the top it could get stuck in the roof of Tampas stadium.
Be a little specific
is Jones "never gonna be"?
Weiters?
Roberts?
Markakis?
Hardy?
Scott?

I suppose the over the hillers are Vald (who is having a decent year).
and Lee (will give you that in middle of May and over 100 games left)

The offence has struggled but your comments are pretty ridiculous

Right on cue Wayne...

Wow,

I'll say it again, expectation management! Look around the AL East, 1B, 3B, 2B every other team has better stuff! Arietta has looked good and Britton fantastic and we can only hope Matusz brings his usual good stuff but thats still only 3/5ths of a rotation!

Around .500 is what I expected. I'm disapointed that Buck keeps batting Lee 3rd, too many ABs for an inconsistent hitter, get Vlad in the 3 hole and more ABs!

However, the boys are fun to watch!

The truth will set you free!

How ya been smit? Good I hope. Reports I'm getting are better. Happy to hear.....

Anyway.... come on smit. Please don't over hype things like you've been doing for years. It never works out. And it just gets silly after a time....

Speaking of silly....

Remember how many of you thought the O's would make a play on AGon last season?

Remember that?

Just so you know..... Instead of 'buying bats' like Tex and Agon, our 1B have been Atkins and Lee.

And remember when many of you said the O's would be foolish to go after Holliday? Remember the stats you would put up, trying to make a point that he wasn't worth it?

How's that working for you now?

Tex, AGon, Holliday, etc, etc, etc, etc......

Don't want them all.... can't afford them all...

But can we get ONE?

ONE STINKING BAT AM?

Can you do ONE THING and BUY A STINKING PRODUCTIVE BAT WHO'S NOT A PROJECT OR OVER THE HILL?

Just once AM, can you do SOMETHING you said you were going to do?

JUST ONCE YOU LYING SACK OF S.......

When the O's Win, It Gets Under Wayne's Skin.

WTOW IGUWS

Hilarious... except I'm not laughing. Just feeling sorry for you, Wayne. Sorry you can't enjoy winning four of the last five, including a win against Felix Hernandez and another against the first place team in the AL East.

Birdfan,

I like you. You have passion. Advice though bro..... just love your O's and don't read what I say if it upsets you so dang much. Ok?

Like I've said.......

No, wins here and there matter little to me. Not when after 4 seasons of rebuilding, the team remains so terribly flawed.

Not when the wins are simply W's that will lead to once again. one of the worst records in the league.

Now if the win today was one that would help the team towards a wild card drive, then game on my brother...

But it's not...... and so it goes.

Sorry BfromB.... I wish I were wrong. Problem is, when it comes to AM teams, I rarely am.

By all means though....... please enjoy the win.

Smitty- I was being sarcastic... I was quoting the Waynes and Gills and Blanciones of the blog.

Of course the O's O is lacking right now. Which makes their record and their scrap all the better. And, what the new corner infleders are lacking in production, they are a big improvement defensively. Again, I'm thinking SF Giants with the young rotation.

Good one....nice win.

I am happy.

Go O's

wayne makes me laugh...so confusing...so funny

I feel your pain Birdbath. The problem when it comes to the subject of wins though, I have to side with wayne. It's hard to get excited about the team winning when it looks like another losing season.

I think much of what we see is Buck affecting the game like few managers can today. I think he's that good. But I can't see him getting over any kind of hump. I can't see the Orioles beating anyone besides Toronto in the standings this season.

I never before looked at it the way wayne keeps preaching now, but losing teams still win many games. They lose more, but they win more than I thought. I think many fans want a winner so much, that a 2 game wining streak means the Orioles are finally on their way to respectability.

I do think people are respecting the team more though. Buck is a real manager and they do have some good young pitching. The problem though is the 2 people running the show.

Does anyone have any faith that Angelos will do what's right if these young pitchers do end up being what we hoped? And if Peter does step up, do you think Andy McPhail is the GM who knows how to surround the young pitchers with a real team?

If you believe those two very down and out overseer's of a baseball team have what it takes, then I'm happy for you. But if you just look at the track record of both, stretching out over a very, very long time, then maybe you'll understand why those like Gil are always so on the money.

How well does Andy MacPhail use the draft to build a team?

Cubs draft history
1995
Rd. # Name Pos. Lev.
1 4 Kerry Wood P MLB
2 34 Brian McNichol P MLB
3 63 Jeff Yoder P AA
4 91 Adam Everett SS MLB
5 119 Ismael Villegas P MLB

1996
1 17 Todd Noel P A+
2 52 Quincy Carter OF A+
3 82 Skip Ames P A
4 112 Chris Gissell P MLB
5 142 Chad Meyers 2B-OF MLB

1997
1 10 Jon Garland P MLB
3 94 Scott Downs P MLB
4 124 Nate Teut P MLB
5 154 Jaisen Rando.. OF AA

1998
1 3 Corey Patters.. OF MLB
2 46 Dave Kelton 3B MLB
2 62 Jeff Goldbach C AA
3 76 Robert Bass 3B -
4 106 Jeramy Gomer P A+
5 136 Aaron Sams P A+

1999
1 26 Ben Christens.. P AA
2 77 Mike Mallory OF AA
3 110 Ryan Gripp 3B AA
4 140 Steve Smyth P MLB
5 170 Todd Deining.. P A

2000
1 3 Luis Montanez IF MLB
2 43 Bobby Hill 2B MLB
3 73 Aaron Krawie.. P AA
3 76 Nic Jackson OF AAA
4 103 Todd Wellem.. P MLB
5 133 Gary Banks OF A-

2001
1 2 Mark Prior P MLB
2 46 Andy Sisco P MLB
3 78 Ryan Theriot IF MLB
4 108 Ricky Nolasco P MLB
5 138 Brendan Harris IF MLB

2002
1 21 Bobby Brownlie P AAA
1 32 Luke Hagerty P A+
1 36 Chadd Blasko P AAA
1 38 Matt Clanton P A-
2 56 Brian Dopirak 1B AAA
2 62 Justin Jones P AA
3 93 Billy Petrick P MLB
3 96 Matt Craig IF AAA
4 112 Rich Hill P MLB
4 123 Alan Rick C AA
5 153 Shawn Scobee H A-

2003
1 6 Ryan Harvey OF AA
3 73 Jake Fox C MLB
4 103 Tony Richie C AAA
5 133 Darin Downs P AA

2004
2 66 Grant Johnson P AA
3 96 Mark Reed C AA
4 126 Chris Shaver P AAA
5 156 Adrian Ortiz OF A+

2005
1 20 Mark Pawelek P A+
2 68 Donnie Veal P MLB
3 100 Mark Holliman P AAA
3 108 Mike Billek P A+
4 130 Dylan Johnston ss A+
5 160 Scott Taylor P A+

2006
1 13 Tyler Colvin LF AA
5 149 Jeff Samardzija P MLB

Orioles draft history

2008
1 4 Brian Matusz P MLB
2 50 Xavier Avery OF AA
3 81 L.J. Hoes 2B AA
4 116 Kyle Hudson OF A+
5 146 Greg Miclat SS AA

2009
1 5 Matthew Hob.. RHP A
2 54 Mychal Givens SS A+
3 85 Tyler Townse.. 1B A+
4 116 Randy Henry RHP A
5 146 Ashur Tolliver LHP A-

2010
1 3 Manny Mach.. SS A-
3 85 Dan Klein P A-
4 118 Trent Mumm.. CF A
5 148 Connor Narro.. SS A-

How well does Andy MacPhail use free agent signings to build a team?

* = With the title of GM with the Cubs

Orioles signings
Vladimir Guerrero 02/04/2011
Justin Duchscherer 01/30/2011
Derrek Lee 01/06/2011
Kevin Gregg 01/04/2011
Jeremy Accardo 12/14/2010
Cesar Izturis 12/10/2010
Koji Uehara 12/08/2010
Will Ohman 02/09/2010
Mark Hendrickson 02/09/2010
Miguel Tejada 01/23/2010
Garrett Atkins 12/22/2009
Mike Gonzalez 12/18/2009
Eric Crozier 06/19/2009
Adam Eaton 03/01/2009
Ty Wigginton 02/10/2009
John Parrish 02/04/2009
Gregg Zaun 01/22/2009
Chris Gomez 01/16/2009
Bobby Livingston 01/16/2009
Jolbert Cabrera 01/12/2009
Robby Hammock 01/12/2009
Justin Christian 01/11/2009
Mark Hendrickson 12/31/2008
Melvin Dorta 12/18/2008
Dave Krynzel 12/18/2008
Chad Moeller 12/18/2008
Cesar Izturis 12/16/2008
Scott Chiasson 11/28/2008
Guillermo Rodriguez 11/22/2008
Ross Wolf 11/22/2008
Brad Hennessey 11/17/2008
Donnie Murphy 11/15/2008
Alfredo Simon 09/05/2008
Scott Chiasson 08/12/2008
Randy Keisler 06/09/2008
Steve Torrealba 05/28/2008
Tim Spooneybarger 04/25/2008
Alex Cintron 04/03/2008
Steve Trachsel 02/11/2008
Alberto Castillo 02/01/2008
Esteban Yan 02/01/2008
Chris Heintz 01/31/2008
Julio Manon 01/22/2008
Lance Cormier 01/21/2008
Luis Montanez 01/04/2008
Luis Terrero 12/27/2007
Roberto Novoa 12/19/2007
Cory Doyne 12/18/2007
Ben Davis 12/13/2007
Ryan Bukvich 12/07/2007
Oscar Salazar 12/05/2007
Guillermo Quiroz 12/03/2007
Omir Santos 11/28/2007
Chris Waters 11/21/2007
Fernando Cabrera 08/21/2007

