Like I've said before, I love the past as much as the present/future, and looking around the web a lot of talk about Earl Weaver and his rants with the Umpires has been coming up lately. I found a few that I am going to post, because the O's didn't play last night.
"During one particular tirade with an umpire, Weaver headed to the dugout screaming, 'I'm going to check the rule-book on that' to which the umpire replied, 'Here, use mine.' Weaver shot back, 'That's no good - I can't read Braille.'" - This has to be in the top 10, man did he sound so quick with his wit.
"The day AFTER he was ejected for smoking in the dugout runway, trying to make light of the situation, Earl came to the home plate lineup exchange the next game with a candy cigarette dangling from his lips. Needless to say, he was tossed out on the spot." - What, now we have no ump's with a sense of humor, AND instant replay?
"He tore up the rule book and flung the pages in the air." - Hey if they weren't going to play by the rules, why have them right?
Well that was fun, tonight The Orioles send ace Jeremy Guthrie to face Scott Kazmir. I have to call this a toss up because Guthrie has been cooling down a little and Kazmir has been heating up, if Guthrie and the bats show up its the O's. For now we'll call it even, for now, and even if that changes you can still hear me all the way in Philly saying, LETS GO O'S!!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Buster Olney
Well after a whole summer of trying to get some questions answer at ESPN with their baseball chat rooms, I finally did, thanks to my home town and Buster Olney's last name. Check it out.
Jim (Olney, MD): I live in your last name, at least answer my question. Can you say anything good about my Orioles and their future?
Buster Olney: (1:29 PM ET ) Jim: I think Andy MacPhail's a smart guy and he made a great Bedard trade. But they certainly are in desperate need for some pitching foundation blocks. Tillman could be one; they probably could use three or four more.
Well, it was cool, and a highlight of my day. I also like the fact he could throw out one of out top pitching prospects. Like how I lured him into answering the question. Haha.
Tonight we face the White Sox after splitting the one and a half (make up game) last night. Seven games under .500 equals the low water mark of the season. Tonight is Brian Burres vs. Gavin Floyd huge advantage White Sox, but, yet again, LETS GO O'S!!
Jim (Olney, MD): I live in your last name, at least answer my question. Can you say anything good about my Orioles and their future?
Buster Olney: (1:29 PM ET ) Jim: I think Andy MacPhail's a smart guy and he made a great Bedard trade. But they certainly are in desperate need for some pitching foundation blocks. Tillman could be one; they probably could use three or four more.
Well, it was cool, and a highlight of my day. I also like the fact he could throw out one of out top pitching prospects. Like how I lured him into answering the question. Haha.
Tonight we face the White Sox after splitting the one and a half (make up game) last night. Seven games under .500 equals the low water mark of the season. Tonight is Brian Burres vs. Gavin Floyd huge advantage White Sox, but, yet again, LETS GO O'S!!
Monday, August 25, 2008
I am Trying to be Patient
I am, I really am, but I am young and it is hard. I am trying not to wish my life away, but I wish it was 2010, and we were in a playoff push, even that might be wishful thinking.
Swept by the Yankees this weekend, it was the first home sweep of the season. Now we have to watch the bottom three of the rotation, who give up the long ball way too much, face one of the best home run hitting teams in the majors. FUN!
First we need to make-up the suspended game from a while back, where we have no bench, and Alex Cintron will be the DH. After that, Waters takes the mound for the regularly scheduled game, good break here because the Orioles get to face a AAA pitcher from the White Sox, Game 1 could go either way.
It was announced yesterday that top prospect Matt Wieters, my boy, will not get called up this September, but another catcher, infielder, and a few pitchers will be. Next Year Matty, next year. Of course that, "Next Year" saying is the sign of a loosing franchise, but hey I call it like I see it.
Its getting harder and harder to say it, but LETS GO O'S!!
Swept by the Yankees this weekend, it was the first home sweep of the season. Now we have to watch the bottom three of the rotation, who give up the long ball way too much, face one of the best home run hitting teams in the majors. FUN!
