A woman seated near the press box summed up this evening, and essentially the season, when she let out a pleading "Come on, guys" during the eight inning.
The Orioles had a good chance to rally with runners on first and third and nobody out. Ty Wiggington struck out as Nick Markakis stole second. Luke Scott flied out to left-center to plate a run and move Markakis to third. Adam Jones flew out to right to leave Markakis at third. One run scored. Feels like it should've been more.
"Come on, guys."
Marlins 7 - Orioles 4 after eight.
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Tuesday, June 22, 2010
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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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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Jake Fox almost gets it done
Orioles trail 6-3 after seven innings. In his first at-bat for Baltimore, Jake Fox nearly sent the crowd into a frenzy with a deep drive to center that would've tied the game. Instead, it was a warning-track out that moved the O's no closer. The fans still gave Fox a hearty hand for his effort. Long-ball outs are reason for excitement in Baltimore these days. At least when they come from a new face.
Shortly after applauding Fox, the first wave of early departures took to the gates. There's still a healthy portion of the crowd remaining in Baltimore; however, I don't sense that anyone's expecting Orioles Magic.
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Shortly after applauding Fox, the first wave of early departures took to the gates. There's still a healthy portion of the crowd remaining in Baltimore; however, I don't sense that anyone's expecting Orioles Magic.
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Sanchez barely makes it past the seventh inning stretch
Anibal Sanchez is done for the night. He leaves with two runners on and one out in the bottom of the seventh inning.The Orioles got to him for seven hits and three runs. It's a quality start for Sanchez, par for the course for teams facing the Birds.
What wasn't par for the course in 2006 was a no-hitter. Sanchez's no-no on Sept. 6 of that year against Arizona ended the longest no-hitter drought in Major League Baseball history; there had been 6,364 consecutive major-league games without a no-hitter following Randy Johnson's perfect game on May 18, 2004.
There have already been three no-hitters in 2010: Dallas Braden's perfect game on May 9, Roy Halladay's perfect game on May 29, and Ubaldo Jimenez's no-hitter on April 17. And then of course there's Armando Gallaraga, who should have had a perfect game on June 2.
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What wasn't par for the course in 2006 was a no-hitter. Sanchez's no-no on Sept. 6 of that year against Arizona ended the longest no-hitter drought in Major League Baseball history; there had been 6,364 consecutive major-league games without a no-hitter following Randy Johnson's perfect game on May 18, 2004.
There have already been three no-hitters in 2010: Dallas Braden's perfect game on May 9, Roy Halladay's perfect game on May 29, and Ubaldo Jimenez's no-hitter on April 17. And then of course there's Armando Gallaraga, who should have had a perfect game on June 2.
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Apologies in advance for getting mushy
Unrelated to baseball: There's a "Happy Anniversary" message on the Jumbotron in center field right now. Makes me think of my wife, who's in D.C. tonight for work. Miss you, babe.
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The Marlins' version of the ballpark takeover
T-shirt Tuesday drew 14,820 fans to the Yard this evening. The Marlins must feel like they're playing at home.
Florida has the second-worst attendance numbers in baseball with an average of 16,376 fans per game. Cleveland is last at 16,343. The Orioles rank 19th with 23,719.
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Florida has the second-worst attendance numbers in baseball with an average of 16,376 fans per game. Cleveland is last at 16,343. The Orioles rank 19th with 23,719.
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Guthrie's done for the evening
Jeremy Guthrie leaves the game down 5-3 in the seventh inning following a run-scoring double by Gaby Sanchez with no outs. He won't get the win tonight and may in fact add a loss to his 3-8 record coming into the night.
Guthrie's final line was an ugly one: six innings pitched, seven hits, six earned runs, two walks, three strikeouts, two batters hit by pitch. He tossed 108 pitches, 68 of them for strikes.
Forget 20 games, could the Orioles go without a 10-game winner this season?
Guthrie is the only Orioles pitcher to reach double-digit win totals for the past two seasons. Guthrie won 10 games for the Birds in 2008 and 2009. His three wins this season are tied with Brad Bergesen for the team lead in 2010.
Now compare that to the Marlin's stable of young arms. Every member of the starting rotation has at least four wins led by Josh Johnson (8-2, 1.80 ERA). So the Orioles' top pitchers in terms of wins would be at the bottom of the Marlins' rotation in the category.
Of course, Marlins pitchers do get more run support than Orioles starters. Josh Johnson (6.3 runs per nine innings) and Anibal Sanchez (5.33) are in the NL Top 20 for run support. But I think it's fair to say that's not the lone difference. Consider, for example, the Marlins' team ERA (4.01) against Baltimore's (4.98).
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Guthrie's final line was an ugly one: six innings pitched, seven hits, six earned runs, two walks, three strikeouts, two batters hit by pitch. He tossed 108 pitches, 68 of them for strikes.
Forget 20 games, could the Orioles go without a 10-game winner this season?
Guthrie is the only Orioles pitcher to reach double-digit win totals for the past two seasons. Guthrie won 10 games for the Birds in 2008 and 2009. His three wins this season are tied with Brad Bergesen for the team lead in 2010.
Now compare that to the Marlin's stable of young arms. Every member of the starting rotation has at least four wins led by Josh Johnson (8-2, 1.80 ERA). So the Orioles' top pitchers in terms of wins would be at the bottom of the Marlins' rotation in the category.
Of course, Marlins pitchers do get more run support than Orioles starters. Josh Johnson (6.3 runs per nine innings) and Anibal Sanchez (5.33) are in the NL Top 20 for run support. But I think it's fair to say that's not the lone difference. Consider, for example, the Marlins' team ERA (4.01) against Baltimore's (4.98).
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Something to cheer about
Hats off to Orioles fans, who have done the right thing by baseball standards and applauded nice efforts by the Marlins' defense.
Uggla's stab at second base early in the game and Chris Coghlan's running catch that sent him into the stands in the sixth have earned applause from the Oriole faithful. Were it not for the bright orange shirts, all the empty seats, and the absence of baseball's best hitter, I'd almost think I was in St. Louis.
The O's did hit the ball hard in the bottom of the sixth as I expected. Markakis advanced as far as third following a one-out double. However, I was wrong about runs being scored. Coghlan's grab in left retired Ty Wiggington, and Luke Scott got fooled on an off-speed 3-2 pitch to end the inning.
The score remains Marlins 4 - Orioles 3.
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Uggla's stab at second base early in the game and Chris Coghlan's running catch that sent him into the stands in the sixth have earned applause from the Oriole faithful. Were it not for the bright orange shirts, all the empty seats, and the absence of baseball's best hitter, I'd almost think I was in St. Louis.
The O's did hit the ball hard in the bottom of the sixth as I expected. Markakis advanced as far as third following a one-out double. However, I was wrong about runs being scored. Coghlan's grab in left retired Ty Wiggington, and Luke Scott got fooled on an off-speed 3-2 pitch to end the inning.
The score remains Marlins 4 - Orioles 3.
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T-Shirts are better than ... wait for it ... vuvuzelas
The Fan of the Game award went to the folks behind home plate who brought along a "House of Wiggington" banner on Ty Wiggington T-shirt Tuesday. I'm sure glad they gave out T-shirts rather than follow the Marlins' lead with the vuvuzelas.
The Marlins gave out 15,000 vuvuzelas this past weekend during their series with Tampa Bay. Dan Uggla was one of many players who wore ear plugs. He was clearly not a fan of the promotion. Here's how he responded: “This isn’t soccer. I know the World Cup is going on, but this is baseball. That was the worst handout or giveaway I’ve ever been a part of in baseball.”
Cody Ross called them "awful." And manager Fredi Gonzalez had a mix-up with home plate umpire Lance Barkdale, perhaps the result of the buzzing cacophony.
The Marlins gave out 15,000 vuvuzelas this past weekend during their series with Tampa Bay. Dan Uggla was one of many players who wore ear plugs. He was clearly not a fan of the promotion. Here's how he responded: “This isn’t soccer. I know the World Cup is going on, but this is baseball. That was the worst handout or giveaway I’ve ever been a part of in baseball.”
Cody Ross called them "awful." And manager Fredi Gonzalez had a mix-up with home plate umpire Lance Barkdale, perhaps the result of the buzzing cacophony.
When Gonzalez went out to make changes before the ninth inning he intended to place Brian Barden in the ninth spot in the batting order. But Barksdale somehow got it wrong, leading to an out instead of a lead-off walk.
"It's an embarrassing thing and it's an unfortunate thing," Gonzalez said. "But whether we won the game or lost the game because of that, I don't think so."And here's what the crew chief had to say.
Crew chief Tom Hallion:" It was the most uncomfortable baseball game I've been a part of in a long time because of that. Whether that had anything to do with it, I don't know, but it could have. When's the last time you heard something like that at a baseball game? Never. You don't see this kind of stuff at baseball games."Here's an idea of what it sounded like.
Five and O
Another scoreless inning. Marlins 4 - Orioles 3 after five.
I'd be surprised if the Orioles make it through the next inning without scoring some runs. Yes, you read that correctly. Anibal Sanchez has struggled of late to get deep into games. That helps explain why, after a 4-0 May that saw him post a 1.96 ERA, he's 1-2, with a 4.34 ERA, and 1.714 WHIP in June.
Meanwhile, the Birds have the heart of the lineup, including two left-handed batters, coming up in Markakis, Wiggington, and Scott. The ball's lively tonight and should be jumping off the bats come next inning.
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I'd be surprised if the Orioles make it through the next inning without scoring some runs. Yes, you read that correctly. Anibal Sanchez has struggled of late to get deep into games. That helps explain why, after a 4-0 May that saw him post a 1.96 ERA, he's 1-2, with a 4.34 ERA, and 1.714 WHIP in June.
Meanwhile, the Birds have the heart of the lineup, including two left-handed batters, coming up in Markakis, Wiggington, and Scott. The ball's lively tonight and should be jumping off the bats come next inning.
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Having pity for the Orioles?
Top of the fifth was a quiet half-inning for the Marlins. Among the batters retired without threat was Cody Ross, who may just feel pity for the Orioles. Surely he can relate to their struggles.
