I was going to nominate Jim Johnson and George Sherrill blowing a 3-run lead to the Red Pox, a game we then lost in extras, but after reading your post, Dan, I gotta agree. We have lost more games due to the team's abominable baserunning than, I think, any other aspect of the game. And just think, it's such a fundamental part of play.

The overall lack of hustle by veteran overpaid players has been the biggest disappointment. Roberts, Huff, Markakis and Mora never run out routine balls. Even the fielding has had its lazy lapses. The one in right field between Roberts and Markakis was the most pitiful play I've witnessed in years. The manager is responsible for this. Benching and fining is needed. The Phils benched Rollins last year. Where are the guts in this organization?

Guthrie's inability to stabilize a questionable rotation.

Since you asked what was the worst part of the season so far, it probably does have to be the abysmal baserunning. I can't be hating too much on the departed Mr. Eaton because, as Coach Green said, he is who we thought he was. His job was to buy time for some of the guys in the minors to show they were ready. Though it would have been nice if he could have kept his ERA under six runs a game, or at least been an innings eater instead of a bullpen killer.

The biggest disappointment to me has been the performance of Guthrie. He is a guy I actually had relatively high hopes for, and he has been just enough off in most games to really make you wonder if this is just an off year or if this is really where he tops out.

And Aubrey's 'stache doesn't look quite so bad on the radio.

The worst part of the first half was that horrendous team batting slump that started on the west coast road trip after Wieters call up.

The loss to the Sox was the worst. A close second was watching Markakis let that ball drop between him and Roberts a few weeks ago which was just inexcusable.

The problem with the Sox loss was this. Going into that series, I felt the O's had to win the series in order to make some progress. This season is a rebuilding effort and part of that effort is winning some games against Boston. The O's can beat all the other teams in the division, but the damn sox own them. So they win one of the most amazing games ever (which was my favorite moment of the season) then come back and jump on top of the Sox in the finale while Bergy throws blanks. Then they bring in their two aces from the pen and they completely blow it. Blowing that game completely undid all the positives of the night before.

I can never pick just one thing, but a few issues come to mind, mostly revolving around the pitching:

Hanley Ramirez hitting TWO grand slams in the same series was pretty frustrating.

Jeremy Guthrie being upstaged by the rookies.

Chris Ray in virtually every inning he pitched (although it is hard to fault players for injuries).

So I guess the pitching as a whole has been the worst part of the first half.

You ask the question, Dan, so I'll answer it. Maybe it won't be the most popular post, but to me the biggest disappointment of the 2009 season so far has been the un-inspired play of Brian Roberts.

He's had his moments.....the game-winning tater against the Phillies is the high-water mark....but it just seems like Roberts doesn't want to approach his role as lead-off hitter and team catalyst with the crank the team desparately needs.

The dude could seriously take this team by the jewels and demand it's best effort every game, and every single player on the roster would follow his lead. Instead, he's kinda coasted through the first half with barely a blip, and I'm just not impressed.

If Angelos went out of his way to keep him, and sign him for nice coin, I expect Brian Roberts to take this team by the throat and demand better.

Be a leader, Brian. Get mad. Show some emotion, and let some of these guys have it. You wanna play on a winner? Make these guys behind you in the lineup KNOW it.

The starting pitching at the beginning of the year. That was the worst rotation ever put up by a major league club.

Got to agree with CSB Jack. Guthrie has been the biggest disapointment to me, so far. He looks as though he has topped out. He isn not fooling anyone. He's great for 3 to 4 innings and then just falls apart. Not what I expected from him. And yes, the base runnning is absolutely horrible! As for the original starting pitching, just ab out what I expected, lousy.

As a team, you nailed it.....the baserunning at times is reminiscient of a T-ball game. Individually, watching Adam Eaton toss BP every five days made me sick to my stomach.

Here's to Adam J. representing Baltimore well tonight. Hopefully more good things to come in the 2nd half.

Lack of consistency by the entire team. I am only asking for about three consecutive weeks of good baseball with a winning record. This meager goal is quite elusive for the O's. I am
weary of reading thousands of posts
about how better the O's will be in the future. I would like the O's to adopt
the future is now mentality and at least act like a pro team for a few weeks.

What was bad about the first half? I'll be gentle by being general (for the most part).

