Markakis is a lone bright spot

Nick Markakis made a nice grab up against the out-of-town scoreboard to end the eighth inning. You really can't get a full appreciation for how good this guy is in the field until you see him in person.

For my money, Markakis should get his first All-Star nod this season. The fielding is what makes the difference. Wiggington's bat has leveled off, and he leads the team in errors. Markakis is sporting a steady bat and playing his typically efficient defense in right field. All, unfortunately, for naught. An All-Star bid would at least be something.

This will likely be the fifth straight season the Orioles have had just one All-Star selection, the ninth time since 2000. The player to represent the team most often as a lone All-Star is Cal Ripken Jr., who did so four times (1988, 1991, 1995, 2001). Two of those times Ripken was named the game's MVP ('91 & '01)


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