Ross played for the 2003 Tigers team that went 43-119. Juan Samuel was a coach for the 2003 team. At least Ross gets to leave town at the end of the series.
Marlins 4 - Orioles 3 headed to the bottom of the fifth.
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Ross played for the 2003 Tigers team that went 43-119. Juan Samuel was a coach for the 2003 team. At least Ross gets to leave town at the end of the series.
Marlins 4 - Orioles 3 headed to the bottom of the fifth.
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Must be something about that June air in Baltimore
The ball is carrying well at Camden Yards tonight, specifically toward left-center field. Luke Scott almost matched Matt Wieters with a "high pop-up that just keeps carrying and ends up a home run" in the bottom of the fourth inning. Instead, Cody Ross made the grab on the warning track.
June is a good month for home runs in Baltimore, and not just at Camden Yards. Tonight is the 48th anniversary of Boog Powell's 469-foot homer against the Red Sox at Memorial Stadium in 1962. It was the first ball to clear the center-field hedge at Memorial Stadium and went more than 500 feet on the roll.
For context, the longest home run in Camden Yards history is Daryl Strawberry's 465-foot blast to the ivy in center field on June 17, 1998. That's four feet short of Boog's effort in 1962.
With Guthrie on the mound, the ball carrying well, and Dan Uggla in town, we may seem some more blasts before the night is over.
Four in the books. Marlins 4 - Orioles 3.
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June is a good month for home runs in Baltimore, and not just at Camden Yards. Tonight is the 48th anniversary of Boog Powell's 469-foot homer against the Red Sox at Memorial Stadium in 1962. It was the first ball to clear the center-field hedge at Memorial Stadium and went more than 500 feet on the roll.
For context, the longest home run in Camden Yards history is Daryl Strawberry's 465-foot blast to the ivy in center field on June 17, 1998. That's four feet short of Boog's effort in 1962.
With Guthrie on the mound, the ball carrying well, and Dan Uggla in town, we may seem some more blasts before the night is over.
Four in the books. Marlins 4 - Orioles 3.
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So we meet again
For the third time in as many at-bats, Hanley Ramirez came to the plate with at least one runner on in the fourth inning. After winning out in a tough at-bat against Guthrie in the second inning, the first-pitch swinging Ramirez was retired easily this time around.
Guthrie has put runners on in three of four innings this evening. Must like pitching from the stretch.
Score remains 4-3 Marlins heading into the bottom of the fourth inning.
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Guthrie has put runners on in three of four innings this evening. Must like pitching from the stretch.
Score remains 4-3 Marlins heading into the bottom of the fourth inning.
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Marlins getting defensive
The Marlins are playing good defense in the early going, particularly on the right side of the infield. The team has the second-most errors in baseball with 58, which is four behind the Washington Nationals. Nevertheless, Uggla made a fine play to his right on a sharply hit ball by Nick Markakis in the first inning only to be matched by first baseman Gaby Sanchez going to his left on a shot by Corey Patterson in the third.
The Orioles, perhaps surprisingly, are 21st in the majors for errors with 40. I expected a number much worse before I checked. Ty Wiggington leads the team with 10 errors. Minnesota is baseball's most error-free squad with only 21 errors. Isn't the term "pitching and defense" pretty much trademarked by small market Minnesota?
Marlins went quietly in the top of the third. Orioles made a little noise with a one-out Miguel Tejada single in the bottom of the third, but he advanced no farther. Ty Wiggington fought off several two-strike pitches after getting behind 1-2 but eventually flew out to right field. Wiggington has batted .065 when he has a 1-2 count on him this season (31 at-bats). He sure looked tough against Sanchez in that situation, but the result won't help the final number any.
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The Orioles, perhaps surprisingly, are 21st in the majors for errors with 40. I expected a number much worse before I checked. Ty Wiggington leads the team with 10 errors. Minnesota is baseball's most error-free squad with only 21 errors. Isn't the term "pitching and defense" pretty much trademarked by small market Minnesota?
Marlins went quietly in the top of the third. Orioles made a little noise with a one-out Miguel Tejada single in the bottom of the third, but he advanced no farther. Ty Wiggington fought off several two-strike pitches after getting behind 1-2 but eventually flew out to right field. Wiggington has batted .065 when he has a 1-2 count on him this season (31 at-bats). He sure looked tough against Sanchez in that situation, but the result won't help the final number any.
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Wiggington and Wieters get the bats going for the O's
Ty Wiggington - who else - got the Orioles started strongly in the bottom of the second. He must've been inspired by all the Wiggington jerseys in the stands. Yes, it's Ty Wiggington T-Shirt Tuesday in Baltimore.
Surprisingly given their track record this season, the O's immediately have some fight in them. Adam Jones' one out broken-bat single to left put runners at the corner for Matt Wieters, whose 383 foot opposite field home run plated three for Baltimore. Wieters' homer looked like a long pop-up to left-center, but it just kept carrying.
Luke Scott got to running down the first base line after hitting a towering pop-up to right field prior to Wieters' long ball. Scott tossed his bat in disgust but must've remembered Juan Samuel's admonition from the last homestand when he jogged following a similarly high pop-up to right. The ball dropped in that night and Scott advanced to second when he could've had more. Palmer and Thorne were all over Scott on that game's MASN broadcast. And Samuel was all over Scott - well, sort of - in the dugout. Not tonight.
Two innings in the books. Marlins 4 - Orioles 3.
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Surprisingly given their track record this season, the O's immediately have some fight in them. Adam Jones' one out broken-bat single to left put runners at the corner for Matt Wieters, whose 383 foot opposite field home run plated three for Baltimore. Wieters' homer looked like a long pop-up to left-center, but it just kept carrying.
Luke Scott got to running down the first base line after hitting a towering pop-up to right field prior to Wieters' long ball. Scott tossed his bat in disgust but must've remembered Juan Samuel's admonition from the last homestand when he jogged following a similarly high pop-up to right. The ball dropped in that night and Scott advanced to second when he could've had more. Palmer and Thorne were all over Scott on that game's MASN broadcast. And Samuel was all over Scott - well, sort of - in the dugout. Not tonight.
Two innings in the books. Marlins 4 - Orioles 3.
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Mike Stanton's (sort of) a winner
Guthrie struggled with the bottom of the Marlins' lineup in the top of the second, which set up trouble once things turned over. He ended up with Hanley Ramirez - .286, 11 HR, 40 RBI - at the dish with two on and two out.
Guthrie got behind Ramirez 2-0. Both pitcher and batter did solid work in moving to a 3-2 count with Ramirez fouling off two-strike pitches. Ramirez ultimately got the best of Guthrie with a double down the right field line to give the Marlins a 4-0 lead. Guthrie then hit Jorge Cantu with a pitch and the ump warned both dugouts.
The trouble really began earlier in the inning when Guthrie allowed a single to number seven hitter Mike Stanton that moved Cody Ross to third base following a lead-off walk. Guthrie should know that the rookie Stanton's a winner ... at least for half a season.
Stanton played for the Marlins' Double-A affiliate, the Jacksonville Suns, until getting the call for Florida's June 8 game against the Phillies. The Suns clinched the first half title in the Southern League South Division on Sunday. In other news, the team will hold a Michael Jackson Tribute Night, featuring a Michael Jackson impersonator, on June 25. Now that's worth getting sent down for.
In addition to Ramirez's clutch, two-out hit, the Marlins got RBI singles from number eight hitter Wes Helms and leadoff man Chris Coghlan, a Maryland native.
Bottom of the second: Marlins 4 - Orioles 0.
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Guthrie got behind Ramirez 2-0. Both pitcher and batter did solid work in moving to a 3-2 count with Ramirez fouling off two-strike pitches. Ramirez ultimately got the best of Guthrie with a double down the right field line to give the Marlins a 4-0 lead. Guthrie then hit Jorge Cantu with a pitch and the ump warned both dugouts.
The trouble really began earlier in the inning when Guthrie allowed a single to number seven hitter Mike Stanton that moved Cody Ross to third base following a lead-off walk. Guthrie should know that the rookie Stanton's a winner ... at least for half a season.
Stanton played for the Marlins' Double-A affiliate, the Jacksonville Suns, until getting the call for Florida's June 8 game against the Phillies. The Suns clinched the first half title in the Southern League South Division on Sunday. In other news, the team will hold a Michael Jackson Tribute Night, featuring a Michael Jackson impersonator, on June 25. Now that's worth getting sent down for.
In addition to Ramirez's clutch, two-out hit, the Marlins got RBI singles from number eight hitter Wes Helms and leadoff man Chris Coghlan, a Maryland native.
Bottom of the second: Marlins 4 - Orioles 0.
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Markakis and Sanchez have a history
Nick Markakis is one of the few Orioles with a history against Anibal Sanchez in tonight's Interleague game. Markakis batted against Sanchez when he was with the Frederick Keys and Sanchez took the mound for the Wilmington Blue Rocks. The short history didn't pay off thanks to a nice stab by Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla going to his right. O's go three up-three down.
It wasn't a total loss for Markakis in his first AB of the night. After having never faced a pitcher with the last name Sanchez during his major league career coming into the 2010 season, he's now done so twice in the past week. Markakis went 0-for-3 with a walk against the Giants' Jonathan Sanchez last week. And that, my friends, may be the most random fact you read all night.
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It wasn't a total loss for Markakis in his first AB of the night. After having never faced a pitcher with the last name Sanchez during his major league career coming into the 2010 season, he's now done so twice in the past week. Markakis went 0-for-3 with a walk against the Giants' Jonathan Sanchez last week. And that, my friends, may be the most random fact you read all night.
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Middle of the first - No damage done
Orioles came out in the orange batting practice unis for tonight's Interleague match-up. Guthrie was working ahead of batters but still wound up in a jam with two on and one out after hitting Hanley Ramirez with a pitch. Good thing Joe Girardi no longer manages the Marlins. He would've had a fit.
June was not kind to Guthrie last season. He had the least innings pitched (25), the second-highest ERA (5.76) and the fewest strikeouts (12) of any month. So far in 2010 he's 0-3 in June with a 4.43 ERA, 20 hits in 20 IP, 10 earned runs, four home runs.