1. Like you said, base running blunders by guys who should know better.

2. Sticking with Pie too long in left field while Reimold and Montanez were ready.

3. The starting pitching, with the exception of Bergesen. You can't blame Uehara for being injured, but you would have hoped the Os first dip into the Asian player market would have been more successful. I predicted a dozen wins for Koji this year; he peobably won't get more than the the couple he has. Eaton was a total loss; and rather than stepping up, Guthrie has stepped back.

I'll bet tomorow's question is "What are you lokking forward to in the second half?' Answer: Wieters breaking out. (And where's my drink chip for naming the Os Opening Day rotation yesterday?)

Well the good news is that I can't come up with as many bad things as good things. That's progress.

1. Brian Roberts--what was the point of signing this guy if he is not going to step up and lead, at least by example? His admitted lack of effort is astonishing. When real people who actually work hard every day are losing their jobs left and right, this guy makes you want to puke.

2. Melvin Mora--unlike Roberts, who simply isn't trying hard enough, there is reason to be concerned that Mora is in decline and may not be the guy who put up such huge numbers in the second half last year. Why we ever gave a guy like this a no-trade clause is beyond me.

3. Dave Trembley--not a major league manager. Nice guy, but as Leo Deroucher said . . . . What concerns me most is that he absolutely runs guys into the ground when they are slumping instead of giving them days off and keeping others fresh. He did it to every one of our outfielders and, to some extent, Roberts. He just doesn't know how to manage a major league team. And, if the team doesn't play hard and/or makes stupid mistakes over and over again like we do, that is a refelction of the manager and he must be held accountable. Strategically, he does the same thing over and over again--hit and run every time with a man on first and less than two outs--completely predictable. He simply needs to go. Andy, the on-field pieces are coming together, please find us a big league manager.

4. Greg Zaun--never understood the signing, never will. He's been better (at least at the plate) lately, but I think he adds very little. How we could not find a backup who is good defensively is beyond me.

I agree, at times, the baserunning has been pitiful. But how about the fact that nearly everyone of our batters will swing at a pitch that is low (and I mean 1-2" off the the plate) and inside. If I were the opposing pitchers, i would throw that pitch every time I had 2 strikes. It's a guaranteed strike out.

For me it was the 11-10 'greatest come back ever.'

Why?

Because Boston media did not even blink. While Baltimore was basking and gloating and thumping our collective chests- the rest of the baseball world noted it as a side show. The Sun even ran a "what they are saying about the Orioles" piece.
Meanwhile Boston.com had an article stating that this was a good example of why they needed to hold on to their minor league talent.

Thats the embarrassment of the season. The Orioles greatest comeback, and the opponent's media shrugged it off.

Meanwhile the Orioles are heading to another losing season in the toughest division in any sport on the planet. Boston on the other hand is headed to another playoff.

Why wait till 2010 to bring up Tillman & Arrietta ? Bring them up now, spot start, relieive, get used to ML , then they"ll be prepared to start next year, knowing the league, etc. Come on, do it, we clearly aren't going to compete this year!
Do we have any legit 1st, 3rd basemen prospects?

Knowing the second half is going to be even worse than the first half.

Not enough playing time for salazar to find out if he can really keep the bat smoking hot, Mora's contract will be gone sooner or later, and for third base we have?
Time to buy a bat? and watch Salazar go hit 360 for some other team for a few years...

Baserunning - even since the beginning of the season. There were a bunch in the first couple of games but no one cared because we were winning. I like Trembley but when a team breaks down fundamentaly you have to look at the manager. I am not saying fire him because at least it is the veterans (who will not be around much longer) and not the young guys.

The close second (after the given Eaton.Hendrickson debacles) is the next non-dynamic duo of Hill and Berken. I was rooting for Hill so bad because I like him and he fit our youngster mold. But how long do we have to continue to watch these two before some more young guys get a call.

1. The starting rotation that the Orioles came north with Eaton, Simon and Hendrickson had no business being thee
2. Felix Pie getting the starting job without earning it
3. Baserunning
4. Blowing that 3 run lead
5. The World Baseball Classic seemed to mess up Guthrie and Mora

Really even though they are 40-48 now, there was more upside than down. So a glass of some cheap champagne would be in order. Thanks!