First we need to make-up the suspended game from a while back, where we have no bench, and Alex Cintron will be the DH. After that, Waters takes the mound for the regularly scheduled game, good break here because the Orioles get to face a AAA pitcher from the White Sox, Game 1 could go either way.
It was announced yesterday that top prospect Matt Wieters, my boy, will not get called up this September, but another catcher, infielder, and a few pitchers will be. Next Year Matty, next year. Of course that, "Next Year" saying is the sign of a loosing franchise, but hey I call it like I see it.
Its getting harder and harder to say it, but LETS GO O'S!!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Millar
OK, so the Orioles didn't play yesterday, but I found a pretty good article by Kevin Millar, one of my favorite Orioles, I'll post it up here. By the way, Liz vs. Mussina tonight, get those bats and defense rolling, LETS GO O'S!!
Let's start with the positives: You have to really be excited about what this lineup's done offensively. Going into Spring Training, I don't think anybody knew where the power was going to come from. We were ranked something like 28th out of 30 teams for projected power numbers, and now we're fifth in the league in home runs. The balance of our lineup is tremendous, and it's been really exciting, but I think we've probably surprised everybody but ourselves.
It makes it fun when there's no big-name guy in the lineup who opposing teams have to pitch around. On any given night, all year long, someone's contributed. We have five guys who could potentially hit 20 home runs in this lineup, and you have three guys that could potentially have 100 RBIs in Aubrey Huff, Nick Markakis and Melvin Mora. The addition of Luke Scott has been key, and he's given us some on-base percentage and power. And Adam Jones went through an adjustment period before he got hurt, and I think hitting coach Terry Crowley deserves a lot of credit for that. Nobody knew if this kid would be able to hold his own or just play good defense, and now he's hitting .280 and has driven in a ton of big runs for us.
Changing gears, you've also got Jeremy Guthrie solidifying himself as a dominant pitcher in this league. Last year, he had 25 starts and everyone said, "OK, can you do it again?" Well, he's done it again, and he's definitely an ace. He's matched up well with every other team's ace, and early on in the year, we didn't score a whole lot of runs for him. He could definitely have 14 or 15 wins under his belt right now, but you've really got to love what Guthrie has done for this team. And he was basically a gift from God, like I like to say. He was a waiver claim, or whatever, and he only cost us $25,000.
It's got to be fun and exciting for the organization to see this team really start jelling together. We have the very definition of a team, and that's something Baltimore manager Dave Trembley has tried to stress from the get-go. I wasn't here in 2003, but I know things are definitely better from 2006. And that's a plus, because you know things are going in the right direction. It takes time, and you have to crawl before you learn to walk. It's baby steps. You don't just go out and buy a team in the offseason and then win the World Series. That's not the way it goes, and I saw it happen with the Florida Marlins.
This organization is doing it right, and I think everybody involved understands that we have to have the right players to go forward. Sometimes, you don't get a good mix and you get guys who will quit in the tough times. We don't have that. We've lost some tough games -- crushers -- and this team has bounced back the next day about as well as you can ask.
"This team right here really cares about each other. This group right here stays together and hangs out together."
Teams win championships and players don't. I believe in chemistry 100 percent, and you can't buy it. There are so many different egos and personalities that go into a 25-man roster, and you really can have a toxic mix. I've seen teams that were jealous of each other, and I've seen teammates that root against each other. I've seen a lot of different situations, but this team right here really cares about each other. This group right here stays together and hangs out together. That's a unique thing. We have a great mix of Latins and good ole' boys, young players and veterans. It's just been a great breath of fresh air.
I think everyone in this clubhouse has said this is the most fun they've ever had coming to the field, and it's neat to hear. The guys are here at 2 or 2:30 every day and they're not straggling in at 4 with their heads down and headphones on. We eat together, we play cards together, we rag on each other. It's a long day at the field, but we've been enjoying it.
And that doesn't just grow overnight. It takes effort from everybody. It takes effort to have a team dinner and to include everybody in everything. You've got a certain amount of guys who do that and keep things going, and that's what makes the team. And it all starts at the top. You have to believe in the theories your manager is stressing. Dave told us from the get-go, "Team, team, team, team -- nobody's bigger than the team." It started that way in February, and we've believed it. You're a reflection of your manager, and we've never quit and we've always played as hard as we can. That doesn't mean you're going to win every game. We're going to get beat and we're going to get crushed, but you can play the game right.