Cubs Signings
Mike Garcia 08/23/2006
Mac Suzuki 08/11/2006
Tony Womack 05/18/2006
Kerry Ligtenberg 04 /22/2006
Mark Watson 03/02/2006
Brian Boehringer 02/27/2006
Bryan Corey 02/22/2006
John Ennis 02/06/2006
Jamal Strong 01/31/2006
Wade Miller 01/23/2006
Matt Skrmetta 01/19/2006
Les Walrond 01/19/2006
Jacque Jones 01/10/2006
Adam Greenberg 01/06/2006
Augie Ojeda 01/03/2006
Michael Restovich 01/03/2006
Mark DiFelice 12/27/2005
David Lee 12/15/2005
Brian Reith 12/15/2005
John Mabry 12/07/2005
Bob Howry 12/02/2005
Scott Eyre 11/29/2005
Neifi Perez 11/14/2005
Nate Teut 09/02/2005
Joey Dawley 05/28/2005
Cody Ransom 05/27/2005
Enrique Wilson 05/17/2005
Darren Oliver 05/07/2005
Travis Phelps 05/03/2005
Trent Hubbard 05/02/2005
Phil Norton 04/29/2005
Shane Halter 04/28/2005
Mike Moriarty 04/23/2005
Ben Grieve 04/01/2005
Will Cunnane 02/16/2005
Dave Hansen 02/15/2005
Scott McClain 02/08/2005
Jeromy Burnitz 02/05/2005
Scott Williamson 01/22/2005
Cody Ransom 01/20/2005
Eddie Oropesa 01/15/2005
Chad Fox 01/14/2005
Robinson Cancel 01/07/2005
Todd Hollandsworth 12/31/2004
Kevin McGlinchy 12/16/2004
Jimmy Anderson 12/14/2004
Angel Echevarria 12/14/2004
Danny Klassen 12/14/2004
Jose Mercedes 12/14/2004
Calvin Murray 12/14/2004
Henry Blanco 12/08/2004
Nomar Garciaparra 12/07/2004
Todd Walker 12/07/2004
Peter Bergeron 12/02/2004
Glendon Rusch 11/22/2004
Rene Reyes 10/29/2004
Neifi Perez 08/19/2004
Jimmy Anderson 08/06/2004
Kevin McGlinchy 08/02/2004
Denny Hocking 07/30/2004
Hansel Izquierdo 06/30/2004
Ricky Gutierrez 06/14/2004
Rey Ordonez 05/18/2004
Ariel Prieto 05/18/2004
David Manning 05/11/2004
Shawn Sedlacek 05/11/2004
Trent Hubbard 04/12/2004
Giovanni Carrara 04/05/2004
Benji Gil 04/05/2004
Glendon Rusch 04/05/2004
Damian Jackson 04/02/2004
Raul Valdes 03/31/2004
Nate Bland 03/30/2004
Greg Maddux 03/23/2004
Russ Johnson 02/19/2004
Santiago Perez 02/19/2004
Craig Wilson 02/16/2004
Will Ohman 02/11/2004
Charlie Greene 02/01/2004
Jermaine Van Buren 01/24/2004
Calvin Murray 01/22/2004
Ryan Dempster 01/21/2004
Felix Martinez 01/15/2004
Scott Chiasson 01/12/2004
Gabe Molina 01/12/2004
Todd Walker 01/06/2004
Jimmy Anderson 01/03/2004
Todd Dunwoody 12/30/2003
Jamey Wright 12/29/2003
Bill Selby 12/27/2003
Michael Barrett 12/21/2003
Kent Mercker 12/19/2003
Todd Hollandsworth 12/18/2003
Gary Glover 12/10/2003
Tom Goodwin 12/07/2003
Mark Grudzielanek12/07/2003
LaTroy Hawkins 12/03/2003
Scott McClain 12/02/2003
Fernando Lunar 11/26/2003
Bryan Corey 11/12/2003
Rudy Seanez 08/02/2003
Jose Silva 07/24/2003
Justin Kaye 07/07/2003
Josh Paul 07/04/2003
Derrin Ebert 05/09/2003
Nate Teut 04/16/2003
Trent Hubbard 03/04/2003
Javier Cardona 03/01/2003
Charles Gipson 01/27/2003
Lenny Harris 01/27/2003
Will Cunnane 01/23/2003
Mark Guthrie 01/20/2003
Rob Stanifer 01/17/2003
Tom Goodwin 01/16/2003
Midre Cummings 01/13/2003
Aaron Small 01/13/2003
Felix Martinez 01/08/2003
Dave Veres 01/08/2003
Rod Beck 01/02/2003
Mike Mahoney 01/02/2003
Ramon Martinez 01/02/2003
Mickey Lopez 12/30/2002
Shawn Estes 12/20/2002
Phil Hiatt 12/09/2002
Mike Remlinger 12/04/2002
Eliezer Alfonzo 11/24/2002
Keith McDonald 11/18/2002
Tim Christman 11/14/2002
Wilfredo Rodriguez 08/08/2002
Clay Rapada 07/14/2002
*Ryan O'Malley 06/07/2002
*Leo Estrella 03/24/2002
*Phil Norton 02/13/2002
*Donovan Osborne 02/13/2002
*Pat Mahomes 01/31/2002
*Bryan Ward 01/29/2002
*Alan Benes 01/16/2002
*Anthony Shumaker 01/16/2002
*Darren Lewis 01/14/2002
*Mark Watson 01/07/2002
*Chris Stynes 01/02/2002
*Angel Echevarria 12/28/2001
*Moises Alou 12/19/2001
*Will Cunnane 12/14/2001
*Luis Ordaz 12/07/2001
*Delino DeShields 12/04/2001
*Mickey Lopez 11/27/2001
*Mark Budzinski 11/23/2001
*Joe Borowski 11/20/2001
*Kevin Orie 11/19/2001
*Adam Melhuse 11/08/2001
*Ben Ford 10/29/2001
*Delino DeShields 07/07/2001
*Trent Hubbard 07/04/2001
*Juan Mateo 07/03/2001
*Felix Pie 07/03/2001
*Jae Kuk Ryu 06/01/2001
*David Moraga 05/20/2001
*Ron Mahay 05/19/2001
*Ben Ford 02/19/2001
*Jeff Reed 01/16/2001
*Ron Coomer 01/10/2001
*Todd Dunwoody 01/09/2001
*Rob Stanifer 12/20/2000
*Todd Hundley 12/19/2000
*Jason Bere 12/18/2000
*Tom Gordon 12/14/2000
*Scarborough Green/13/2000
*Robert Machado 12/13/2000
*Dave Wainhouse 12/13/2000
*Joe Borowski 12/11/2000
*Jeff Fassero 12/08/2000
*Rick Short 11/26/2000
*Julian Tavarez 11/16/2000
*Trace Coquillette 11/13/2000
*Brian Banks 11/10/2000
*Mike Mahoney 11/02/2000
*Jerry Spradlin 09/08/2000
*Brendan Donnelly 08/10/2000
*Mark Dalesandro 08/08/2000
*Vicente Palacios 08/07/2000
Tim Worrell 05/09/2000
Greg McMichael 02/08/2000
Willie Greene 01/19/2000
Jeff Huson 01/14/2000
Brian Williams 01/07/2000
Ricky Gutierrez 12/20/1999
Andy Larkin 12/17/1999
Joe Girardi 12/15/1999
Todd Van Poppel 11/22/1999
Raul Gonzalez 11/18/1999
Chris Petersen 11/15/1999
Daniel Garibay 11/14/1999
Angel Guzman 11/12/1999
Chris Hatcher 11/11/1999
Alan Zinter 11/07/1999
Mike Heathcott 11/05/1999
Mike Mahoney 10/27/1999
Shane Andrews 09/10/1999
Bobby Ayala 09/03/1999
Ronny Cedeno 08/27/1999
Jeff Reed 07/08/1999
Carlos Marmol 07/03/1999
Jose Reyes 07/03/1999
Hideo Nomo 04/02/1999
Hee-Seop Choi 03/04/1999
Renyel Pinto 01/31/1999
Doug Creek 01/29/1999
Bry Nelson 01/11/1999
Derrick White 01/04/1999
David Manning 12/29/1998
Benito Santiago 12/09/1998
Gary Gaetti 12/07/1998
Glenallen Hill 12/07/1998
Henry Rodriguez 12/02/1998
Scott Sanders 12/02/1998
Steve Gajkowski 11/13/1998
Andrew Lorraine 11/13/1998
Scott Stahoviak 11/13/1998
Alan Zinter 11/12/1998
Terry Mulholland 11/05/1998
Felix Sanchez 09/15/1998
Orlando Merced 09/05/1998
Gary Gaetti 08/19/1998
Tony Fossas 06/19/1998
Terry Mulholland 02/02/1998
Rod Beck 01/15/1998
Ben VanRyn 01/08/1998
Tim Unroe 01/07/1998
Bry Nelson 12/30/1997
Matt Mieske 12/29/1997
Micah Franklin 12/18/1997
Jeff Blauser 12/09/1997
Alan Zinter 12/04/1997
Derrick White 12/01/1997
Carlos Zambrano 07/12/1997
Juan Cruz 07/04/1997
Bry Nelson 03/30/1997
Dave Clark 01/29/1997
Dave Hansen 01/22/1997
Ben VanRyn 01/08/1997
Julio Valera 12/30/1996
Mark Dalesandro 12/13/1996
Kevin Tapani 12/13/1996
Mel Rojas 12/10/1996
Terry Mulholland 12/09/1996
Shawon Dunston 12/02/1996
Kevin Tolar 11/30/1996
Ryne Sandberg 11/27/1996
Francis Beltran 11/15/1996
Felix Fermin 05/29/1996
Terry Shumpert 03/12/1996
Kent Bottenfield 03/09/1996
Carlos Pulido 02/18/1996
Brian Dorsett 02/06/1996
Bret Barberie 01/24/1996
Leo Gomez 01/24/1996
Bob Patterson 01/16/1996
Dave Magadan 01/05/1996
Doug Jones 12/28/1995
Mark Grace 12/19/1995
Mike Campbell 12/17/1995
Rob Dibble 12/13/1995
Jaime Navarro 12/08/1995
Felix Jose 05/24/1995
Joe Magrane 05/13/1995
Howard Johnson 04/13/1995
Mike Perez 04/10/1995
Jaime Navarro 04/09/1995
Tom Edens 04/08/1995
Chris Nabholz 04/08/1995
Todd Pratt 04/08/1995
Mark Grace 04/07/1995
Paul Abbott 03/17/1995
Manny Martinez 02/13/1995
Rich Garces 01/30/1995
Hector Ortiz 01/22/1995
Mike Campbell 01/17/1995
Todd Haney 01/09/1995
Joe Kmak 12/24/1994
Larry Casian 12/12/1994
Mike Walker 11/03/1994