1. ONLY TEAM IN MLB THAT WILL NOT BUNT!
2. Manager sits in dugout while the starting pitchers get the team so far behind, we do not have a prayer to catch up! This has been all of the first half, we pray that this will change!
3. Bergensen pitches a four hitter through EIGHT innings and then manager takes him out and Johnson and Sherril lose his super performance against Red Sox! Let him lose his game, not the closers! He certainly earned it?!
4. I have never seen so many batters in MLB take first strikes right down the pike and then strike out LOOKING!

The slow demise of the top of the batting order. Through early May each of the top three hitters was hitting well over .300. In Adam Jones and Nick Markakis's cases they were closer to .350. It was even possible to call them one of the best top three in all of baseball. But since then we have had to watch the slow decline of their batting averages. Whether it be B-robs mentality that he is a power hitter rather than a leadoff hitter, or Adam Jones sophomore slump, it has been painful to watch the top of the line up over the last few months.

I have to agree that the biggest disappointment has been the poor showing by Jeremy Guthrie. True, he was never the meant for the "ace" role that he has had to fulfill, but I had at least thought he would be a solid major league starter - one of the pieces that had fallen into place for the Rotation of the Future. As it sits now, his ERA is well north of 5, and that's a disappointment.

I totally agree with Butch. Some guys look like they think it is uncool to run hard or risk collision. Whatever happened to go hard until somebody calls you off? If nothing else you are then in position to back-up. It is disappointing that after big long-term commitments, Roberts and Markakis aren't setting better examples.

I think the opening day rotation was the scariest part of the first half. Only one guy - Guthrie - is still in the rotation and he has not pitched well this year.

As usual, its all about pitching, specifically the starters. It seems as soon as we annoint an "ace" he flames out. Koji looks like a shakey investment at this point in time as well.
But, what really is frustrating is that whenever they approach respectability (.500) they go and loose six in a row.

The inability to score runs in the later parts of the game has been my biggest disappointment. I hope that Roberts was not feeling himself because at one time he looked like he was just trying to get through the season .He's the man that makes this team go. He has been the player that has dissappointed me the most.

The inability to score runs in the later parts of the game has been my biggest disappointment. I hope that Roberts was not feeling himself because at one time he looked like he was just trying to get through the season .He's the man that makes this team go. He has been the player that has dissappointed me the most.

Without a doubt it has to be the entire team's inability to hit lefthanded starting pitching.

Almost to a man, Luke Scott excluded, they have been outclassed by lefthanders all: rookies, journeymen, etc.;

They have a FOCUS problem, and that is the responsibility of coaching & management - not unlike baserunning, calling for popups and knowing how many outs there are.

How about the Pie experiment?

Base running is 1st and foremost.

Brian Roberts has been disappointing---not just his performance but his somewhat lax way he has approached the game--defensively average and offensively swinging at pitches just short of a pick-off throw

Although the baserunning has been pitifull, most disappointing to me has been Guthrie. the o's futility on the road is right up there also. as soon as they start building momentum by winning at home, they go on the road and pitch horribly and fall asleep at the plate.

huff's stache is also very disappointing. when he's at bat he looks like he's gonna pick up home plate and run away with it - Sniddly Whiplash style.

Huff's declining power, Roberts's numerous slumps, Guthrie's pitching, Ray's pitching, baserunning.... Oh well. At least we have one of the best defenses

Adam Eaton and that opening day starting rotation.

Ditto to the baserunning. This has been going on for a number of years and probably cost the team 3-4 games in the first half (which would put them at .500). I agree with the earlier writer that said some of these veterans need to be benched. They don't have a seriousness about them.

Winning only 1 game against Boston so far is wretched!

And letting the Washington Bugs beat us 2x is also embarassing.

Adam Eaton was bad, but all my friends from Philly were laughing when we got him... so his performance matched my expectations.

The base running has been atrocious. Mora and Wiggington are bad. Huff looks like he's pulling a trailer when he runs, yet he tries to stretch things. The only hustlers I see out there are Reimhold and Andino.