People always ask me, "Are you signed through next year?" No, I'm not. Do I want to come back to be an Oriole? Yes, I do. I enjoy it here, and I enjoy helping to change this team around in a positive way. I enjoy the dogfight that comes with playing in the American League East and playing against the Yankees, the Red Sox and now even the Rays. I really believe that basically with the addition of some starting pitching, this team could begin to compete for a playoff spot.
I don't know if I'll be back, but I'd hope to be. I don't know what the organization's plans are, but I've expressed to Andy MacPhail, the team's president of baseball operations, that I love it here and I'd love to come back. I know Trembley knows that I love it here, and the one thing with me is you know what you're going to get. Knock on wood, it's pretty much a healthy body. You're going to get what you've gotten the last three years, and it's not going to cost a whole lot of money. It certainly won't be a contract issue. It's just a matter of what direction they want to go. My gut says I'll be an Oriole. As a free agent, you have a choice to go where you want to an extent. And I want to be here. I hope that weighs into their plans.
Fantasy football season's about to start, and we've got some guys who think they know it all. We've got Steve Young, Sean Salisbury and Tom Jackson on this team. Everybody knows everything about everything, but all I know is that I'm probably by far the most knowledgeable guy on this team about fantasy football. I live and die for the NFL, but don't know anything about college. I've been in former teammate John Burkett's league for several seasons, and he has over 100 teams, but I've been a top 10 finisher. I just want to let the guys know in advance what they're dealing with. They're cute little fellas like that kid Edwar Ramirez from the Yankees. They try so hard, and I want to thank them for their time and their donation.
Let's start with the positives: You have to really be excited about what this lineup's done offensively. Going into Spring Training, I don't think anybody knew where the power was going to come from. We were ranked something like 28th out of 30 teams for projected power numbers, and now we're fifth in the league in home runs. The balance of our lineup is tremendous, and it's been really exciting, but I think we've probably surprised everybody but ourselves.
It makes it fun when there's no big-name guy in the lineup who opposing teams have to pitch around. On any given night, all year long, someone's contributed. We have five guys who could potentially hit 20 home runs in this lineup, and you have three guys that could potentially have 100 RBIs in Aubrey Huff, Nick Markakis and Melvin Mora. The addition of Luke Scott has been key, and he's given us some on-base percentage and power. And Adam Jones went through an adjustment period before he got hurt, and I think hitting coach Terry Crowley deserves a lot of credit for that. Nobody knew if this kid would be able to hold his own or just play good defense, and now he's hitting .280 and has driven in a ton of big runs for us.
Changing gears, you've also got Jeremy Guthrie solidifying himself as a dominant pitcher in this league. Last year, he had 25 starts and everyone said, "OK, can you do it again?" Well, he's done it again, and he's definitely an ace. He's matched up well with every other team's ace, and early on in the year, we didn't score a whole lot of runs for him. He could definitely have 14 or 15 wins under his belt right now, but you've really got to love what Guthrie has done for this team. And he was basically a gift from God, like I like to say. He was a waiver claim, or whatever, and he only cost us $25,000.
It's got to be fun and exciting for the organization to see this team really start jelling together. We have the very definition of a team, and that's something Baltimore manager Dave Trembley has tried to stress from the get-go. I wasn't here in 2003, but I know things are definitely better from 2006. And that's a plus, because you know things are going in the right direction. It takes time, and you have to crawl before you learn to walk. It's baby steps. You don't just go out and buy a team in the offseason and then win the World Series. That's not the way it goes, and I saw it happen with the Florida Marlins.
This organization is doing it right, and I think everybody involved understands that we have to have the right players to go forward. Sometimes, you don't get a good mix and you get guys who will quit in the tough times. We don't have that. We've lost some tough games -- crushers -- and this team has bounced back the next day about as well as you can ask.
"This team right here really cares about each other. This group right here stays together and hangs out together."