Bob,

Whether intended or not, you just made the case for wayne, gil, meso, tim, blancoine and others. The list of players Andy has brought into Baltimore since he arrived is mind boggling. I'd like to know if anyone has done a worse.

I realize fa's are a crap shoot and every GM signs their share of duds. Andy has to have set some kind of record since he's been with the Orioles though. I mean it's simply astounding. You just answered Tim's question of if we should feel comfortable moving forward if Andy had to build a team around the good young pictures. The proof is in your research. No we can't. What a dreadful feeling.

Nice list. I've seen most of them play in the Atlantic league. That was a great pitching performance by Bergesen, no question about it. Was it a sign of things to come or an aberration? Let's hope it is the former. Now lets see if Lee and Reynolds can start to hit with any degree of consistency. I liked the fact that Markakis was more aggressive. There were lots of things to like about yesterday's win. I also have noticed that Adam Jones has shortened his swing, which is the first positive adjustment to his game he has made in 3 years.

Now let's see if this team is capable of putting together a sustained winning streak, say 12 out of 15, or 20 out of 25. Until when and if they do, my opinion of the team's chances to contend this year won't change. Let's see them get to .500 first before we print the playoff tickets.

Before i begin here i want to point out what a shame it is to have to be posting on a site that hasn't been updated since Thursday night.But that is ok because PETE explained why that is and if you don't like it go to the insider.Well that brings me to my comment today. Dan C posted on the insider how the contributions of 3 orioles were instrumental in the orioles winning yesterday. He then went on to tell us how Brad and reynolds were 2 of the biggest diappointments of the year so far.

But what he didn't tell you just like the rest of the media in this town and everybody else associated with the orioles is why NICKY M and Brian Roberts isn't mentioned when the word disappointment is used. I will once again as i have over and over point out that these 2 favorite son's are given the life long get out of jail card that is reserved only for players that are the owners favorites. If the fans of this town don't start realizing that since last year these 2 players who have been given huge contract extensions have underperformed horribly. But outside of wayne, gil, and myself they continue to fly under the radar. It just continues to amaze me how this continues to happen.

ok blancy, this is me crying uncle
so i guess you won't be president of the nick an brian fan club?

jeff z has written about the struggles of those 2 guys so cut the crap. You want a front page article?

Anyway, what's happening in the Bronx?
Little losing streak, offense in a slump.
40 yr old DH hitting 160 wanting out of the lineup after being moved to the 9 spot, ace not pitching like an ace...
When do you think the all-out push to get King Felix in pinstripes will begin?

Well said Bob,

Trust me though, most fans realize exactly what you're saying. This blog just isn't representative since some are required to post.

At the Yard though, life long fans get exactly what you're saying. The problem is, since this was AM's one BIG move (dollar wise) since arriving 4 years ago, they're just trying to do everything possible to save themselves from complete embarrassment..... which usually doesn't work in their favor.

Agent Orange,

Beautiful job my man. I could make my point a thousand different ways (and of course I'll keep doing so), but your post simply NAILED IT.

I mean you NAILED IT Agent Orange.

Good form.

Tim,

That has always been the point. Since Guthrie and some young pitchers (from the previous regime) + hopefully Matuzs are showing solid signs, we have to sit here and hope that PA and AM will build the team correctly from here?

Impossible....... Just see Agent Orange's list.

Guys,

If they win today...... again, it's meaningless as this team is again going nowhere.... THEY CAN'T HIT.

If they lose today..... again, it's meaningless as this team is again going nowhere, thus losses will happen more than anyone would like.

But it's Baseball season...... So enjoy Baseball.

PS:

Did I tell you Agent Orange that you NAILED IT?

You really did.

Agent Orange, how about a list of FA signings by every club since 2008 so we can compare. A list of one person's work when 30 people are doing the same thing does nothing to put any context around the quality or lack of quality. 28 teams could have been equally bad in this endeavor, and who would know?
Here, I'll suggest something, a list of Type A free agents and where they signed. Then, maybe some stats about how those guys have done.

Agent Orange & Wayne you're both over the top! That's all I got to say on the matter.

@Not Brooks, you're the true stats guy (UZR). What do you think about Lou Marshon? I keep on reading that the Red Sox need or want a catcher. If they get Lou, I won't be happy. I would much rather the O's get him! I could see working into the rotation of playing time around here. Let the Red Sox get Molina! We should go out and get Lou!

Anyone else have any thoughtson the matter?

Wayne, you post comments like an Oriole pitcher throws balls rather than strikes:

"I'm not even close, but maybe if I throw a lot of them one or two will fly across the plate....

Oh, missed again? Well, here go another four...."

The fact that it takes you multiple comments to respond to one from someone else really doesn't help your case. If we're giving advice to each other now, try this:

Post what you need to post once a day. You really hurt your case with your repetitive rants, and you lose even more credibility when the Orioles win and you can only complain about Andy MacPhail. Think about that.

Does our manager watch our Leadoff hitter's effort running to 1st on ground balls? If so, I expect Roberts to be benched for the next game. On the last play he would have been safe easily if he'd een running hard out of the box. When you are a leadoff hitter batting .213 that is inexcuseable.

Sure thing, jim66. That would only be ten times longer than the MacPhail signings post.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/transactiontracker

Knock yourself out.

i was joking about posting another useless list

I guess Hardy will wind up in the positive column of AM's ledger,

Yeah, you're right. I should be more topical.

AM is the worst ever!

No he's not! He's the best!

Well...you're a jackass!

Takes one to know one!

There. Now I'm in line with the thread's subject matter.

Wasn't it crazy of me to post AM's transactions without spinning it one way or the other? The audacity!

Wasn't it a waste of space to put all that on there when nobody ever talks about MacPhail on here?

BTW, isn't it time for you to post a stunning insight on Mark Reynolds? How about some play-by-play?

Note to commenters: don't use sarcasm with Agent Orange.

I'm more interested in getting some stunning insight on that 11:44am post: "Bob" complimenting himself on a job well done. What's going on there?

In the meantime, the O's are winning courtesy of another quality start, yet another gundown from Matt Wieters, and timely hitting, including a grand slam from one of those sucky Andy MacPhail acquisitions.