What has irked me the most about this team so far is Trembley pulling his starting pitching too early. Now I know there have been instances where the starters can't get out of the 2nd inning. But there have been more instances where the starter has pitched a good game into the 6th, maybe has 90-95 pitches, and soon as he allows a baserunner he gets pulled. Let the guys pitch through it. They need to learn to battle. Plus these guys are young so they can handle 115-125 pitches.

Crybaby fans that believe they can do a better job than team management.

Ryan Freel, anyone?

The worst thing about the O's is the fact that there is plenty to choose as the worst of the season. This is a perennial lament.

1) The opening day starting rotation
2) Base running blunders
3) Guthrie's struggles
4) The batting slump and general inconsistency, especially as the top three tailed off

We're supposed to be buying into optimism for better times ahead. Maybe, but these O's need a lot more than three decent to good pitchers.

Reckless base running is what turns me off. Veterans who are aging may be trying to prove that they haven't " lost a step" but most of the time it is bad baseball and it shocks the motivation out of the rest of the team.
I agree that Guthrie's early season performances seemed to be off the mark. Too many HRs given up: he seemed to be trying too hard and not pitching smart with better location as his goal. Stress may be causing some of his illnesses and lack of stamina? I still think he is an intelligent athlete who is adjusting and wish him well in the second half.

The first half's biggest disappointment, in my opinion, is Jeremy Guthrie. I hope it's just a prolonged slump and not a true indication of his skills, otherwise he is well on his way to becoming the next Rodrigo Lopez - solid right up until the point where you count on him to be.

My biggest fear for the second half is yet another September swoon. The O's have stunk down the stretch for so many years now that I wonder if they can avoid it. If they can then maybe a little momentum goes with them into the Spring. For the last several years any progress they've made throughout the season has been destroyed by absolutely awful play as the season wound down...

Fans who say such ridiculous things...

The fact that we are in the AL East.

Anonymous posters who don't have the guts to put their name up to back their worthless opinions...man up or shut up!!

I agree with Dave Taylor. Have some stones.

So the Pie experiement lasted too long? It lasted less than 100 AB. And, who exactly was supposed to get the LF job out of spring training instead? Montanez or Reimold who never did anything above AA before? Ryan Freel?

Watching jamie walker give up his rocketships.

Losing out to the Yankees on Teixeira--a mistake which will keep the small-time Orioles out of the playoffs for the next decade.

Whats the worst part. We have an idiot for an owner and there is no change in the forseeable future. We can't fire him. We can't undo all the mistakes in the past decade of ownership either.

By far the lack of fundementals!Everyone knew the pitching would suck but I thought we would keep games close with solid fundemental play. All Spring we heard how Trembles (not a spelling mistake, cause he makes me Tremble with fear...), was going to have them take extra fielding practice, steal bases and so on... this is the worst basrunning, fielding and bunting team I have ever seen bar none! CAN ANYONE ON THIS TEAM EVEN ATTEMPT A BUNT???? We get guys on in a perfect bunting situation and we see the usual DP grounder to end the rally. SO FRUSTRATING!!! Trembles must go for this team to ever progress, why do you think he was a career minor league coach?! This team is just like watching a over 40 softball league game after the teams have emptied their coolers... absolutely comical.

I agree with Tim, why don't we ever bunt? B-Rob should know how to do this. Against a national league team, we had men on 1st and 2nd, no outs, B-Rob ocmes up and pops put. Bunt.

1. Adam Eaton
2. Ryan Freel
3. Chris Ray
4. The total lack of hustle by Brian Roberts
5. Horrible baserunning mistakes

I can't include Guthrie on this list for the simple fact that he would be a 4th or 5th starter on a competitive club. Just because you pitch Opening Day doesn't make you an ace.

The stupid bland Hilton Hotel now blocking the beautiful view of downtown B'More and the Bromo Tower.

What a travesty.

The Orioles actually thinking that Koji could be a starting pitcher and now having to pay $10M for a middle reliever.

One of my biggest disappointments was seeing and reading the negative fan reaction to Trembley jumping, well he didn't actually jump anyway, on Jone's as- the other day for not keeping his head in the game and leting the tie run advance a base in a close ball game on Sunday. That is Trembley's job people. My second biggest disappointment is not seeing Luke Scott get a reserve role on the all-star team. He deserved it more than Jones who has done nothing great at the plate for weeks now.