Teams win championships and players don't. I believe in chemistry 100 percent, and you can't buy it. There are so many different egos and personalities that go into a 25-man roster, and you really can have a toxic mix. I've seen teams that were jealous of each other, and I've seen teammates that root against each other. I've seen a lot of different situations, but this team right here really cares about each other. This group right here stays together and hangs out together. That's a unique thing. We have a great mix of Latins and good ole' boys, young players and veterans. It's just been a great breath of fresh air.
I think everyone in this clubhouse has said this is the most fun they've ever had coming to the field, and it's neat to hear. The guys are here at 2 or 2:30 every day and they're not straggling in at 4 with their heads down and headphones on. We eat together, we play cards together, we rag on each other. It's a long day at the field, but we've been enjoying it.
And that doesn't just grow overnight. It takes effort from everybody. It takes effort to have a team dinner and to include everybody in everything. You've got a certain amount of guys who do that and keep things going, and that's what makes the team. And it all starts at the top. You have to believe in the theories your manager is stressing. Dave told us from the get-go, "Team, team, team, team -- nobody's bigger than the team." It started that way in February, and we've believed it. You're a reflection of your manager, and we've never quit and we've always played as hard as we can. That doesn't mean you're going to win every game. We're going to get beat and we're going to get crushed, but you can play the game right.
People always ask me, "Are you signed through next year?" No, I'm not. Do I want to come back to be an Oriole? Yes, I do. I enjoy it here, and I enjoy helping to change this team around in a positive way. I enjoy the dogfight that comes with playing in the American League East and playing against the Yankees, the Red Sox and now even the Rays. I really believe that basically with the addition of some starting pitching, this team could begin to compete for a playoff spot.
I don't know if I'll be back, but I'd hope to be. I don't know what the organization's plans are, but I've expressed to Andy MacPhail, the team's president of baseball operations, that I love it here and I'd love to come back. I know Trembley knows that I love it here, and the one thing with me is you know what you're going to get. Knock on wood, it's pretty much a healthy body. You're going to get what you've gotten the last three years, and it's not going to cost a whole lot of money. It certainly won't be a contract issue. It's just a matter of what direction they want to go. My gut says I'll be an Oriole. As a free agent, you have a choice to go where you want to an extent. And I want to be here. I hope that weighs into their plans.
Fantasy football season's about to start, and we've got some guys who think they know it all. We've got Steve Young, Sean Salisbury and Tom Jackson on this team. Everybody knows everything about everything, but all I know is that I'm probably by far the most knowledgeable guy on this team about fantasy football. I live and die for the NFL, but don't know anything about college. I've been in former teammate John Burkett's league for several seasons, and he has over 100 teams, but I've been a top 10 finisher. I just want to let the guys know in advance what they're dealing with. They're cute little fellas like that kid Edwar Ramirez from the Yankees. They try so hard, and I want to thank them for their time and their donation.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Keep Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'
There you go, avoided the sweep, now the Orioles are only four games under .500 going into a weekend series with the struggling Yankees, nobody say the "S" word or it might not happen. Chris Waters pitched 5 innings of below average ball, but got the win with 11 runs of support. The offense has not cooled off quite yet, and hopefully the day off gives them some rest and they get right back at it on Friday.
Rodhames Liz is the expected started for Friday nights game against the Yanks, he has pitched very well in AAA Norfolk, pitching deep into games and walking a lot fewer than he did with the O's.
Not much going on today with the day off, but I like to talk about the minor leaguers so lets have at it.
Three pitchers at AA Bowie have been the reason they are in first place looking to make the playoffs for the first time in 11 years, Brad Bergesen, Jason Berken, and Chris Tillman. Together they are 35-11 with a 3.29 ERA, impressive, Bergesen has the most wins with 15 followed by Berken, 11, and Tillman, 9. The only thing is, Chris Tillman is 20 YEARS OLD!!! One year younger than me, he came to Baltimore in the Erik Bedard trade, so now, lets look at what we got for one player. An All-Star closer, a future All-Star center fielder, Kam Mickolo, pitching out of the bull pen last night for no earned runs, A 20-year old stud in AA ball who looks to be a rising ace. Pretty good MacPhail, pretty good.