Guthrie's 3.64 ERA at the end of May was among the league's best and put him ahead of the likes of Felix Hernandez and C.C. Sabathia. He is now 26th in the American League with a 3.97 ERA and trails both players.
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June was not kind to Guthrie last season. He had the least innings pitched (25), the second-highest ERA (5.76) and the fewest strikeouts (12) of any month. So far in 2010 he's 0-3 in June with a 4.43 ERA, 20 hits in 20 IP, 10 earned runs, four home runs.
Guthrie's 3.64 ERA at the end of May was among the league's best and put him ahead of the likes of Felix Hernandez and C.C. Sabathia. He is now 26th in the American League with a 3.97 ERA and trails both players.
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Ceremonial pitches to soon give way to the real thing
First ceremonial first pitch was a little inside. Poor guy was out there in this heat with a long sleeve dress shirt and khakis, but he still offered a quality toss. Second ceremonial pitch (I'm confused too) was bounced to the plate. And that guy was in short sleeves. Rick Kranitz caught the first pitch, Jake Arrieta got the second one.
We've heard a lot about the Orioles' "calvary" of young arms, including Arrieta, coming to save the team. Jeff Zribiec tracked their progress this morning in The Sun. Turns out the Marlins have a calvary of their own. And they, too, were led by Kranitz, who had the same role for Florida in 2006 and 2007.
In 2006, Florida was the first team to have four rookies win at least 10 games. Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez - tonight's starter - are still in the Marlins' rotation. The fourth pitcher, Dontrelle Willis, has since been traded. Sanchez enters tonight's game 6-4 with a 3.22 ERA.
It's not Palmer, Cuellar, Dobson, and McNally winning 20 games a piece in the same season, but a foursome of rookies all notching 10 wins is impressive nonetheless. The feeling would be considerably different in Baltimore this season if the O's had four rookies chasing the Marlins' record-setting wins mark.
I suppose the horses in Baltimore's calvary travel a bit more slowly than Florida's.
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We've heard a lot about the Orioles' "calvary" of young arms, including Arrieta, coming to save the team. Jeff Zribiec tracked their progress this morning in The Sun. Turns out the Marlins have a calvary of their own. And they, too, were led by Kranitz, who had the same role for Florida in 2006 and 2007.
In 2006, Florida was the first team to have four rookies win at least 10 games. Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez - tonight's starter - are still in the Marlins' rotation. The fourth pitcher, Dontrelle Willis, has since been traded. Sanchez enters tonight's game 6-4 with a 3.22 ERA.
It's not Palmer, Cuellar, Dobson, and McNally winning 20 games a piece in the same season, but a foursome of rookies all notching 10 wins is impressive nonetheless. The feeling would be considerably different in Baltimore this season if the O's had four rookies chasing the Marlins' record-setting wins mark.
I suppose the horses in Baltimore's calvary travel a bit more slowly than Florida's.
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The Kids Table
Turns out that even with my caution I still wound up away from my assigned seat. No longer in the front row, but still prime territory. I don't know if it's fair to call it the kids table anymore given that it's the row with Mark Viviano. Then again, maybe he's the one who's supposed to keep me from tearing down the curtains.
By the way, the tag in front of my spot reads "Oriole Blogs." We are many but one.
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Strolling to the ballpark
I arrived earlier than expected to the ballpark tonight and therefore decided to park on Lombard Street in one of my dad's favorite free sidestreet spots rather than pick up the parking pass provided by the team.
On one hand, this decision gave me the opportunity to stroll through downtown and take in what sights and sounds there are left on a summer baseball night in Baltimore - a smattering of fans grilling over by the Babe Ruth museum, a father in his Brook Robinson T-shirt with his young son in tow, parking attendants collecting the dollars left to be had from suburban sports commuters. I don't remember lots two blocks from the stadium going for as cheap as $8. Times have changed, but if you strain your eyes enough. Scratch that. You're better to just go off memory of a thriving baseball town.
On the other hand, my dad's free sidestreet spot at Memorial Stadium resulted in my being mugged several years ago after a night game with the Minnesota Twins. Here's hoping I have better luck this evening. All they really got away with that night was my buddy's St. Louis Browns hat. Either the perpetrators were big into baseball history or they got the raw end of the deal. Since there's no cheering in the press box I'm not wearing any O's gear, but something tells me it'd be good repellant from would-be thieves on the walk back to the car.
Aware that I'm an outsider entering sacred journalism territory, I decided to ask a press box employee, Joe, for advice on choosing a seat. Ever been to dinner at someone's house for the first time and mistakenly sat in the father's seat? The press box regulars - Zrebiec and Connolly from The Sun, for example - are the dad tonight. So I suppose I'm at the kids table, but it's a darn nice kids table.
Joe helped me establish a wireless connection and now the evening's work begins. Doesn't pay much - not a thing, actually - but so far I like this gig.
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On one hand, this decision gave me the opportunity to stroll through downtown and take in what sights and sounds there are left on a summer baseball night in Baltimore - a smattering of fans grilling over by the Babe Ruth museum, a father in his Brook Robinson T-shirt with his young son in tow, parking attendants collecting the dollars left to be had from suburban sports commuters. I don't remember lots two blocks from the stadium going for as cheap as $8. Times have changed, but if you strain your eyes enough. Scratch that. You're better to just go off memory of a thriving baseball town.
On the other hand, my dad's free sidestreet spot at Memorial Stadium resulted in my being mugged several years ago after a night game with the Minnesota Twins. Here's hoping I have better luck this evening. All they really got away with that night was my buddy's St. Louis Browns hat. Either the perpetrators were big into baseball history or they got the raw end of the deal. Since there's no cheering in the press box I'm not wearing any O's gear, but something tells me it'd be good repellant from would-be thieves on the walk back to the car.
Aware that I'm an outsider entering sacred journalism territory, I decided to ask a press box employee, Joe, for advice on choosing a seat. Ever been to dinner at someone's house for the first time and mistakenly sat in the father's seat? The press box regulars - Zrebiec and Connolly from The Sun, for example - are the dad tonight. So I suppose I'm at the kids table, but it's a darn nice kids table.
Joe helped me establish a wireless connection and now the evening's work begins. Doesn't pay much - not a thing, actually - but so far I like this gig.
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Blogging from the press box is like preparing for a final exam
Ever had one of those dreams where you show up for the final exam unprepared? I experienced a version of that scenario a few nights ago after having learned that I'll be blogging from the Camden Yards press box during Tuesday night's Orioles game with the Marlins.
The basic set-up of the nightmare - it qualifies as a nightmare, because it put me in a panic - was that I showed up to the stadium with my dad and brother only to discover that none of us had a laptop for me to use. There wasn't enough time to race home and get a computer, and my efforts to focus everyone's thinking on an alternative solution were blocked by Oriole great Rick Dempsey, who was having a very friendly extended conversation with my dad.
Here's hoping things go a little more smoothly this evening than I've imagined them in my sleep. I've been preparing for the opportunity as if it is a final exam. Thankfully, it's an open book test with Google and Baseball Reference readily available.
Be sure to visit Roar from 34 throughout tonight's game for updates. And if you don't see anything posted on this site, you can blame Rick Dempsey.
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The basic set-up of the nightmare - it qualifies as a nightmare, because it put me in a panic - was that I showed up to the stadium with my dad and brother only to discover that none of us had a laptop for me to use. There wasn't enough time to race home and get a computer, and my efforts to focus everyone's thinking on an alternative solution were blocked by Oriole great Rick Dempsey, who was having a very friendly extended conversation with my dad.
Here's hoping things go a little more smoothly this evening than I've imagined them in my sleep. I've been preparing for the opportunity as if it is a final exam. Thankfully, it's an open book test with Google and Baseball Reference readily available.
Be sure to visit Roar from 34 throughout tonight's game for updates. And if you don't see anything posted on this site, you can blame Rick Dempsey.
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Monday, June 21, 2010
Baltimore's bullpen is blowing it for the team
Baltimore's bullpen, the Russian Roulette Relievers that they are, have blown an astounding 12 of 24 save opportunities this season. The team's 50 percent save percentage stands well below both the American League (68 percent) and National League (66 percent) averages.
The team has shared the poverty as each of the eight pitchers who has had at least one save opportunity has a blown save, led by Jim Johnson (three blown saves in four opportunities), Michael Gonzalez (two blown saves in three opportunities), and Matt Albers (two blown saves in two opportunities).
As you might guess, bad bullpens are a consistent trait of last place teams. Every last place team with the exception of Washington has a save percentage below its respective league average:
The Orioles' Off-Season Wish List continues to grow as the losses mount. Unfortunately, buying a bullpen is no easy task.
Consider the 2007 Orioles. The team invested more than $40 million in the bullpen (read all about it if you can bear to do so), which paid dividends for the first month or so of the season. Then the bottom fell out.
The Orioles lost leads in 120 of 162 games in 2007 and dropped 16 games in which they led after the seventh inning. Twenty one relievers were used (21!) and together compiled a 5.71 ERA, the second-worst in the major leagues and the fifth highest over the previous 51 seasons. And yes, 2007 was the year of 30-3.
One year earlier, Baltimore relievers had the second-highest ERA (5.27) in baseball and were worst for slugging percentage (.478) and home runs allowed (86).
So there's a valid explanation for that stomach pain that takes over every time the bullpen gates open. It's just another case of classical conditioning.
The Orioles may not be able to settle on a closer, but the bullpen theme song is a no brainer. Cue the Four Tops, because it's the "same old song."
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Related reading: Quality starts not leading to quality outcomes in Baltimore
The team has shared the poverty as each of the eight pitchers who has had at least one save opportunity has a blown save, led by Jim Johnson (three blown saves in four opportunities), Michael Gonzalez (two blown saves in three opportunities), and Matt Albers (two blown saves in two opportunities).