Somebody better complain QUICK! Go O's!

blancione;

As much as you can't understand why fans cut Markakis some slack, most of the rest of us can't understand why you're so down on the guy. Yeah, his power numbers dropped last year, but he maintained all of his other career numbers.

The simple truth is that Nick's power went down last year because there were so many holes in the O's batting order last year that no one was going to pitch to him in any kind of important situation. If you don't believe me on that, then here is what Kevin Gregg had to say about Nick earlier this year.

"That was our goal coming in last year: Don't let him beat us. We said: 'We'll just pitch around him. We won't give him anything to hit and get him frustrated.' ... It's frustrating for a younger player to have that happen."

As far as his early struggles this year, most of us just knew that baseball is a game of streaks and that Nick would come around. Oh, for the record, so far in May, Nick is hitting 316 with a 596 SL%.
No one is surprised by that except...well...you.

Another useless list:

TB 3-0
Det 2-1
Tex 1-1
NY 0-2
Cle 0-3
Min 2-2
NY 0-2
Bos 2-1
Chi 3-1
KC 1-2
TB 0-3
Sea 3-0
TB 2-1

Series wins: 6
Series splits: 2
Series losses: 5

Great game today.

Arrieta may not have the best stuff, but he makes up for that with pure guts.

Fun fact: After digesting Britton's 9 shutout innings, Guthrie's 8-inning "complete game", and Bergesen's gem, I decided to take a look back to a year ago. And I found that in 2010, O's starters tossed three complete games all season.

Once again, these O's are going to win or lose by their young pitching. If the past six games are any indication of things to come, I'm excited.

Gil, wayne DAN QZ is the typical fan that will come on here and throw out all the stats that Nick has in May and tell you what his slugging % is, and tell you for the 100 th time how everybody pitched around him last year. Dan come back and talk with me in another moneth and lets see where he is then. What you got from nick in the last couple of games is what you are suppose to get from him all year long.

Make room on the bandwagon.......

I believe I believe I believe

AM has assembled a contender....

1B - He's better than Atkins
2B - His back will hold up
SS - He won't go on the DL again
3B - He'll get to 200
LF - Two starters
CF - Seeing the next level
RF - Best in the game
C - My Fantasy catcher - hello!
SP - Jeremy just does his job
SP - Britton won't get sent down
SP - Arrieta is only getting better
SP - Matuzs - Future Cy Young
SP - Duch will win 11 games.
RP - Gonzo will come around
RP - Gregg will come around
Mng - Best in the game
President: Incredibly unlucky - which is about to change
Owner - Most underrated in sports

I'm in.........

Let the race begin fella's. I know I'll be cheering my lungs out.

Smitty..... Start picking which 20 games you and a friend want in '12 my friend.

Gil, Meso, Bob, Tim, James and the rest of you haters....

Come with me my friends - while there's still room

Gil, wayne.take a look at the sports page in the sun, headlines read hardy nick slam rays and whose picture do you think they are showing. Nobody regardless of what stats you give me,will ever convince me that he is not the prodical son in this town and the sunpapers is mandated to leave him alone when he does bad and promote him when he shines. Nobody else can comprehend this.

Ahem...

Because the O's are a game below .500, which haters on this Board contend is below the line of utter mediocrity, I say FOLD UP SHOP AND TEAR DOWN CAMDEN YARDS!

Because the O's swept the Mariners but DIDN'T sweep the Rays, I say FIRE MACPHAIL!

Because Nick Markakis only hit 1 home run today when he was up 5 times, and only got 3 hits, I say SEND HIM DOWN TO NORFOLK!

Because Jake Arrieta didn't throw a shut out and only struck out 7 in 6 innings, I say CUT HIM LOOSE!

Because the O's O scored runs yesterday and today (against HORRIBLE Tampa Bay pitching -- I mean it's not like they are the reigning AL East champs or currently in 1st place or anything) and haven't scored any runs for Jeremy Guthrie, I say Guthrie should pull a Posada and NEVER PITCH FOR THE O'S AGAIN - DEMAND A TRADE AND THEN RUUUUUUNNNNNNNN AS FAR AWAY FROM EUTAW STREET AS HE CAN!

Because the O's are UNLIKELY to sweep the Red Sox this week, I say FIRE BUCK SHOWALTER BECAUSE I CAN'T STAND ANY MORE OF THIS LOSING ONCE EVERY THREE DAYS!

Wayne, Gil, Blancione, Agent Orange, etc., the above post was written in your honor and meant to save you the time and energy of pounding on your computer keys with your hairy knuckles.

No need to thank me.

The REAL jc.

haha Bob, Nice catch.

Nick is Greek - Angelos is Greek - The Sun is Owned.

Doesn't matter though.... Nick is the man. Bob, yes he had 12 hr's and 60 rbi's last season, and yes, he's off to a slow start..... But Bob, he's Nick. And Nick is still pitched around - all the time.

And Bob... please disregard Agent Orange's list. AM has just been incredibly unlucky since he arrived. That luck is changing.

Come on Bob. Join me on the wagon.

I guess unless I suck AM's ba!!s I'm in the Wayne/Bob/Gil group.

Whatever. Just because wayne takes my post and turns it into Anti-Andy (HUGE surprise) doesn't make me the All Andy Bashin' All the Time Club vice president.

Maybe you can find where he made some good signings. They're there. Moises Alou for one. Just like wayne looks for the negative, maybe you can look for the positive.

I think he's been an average GM/CEO/President whatever overall. He got off to a hot start with the Twins and hasn't reached that level since. He built some good teams in Chicago. His history with the Orioles, though...pretty below average.

He's made a couple good moves (Hardy, Bedard trade) some average/jury's out moves (Vlad, Lee, Duch, Wiggington and about 5 others) and some stinkers (Atkins, Gonzalez, Eaton, Hill and about 10 others).

Drafting Hobgood..who knows in end, but so far, not so good. Drafting Machado and Matusz, who knows in the end, but so far, REAL good.

Bringing in Buck was probably the best move he's made. He's changed the attitude of the club.

So he's made bad moves overall. This year's effort has been much better, but OVERALL he's been below average. The records reflect that.

That being said, I really don't care about slamming Andy. The O's are 1 game under .500 and 3 1/2 games out (pending the Yankees catching a beating from the Red Sox) on May 15th. I don't give a damn if my expectations are low or whatever, but that's a lot better than last year. Or:

2010
12-25 324 13.5
2009
15-21 .417 8.0
2008
20-22 .476 4.5
2007
18-22 .450 9.0
2006
18-21 .462 5.5
2005
24-13 .649 - (whoa)
2004
17-16 .515 3.0
2003
18-22 .450 9.0
2002
18-21 .462 10.5
2001
17-22 .436 6.5
2000
16-21 .432 8.0
1999
12-24 .333 8.5
1998
20-20 .500 8.5

They've had a better winning percentage on May 15th 3 out of the previous 13 years. Does that really mean anything? Probably not. Does that mean they don't have problems and glaring holes. Nope.

But as others have said, I'm a fan (short for fanatic). If I didn't have an irrational hope for a World Series victory, why do I watch?

So please, don't try to put me in a group. Wayne and his group are right about some things, smitty and his group some things.

I try to call it like I see it while hoping for a ring.

Don't take pleasure in wins, fellas. Whether they're against the last place team in the AL West or the first place team in the AL East.

If you get excited about an O's win, you're a blind follower of Andy MacPhail's Plan.

Back in reality...

The O's just dominated two games against their division leader and won the series two games to one. And those two wins happened after a demoralizing shutout in game one.

Sure, that doesn't mean these O's are going to win anything this year, or ever, but the typical "you're stupid, blind idiots" treatment that the "realists" give out to the people who get a little excited is quite a bit much.

Very happy w/recent starting pitching--still wish hitting lineup would be juggled to move Adam Jones or Vlad' to 3rd, to move Mark Reynolds much further down and to also move J.J. Hardy up, too.
O's fan in Fort Worth

Very happy w/recent starting pitching--still wish hitting lineup would be juggled to move Adam Jones or Vlad' to 3rd, to move Mark Reynolds much further down and to also move J.J. Hardy up, too.
O's fan in Fort Worth

Very happy w/recent starting pitching--still wish hitting lineup would be juggled to move Adam Jones or Vlad' to 3rd, to move Mark Reynolds much further down and to also move J.J. Hardy up, too.
O's fan in Fort Worth

not brooks,

That crystallized my opinion from a novel to a paragraph. Agree, 100%.

"Two out of three ain't bad." Meat Loaf

As Barbara Walters might ask the team, "Who is{are}the Baltmore Orioles?"

Are they as good as they looked for the last two days? Or as bad as they looked earlier in the season? Nobody knows for sure. I mean nobody.

I did see Brian Roberts loaf on a ground ball up the middle when he thought he would be forced at second. Buck should have yanked him and benched him. That would have shown leadership. Roberts is paid handsomely to run out ground balls.

In other news, I'm pretty sure Jose Bautista is a machine, sent back in time to destroy baseballs.