Life long oriole fan living in ca. Ive probably watch over 65 games so far even know they are so hard to watch untill the end of the game.If they were on a 75 min.drop dead time limit like girls softball it would be like 1983 again!

Team ERA - Second Worst in AL.

1.) the starting rotation from day one until now

2.) Jeremy Guthrie- I was expecting him to be the lone bright spot in the rotation.

3.) Chris Ray- I was expecting him to pick up where he left off prior to the arm injury that cost him last year

4.) Matt Wieters- I figured he'd be tearing it up by now the way Reimold did when he came up. That hasn't happened yet. He's done well, but I was just expecting more.

5.) That pop fly that fell between Markakis and Roberts a few weeks ago- that was just plain awful and inexcusable.

1. Terry Crowley's overaggressive, poorly disciplined offense which swings at too many balls, doesn't force opposing pitchers to throw a lot of pitches,, and doesn't value value walks and OBP. In other words, same ineptitude we've seen since Crowley became hitting coach.

2. Trembley's aggressive baserunning strategy and overuse of hit and run, which costs us baserunners and outs, walks, and runs.

3. Early season starting pitching, and Guthrie's entire season.
.

My disappointment this season is not giving Salazar a shot to start at 3B. He deserves a chance. Mora is at the end of his career. Trade him and Huff so you get something instead of nothing when they both become free agents after this season!!!!

well its obvious some of these posters don't watch the games and just look up the score once the game is over at night.

The reason for the terrible rotation at the start of the year was to keep the arms fresh. Eaton was a great signing that just didn't pan out. He was pretty much free and gave the o's time to bring the right arm up. Alfredo actually looked ok but I guess we will never know b/c of his injury.

zauny not playing defense is laughable. I haven't seen any wild pitches go past him. There is a reason why he has been a major leaguer for soooo long.

people getting on mora's case. Sure he has lacked some power but he is hitting really well with risp. Im a little dissapointed in his glove this year. I normally make the case that he is one of the best 3rd fielding baseman every year with all his web gems but i suppose he is getting a little slower. He as been a great oriole and I am sick and tired of people giving him crap. you will be hard pressed to find a guy who loves the orioles and baseball more.

myself the worst part of the first half has been ray or guthrie. Don't get me wrong I love athletes and guthrie is a hell of an athlete. He gets soooo amped up before the game. After that first inning he is lights out. Ray used to be so dominant but got injuried. I hope he can get back to form before our title run of 2011 :).

I hope they wait just a little longer to bring up the big 3. We need to give hill, berken, hernandez a little more time. We are not going to go to the playoffs this year so let these guys try to become big leaguers. remember the only reason they play is to win the series, not to be .500. our time will come

my dad work for the sun sports dept untill his death in 1969. Maisel and my dad were friends my first world series was 1966 against the dodgers I lived ca. since 1988 love the orioles but watching them lately has been hard to do trembley is more like a fan then a manager they need to bring up those young arms and find out what they can do forget about the money!

Good teams seldom beat themselves. The Orioles do it far too often by giving away outs on the bases. We will be sabotaging the good young pitching we hope to have if we are still doing this in a couple of years.

Number of games lost in which Os scored 5 or more runs. In the heyday, 5+ runs was usually a W. Look at these losing scores in 2009:
4/15: (L) 6-19 !!
4/17: (L) 8-10
4/25: (L) 6-5
4/28: (L) 7-5
5/13: (L) 8-6
5/24: (L) 5-8
6/23:(L) 6-7
7/1: (L) 6-5
7/5: (L) 6-9

Second, the number of games where Os scores only 0 or 1 runs: 14 times, including 6 shutouts! The reverse? 7 games where Os held opponent to 0 or 1 runs (2 shutouts).

Third, streaky batting. This has been the bane of the Os for the last 15 years. Professionals treat each game, each at bat, as a seperate event. They come 100% prepared every game. The orioles should be putting up consistent offensive numbers and winning most games where they get good pitching. Losing well pitched games should be rare.

Dan, I agree. The baserunning has been absymal. You wondered aloud what could be done to curb the continual gaffs on the bases.