As you might guess, bad bullpens are a consistent trait of last place teams. Every last place team with the exception of Washington has a save percentage below its respective league average:
Nationals - 10 blown saves in 32 changes (69 percent)
Pittsburgh - 8 blown saves in 23 opportunities (65 percent)
Seattle - 10 blown saves in 26 opportunities (62 percent)
Indians - 8 blown saves in 19 opportunities (58 percent)
Indians - 8 blown saves in 19 opportunities (58 percent)
Arizona - 12 blown saves in 26 opportunities (54 percent)
Meanwhile, each first place team except Atlanta (65) has a save percentage of 70 or more: Cardinals (76 percent), Rangers (72 percent), Twins (72 percent), Padres (71 percent), and Yankees (70).
The Orioles' Off-Season Wish List continues to grow as the losses mount. Unfortunately, buying a bullpen is no easy task.
Consider the 2007 Orioles. The team invested more than $40 million in the bullpen (read all about it if you can bear to do so), which paid dividends for the first month or so of the season. Then the bottom fell out.
The Orioles lost leads in 120 of 162 games in 2007 and dropped 16 games in which they led after the seventh inning. Twenty one relievers were used (21!) and together compiled a 5.71 ERA, the second-worst in the major leagues and the fifth highest over the previous 51 seasons. And yes, 2007 was the year of 30-3.
One year earlier, Baltimore relievers had the second-highest ERA (5.27) in baseball and were worst for slugging percentage (.478) and home runs allowed (86).
So there's a valid explanation for that stomach pain that takes over every time the bullpen gates open. It's just another case of classical conditioning.
The Orioles may not be able to settle on a closer, but the bullpen theme song is a no brainer. Cue the Four Tops, because it's the "same old song."
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Related reading: Quality starts not leading to quality outcomes in Baltimore
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Re-Post: The Wally Backman tirade goes viral
The Wally Backman Independent League tirade from a few years ago has gone viral. The video was captured as part of the "Playing for Peanuts" series, which I reviewed - with a focus on former Oriole Curtis Goodwin - in March 2009. I love Goodwin's use of the phrase "bushy" to describe the league in the video below.
Here's the original post.
Goodwin first appears, seemingly from out of the blue (were this a fictional baseball movie, he would've emerged from a corn field), in the eighth of 10 episodes on the 3 DVD "Playing for Peanuts" series. The outfielder, as portrayed, is full of personality and confidence as Peanuts creator/director John Fitzgerald focuses on Goodwin's tendency to talk ad nauseum about his experiences in the bigs - one scene shows him chattering in the outfield during game action about facing knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.
Goodwin is largely absent from the DVD in the final two episodes of the series, with his name and related game highlights popping up only briefly during the Peanuts' championship run in the now-defunct, independent South Coast League.
Viewers can learn a bit more about Goodwin in the "Meet the Peanuts - Again" segment on the "Playing for Peanuts" blog, but his back story, like that of many other players in the series, is left largely unexamined, which contributes to a sense that the series leans more toward its Reality TV billing than its documentary side. It seems like a missed opportunity, but perhaps for a good reason.
It's fair to assume that Fitzgerald faced a sizable challenge in trying to get mostly young, 20-something ballplayers to engage in any level of self-examination, much less to do so on camera. Perhaps with this in mind, or even having tried to take on the task, Fitzgerald ultimately chooses to use Wally Backman's journey through the professional and minor league ranks as a player and as a manager as one of the series' predominant narratives.
The consistently colorful Backman rarely disappoints, and Fitzgerald captures some telling moments along the way, most notably an obvious discrepancy between the media re-telling of a Backman tirade and the reality of the day's events as captured on video. Fitzgerald also focuses on the overall struggles of the start-up league and its Keystone Cops umpiring crews.
Interestingly, Fitzgerald notes the following of Goodwin on the Peanuts blog: "Curtis suffered from a weird strain of camera shyness - he never wanted to do interviews, but he would jump in front of our cameras whenever he could - mostly during games or batting practice. I had to work extra hard to get Curtis to sit down for this interview and he didn't disappoint."
What does it mean to not know if you're single, as Goodwin states in the interview? What convinces a guy to "kind of retire" at age 26 and then re-emerge in his mid-30s in a start-up independent league? Why did Backman keep Goodwin waiting to be signed, and better yet, why was Goodwin so willing to wait? Sometimes lives left unexamined are that way for a reason.
I provided a brief bio on Goodwin and described meeting him before anyone really knew who he was in a September 2008 Roar from 34 posting.
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Here's the original post.
An Oriole in his early 20s, a South Georgia Peanut at age 35. What is Curtis Goodwin's story?
Goodwin first appears, seemingly from out of the blue (were this a fictional baseball movie, he would've emerged from a corn field), in the eighth of 10 episodes on the 3 DVD "Playing for Peanuts" series. The outfielder, as portrayed, is full of personality and confidence as Peanuts creator/director John Fitzgerald focuses on Goodwin's tendency to talk ad nauseum about his experiences in the bigs - one scene shows him chattering in the outfield during game action about facing knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.
Goodwin is largely absent from the DVD in the final two episodes of the series, with his name and related game highlights popping up only briefly during the Peanuts' championship run in the now-defunct, independent South Coast League.
Viewers can learn a bit more about Goodwin in the "Meet the Peanuts - Again" segment on the "Playing for Peanuts" blog, but his back story, like that of many other players in the series, is left largely unexamined, which contributes to a sense that the series leans more toward its Reality TV billing than its documentary side. It seems like a missed opportunity, but perhaps for a good reason.
It's fair to assume that Fitzgerald faced a sizable challenge in trying to get mostly young, 20-something ballplayers to engage in any level of self-examination, much less to do so on camera. Perhaps with this in mind, or even having tried to take on the task, Fitzgerald ultimately chooses to use Wally Backman's journey through the professional and minor league ranks as a player and as a manager as one of the series' predominant narratives.
The consistently colorful Backman rarely disappoints, and Fitzgerald captures some telling moments along the way, most notably an obvious discrepancy between the media re-telling of a Backman tirade and the reality of the day's events as captured on video. Fitzgerald also focuses on the overall struggles of the start-up league and its Keystone Cops umpiring crews.
Interestingly, Fitzgerald notes the following of Goodwin on the Peanuts blog: "Curtis suffered from a weird strain of camera shyness - he never wanted to do interviews, but he would jump in front of our cameras whenever he could - mostly during games or batting practice. I had to work extra hard to get Curtis to sit down for this interview and he didn't disappoint."
What does it mean to not know if you're single, as Goodwin states in the interview? What convinces a guy to "kind of retire" at age 26 and then re-emerge in his mid-30s in a start-up independent league? Why did Backman keep Goodwin waiting to be signed, and better yet, why was Goodwin so willing to wait? Sometimes lives left unexamined are that way for a reason.
I provided a brief bio on Goodwin and described meeting him before anyone really knew who he was in a September 2008 Roar from 34 posting.
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Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Did Baltimore change its road jerseys again? Meet the "Woeful Orioles."
It took 36 years to change the Birds' road jersey from "Orioles" to "Baltimore." Now, in less than two seasons, it appears the the team has made another change, replacing "Baltimore" with the word "Woeful."
At least that's what you'd think if you've been reading the papers this month.
San Francisco Chronicle, June 15: Giants beat up on woeful Orioles
CBSSports.com, June 14: "The Giants look to hand the woeful Orioles their ninth consecutive road defeat as the teams meet Monday night for the first time in six years."
ESPNNewYork.com, June 12: "The Mets opened a three-stop tour of American League ballparks with a 5-1 win against the woeful Orioles on Friday night at Camden Yards."
ESPN.com, June 9: CC "Sabathia did what he had to do -- beat the woeful Orioles -- but bigger challenges remain, writes Wallace Matthews."
The Middletown Press, June 7: "In April everyone was throwing dirt on the corpse. Uhhh, there’s been a resurrection. It’s a long season and no one has ever lost anything in April. That is, except the woeful Orioles."
Denver Post, June 5: Woeful Orioles fire Trembley as manager
NorthJersey.com, June 5: "The Jays are 10-9 against AL East opponents. They’re 6-0 against the woeful Orioles, and just 3-9 against the Red Sox and Rays."
New York Post, June 2: "And with holes in the starting rotation and possibly at second base if Luis Castillo can't stay healthy, the woeful Orioles could provide some answers for them if they decide to make some moves."
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At least that's what you'd think if you've been reading the papers this month.
San Francisco Chronicle, June 15: Giants beat up on woeful Orioles
CBSSports.com, June 14: "The Giants look to hand the woeful Orioles their ninth consecutive road defeat as the teams meet Monday night for the first time in six years."
ESPNNewYork.com, June 12: "The Mets opened a three-stop tour of American League ballparks with a 5-1 win against the woeful Orioles on Friday night at Camden Yards."
ESPN.com, June 9: CC "Sabathia did what he had to do -- beat the woeful Orioles -- but bigger challenges remain, writes Wallace Matthews."
The Middletown Press, June 7: "In April everyone was throwing dirt on the corpse. Uhhh, there’s been a resurrection. It’s a long season and no one has ever lost anything in April. That is, except the woeful Orioles."
Denver Post, June 5: Woeful Orioles fire Trembley as manager
NorthJersey.com, June 5: "The Jays are 10-9 against AL East opponents. They’re 6-0 against the woeful Orioles, and just 3-9 against the Red Sox and Rays."
New York Post, June 2: "And with holes in the starting rotation and possibly at second base if Luis Castillo can't stay healthy, the woeful Orioles could provide some answers for them if they decide to make some moves."
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Friday, June 11, 2010
Flashback Friday: Sammy Stewart sets the record that Stephen Strasburg tied on Tuesday
"The most amazing thing was the velocity on his fastball, his poise, and the fact he threw strikes."
-Earl Weaver, on Sammy Stewart's first game.
Bob Costas ran down a Rolodex worth of pitchers' names during Stephen Strasburg's debut in Washington this week in an effort to provide historical context. Jim Palmer was the only Oriole on the list. By the end of the night, Sammy Stewart's name should've been mentioned as well.
Stewart accomplished a rare baseball feat, one that Strasburg matched on Tuesday, by striking out seven consecutive batters during his rookie debut. The Sporting News ranked Strasburg's consecutive strikeouts to end his outing first among the game's "five most magical moments." Far less magical is Stewart's post-baseball life, which has been a tragic mix of drugs, crime, homelessness, and inevitably prison. But it wasn't always so.