I mean, this is just ridiculous:

.368 avg
.520 OBP
.868 SLG%
16 home runs
19 strikeouts, 35 walks

This guy is performing on a '01-'04 Barry Bonds* type level.

Wow.

AO - You miss the point. For all your redoubtable ability to cut and paste volumes of statistical nonsense in your posts, my point is you miss the point.

My point is that these ships turn around slowly and that the day to day ability to do the things it takes to win, despite slumps and mistake pitches and three balls that would be home runs except they just bent foul of the foul pole... these ships tak time to turn. Cultures from losing to winning take time. 22 and 23 year old pitchers take time to learn how to pitch, regardless of their stuff. Sometimes, 27 year old right fielders that have ONLY KNOWN LOSING try too hard and get down and have to re-learn how to relax and have fun and be "stupid" and "smart" at the plate all at the same time.

Sometimes a Manager's job is to demand hustle and fundamentals and also be the world's most accomplished therapist in the dug-out.

Buck takes the long view. Always. The reason why he sticks with guys is because he knows that their confidence is fragile and that one at bat, one bloop, one mistake by the opposing pitcher, can mean the difference in a game, a week and a season. Buck knows that BRob's bunting his way to a single today could make him relax just enough to get back in the groove. That JJ's ability to come out of the DL like gangbusters takes the pressure off every other bat in the line-up.

I am so sick of hearing and reading about how the offense somehow OWES Guthrie support. And that Guthrie SHOULD be pissed and have an attitude and stomp around because the bats aren't there for him. I'm sick of it because that's not the way it works. Sometimes trying TOO hard is exactly the way to ensure being unsuccessful. Every pitcher knows (or should know) that he can only control the things he can control and not the things he can't control. Baseball is a sport of Zen philosophy. When the "idiot" Red Sox came back in their series against the Yankees on their way to their first title in millennia, they were nicknamed "idiots" for a reason. They stayed relaxed and they didn't push and they seemingly didn't care. Not that they didn't care, but they had an easy confidence and the sense that every at bat was a new opportunity. It was the Yankees that wound up choking. The Sox had nothing to lose.

So, haters (and those who consider yourselves "realists" instead of haters), know that the psychology of baseball is a delicate and complicated thing. That every time a hitter looks ridiculously out-matched at the plate, they are just one bad pitch or one errant gust of wind away from becoming a hero.

Know that climbing within 1 game of even on May 15th, for this woebegone franchise made up of youngsters who have NEVER KNOWN ANYTHING BUT LOSING, is a valid and worthwhile accomplishment that leads to more confidence and more accomplishments. The big deal this year was that the losing streak ended at 8 and didn't devolve into 10 or 12 or 14. The big deal this year is that the O's swept the M's and then came to Tampa feeling pretty good about themselves and took 2 of 3 from the Rays AFTER being swept by the Rays a week ago!

Will that carry over to the Sox? Who knows? The Sox are themselves feeling pretty good about being on the verge of a sweep of the Yanks.

I know the bats have been silent and frustrating thus far (yesterday and today notwithstanding). But I'd rather be a franchise built on pitching anyway and any day.

Remember that the year before the Rays came into their own as an AL East beast, they had the worst record (was it the worst?) in the Major Leagues. And if you haters were on THEIR boards, you would've demanded that they get rid of everyone and start clean.

Are the O's on the verge of a Rays-like turnaround? Who knows? I don't. Do you? If you do, let me in on your stock picks please.

But the signs are positive this year. Even with the Matusz injury (and it's not beating a dead horse to refer to it all the time), the O's have a very exciting young corps/core of starting pitchers who are pitching brilliantly right now -- and reminding us of how they pitched the last two months of 2010.

Confidence is contagious. Good pitching (i.e. friendly competitions in the clubhouse) is contagious. Good and timely hitting is contagious. Good fundamental and solid defense is contagious.

I'm sick of hearing about all the holes we have and all of the individual players' weaknesses. THAT'S BASEBALL! Every team, every player is a fraction of an inch from a home run or a foul ball or a towering pop up. Every pitcher a fraction of an inch from a walk or a strike-out.

The real question is whether the O's, if they can hang around .500 long enough, have enough talent to allow them to start winning a few more than they lose. It's gonna be a roller coaster regardless and I, like you, will live and die on every at bat and every pitch and every win and every loss.

Get a bunch of young, talented idiots who don't beat themselves and who have fun and who have shut down starters on a roll --- and anything can happen.

Wayne's brilliantly ridiculous sarcasm on the bandwagon betrays his lack of understanding of baseball. Baseball is a game of hope. And confidence. This is the core/corps we've got. I like them. We don't need the Wayne's of the world on the ride.

Here's to hoping that Wayne has a miserable season watching the O's show signs of life this season..

And Wayne, look at the bright side. If the O's miraculously win 90 games (I'm not predicting, I'm supposing), you'll have 75 chances to tell us how much they suck.

Bringing in Buck was probably the best move he's made. He's changed the attitude of the club.
Posted by: Agent Orange | May 15, 2011 6:22 PM

But he didn't! He really really really didn't!! Everyone knows that Peter Angelos stepped in and hired Buck. AM wanted Eric Wedge!! Everyone just knows it, especially me. I have insider connections. It's the one signal that gets through my aluminum foil hat.

jc,

you had me at hello....

you had me at hello....

cue 'secret garden'

NB,

Bautista's power jump looks a lot like Brady Anderson's one year wonder. His career stats starting in 2004 are not reflective of a prolific power hitter. It just doesn't wash, and common sense needs to intervene. Selig better have this guy peeing in a cup every other day. I could be wrong but he could be in line for a 50 game first offense penalty.

I used the standings on today's date during the streak to partially explain why I have hope, regardless of if it's misguided.

Statistical nonsense, I know. My humblest apologies.

Thank you for pointing out that things turn around slowly. How is anything you're saying different from what I said, minus the lack of cut/paste skills and statistical nonsense? What, because you're breaking the game down to me like I've never watched a game? Don't come at me with the Baseball 101. I don't assume you to be a moron, so how about the same in return?

If you and jim66 want to talk like grown people, fine. I didn't have anything smart to say until yous took it there. Otherwise, when you see more statistical nonsense, like the standings on today's date or signings....you know, ACTUAL EVENTS, just scroll on past to some more hyperbole, conspiracy theories and smug, smart ass know-it-all postings.

orange,

Problem is.... you stepped on others territories. People actually believe they're Baltimore's version of Bill James. You're stepping on their turf my man.

Bob,

I've had 2 people notice the Markakis picture over the caption on the O's sports page. I mean it's hilarious. Sure, Nick had a good game, but Hardy har har hit the slam. You're telling me they don't have one picture of the moment? Not one?

So funny....

Regardless........

Come on guys... the wagon will be in a neighborhood near you soon. Word is, Beattie and Flanny are going to lead the troups since pitchers were mainly talking about are theirs.......

Good for them

AO, jc -

No need to defend your outlooks. Your posts sound like the posts of fans, not someone who is just a critic. In case you have not noticed, this blog has some critics who just post the same thing over and over and over.

Most O’s fans are happy when the team wins and upset when the team loses. Not the opposite.

Hey wayne, before you post the same thing again -

Just because somebody says something positive about the O’s, doesn’t mean it’s an endorsement for the GM, the state of the farm system, or the extent of the O’s international scouting. Got it?

Gil -

Bautista's got pretty solid minor league numbers, and the story I've read a few times this year is that he tweaked his mechanics a bit, which led to the power surge.

Rogers Centre isn't a bad place to hit either.

On the other hand, there's always that steroid question in the back of your mind... It's really sad that no matter who you're talking about, that suspicion is always a real thing these days.

wayne –

Nice to know that as a fan you are not on the bandwagon. Please stay off.

Anyway…when were you planning to jump back on? Let me guess, when the O’s are good again? Are you a frontrunner or just a bandwagon jumper? Either way, not a fan. But I am glad that you follow the O’s so closely.

nb
I like Macphails plan so much I even enjoy the losses... :-)

and seriously blancione...you really believe there is some sort of cover up in not reporting Nick's struggles?
Thats just ridiculous.
he just happened to 3 for 5 today with a home run and a diving catch and 2 runs scored...some conspiracy
This guy has been the best all around player on this team for like 5 straight years.
You know what the great thing is? We have 3 position players NOW who can challenge him for best all around player...
Jones
Weiters
Hardy.

Then you factor in the young pitching?
Any one not excited about this years team is simply not a fan.

which brings us to...

Wayne you are as likely to have season tickets to the O's as I am to have them for the Miami Heat.

You were able to pretend to be a fan when things were going poorly the last couple years but your true colors and the fact you are just a troll really become glaring when the O's are beginning to look like a real solid Major League team with lots of upside.
The fact this is making you even more bitter and hateful shows exactly what's going on.