Using shock collars is a great idea. In case you're wondering how effective that would be, I just happen to have brought along with me a little raw footage of a Stupid Human Dog Collar Trick. Grab some Beer nuts and a cold one, sit back and enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk3YcuzUVqc

Along more conventional lines, what about asessing fines? Also fines for plays where fielders are paying attention to what's going on, like Jones and Pie leisurely lobbing in throws that allow the other teams to advance their baserunners.

Terpfan, Zaun not a good defensive catcher? How so? It's been nearly impossible for a pitcher to throw a wild pitch in the dirt when he's behind the plate. Night and day over last year with Ramon.

Watching Rich Hill, Adam Eaton and Mark Hendrickson in the rotation.

Andy McPhail - I beg you. Please give us Guthrie, Bergesen, Hernandez, Tillman and Berken the rest of the way.

The lack of effort is bothering me the most. When Nolan Reimold came up he displayed that if you run hard every time you hit the ball you WILL get a few more hits. And it therefore kills me to see Aubrey Huff get thrown out on a slow roller to the hole at short because he was jogging as if it didn't matter. And when on base, Huff should not even take a lead. Just keep his foot on the bag because he's gotten picked off a couple times this year with 2-step leads just not paying any attention.

Even our tagged "superman" this year Adam Jones has not been running hard the past few weeks from what I've seen...perhaps he needs to rest his legs and protect his shins better from foul balls that he always seems to hit at himself.

Defensively, I'd like to see Jones play a little deeper in center because he claims he's fast enough and good enough to play shallow and take away the short base hits, but I keep seeing deep flyouts to center becoming doubles to the wall. And the outfielders look scare of the infielders when there's a medium popup. Take charge because you have the better angle on the ball.

With a little more effort, maybe Guthrie pitching well, Berken going to Norfolk, and Reimold and Wieters consistently improving I think we have a shot at being .500 for the season.

For me, the most disappointing stretch of the season came right after the Weiters call-up. The team had won five straight and seven out of eight after beating Detroit the night of Weiters promotion. Bergesen pitched into the 9th and Luke hit a grand slam that night. Optimism was high, Camden Yards was full, and it was actually starting to become fun to be an O's fan again. I'll admit, I even peeked at the wild card standings.

Then the team stopped hitting. They got shut out by Edwin Jackson in the finale of the Tigers series, had a miserable West Coast trip and went 2-10 in the next 12 games after the Weiters call-up. That stretch could not have been any more deflating, given the optimism just before. Now, really good, likable guys like Trembley, Crowley, Mora, Guthrie, Roberts and Markakis have all been made into scapegoats, and it's just another year of negativity. Very disappointing.

I'm in Ohio, so my fill of the O's comes mainly via The Sun and some MLB Network highlights, thus my exposure is limited. It's tough to hear that the team is not hustling and looking poor on the basepaths. That, to me, is as big a disappointment with any team, at any level, let alone an MLB club. I hope some of these young guys don't fear showing up the veterans by hustling, and force the vets to follow course or be benched. This season is to build a foundation for the future, and lack of hustle is not that future. Why reward guys with playing time, especially since they are not taking us to the playoffs this year?

Prior to hearig the posts of the lack of hustling, my biggest disappointment lies in Melvin Mora. I want the guy to be an All-Star just so he can stay in B-more, but the reality is he is not a stud anymore, and it's time to move on.

Base running...that is it. Everyone else is looking too deep in to this.

You can't sit there and tell me that Trembley made a bad decision by putting in Johnson and Sherrill to close out the game against the Red Sox. Of course you put in your top relievers! You expect them to get the job done.

You can't change that we are in the AL East with Boston and New York. Tampa has worked their way to competing. We all knew going in to this season that we were not going to be that good. In fact, we are doing slightly better than predicted.

The Pie experiment didn't work. But, we forget, it was an EXPERIMENT. We were told it was an experiment. And now he barely plays. He is our only option to back up Adam Jones, God forbid he gets hurt.

Guthrie was never an "ace" pitcher to begin with. He would be a #4 or #5 pitcher on most good teams. So, there is no surprise that he is struggling this year.

Koji, another failed experiment. We have to remember, that he was a relief pitcher in Japan, not a starter. It is obvious that he is not used to pitching so many innings. When he gets healthy again, they should put him in the bullpen.