On Sept. 1, 1978, a 23-year-old Stewart established a new rookie record when he struck out seven straight White Sox batters. Overall, he had nine strikeouts in 5.1 innings of work as part of a 9-3 Orioles victory in a doubleheader sweep at Memorial Stadium.
The Boston Globe recounted the event as part of a 2006 profile of Stewart (check out the Globe's photo gallery "The story of Sammy Stewart"):
"Rick Dempsey [Orioles catcher] said, 'Turn around. Look at the scoreboard,"' says Stewart, his eyes lighting up. "So I turned around and it said, 'Sammy Stewart has just tied a record by striking out six consecutive batters in his first major league appearance. The record was set by Karl Spooner of the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1954.'Until that night Spooner shared the record with fellow Dodgers pitcher Pete Richert, who tied the mark in 1962. Jim Deshaies later struck out eight consecutive batters as a rookie in 1986, but it wasn't during his debut. Stewart stood alone atop the mountain.
"Well, I turned around and threw three of the hardest sliders I've ever thrown and I got the record, and that's 28 years ago, and I still got the record."
The burly right-hander drove to Baltimore from Rochester one day prior to his debut with his wife's car in tow. Then Red Wings manager Frank Robinson pulled Stewart from a scheduled minor league start on Wednesday and told him: "You're not pitching tonight, you're pitching Friday night. In Baltimore."
After a rough first inning that included a wild pitch and an error, Stewart settled down to strike out the side in the second and third innings. He struck out White Sox shortstop Greg Pryor to start the fourth before allowing fly ball outs to Mike Squires and Ron Blomberg. Overall, he retired 13 consecutive batters before allowing another hit. His fastball topped out at 94 MPH.
Earl Weaver lifted Stewart after four consecutive one-out singles in the top of the sixth. Afterward, Stewart was succinct.
"I wouldn't know how to rate it," he said, "but it feels good."
"The most amazing thing was the velocity on his fastball, his poise, and the fact he threw strikes," Earl Weaver added.
Jim Palmer pitched seven solid innings for the Birds in the opener of the doubleheader before leaving with a stiff neck; Don Stanhouse finished off the 3-0 win. Palmer then coached Stewart on what to expect from the White Sox hitters in the nightcap.
Having benefited from Palmer's tutoring, Stewart returned to the clubhouse after the game to discover that his teammates had switched the nameplate above his locker with that of the three-time Cy Young winner.
"Just a locker room joke," Stewart said. "These guys don't stop. They're loose."
Stewart lost his second and final outing of the 1978 season to the Tigers on Sept. 29. He pitched in two World Series for the Orioles (1979 and 1983) and recorded six strikeouts in 7.2 innings of work.
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Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Rookie pitchers who posted double-digit strikeout games in Baltimore
You won't find eye-popping numbers like that in the Orioles' history books for a rookie's first game. However, multiple O's newbies have posted double-digit strikeout totals in games during their first season in the bigs.
Here are six memorable rookie strikeout efforts in Baltimore.
1. Mike Boddicker, Sept. 21, 1983
Complete game, 12 strikeouts
Orioles 6 - Tigers 0
Boddicker won 16 games and pitched a league-high five shutouts as a rookie for the 1983 World Series Champion Orioles. He finished third in Rookie of the Year voting behind Ron Kittle and Julio Franco. Boddicker was tops in the league for victories (20) and ERA (2.79) in 1984, which placed him fourth in that season's Cy Young voting.
2. Chuck Estrada, Aug. 25, 1960
Complete game, 12 strikeouts,
Orioles 9 - Tigers 3
Estrada posted a league-high 18 wins in 1960 and finished second in Rookie of the Year voting. Baltimore rookies occupied the top three ROY spots: Ron Hansen, Estrada, Jim Gentile.
3. Rocky Coppinger - Sept. 8, 1996
Seven innings, 11 strikeouts
Orioles 6 - Tigers 2
Tom Boswell is enthused about Strasburg's debut, writing on Wednesday: "From beginning to end, this evening's entertainment was guilty of false advertising. On this perfect night, Strasburg was not introduced to the major leagues, as so many said. Instead, the big leagues were introduced to Strasburg. It was a magnificent mismatch."
Believe it or not, Boswell was pretty high on Coppinger as well. Here's an excerpt from his July 7, 1996, column, headlined with one of many Sylvester Stallone-themed Coppinger cliches that ensued: "Technically speaking, Rocky's a knocout"
Sometimes, the changing of the guard, the succession of the generations, can be captured in one head-snapping fact. After Saturday's doings at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, we will reach the all-star break with this stat to ponder: Roger Clemens has three wins in half a season; Rocky Coppinger has four in a month. It's not time to reach any drastic conclusions. But Rocky has definitely arrived.4. Mike Mussina - Aug. 14, 1991
Coppinger's first 30 days in the majors have contained enough symbolic events to frazzle most rookies. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Orioles right-hander has started six games, left them all with a lead and has a 4-0 record. His "courage," "heart," "aggressiveness" and "enthusiasm" have, according to various teammates, inspired the entire Baltimore starting rotation to shape up and fly right for the past couple of weeks.
Eight innings, 10 strikeouts
Orioles 10 - Rangers 2
Mussina, 22, earned his first big league win with 10 strikeouts in his third start. Five days later, also against Texas, he had eight strikeouts in 5.2 innings.
5. Erik Bedard - July 3, 2004
Seven innings, 10 strikeouts
Phillies 7 - Orioles 6
Bedard's first double-digit strikeout effort wasn't enough to earn the O's the win in Interleague play. The game served as a dose of foreshadowing for future Oriole Kevin Millwood, who pitched for the Phillies that day. Bedard left after the seventh inning with the lead in tact only to watch the bullpen blow it in the eighth by allowing three Phillies runs.
6. Last, but most certainly not least is Tom Phoebus, who posted five double-digit strikeout totals during his rookie campaign in 1967. Three of those efforts came against the Yankees.
Phoebus was voted Sporting News Rookie of the Year after earning 14 wins, seven of which were complete-game efforts. Phoebus tallied 179 strikeouts in 33 games.
Phoebus started three games in 1966 and became only the fourth American League pitcher to throw shutouts in his first two games. He also tossed the third no-hitter in franchise history on April 27, 1968.
(See The Sun's "Catching Up" with profile of Phoebus.)
May 22, 1967
Complete game, 11 strikeouts
Orioles 7 - Yankees 0
June 29, 1967
Complete game, 11 strikeouts
Orioles 4 - White Sox 1
July 17, 1967
Complete game, 10 strikeouts
Orioles 6 - Yankees 1
July 27, 1967
Seven innings, 10 strikeouts
Tigers 4 - Orioles 0
Aug. 16, 1967
Seven innings, 12 strikeouts
Orioles 5- Yankees 4
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Friday, June 04, 2010
How have Orioles managers fared during their time in Baltimore?
With Dave Trembley being fired, here's a rundown of the record and average finish of every Orioles manager since 1954:
Dave Trembley (2007 - 2010) 187-283, .398, Average Finish: 4.8
Sam Perlozzo (2005 - 2007) 122-164, .427, Average Finish: 4.3
Lee Mazzilli (2004-2005) 129-140, .480, Average Finish: 3.5
Mike Hargrove (2000-2003) 275-372, .425, Average Finish: 4.0
Ray Miller (1998-1999) 157-167, .485, Average Finish: 4.0
Davey Johnson (1996-1997), 186-138, 574, Average Finish: 1.5
Phil Regan (1995), 71-73, .493, Finish: 3
Johnny Oates (1991-1994), 291-279, .519, Average Finish: 3.5
Frank Robinson (1988-1991), 230-285, .447, Average Finish: 5
Cal Ripken (1985, 1987-1988), 68-101, .402, Average Finish: 5.7
Earl Weaver (1968-1982, 1985-1986), 1480-1060, .583, Average Finish: 2.3
Joe Altobelli (1983-1985), 212-167, .559, Average Finish: 3.3
Hank Bauer (1964-1968), 407-318, .561, Average Finish: 3.2
Billy Hitchcock (1962-1963), 163-161, .503, Average Finish: 5.5
Paul Richards (1955-1961), 517-539, .490, Average Finish: 5.0
Jimmy Dykes (1954), 54-100, .351, Average Finish: 7.0
During the past two decades only Mike Hargrove has lasted more than three seasons in Baltimore. In that same time frame the Orioles have had eight managers. Among those eight, only Davey Johnson and Johnny Oates have left town with winning records.
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Dave Trembley (2007 - 2010) 187-283, .398, Average Finish: 4.8
Sam Perlozzo (2005 - 2007) 122-164, .427, Average Finish: 4.3
Lee Mazzilli (2004-2005) 129-140, .480, Average Finish: 3.5
Mike Hargrove (2000-2003) 275-372, .425, Average Finish: 4.0
Ray Miller (1998-1999) 157-167, .485, Average Finish: 4.0
Davey Johnson (1996-1997), 186-138, 574, Average Finish: 1.5
Phil Regan (1995), 71-73, .493, Finish: 3
Johnny Oates (1991-1994), 291-279, .519, Average Finish: 3.5
Frank Robinson (1988-1991), 230-285, .447, Average Finish: 5
Cal Ripken (1985, 1987-1988), 68-101, .402, Average Finish: 5.7
Earl Weaver (1968-1982, 1985-1986), 1480-1060, .583, Average Finish: 2.3
Joe Altobelli (1983-1985), 212-167, .559, Average Finish: 3.3
Hank Bauer (1964-1968), 407-318, .561, Average Finish: 3.2
Billy Hitchcock (1962-1963), 163-161, .503, Average Finish: 5.5
Paul Richards (1955-1961), 517-539, .490, Average Finish: 5.0
Jimmy Dykes (1954), 54-100, .351, Average Finish: 7.0
During the past two decades only Mike Hargrove has lasted more than three seasons in Baltimore. In that same time frame the Orioles have had eight managers. Among those eight, only Davey Johnson and Johnny Oates have left town with winning records.
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Flashback Friday: Wes Stock's Record-Setting Two-Win Day
Stock set the club record for wins in a day on May 26, 1963, during a doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians. Meanwhile, he earned his first big league save against New York back when the Orioles could actually beat the Yankees. Seems this guy was my kind of Oriole.