But i'm with you that now that the team is starting to look solid we should fire Macphail and get a current younger GM with the history of taking teams to "the next level"...some one with a track record of winning a World Series or even 2. How many current GM's have won multiple World Series rings anyway?
I don't know, but we need one of them cause Andy has really kind of screwed this thing up...on that we agree

Oh!!!
I can answer my own question, since Beatty and Flanny drafted some of these guys I say tomrrow morning we fire AM and rehire Beatty and Flanny. Sure they don't meet the criteria I set out for winning multiple championships but they did draft a couple good pitchers...I mean how many GM's can say that? No more than 30 tops

So I am not letting up on this...I hope everyone including Wayne and Gil and Blancioune will join me
Fire Macphail and bring back Beatty/Flanny NOW!
FMABBBFN!!!

It doesn't exactly roll off the tongue and it doesn't quite rhyme but it does sound like you are trying to speak Arabic when you say it and I'm all for multi culturalism

and whoever decided to spell tongue like that had a bad day

AO-

Sorry if I offended. Just trying to drive the points home to those who NEED to have them driven home, about baseball, etc. Hard to know who's where and who's what sometimes on this board.

I WISH I could see them up close and live. But because I live in NYC i have to live with "look-ins" and highlights and GameDay.

But I am very happy with the direction the team is going in. And a big believer in Buck.

And I don't really care, if the O's break thru with this latest crop of talent, who gets the credit and who gets the blame front office-wise. If that's what we're talking about then our 13 years of losing and futility will be over.

I'm voting for smitty and wayne as the next tenants of the MLB Fan Cave.

smiiiitty,

Come on guy... relax. Just enjoy the O's when you can. I mean you've been trying so dang hard for how many years now?

I've told you over and over and over and over smitty, that if you stayed the course, you'd be correct one day.

Has that day arrived? You really think so?

As for AM's championships..... You know that device you're typing on smitty? It wasn't around during his last championship.

You know a little thing called the internet? Did you use it back in those days?

smitty my friend... buddy..... PLEASE look at the list the Orange man put out. That list had to even embarrass you. And I didn't even type the list.

Rebuilding?

smitty my love.......

We have no corner IF'ers.... now or for the future.

Our middle IF'ers, while good when healthy, are rarely healthy anymore. You know BRob is hurting and JJ is a twinge away from his nxt DL stint.

Our RF'er peaked in 2008. Don't bame me for that... just look it up.

Our LF'er - Who is our LF'er?

Our #3 and 4 hitters will be GONE next season smit. As in not on this team. Is Hardy a clean up hitter?

Our catcher is a stud..... and was drafted BEFORE AM arrived on the scene.... and he's on my fantasy team.

Most of our SP's (Guthrie, Britton, Arrieta, Bergy), AM had nothing to do with. As in nada... zippo

And the bullpen? Look it up smit.... You can't keep saying they'll turn it up. You said that last year.... yes you did bro.

Yes you do smittaroo

You did.....

Smitty... bro bro.... AM made a good trade 4 years ago. And he did right by getting PA to pay up for Matuzs. But that's it my man...... in FOUR YEARS.

No.... Beattie/Flanny sucked. But they didn't suck as much as AM. Look it up. Look at the numbers.

Look at Orange's LIST.

Be excited smitty... but when things go south, stick around instead of hiding like you always do. But only if you promise not to lower your expectations. You see..... you always do that as each season moves forward.

As for attending the Yard smit. Come on bro, take me up on my offer. 97 for 20. Dude, that's a great deal. I will call Pete so he can put us in touch so I can give you the tix... You'll have the time of your life.

And I'll throw in a bonus..... When they make the playoffs this season, you can be my guest at their 2nd home game.

Enjoy the ride smit....... But PLEASE, don't get lost when things get tough. Stay around.

Peace

...and the same thing posted again by wayne the critic..

And the same thing posted again by JJ the critic of wayne.

wayne and others were basically right about Pete's Blog. While it may not be officially dead, it's basically toast. There's only a few people who actually keep it going anymore, and it's because Pete is required to put up regularly on the Oriole Blog. It's a shame because I used to like checking this Blog out. You don't have to be on the Oriole payroll to post here. The fact that the Sun has allowed it to dwindle away to basically nothing, is pretty revealing.

Pete never replies to anyone, and he rarely puts up new subjects. Too bad.

Are you a fan of the O's? How many times are you going to post the same thing?

We get it. You don’t like the GM. Can we move on?

Yep.... And

Nope..... not until he shows us anything besides a trade 4 years ago, or moves on.

Peace

So you are going to keep posting the same thing over and over? Is that a yes?

I have said this before – you can be both a fan and a critic, but you cannot be a fan without irrational hope. You say you are a fan. Judging by your posts, I disagree. You said very clearly that you are not on the O’s bandwagon.

I'm so tired of reading about the GM as though that's relevant to how the O's are playing every day between the lines.

So, I'll bite (though I'm sure I'll regret it), who should our GM be and a) why would he leave his current job if he has one, b) how would he be demonstrably better than AM, and c) what do you do with the current roster and how long will a new GM get you that ring you crave above all else?

Assume that we can't or won't spend like the Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies.

It's one thing to be on your high horse and throw your opinions around about how bad the current SOB is. It's another to hire the next one and PROVE your point that he will bring the club to the promised land.

So, who?

OK ... guys. This blog got juvenile pretty quickly. Can we all just talk baseball. Stop the personal attacks on each other. Especially on a day like this.

How about Matt Weiters being a sure All-Star at this point? How about Markakis finally coming out of his funk? How about that Hardy grand-jack? How about that starting pitching? How about my prediction being off by only one game so far? Huh? Let's talk about that.

Meso -

What's up – good points? But come on, don't ruin the fun.

Oh yeah, Peter - I love the blog, I appreciate your hard work – thanks.

Not much JJ,

Just got back from a long relaxing weekend in OC, and thought I'd check-up on my peeps on the blog, and I see you all bickering against each other. It's a good day, the O's are flirting with .500.

Not Brooks and Gil,

Of course steroids come to mind when you think of Bautista's hitting. The way he's hitting though could erase any doubt that last year was a statistical outlier.

Steroids or not, he is as pure as power hitter as they come. He rarely misses when pitchers make mistakes. He's got a quick bat and a sweet and relaxed swing. Plus he's got a very good eye. He's also being walked a lot, which makes his home runs even more significant. But If I'm not mistaken Bonds was being walked a lot when he broke the record.

Thanks Meso-

Let's see if Tillman can compete with what Bergy put up!

Let's see if we can blast the green monster.

Meso –

Glad to hear it - sounds nice.

Go O’s

I'm all for that, Meso.

But until we can get a handful of commenters to either go away or change their posting style, people are going to continue to get baited into arguing and name-calling.

I used to fall for that baiting all the time, but I'm done.

I'm done arguing about Andy MacPhail.

At this point, I'm rooting for the O's as they're assembled. I don't care who brought in which players. It could have been McPhail or Beattie or Flanagan or Thrift or Charlie Donovan or the kid from Little Big League. At this point, I couldn't care less.

The one thing I do care about is where the club goes from here. And all I'm going to say on that is that I don't think Andy MacPhail is the right guy to do it, and if he still is our GM heading into the off season, you guys probably won't see me around here too often. Please don't ask me why, because I've said it a thousand times already and I don't care to say it again.

I couldn't care less about being right about anything. All I want is for my O's to win.

PS - I will continue to enjoy the dynamic between wayne and smitty. What's going on between those two almost feels scripted. It really makes me laugh these days.

I like the Wieters for the All-Star game idea. Certainly not a lot of depth at catcher in the AL and he could very well be the best defensively right now and his offense has been pretty good. No reason why he can't knock in 85 or so runs this season. Sure would be nice to also get one of the young pitchers to the All-Star game as well...Britton or Arrieta.

JJ, Read what I said about the bandwagon again,

jc, Old subject.... Go back and read man post on the subject.

Meso, One game is hardly the breaking out of a funk. The guy has been horrid. And Weiters... Stud, and on my fantasy team (yes).

And don't worry... once they aren't flirting with 500, you'll be back.

say goodnight Wayne.
Wow man, obsessed with who got who huh?

You lead a sad life is all I can say.
To try to draw so much attention to yourself on a blog about a team and city you despise?
it's just sad man.
Who cares who brought who here?
The dude has been here 4 years. It's all his my friend.
Take a walk and get some air.
h
Have a good one.
s
Sounds like you really did enjoy us taking 2 of 3 from the first place team.
we all know how you love the O's.
Why else would you have season tickets..... he he.....thats ok it's our secret..

hehe smittaroo, hehe.

97 for 20 old friend.... 97 for 20.

Take the deal bro. What do you have to lose? Either believe or not... Your choice.

Or do people know why you may not take the 97 for 20? hehe

I'm actually joining nb.
I'm done with macphail defending discussing.....on and on...his record has spoken and will speak for itself.
The team on the field can now do the talking.
I'm gonna let the Waynemeister have his party of one.
I'm just looking for a team to stay in the race into September.

I hear you NB,

I share some of the same feelings. I think most of us "regulars" know each other views, and have nothing new to contribute in those regards.