Wieters is not a disappointment by any stretch. The kid is still young and is still learning. I am looking forward to a better second half. Which brings me to Zaun. Great pick up by the O's. This guy knows the game in and out and will be a great manager one day. If you ever listen to him talk about his position, you will learn things that you normally won't hear about the game. He is a great mentor for Wieters. Obviously his batting has not been great, but his presence is why the O's brought him back to Baltimore.

Again, as Baltimore fans, we look way too deep at these kind of issues, and I get it...we are approaching our 12th losing season. But, let MacPhail do what he is doing. Support the O's!

Absolutely nothing. I knew this was going to be a throw away year and it is. This is the year to experiment on a Felix Pie or Rich Hill or Koji Uehara and see if they can do anything before the young players arrive(d). Now if they don't trade some of their veterans before the deadline for more good young talent that would be disappointing.

The only comment I can add is about Huff's mustach. Makes him look like Palmero, which is OK if it makes him hit & field like Raphie.

Obviously our starting rotation was bad at the beginning of the season. Jamie Walker and Chris Ray have been terrible. Our lack of hustle and our baserunning blunders have been awful.

I actually think that the Pie experiment didn't last long enough. When he has been in there recently, he has been fantastic. I'd like to see more of him. It seems Crowley has put in a lot of work with him and I think defensively he makes our team better than Reimold. I wouldn't mind seeing one of Huff or Scott traded and the other playing first with Reimold DHing. The fact that some believe that Zaun has been bad defensively is laughable. besides his throwing arm not being that great, his ability to call a game and block balls in the dirt has been fantastic. He's even started hitting a little.

I think the biggest disappointment has been the overall lack of hitting like some have said. We have a pretty good lineup, but for some reason we are not producing the way a lineup that looks as good on paper as ours does should. Here's to hoping that improves! Please, DT, no more hit and runs. As Earl would say, it is the worst play in baseball.

In my opinion the three worst things about the first half were

1. The Origanal Starting Rotation

2. The Offensive slump that has just been going on

3. And finally the performance of Pie, the guy couldn't hit a kickball if it was thrown at him

The single worst moment was blowing the 9th inning lead to the Sux after the euphoria of coming back from down 9 the previous night.

Overall it was the horrible fundamentals both on the base paths and in the field.

Sundays!!

The worst part for me has been listening to complaining by fans who somehow seem surprised that the team isn't very good. The rotation and baserunning have been frustrating at times but I think they're just part of being an expectedly bad team.

I'm really amazed by the complaints over Guthrie, who admittedly hasn't been very good, but who has done a lot for this team over the last couple years and certainly hasn't been overcompensated for it. The guy was a free pickup who has been our best starter until the last few months, which may well be another case of WBC hangover. I expected him to get a little more slack.

I don't understand the organization's failure to develop starting pitchers who can pitch into the 7th or 8th inning. Pulling the starter after the 5th inninng only does one thing: tire out the bullpen. It doesn't matter how many "quality arms" are in the bullpen; when they are used and overused from the beginning of the season,they are tired and worn out by the All Star break.

This needs to be addressed through the minor league development of pitchers. Why do the Orioles consistently use 3-5 pitchers per game?

There use to be a 4 man rotation; those pitchers usually went deep in the games. They didn't wear out, and neither did the bullpen.

I would say seeing the veteran players express their frustration with Trembley and the state of the team on the field. It reminds me of the Ravens before Billick was axed.

Poor pitching. Poor base-running. Poor hitting all toll, but particularly with men in scoring position, by the guys in the lineup who are being paid to deliver. It's a real bummer coming to the realization that it's going to be our number 12 losing season, and probably going to finish last again. Makes one begin to question McPhail being the one to get it done. Sounds like old times to me.

The worst part is watching Adam Jones blow a bubble as the ball sails over his head and wondering who is allowing all the bonehead plays on the bases. The best part is watching the youth movement in the pitching department and begging for them to be brought up so the offense has something to play for.

Everyone seems to agree that the baserunning is a big problem. Why then are there so few calls for Trembley's head? Baserunning can be fixed quite easily. Cal Sr. is turning over in his grave nightly. We need a manager that will get in somebody's face when the fundamentals are not followed.