On his record-setting day, Stock entered the early game at Cleveland Stadium in the fourth inning and provide two innings of quality mound work. He struck out two, walked none, allowed no hits, and was the pitcher of record when the Orioles surged ahead of the Indians with three runs in the top of the seventh. Charlie Lau pinch hit for Stock during the rally, and the O's won 10-6.
Stock was again the good luck charm for the O's offense in the nightcap. The team scored three in the eighth inning and two more in the ninth to turn a 1-1 tie into a 6-1 victory. The right-handed reliever tossed three shutout innings, struck out one, walked one, and allowed one hit to earn his fifth win of the season.
Overall, Stock pitched five innings of one-hit, no-run baseball with three strikeouts, one walk, and two - count 'em, two - wins. His effort helped the Orioles win their seventh and eighth consecutive games in what ended up being a nine-game win streak. (Insert heavy sigh here.)
Stock finished the 1963 season 7-0 with a 3.94 ERA after having gone 5-0 with a 3.01 ERA in 1961.The Orioles, meanwhile, finished 86-76, 18.5 games behind the 104-win New York Yankees.
Not that the Yankees phased Stock. He earned his first big league save against the Bronx Bombers on April 25, 1959, by holding a 2-1 lead in the 11th inning at Yankee Stadium. The Birds took the lead on an RBI single by one of the coolest-named players of all-time: Chico Carrasquel. Stock then replaced the pinch-hitting Carrasquel on the lineup card and recorded three Yankee outs after a leadoff single by Mickey Mantle.
Stock played six seasons in Baltimore and compiled a 27-10 record in a relief role. The O's traded him to the Kansas City Athletics on June 15, 1964, for Charlie Lau, the same guy who replaced him in the lineup during the first game of his record-setting doubleheader. Lau's contract had since been purchased by Kansas City.
Stock was saddened by the move.
"It was tough on me because we were all raised together, and we had had parties together, cookouts together," he said. "Hoyt Wilhelm and his wife were like Mom and Dad to us. Gene Woodling and Walt Dropo had kept us all in line, telling us that, 'You dress like this in the big leagues.'"
A reliever who wins ballgames, shuts down the Yankees, and loves playing in Baltimore. Yup, Wes Stock was my kind of Oriole.
[Note: This story appeared on Camden Chat on Thursday.]
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Tuesday, June 01, 2010
A good news/bad news situation ... but mostly bad
Happy June. We're one month closer to the end of the baseball season, which qualifies as good news for this O's fan. Here are some more good news/bad news situations from the past month.
Good news: The Orioles had twice as many wins in May as they did in April.
Bad news: They won 10 games in May after only winning five in April, but they still lost 18 games each month.
Good news: The Orioles completed two three-game win streaks in May (April 30 - May 2 and May 12 - 14).
Bad news: They followed each of those win streaks with matching three-game losing streaks (May 3 - 5 and May 15 - 17).
Good news: The Orioles swept the Red Sox to start the month.
Bad news: Following the sweep, the fifth-place Orioles were four games behind the fourth-place Red Sox. The fifth-place Orioles are now 13.5 games behind the fourth-place Red Sox.
Good news: Orioles batters are below the league average in strikeouts and rank ninth of 14 teams in the category.
Bad news: Where do I begin? Those same batters are last in walks, last in runs per game, last in runs, last in doubles (we miss you, B-Rob), last in RBI, and last in sacrifice flies.
Good news: People are talking about the O's ...
Bad news: ... as part of "MLB's Worst of May."
As always, No Gnews is Good Gnews.
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Good news: The Orioles had twice as many wins in May as they did in April.
Bad news: They won 10 games in May after only winning five in April, but they still lost 18 games each month.
Good news: The Orioles completed two three-game win streaks in May (April 30 - May 2 and May 12 - 14).
Bad news: They followed each of those win streaks with matching three-game losing streaks (May 3 - 5 and May 15 - 17).
Good news: The Orioles swept the Red Sox to start the month.
Bad news: Following the sweep, the fifth-place Orioles were four games behind the fourth-place Red Sox. The fifth-place Orioles are now 13.5 games behind the fourth-place Red Sox.
Good news: Orioles batters are below the league average in strikeouts and rank ninth of 14 teams in the category.
Bad news: Where do I begin? Those same batters are last in walks, last in runs per game, last in runs, last in doubles (we miss you, B-Rob), last in RBI, and last in sacrifice flies.
Good news: People are talking about the O's ...
Bad news: ... as part of "MLB's Worst of May."
As always, No Gnews is Good Gnews.
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Friday, May 28, 2010
Flashback Friday: Baltimore no-hitters, and "The Summer of the Near Miss"
Catcher Rick Dempsey told him, "Let's go throw a no-hitter," to which Martinez responded, "Why not?"
[Note: You can also read this post on Camden Chat.]
Chris Tillman returns to a big league mound on Saturday for the Orioles against the Blue Jays. Tillman got the call up to the parent club after a successful stint in Norfolk that included a no-hitter against the Gwinnett Braves on April 28.
The Orioles' most recent no-hitters came against the opponent that just left town, the Oakland Athletics: Bob Milacki, Mike Flanagan, Scott Williamson, and Gregg Olson tossed a combined no-hitter against the A's in 1991; meanwhile, Jim Palmer posted a solo effort in 1969.
Fittingly, the team's website categorizes no-hitters under the heading "Rare Feats." (Pretty soon they'll have to include winning seasons in that category as well.) Also rare is that the O's pitched no-hitters in three consecutive seasons from 1967 to 1969. But when it comes to no-hitter-related novelty, it'd be tough to match the summer of 1978.
Call it "The Summer of the Near Miss." In the span of a little more than two weeks in August 1978, three different Baltimore pitchers carried no-hitters into the seventh inning only to lose them around stretch time.
First was Scott McGregor on Aug 9. After recording two seventh-inning ground-outs to the left side of the infield, McGregor allowed a two-run double to Hal McRae. Four consecutive hits produced two Royals runs and McGregor took the 2-0 loss at Memorial Stadium. Final line: nine innings pitched, five hits, two earned runs, four strikeouts, and one walk.
Next came Mike Flanagan on Aug 21. Facing the A's, Flanagan gave up a run-scoring single to Rico Carty in the seventh, shortly after he considered the possibility of pitching a no-hitter. Said Flanagan: "I started thinking about the no-hitter after six innings. 'There are nine outs to go,' I kept telling myself, but the no-hitter was secondary." The O's won 3-2 at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. Final line: nine innings pitched, three hits, two earned runs, eight strikeouts, and three walks.
Four days later, on Aug. 25, Dennis Martinez thought about the no-hit possibilities in the fifth inning of a home game against the Mariners. Catcher Rick Dempsey told him, "Let's go throw a no-hitter," to which Martinez responded, "Why not?" With two outs in the seventh, Mariners third baseman Bill Stein ended Martinez's bid with a single to centerfield. Final score: Orioles 5 - Mariners 0. Final line: nine innings pitched, two hits, no runs, four strikeouts, and six walks.
Asked when a no-hitter would be pitched, McGregor stated, "As soon as we get rid of the seventh inning."
Not quite.
September 26. Ninth inning. Two outs. Orioles lead the Indians 3-0. No hits for Cleveland. Flanagan on the mound. Three thousand fans on their feet at Memorial Stadium. Two-one count to designated hitter Gary Alexander. Flanagan goes with the curve, Alexander goes deep.
"The pitch," said Flanagan, "was not really where I wanted it."
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Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Kevin Millwood and Jeremy Guthrie are not getting their due
Jeremy Guthrie (3.64) and Kevin Millwood (3.71) are currently ahead of Felix Hernandez (3.80), C.C. Sabathia (3.86), and Wade Davis (4.01) among American League ERA leaders.
Guthrie and Millwood join King Felix and Zack Greinke as the only A.L. pitchers in the top 30 for ERA who have losing records. Both pitchers are among the league's top 10 for innings pitched.
Guthrie (1.12) is in the A.L. Top 10 for WHIP, tied with Justin Verlander and ahead of the likes of Jon Lester (1.13), David Price (1.14), Greinke (1.16), and C.C. Sabathia (1.21). He also is tied for the league lead in quality starts.
The Orioles have four pitchers (Millwood, Guthrie, Matusz, Hernandez) among the league leaders in tough losses. Millwood is tied with John Danks for the A.L. lead.
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Guthrie and Millwood join King Felix and Zack Greinke as the only A.L. pitchers in the top 30 for ERA who have losing records. Both pitchers are among the league's top 10 for innings pitched.
Guthrie (1.12) is in the A.L. Top 10 for WHIP, tied with Justin Verlander and ahead of the likes of Jon Lester (1.13), David Price (1.14), Greinke (1.16), and C.C. Sabathia (1.21). He also is tied for the league lead in quality starts.
The Orioles have four pitchers (Millwood, Guthrie, Matusz, Hernandez) among the league leaders in tough losses. Millwood is tied with John Danks for the A.L. lead.
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Tuesday, May 25, 2010
All the Orioles' Exes Lived in Texas
The Texas Rangers are bankrupt and have a list of unsecured creditors that includes several current or former Orioles.
It would all be laughable were it not for, oh say, the Albert Belle and Scott Erickson deals in Baltimore.
And the fact that one of the Rangers' all-time legends is prepared to buy the team.
And did I mention the Rangers are currently in first place?
As an O's fan, it's actually more depressing than funny.
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After Rodriguez, the next five unsecured creditors are also players or former players for the Rangers. They are: Kevin Millwood, a pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles ($12.9 million); Rangers third baseman Michael Young ($3.9 million); Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Vicente Padilla ($1.7 million); Mickey Tettleton, who retired from the Rangers in 1997 ($1.4 million); and Mark McLemore, a former Rangers second baseman who retired from the Oakland A’s in 2004 ($970,000).They're still paying Mickey Tettleton and Mark McLemore?
It would all be laughable were it not for, oh say, the Albert Belle and Scott Erickson deals in Baltimore.
And the fact that one of the Rangers' all-time legends is prepared to buy the team.