Anyway ... I digress.

Could anyone predict the impact that JJ Hardy would have coming back from injury? I'd like to get some of that treatment he got. The man is just unbelievable these days.

The other positive I'm seeing is D Lee putting good swings on inside pitches, when he goes the opposite way. It looks like he's got that Jeter type approach at the plate.

JC,

I'd like to see Bergy do it again. He pitched great, but Tampa isn't really on fire as far has hitting is concerned. Good to see him rebound like that though.

About Tillman: I don't know. He needs his velocity to go up by 3-5 miles for his slow pitches to be effective. The strange thing about him, is that he is more successful when he is wild. He is still young. Granted grossly under-performing, but maybe a light bulb will go off at some point.

I am pissed off with Roberts. I'm sick of seeing him lollygag to first on grounders. If he's hurt he should go to the DL. If he's not hurt there is no excuse for his lack of effort. I watch a lot of baseball and I do not see any other supposedly fast baserunners jog to first like he does. He needs a talkin' to!!

wayne – you are the best.

So you are on the O’s bandwagon? Good, that makes me happy.

Everybody else – I agree.

Mike in Columbia,

Agreed about B-Rob. That chaps my ass too, to quote Brian Billick. He's always been like that. I don't ever recall him hustling to first. There is something fundamentally wrong with his approach at the plate and his swing. I've got to believe injury plays a big role, but baseball is a game of adjustments. We definitely need more production from the leadoff. Perhaps someone else should be given a chance there, and B-Rob should be given more days off.

Mes,

The 'problem" is that he's a damn good leadoff hitter when he's on. And the lineup is producing, not sure we want to mess around with it tomorrow. I just don't understand why he gets away with it. I mean, surely Buck sees this, right? I would love to know if he or Willie has said something to Roberts about his effort on ground balls.

Tomorrow will be a great test for Tillman. We should be able to put up some runs for him. Might take 7 or so to win...

Markakis, first 26 games: .200 average, four multi-hit games, two home runs

Markakis, last 12 games: .300 average, seven multi-hit games, two home runs

I'm just the stat guy. Take from that what you will.

NB ... to add to taking from that what you will:

according to MLB.com:

"Nick Markakis has recorded a base hit in 152 consecutive series, the longest such streak in the majors...Markakis has had a hit in each series since being held hitless in a three-game series (he played in two of the games) by Tampa Bay May 23-25, 2008.

Nick Markakis’ .479 (23-48) career average in extra innings is the highest among active players with at least 40 at-bats in the 10th inning or later...Teammate J.J. Hardy ranks second with a .445 career batting average in extra frames (20-45)."

Mike in Columbia,

Brian Roberts has four hits in his last 40 at-bats (.125) and three hits in his last 43 trips to the plate (.070) since May 1. That's bad. Agree with your point on him being awesome when he's on though.

smitsmit,

Exactly,,,,,, Yes, his record does speak for itself over the past 20 years.... especially the last 4... Thank you! Finally.....

Meso,

Yep, And last season he hit 12 hr's, 60 rbi's, stole -12 bases, and killed 2,321 ants in RF. But he has stayed at a Holiday Inn Express the last 12 games....

Dig a little deeper and you'll find that Reynolds and Atkins are/were two of the best O's hitters ever when the 4th light from the left side of the top row in the far left field light tower goes a flutter.

nb,

Never forget..... The way the club 'goes' from yesterday, today and tomorrow, is based on the person(s) who put the team together. I get that you know there must be a change..... but until there is one, your stats will always be about defending a player who isn't performing.

No bait..... Just seems to make sense.

Goodnight Pete (you there?).....

No doubt Cakes has grossly underperformed Wayne. I don't disagree. Anyone who tells you otherwise, is blowing smoke up your behind. I know what he could be, and I know he is capable of, as do many baseball experts with more knowledge than you or me. I also know, that at this point he is your best option in right field. If he gets back to the form that we all know, he can be the toughest lefty against lefties, someone with a very good eye at the plate, excellent pitch recognition, someone who can use the whole field, hit a lot of doubles, drive a lot of runs, and provide a gold glove caliber defense. If not, then back to the drawing board. But right now I like our chances with him on the field. It looks like he may have turned the corner.

Jeez! Are we still arguing about Markakis? He's the least of the O's worries.

Now, Brian Roberts, I'm afraid is nearing the end. He'll always be one of my favorite Orioles, but he shouldn't be the leadoff man going into next year. We'll see how his season progresses, but I'm doubting if he should still be the starting 2B going into 2012

wayne -

I'm not going to argue with you about Nick Markakis anymore either. Just let me say one thing:

No digging needs to be done to prove that Markakis is hitting better since the calendar turned to May.

April: .561 OPS, 2 doubles, 2 home runs in 98 at bats

May: .821 OPS, 2 doubles, 2 home runs in 57 at bats

You're free to take from that what you will, as I'm free to take it to mean that Nick may be turning the corner from that ugly slump.

One more request: Please stop pretending like I'm doing acrobatics to try to make Nick look good. Those aren't his numbers against lefties who wear number 57 with two outs and a 3-0 count in the 7th inning or later.

Those are simply his numbers from April and his numbers, so far, from May. Nothing complex. Nothing tricky. Just a new page of the calendar.

blancione;

I'd be happy to come back a month from now and talk again about Markakis. Should I wait until Gil and Wayne are around to lend you moral support or are you going to be able to handle that on your own?

About Brian Roberts --- I may be wrong (and Lord knows everyone will tell me if I am), but he seems to be as streaky as everyone else on the ball club this season so far. I don't know about his lollygagging to first on ground balls, but it could be about his approach and adjusting his approach. If baseball is about making adjustments and, for some reason BRob isn't smoking doubles in the gap the way he usually does, it may be mental, not physical. Pitchers may not be giving him the same stuff, infiekders may be playing him slightly differently and he may not be taking what hey give him. I am encouraged by his bunting to get on yesterday. If he starts doing more of that, than pitchers and corner infielders will have to start adjusting to his speed and he may get more opportunities (and regain his confidence) to smoke the ball again.

That said, the one thing we know is that he's as stubborn as a mule. It can take a while for him to make the adjustments he has to make. Nobody wants it more than him. Hell, he bashed in his own skull because he was frustrated after an at bat last year --- not the smartest thing to do I know, but testament to his passion and desire.

I say he'll find it and that Buck is right to stay with him and not just play the immediate hot hand by swapping him and JJ in the order.

Let's see...

The B-Rob topic - oh yes .. here we go shall we?

JC,

Whether passionate or not, it's 90 feet to first. If you don't run full speed regardless, you have no business taking the field. It's insulting to me as a fan when I see guys jogging to first. I'd rather B-Rob give me 80 games of full effort than 162 of less than full effort.

His swing is just horrible. I don't think there is a leadoff batter in MLB with a longer swing that B-Rob. If he or his hitting coach can't see that, neither of them is doing their job. He puts golf swings on groundball. The leadoff batter's job is to work the count, use the whole field and to put in play and get on base. Do you ever see Ichiro swinging for a home run? Why does B-Rob then, every time he comes at the plate? A good player understands his limitations. B-Rob is not a power hitter. Why does he try to act line one?

Believe me, I love B-Rob. When healthy and on, he is a top 5 2nd baseman and leadoff batter in the entire MLB. However, as with anything else in sports, what has he done for us lately?

NB,

Bautista's HR total 2006 through 2009 were 16, 15, 15 and 13. Then he hits 54 last year and is after Barry Bonds steroid blighted record this year. I just can't help but be skeptical that he made some type of "adjustment" to suddenly discover power of biblical proportions when he reached 30 years of age.

Anything is possible but his sudden power surge defies logic. You just don't see this happen in MLB where a player average 15 home runs a year in his prime and then takes off on the wrong side of 30. As I have said before I think some players are still cheating, they are just better at it.

Gil,

I can see why you would think that. He hit an opposite field home run yesterday with such ease. After his first or second home run yesterday the gameday announcers were saying that this guy is playing at a level above all of MLB, making the rest of MLB just look ridiculous. I wonder if that is code speak for steroids. Unless baseball will have drug testing like they do in the Olympics there will always be ways to cheat. But the players association has a say in how and when the tests are conducted. To me that's just ridiculous.

Not disagreeing. Not. Dis. Agreeing.

However, what made/makes BRob an exceptional lead-off hitter is his ability to go for the fences and, because he isn't a power hitter, that results in him being at the top of the doubles leaders every year. As a lead-off guy.

All I'm saying is that he's too hard-headed to make the adjustment right now to what he SHOULD be doing, i.e. working the count, beating out ground balls, bunting for hits, etc. He still goes up there with the mentality that he CAN shoot a screaming liner through the gap whenever he steps in to the batter's box.

Hopefully, he'll start making the adjustment to get on base and the bunt was a positive sign of that.