The obvious problem with this team is that their heads are not in the game much of the time. Bring back Davey Johnson!

after reading all the post I think the shortest answer wins! SUNDAYS

GUTHERIE GUTHERIE GUTHERIE, oh and walker gutherie should be at bottom of rotation and bergesen at the top and gutherie should be put in the bullpen once the other crops come up Love ya gutherie but you dont deserve to be our ace

Zaun can block pitches but he can't throw anyone out.

the fact that we can't seem to catch a pop up to shallow right field and the spotty defense over all. i thought defense would be the team's strength this year.

I agree with you on the sloppy baserunning. Add to that the lack of effort/emotion from the veterans (with the exception of Luke Scott), pulling pitchers who are doing well because it's time for the 7th, 8th and/or 9th inning pitcher to come in, lack of plate discipline, lack of focus - put them all together and they add up to my biggest disappointment of the first half - Dave Trembley. He's got to quit managing like he's still in the minor leagues, trying to prepare players to fit set roles and start managing to win games.

the people that won't shut up about bringing tillman and arrieta up. yes we will not compete this year so what's the rush to get these guys up? i'm content with watching wieters, jones, reimold and bergesen. they seem to be ready. we will see those other guys towards the end of the year and god knows by that time we will need something fresh and exciting to watch. at the rate he is going we might even get an extra special treat and get a glimps of matusz!!!

I'm going to have to say Nick Markakis... this was supposed to be his year, and he was a stone's throw away from the All Star Game. But after a stellar opening month, he's looked lost and overwhelmed.

Drungo: Are you the journeyman outfielder who had a cup of coffee with the Birds years ago? If so, I always thought you were going to be a homerun hitter, and was disappointed that you faded off into the sunset.

I have 5:

1) Overall, poor execution of fundamentals
2) Taking a 7-run lead over the Red Sox in Boston and then Guthrie LOSING THE GAME
3) Just how big is that stick up Brian Roberts' butt?
4) And what the heck happened to Nck Markakis?
5) Dave Trembley's need to be every player's buddy instead of their manager

1. Trembley and his staff have to be held responsible for the poor fundamentals in the field (throwing to the wrong base, horrendous base running, etc) seems like all of the O's attended the Milton Bradley school of baseball.
2. Guthrie's poor season (WBC may have something to do with this)
3. Weiter's the almighty can't miss real deal who is over matched at the plate and can't field his position.

Fans who don't understand that despite 12 losing seasons that we only started truly rebuilding two seasons ago. It was the unwillingness to rebuild for so long that trapped the O's in no mans land. The worse thing to be in sports is in the middle, you often have to be really bad to be good. The plan under Macphail has been an amazing success considering that it's really in it's beginning stages and the best is yet to come. And by the way to those complaining about Angelos, I can't believe I'm about to write this, since hiring Macphail he's pretty much been a model owner. In fact the only baseball related public statement I can remember his issuing is to say he'll open his wallet when the O's are ready to contend. So give the front office a break, it's night and day versus before Macphail began. The mlb team gets a pass from me in a rebuilding year, hopefully that will change in 2011 and/or 2012.

PETER ANGELOS!!!!!!

First off, Rick- I don't know how you can say Angelos. according to MacPhail, there is zero meddling. Angelos is now doing exactly what a good owner should do. Hats off to Mr. Angelos.

Worst part about the first half:

- First off, regarding player personnel, it has to be Chris Ray with Jeremy Guthrie close behind. Ray is such a baffling case. He has good stuff and should be more dominant, but perhaps he's still getting back to normal after the surgery. Hopefully he'll turn it around b/c if he's on, our bullpen is really sick! Next, Guthrie. I'm hoping he will reel off multiple quality starts in the second half and get his ERA in the low 4's when season is over. I think he can, but he certainly hasn't pitched the way he's capable in the first half.

Worst part of first half regarding team issues is the horrendous base running blunders, the errors and mental mistakes (like Pie not throwing hard on that wild throw into CF), and the offensive trends of not taking a lot of pitches.

Worst part of first half regarding games would be getting swept 4 in Boston (especially after blowing the 7 run lead), losing the 5-1 ninth inning lead to Boston, getting swept in NY, and continuing to lose in series finales and on Sundays.

All that to say, I'm optimistic and am stoked about the direction of our Birds...good times are ahead!

PITCHING PITCHING PITCHING !!!!!!!!!!!