And did I mention the Rangers are currently in first place?
As an O's fan, it's actually more depressing than funny.
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Monday, May 24, 2010
Arthur Rhodes' daughter knows her way around a diamond as well
These are pretty heady times for the Rhodes family.
Dad and former Oriole Arthur Rhodes is currently the top reliever out of the Cincinnati Reds' bullpen. The 40-year-old lefty has a 0.52 ERA in 19 games and hasn't allowed a run in his last 17 appearances. Those are the kind of numbers that make me wish the word Oriole wasn't preceded by "former."
Daughter and No. 3 hitter for the Sarasota High softball team Jade Rhodes helped lead the Sailors to a runner-up finish in the state softball tournament. The third baseman's two-run homer in the semi-finals fueled an 8-2 victory that earned Sarasota a spot in the championship.
The Herald-Tribune profiled Jade Rhodes and her big league dad earlier this month.
Jade spent plenty of time with her father, who is in his 19th big league season.
The 41-year-old Rhodes is with Cincinnati this year, his seventh major league team since debuting with Baltimore in 1991. He is 1-1 with a 0.69 earned run average in 14 games this season with the Reds and 81-63 with a 4.11 ERA in 794 career games.
"It was exciting," Jade said. "I got to travel a lot and see different teams and how they function. It's pretty cool."
She said Cincinnati is the best place she has visited.
"They have a really nice ballfield and the players are also really nice," Jade said. "They have a good coaching staff and are really nice to the players."
Born in Sarasota, she has made stops in New Jersey, Cincinnati and West Palm Beach before returning here.
Although Arthur Lee never has seen his daughter play in a Sailors' uniform, he has taught and encouraged her along the way.
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Friday, May 21, 2010
Flashback Friday: Playing ball for both the Orioles and the Senators
-Leslie Ferdinand "Buster" Narum pitched for both the Orioles (1963) and Senators (1964-1967). The pitcher shares with Lou Montanez the distinction of being the only Orioles to hit home runs in their first major league at-bats. Narum did so on May 3, 1963, Montanez on Aug. 6, 2008.
Narum had a career .059 average with three home runs in 118 career at-bats. The Orioles traded him to the Senators prior to the start of the 1964 season for a player to be named later. That player was Lou Piniella, who played four games for the Orioles in 1964 and went hitless in one at-bat.
A vagabond early in his career, Piniella was named American League Rookie of the Year in 1969 while playing for the Kansas City Royals.
-John Orsino played three seasons in Baltimore (1963-1965) and parts of two seasons in Washington (1966-1967).
Two things stand out from Orsino's brief career.
1. He homered in his first five Spring Training at-bats for the Orioles.
2. He was the catcher on Sept. 12, 1964 when both starting pitchers tossed one-hitters. Orsino had the Orioles' only hit in the 1-0 victory over the Athletics.
-The Orioles traded Mike Esptein and Frank Bertaina to the Senators for Peter Reichert in 1967.
The Sporting News named Epstein Minor League Player of the Year in 1966. He also earned International League Player MVP honors that season after batting .309 with 29 home runs and 102 RBI. However, his path to the majors was blocked at first base by Boog Powell and efforts to convert him to an outfielder failed. He was traded at the end of May after refusing to report back to the minors.
Epstein got a measure of revenge on June 24, 1967, by hitting a grand slam in his first at-bat against the Orioles in an 8-3 Senators victory at Memorial Stadium.
-Outfielder Roy Sievers never made it to Baltimore in 1954 when the St. Louis Browns relocated. The Orioles traded Sievers to Washington on Feb. 18, 1954, for Gil Coan.
Sievers, the 1949 A.L. Rookie of the Year with the Browns, was a four-time All-Star (five if you count the fact that he played in both games in 1959).
Coan, the 1945 Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year, appeared in 155 games with the Orioles during the 1954 and 1955 seasons before being selected off waivers by the Chicago White Sox.
Coan holds the record for most at-bats in a season hitting .500 or better with 42. He set the mark while appearing in 11 games in 1947.
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Thursday, May 20, 2010
There's no justice in baseball, Bruce Chen edition
After pitching 1.1 innings of relief work in the Royals' 8-4 victory on Wednesday night, former Oriole Bruce Chen now has more wins than Kevin Millwood.
Chen is 1-0 with a 4.05 ERA, 8 Ks, 7 walks, and a 1.8o WHIP in 6.2 innings pitched.
Millwood is 0-4 with a 3.65 ERA, 48 Ks, 15 walks, and a 1.26 WHIP in 51.2 innings pitched.
No justice.
Chen's lone save would put him in a second-place tie with Michael Gonzalez, Jim Johnson, and Cla Meredith for the Oriole lead in saves.
No pen.
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Chen is 1-0 with a 4.05 ERA, 8 Ks, 7 walks, and a 1.8o WHIP in 6.2 innings pitched.
Millwood is 0-4 with a 3.65 ERA, 48 Ks, 15 walks, and a 1.26 WHIP in 51.2 innings pitched.
No justice.
Chen's lone save would put him in a second-place tie with Michael Gonzalez, Jim Johnson, and Cla Meredith for the Oriole lead in saves.
No pen.
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Ask Roar from 34 - Slip 'N Slide Edition
The fourth installment of my imagined advice column "Ask Roar from 34" probes vital topics including ballpark promotions, runners in scoring position, and excessive perspiration.
(See past "Ask Roar from 34" columns here.)
Dear Roar from 34,
Attendance is, um, down a bit in Baltimore these days. Any ideas on how to gin up excitement and put fans back in the seats?
-Green(chair)backs
Dear Green(chair)backs,
Some other promotions to consider:
Dear Roar from 34,
The Orioles have been horrendous with runners in scoring position this season. What can they do to improve?
-No Offense
Dear No Offense,
Petition Major League Baseball to allow our hitters to face our bullpen in clutch situations. Seems fair.
-Roar from 34
Dear Roar from 34,
I have some perspiration issues when I'm on the mound.
-Hot and Bothered
Dear Hot and Bothered,
Stop sweating and start living!
-Roar from 34
Dear Roar from 34,
I'm a slugger considering Baltimore as a free-agent destination this off-season. Why should I become an Oriole?
-Not Really
Dear Not Really,
Very funny.
-Roar from 34
Dear Roar from 34,
I keep hearing people say "The writing's on the wall" for me. Where's the damn wall? I've been looking everywhere for it.
-Dave Trembling
Dear Trembling,
You'll find it soon enough.
-Roar from 34
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(See past "Ask Roar from 34" columns here.)
Dear Roar from 34,
Attendance is, um, down a bit in Baltimore these days. Any ideas on how to gin up excitement and put fans back in the seats?
-Green(chair)backs
Promotions are key. For instance, how about tandem bike races featuring teams with a Baltimore connection?
Match-ups could include:
Nestor Aparicio and Peter Angelos vs. Roch Kubatko and the Oriole Bird
Peter Schmuck and Juan Samuel vs. David Steele and Sam Perlozzo
Aubrey Huff and Bubba the Love Sponge vs. Cal Ripken and Jon Miller
Sidney Ponson and James Hetfield vs. Scott Erickson and Lars Ulrich
Some other promotions to consider:
Garrett Atkins Dunk Tank
Install a Slip 'N Slide between third base and home
Adam Jones Helmet Toss Contest for fans
Geronimo Berroa T-Shirt Tuesday
Dear Roar from 34,
The Orioles have been horrendous with runners in scoring position this season. What can they do to improve?
-No Offense
Dear No Offense,
Petition Major League Baseball to allow our hitters to face our bullpen in clutch situations. Seems fair.
-Roar from 34
Dear Roar from 34,I have some perspiration issues when I'm on the mound.
-Hot and Bothered
Dear Hot and Bothered,
Stop sweating and start living!
-Roar from 34
Dear Roar from 34,
I'm a slugger considering Baltimore as a free-agent destination this off-season. Why should I become an Oriole?
-Not Really
Dear Not Really,
Very funny.
-Roar from 34
Dear Roar from 34,
I keep hearing people say "The writing's on the wall" for me. Where's the damn wall? I've been looking everywhere for it.
-Dave Trembling
Dear Trembling,
You'll find it soon enough.
-Roar from 34
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Friday, May 14, 2010
The Orioles are returning to form in one key category: PCPGIWCISC
Last season I wrote about the Orioles' impressive PCPGIWCISC numbers. For those of you not versed in advanced stats, PCPGIWCISC = Players Conducting Post-Game Interviews While Covered in Shaving Cream.
As has been the case in many statistical categories this season, the O's PCPGIWCISC numbers have been a bit down in the early going. However, Thursday's thrilling - and I'm talking thrusting-both-arms-into-the-air-while-listening-to-the-game thrilling - 6-5 victory over the Mariners helped improve the figures a bit.
Add Luke Scott and Corey Patterson to the esteemed PCPGIWCISC club.
Scott got his pie during a dugout interview with Jim Hunter and Rick Dempsey. The Oriole Bird even joined in the fun. Here's the video from MASN.
Patterson was an on-field victim during his interview with Amber Theoharis, who pulled out one of her go-to lines in this situation: "It stings."
Even the on-field reporter is cool under shaving cream fire.
Last Stand Photography has a great Flickr photo of Will Ohman - who seems to have taken over for Adam Jones as the lead instigator - administering the shaving cream pie to Patterson.
[The MASN video wasn't coming up at the time I posted this, so try the end of highlight video posted on Camden Chat.]
Dan Steinberg of the D.C. Sports Bog did a little investigating reporting last season to find out what a shaving cream pie feels like. The results confirmed Theoharis's analysis.
Said Craig Stammen of the Nats: "It didn't hurt-hurt," Stammen told me. "It stung my eyes and my nose and my ear....I didn't know it would sting my eyes as bad as it did. It was stinging my eyes all into the plane ride home. I could still feel it in there. It was weird."
Stammen's comments in the article should also give fans an appreciation for the fortitude of O's players who carry on the interview as if nothing's happened.
Here are some videos of last year's memorable victims:
Chris Tillman
Brian Matusz
Felix Pie
D.C. Sports Bog has links to Reimold, Wieters, and Hernandez.