There is no excuse for not running as hard as you can to first every single time up. But maybe there's an explanation, i.e. I put piss-poor wood on that ball godDANGit! His frustration is with himself, and it's not lollygagging is all I'm saying. It's who he is. Brian Roberts is a typical over-achiever, a medium-sized guy who thinks he's Ryan Howard and he expects Babe Ruthian results from himself.

Not making excuses.

Guessing at the 'why.'

Hoping he can make the adjustment and become better at what he's now capable of, or get back into the groove of who he was. And if I'm not mistaken, that who he was was pretty typical at the beginning of the season, not so long ago.

As for what has he done for us lately... one of the things I believe is that a "losing mentality" is all about panic. It's not about not playing hard, it's about playing TOO hard. I unfortunately get to watch the Yankees every damn day. After getting swept this weekend by the hated Sox, the Yankees are still confident, still taking it in stride. Not panicking. Yes, there's a fine line, witness the Posada episode. Posada, despite hitting WORSE than Mark Reynolds, was still insulted at being moved to 9 in the order. Not benched, mind you, moved to 9. Jeter's not having a much better time of it than BRob at lead-off (maybe a little right now). But Jeter still smiles.

What I like most about Buck is that he doesn't panic. He doesn't read boards from fans desperate to bench anyone who doesn't produce now, today, this minute. I believe that Buck knows, better than any O's manager that I can remember, that baseball is about controlling the things you can control and not panicking over the things you can't. (sorry if I posted a similar thought yesterday). Why the O's are 19-20 instead of 19-49 (or whatever hellacious record they had last year on their 19th win), I believe is that their fundamentals are better. Their defense is better. They're making fewer mistakes. They're better prepared. Does Vladdy make a bigger difference than having Aubrey Huff? No. But Derek Lee is a lot different at first base. Defensively. Reynolds is better at third than... how many out-of-position players did we have at third last year?

Look, you may be right. Brian Roberts may be on the downward spiral and he and JJ may have to be swapped in the order. But, while the O's are still treading water around .500, and the pitchers are throwing darts, and the defense is winning games instead of losing games, I say let BRob fight his way through it.

And run hard on ground balls too.

JC,

I respect your opinion and agree with one of your points except for panic. While I agree it's not time to panic about the team as a whole, they better panic now about B-Rob rather when it starts to hurt the team. Here is why:

Brian Roberts has four hits in his last 40 at-bats (.125) and three hits in his last 43 trips to the plate (.070) .

If that is not alarming, I don't know what is. I don't think it's over reacting and panicking. It's just not being in denial about it.

Hey Bob,

We have your back my friend.....

And dan...... do you mean like how you, smitty, paulie and the rest of the warehouse apologist sxxk on each other's you know what?

Just checking.

As for Brob, Did anyone listen to me when I said he wasn't right (many weeks ago)?

Just like when I told you Lee wasn't right (when he was signed). Just like I told you JJ would go on the DL. Just like I told you Reynolds would be beyond horrible. Just like I told you Nick was an avg hitter at best. Just like I told you Guthrie still would get no run support this year. Just like I told you Britton should have come North with the team from day one. Just like I told you Weiters was a stud (when people were bashing him). Just like I told you Duch would start a max of 3 games (if he got on the field at all). Just like I told you Vlad would be traded at the deadline (oh, that hasn't happened yet?).

Please pay attention folks. You'll save yourself allot of trouble if you do.

Wayne – I like you, I really do. You make the blog fun. But dude, come on, again.

You make a lot of good points – it’s just that we have heard it all before. The more the O’s win, the more upset you get. Typical fan behavior I guess.

Cheers

But you never say "I told you so", right wayne?

JJ... I like you as well my man. But be fair, I post the same whether the O's win or lose. I'm an equal opportunity naysayer.

And exactly nb...

Just look at me as a public servant who truly looks out for his constituency.

"Just like when I told you Lee wasn't right (when he was signed). "

He was coming off of surgery. You didn't need to tell us that. But if he starts to hit (as he seems to be now), then its worth it. And his defensive play at 1st is a gigantic upgrade.

"Just like I told you JJ would go on the DL."

That's why Minn let him go, you didn't have to tell us that. But, when he's healthy, he's a helluva ballplayer, as we can see from his coming off the DL.

"Just like I told you Reynolds would be beyond horrible."

His record was there for all to see, you didn't have to tell us that. But he is in his 4th major league season, he's a defensive upgrade at third, and he's working his tail off. The one thing the O's didn't have last year was someone to hit home runs. We're all hoping that Mark'll hit home runs.

"Just like I told you Nick was an avg hitter at best. "

That depends on what your definition of average is. I bet there are 20 some ballclubs that would take Nick in a heartbeat in the belief that, when it's all said and done, he will be not only above average, but way above average. Time will tell. If Nick winds up hitting .285, is that your definition of average? .280? .290?

"Just like I told you Guthrie still would get no run support this year."

Anyone with half a brain can see that Guts has always had trouble getting run support. You didn't have to tell us that. But what does that mean? Is that a flaw in somebody's character? Are you saying the team doesn't like him? There are always hard-luck pitchers out there. It's part of the game. Also, it's a little too early to say "this year" in May. It's only a matter of luck. And luck can change on a dime. Who knows, he may start getting run support, and may start pitching poorly.

"Just like I told you Britton should have come North with the team from day one."

He did come up from day one. That he was gonna spend time in Norfolk was just common sense. There isn't a GM in all of baseball that would have brought Britton up if circumstances didn't force their hand. I actually credit AM for this one. He had every right to bring up someone else, or sign a journeyman like Millwood. If Britton had come and gotten shelled, you would have been howling that AM ruined another young prospect by calling them up too early!!!!!!!

"Just like I told you Weiters was a stud (when people were bashing him)."

Really? The only people bashing Weiters were idiots in the media. Name people on this board that were bashing him? Except I remember you and some others blaming AM for wasting a top draft pick on a can't-miss prospect that was only going to be an average journeyman catcher that wasn't Buster Posey or Joe Mauer.

"Just like I told you Duch would start a max of 3 games (if he got on the field at all)."

That was common knowledge that everyone, including AM knew going in. You had to tell us this? The fact that he's still in rehab and not retired is good news as far as I'm concerned.

"Just like I told you Vlad would be traded at the deadline (oh, that hasn't happened yet?)."

Yeah, what a horrible pick-up Vlad is turning out to be. Terrible club-house influence. A few hits away from .300. Terrible IF we trade him for the value we'll get in return. But I'm not so sure that we'll be trading him come deadline time.

jc,

I'll give you one GM who would not have left Britton in the minor leagues. Frank Wren, who took over from John Shoerholz kept Freddie freeman, a top prospect with the major league club despite forfeiting a year of control. The Braves in general believe that the best players make the team from spring training on. There was an extensive article in SI a few months ago about their practices. The Braves believe that the team should be loyal to the players and vice versa, and not worry about what may happen 7 years down the road. That will take care of itself if the player performs.

It's also far too early to make light of wayne's predictions based on a few hits from Reynolds and Lee of late. I was the first one on the board to predict that Dutch would start the season on the DL as soon as he was acquired. He is still one wince away from retirement.

I think the Orioles could have done a lot better this past offseason other than Reynolds and Lee but that would have required spending real money. So Macphail and Angelos took the cheap route with their fingers crossed. What's new.

Hardy is a good player when he is on the field but he is injury prone and I'll bet even money that he will visit the DL again before the season is out.

This team still has more questions than the moderator on Meet the Press. Nothing has been answered yet about the players we acquired or whether Nick Markakis can recapture his game from 3 years ago. Brian Roberts certainly isn't playing like he is 100% and his back issues are well known.

The Orioles may only be three and a half games out of first but they are still in last place. Nothing has yet been accomplished on Macphail's four year "One Third of a Plan" except more losing. The farm system is still in bad shape and we have one of the worst International scouting efforts in baseball, especially in Latin America, according to Keith Law and Ken Rosenthal. The lack of promotable players will hurt this team later in the year when injuries rear their ugly head.

As I said before, if Macphail's goal truly was rebuilding the organization, the farm system should be bulging with prospects by now. What's up with that?

Exactly jc,

A little common sense goes a long way. ANYONE saw the writing on the wall with each..... just not AM - the worst exec in the game for the last 20 years.

One thing though..... There's not a GM who wouldn't have done the same with Britton? Really jc? Wanna do your research my brother?

Really? Come on jc... you didn't say that, did you?

Damn, I think you did.

Wanna check again?

I'll wait......

Hmmmmmm

Well I suppose not everyone has the same definition of common sense as you do.

Oh.... and I'm so happy, as I'm sure others are, that you gave AM credit for not bringing someone else up or bringing in a veteran.

Because damn jc...... Why would AM have brought up someone who was older, better and more deserving than Tillman? Especially when you could have brought up someone else or even a veteran.

QUICK JC.....

Send your resume to the warehouse.... you'd fit in nicely.

Send to:

AM's Posse
3275 Common Sense For Twenty Year Losers Blvd.
Suite 200a
Baltimore, Maryland 21211