By the way, does it surprise anyone that the Yankees reportedly use whipped cream pies instead of shaving cream? And to think, Jeter's a freakin' Gillette guy (along with Tiger).
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As has been the case in many statistical categories this season, the O's PCPGIWCISC numbers have been a bit down in the early going. However, Thursday's thrilling - and I'm talking thrusting-both-arms-into-the-air-while-listening-to-the-game thrilling - 6-5 victory over the Mariners helped improve the figures a bit.
Add Luke Scott and Corey Patterson to the esteemed PCPGIWCISC club.
Scott got his pie during a dugout interview with Jim Hunter and Rick Dempsey. The Oriole Bird even joined in the fun. Here's the video from MASN.
Even the on-field reporter is cool under shaving cream fire.
Last Stand Photography has a great Flickr photo of Will Ohman - who seems to have taken over for Adam Jones as the lead instigator - administering the shaving cream pie to Patterson.
[The MASN video wasn't coming up at the time I posted this, so try the end of highlight video posted on Camden Chat.]
Dan Steinberg of the D.C. Sports Bog did a little investigating reporting last season to find out what a shaving cream pie feels like. The results confirmed Theoharis's analysis.
Said Craig Stammen of the Nats: "It didn't hurt-hurt," Stammen told me. "It stung my eyes and my nose and my ear....I didn't know it would sting my eyes as bad as it did. It was stinging my eyes all into the plane ride home. I could still feel it in there. It was weird."
Stammen's comments in the article should also give fans an appreciation for the fortitude of O's players who carry on the interview as if nothing's happened.
He said he told the MASN producers, "Get the camera off me, I don't want to talk for a while, someone get me a towel," because he couldn't see or hear at the time.Am I the only one who thinks Steinberg should've done some first-person reporting and gone through the experience himself? The local news reporters do it with tasers, so why not follow suit with a shaving cream pie?
Here are some videos of last year's memorable victims:
Chris Tillman
Brian Matusz
Felix Pie
D.C. Sports Bog has links to Reimold, Wieters, and Hernandez.
By the way, does it surprise anyone that the Yankees reportedly use whipped cream pies instead of shaving cream? And to think, Jeter's a freakin' Gillette guy (along with Tiger).
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Thursday, May 13, 2010
Orioles & Royals - Similar sounding names, similar sounding games
Last summer, Stacey from Camden Chat posed as a Royals fan during a game at Fenway Park. After reading Nick Bromberg's piece on Big League Stew, I feel like posing as a Royals fan as well. Perhaps I already am, given the similarities between the laments of Royals and Orioles fans.
Check out "Are we winning yet? A Royals fan checks in with an annual lament."
Here's an excerpt:
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Check out "Are we winning yet? A Royals fan checks in with an annual lament."
Here's an excerpt:
But it's only the middle of May and it already feels like the season has been dragging on for months. The Royals are 11-23 — 11 games behind the Twins in the AL Central — and as a Kansas City resident my whole life, I've even taken the drastic step of debating of giving up my fandom.Raise your hand if you can relate to the phrases "it already feels like the season has been dragging on for months" and "taken the drastic step of debating giving up my fandom."
Crazy, I know, but how can a rational baseball fan like myself root for a team with the following realities staring me straight in the face?
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Terrible, miserable, horrendous. Surprisingly, these are words I'm happy to hear.
I appreciated Andy MacPhail's video address to the fans on Wednesday afternoon.
Make no mistake about it, this is not something a respected baseball executive, the GM of two World Series champions, has to do. It's an unprecedented move.
Sure, it's a controlled forum. A press conference with follow-up questions from reporters would be ideal, I suppose, for an angry fan base. But that elevates baseball to a whole new level of import. The president of the United States, who is supposed to answer to the people who elected him, rarely holds press conferences these days, and he makes decisions far more important than which free-agent closer to sign.
Andy MacPhail doesn't owe us any answers. And for that matter, he didn't provide many on Wednesday. What he did provide was an acknowledgment of how bad things have been so far this season. Phrases like "terribly horrendous start," "terribly problematic," and "miserable way to start the season" are not spin. Rather, they represent a baseball executive putting himself on the level of a fan for a moment and saying, "This stinks." For me, that means something.
Too often in the past decade Orioles fans seem to have been an afterthought. The Warehouse has been viewed - sometimes fairly - as aloof and out of touch with local fans. So yes, it does matter that the president of baseball operations put himself on the level of a fan, even if it was just for two minutes and 45 seconds.
Stating the obvious? Perhaps. But sometimes even that's harder than it seems. It's been nearly 10 years since Syd Thrift spoke about a non-existent player on a radio show rather than admit he'd never heard of the guy. Which do you prefer?
Besides, much of sports talk involves stating the obvious. There's something therapeutic in knowing that others share your pain, even on trivial matters like baseball. Andy MacPhail shares our pain and believes he still holds the remedy. Here's hoping he does.
The post-1997 Orioles franchise has been a disgrace, especially considering Baltimore's rich baseball history. The 2000s were the worst decade, by win percentage, in team history, worse even than 1954 to 1959 after the St. Louis Browns - "First in booze, first in shoes, and last in the American League"- relocated to Baltimore. The organization has gone from king to jester. If you grew up on Orioles baseball, that hurts.
For better or worse, though, fans like me who are desperately hanging on to our affection for this team have to view things in a relative sense. It's been a tremendous fall from grace, but this franchise isn't going to become the 1970 Baltimore Orioles overnight. After a slow, sustained fall, it's a slow, sustained climb back to respectability.
Andy MacPhail is currently leading that climb, and it's a monumental task (literally - we should build a monument to the guy if he turns the Orioles into a winner). He came to Baltimore - only three years ago, mind you - and laid out a vision with an accelerated deadline. A year before that deadline he's watched a worst-case scenario unfold before his eyes for more than a month.
The season that was supposed to whet the fans' baseball appetite, an appetizer prior to 2011's main course, has instead given us all food poisoning. If ever there were a time to duck and hide, this would be it.
Instead, Andy MacPhail sat before a camera and directed attention toward his team's struggles. He's accepted that, for better or worse, he is the public face of a huge rebuilding effort. And that's no small thing.
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Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Nolan Reimold Mini Bobblehead Night
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Baltimore's Never Been Perfect
Dallas Braden is the toast of the proverbial baseball town these days after hurling a perfect game on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays.
On Tuesday, he appeared on David Letterman to deliver the Top Ten list of his thoughts during the perfect game, including "Grandma's right. Stick it, A-Rod."
The Orioles are one of 11 major league teams to have never played in a perfect game, win or lose. However, the Birds have a connection of sorts to baseball's most famous perfect game.
Don Larsen, the only pitcher to toss a perfect game in the postseason, played for the O's during their first season in Baltimore, 1954. It's hard to believe it was only two years before his legendary effort in the 1956 World Series for the Yankees given that Larsen set an entirely different type of record for the Orioles: most losses in a season.
Larsen went 3-21 in 28 starts for the '54 Orioles with a 4.37 ERA. The O's traded Larsen to the Yankees that November in a deal that reads like a novel relative to most transactions.
From Baseball Reference:
Larsen returned to Baltimore in 1965 and pitched in a relief role.
Check out Sports Illustrated's photo gallery of Modern Era Perfect Games.
I should note that former Oriole Dennis Martinez pitched a perfect game for the Expos in 1991. Montreal broadcaster Dave Van Horne provided the memorable coda: "El Presidente, El Perfecto."
Said Vin Scully, broadcasting the game for the Dodgers, in his typically understated way: "What a day."
Martinez pitched in Baltimore for 10 seasons, totaling a league high 14 wins in 1981 and finishing fifth in the American League Cy Young voting. Martinez led the league in games started, complete games (18), and innings pitched in 1979. He is a member of the Orioles Hall of Fame.
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On Tuesday, he appeared on David Letterman to deliver the Top Ten list of his thoughts during the perfect game, including "Grandma's right. Stick it, A-Rod."
The Orioles are one of 11 major league teams to have never played in a perfect game, win or lose. However, the Birds have a connection of sorts to baseball's most famous perfect game.
Don Larsen, the only pitcher to toss a perfect game in the postseason, played for the O's during their first season in Baltimore, 1954. It's hard to believe it was only two years before his legendary effort in the 1956 World Series for the Yankees given that Larsen set an entirely different type of record for the Orioles: most losses in a season.
Larsen went 3-21 in 28 starts for the '54 Orioles with a 4.37 ERA. The O's traded Larsen to the Yankees that November in a deal that reads like a novel relative to most transactions.
From Baseball Reference:
Traded by the Baltimore Orioles with players to be named later, Billy Hunter and Bob Turley to the New York Yankees for players to be named later, Harry Byrd, Jim McDonald, Willy Miranda, Hal Smith, Gus Triandos and Gene Woodling. The New York Yankees sent Bill Miller (December 1, 1954), Kal Segrist (December 1, 1954), Don Leppert (December 1, 1954) and Ted Del Guercio (minors) (December 1, 1954) to the Baltimore Orioles to complete the trade. The Baltimore Orioles sent Mike Blyzka (December 1, 1954), Darrell Johnson (December 1, 1954), Jim Fridley (December 1, 1954) and Dick Kryhoski (December 1, 1954) to the New York Yankees to complete the trade.Larsen was 45-24 in five seasons with the Yankees with a 3.50 ERA. The Yankees appeared in the World Series in four of Larsen's five seasons with the team, winning two. And that, my friends, is one of many reasons Orioles fans hated the Yankees from the very start.
Larsen returned to Baltimore in 1965 and pitched in a relief role.
Check out Sports Illustrated's photo gallery of Modern Era Perfect Games.
I should note that former Oriole Dennis Martinez pitched a perfect game for the Expos in 1991. Montreal broadcaster Dave Van Horne provided the memorable coda: "El Presidente, El Perfecto."
Said Vin Scully, broadcasting the game for the Dodgers, in his typically understated way: "What a day."
Martinez pitched in Baltimore for 10 seasons, totaling a league high 14 wins in 1981 and finishing fifth in the American League Cy Young voting. Martinez led the league in games started, complete games (18), and innings pitched in 1979. He is a member of the Orioles Hall of Fame.
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