Rodhames Liz is the expected started for Friday nights game against the Yanks, he has pitched very well in AAA Norfolk, pitching deep into games and walking a lot fewer than he did with the O's.
Not much going on today with the day off, but I like to talk about the minor leaguers so lets have at it.
Three pitchers at AA Bowie have been the reason they are in first place looking to make the playoffs for the first time in 11 years, Brad Bergesen, Jason Berken, and Chris Tillman. Together they are 35-11 with a 3.29 ERA, impressive, Bergesen has the most wins with 15 followed by Berken, 11, and Tillman, 9. The only thing is, Chris Tillman is 20 YEARS OLD!!! One year younger than me, he came to Baltimore in the Erik Bedard trade, so now, lets look at what we got for one player. An All-Star closer, a future All-Star center fielder, Kam Mickolo, pitching out of the bull pen last night for no earned runs, A 20-year old stud in AA ball who looks to be a rising ace. Pretty good MacPhail, pretty good.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Slipping, but Not Sliding
That is two losses in a row, dropping the Orioles 5 games under the .500 mark, remember their low water mark of the season was 7 games under .500, so its not the worst we've seen. And, if looking towards the past can help, last year on today's date the Tampa Bay 'Devil' Rays were 47-77, 30 games below .500, a year later they have the best record in baseball. Just giving us O's fans something to wish for.
Daniel Cabrera looked bad, hitting looked anything BUT timely, and the Orioles gave away $50,000, all in one night, mission not quite accomplished.
Here is something I think we can look forward to...
The Orioles have a 3 man rotation right now, Guthrie, Cabrera, and Waters, but they need at least a fourth starter, and now we know it will not be Olson or Sarfate. Who will it be? Here is my two cents. Two pitchers will be working Friday on normal rest, one from AA and one from AAA, Brad Bergesen, and Radhames Liz respectively. Liz has been pretty dominant in AAA since his demotion, only problem is that his walks are still on the wrong side of where they need to be. Bergesens only problem is that he is pitching in AA. If I had to choose, I would pick Bergesen, but of course I don't have all the facts and scouting reports like Mr. MacPhail, so we'll let him make the choice.
Tonight, to avoid a three game sweep by the Red Sox, the Orioles will send Chris Waters to the mound to face Clay Buchholtz. Waters has gone through every start a pitcher could go through, a great one, a average one, and a bad one. Here's to tonight being an above average one, a quality start, whatever you want to call it, just give me a win, and, as always, LETS GO O'S!!
Daniel Cabrera looked bad, hitting looked anything BUT timely, and the Orioles gave away $50,000, all in one night, mission not quite accomplished.
Here is something I think we can look forward to...
The Orioles have a 3 man rotation right now, Guthrie, Cabrera, and Waters, but they need at least a fourth starter, and now we know it will not be Olson or Sarfate. Who will it be? Here is my two cents. Two pitchers will be working Friday on normal rest, one from AA and one from AAA, Brad Bergesen, and Radhames Liz respectively. Liz has been pretty dominant in AAA since his demotion, only problem is that his walks are still on the wrong side of where they need to be. Bergesens only problem is that he is pitching in AA. If I had to choose, I would pick Bergesen, but of course I don't have all the facts and scouting reports like Mr. MacPhail, so we'll let him make the choice.
Tonight, to avoid a three game sweep by the Red Sox, the Orioles will send Chris Waters to the mound to face Clay Buchholtz. Waters has gone through every start a pitcher could go through, a great one, a average one, and a bad one. Here's to tonight being an above average one, a quality start, whatever you want to call it, just give me a win, and, as always, LETS GO O'S!!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Guthrie was So So
Jeremy Guthrie had "Probably the biggest struggle I've had all season with my stuff," in last nights game. And yet he still managed to go 7 innings and only give up 2 runs, both homers, although he did walk 5. It goes to show how much better he is than the rest of the staff, if 7 innings of 2 run ball is the biggest struggle with your stuff, well, we all know how good he is when he is on.
The familiar, and still disappointing, scene played out again for Guthrie, who got 1 run in support of his outing. The red hot offense cooled a bit last night, but then again, the pitcher they faced did throw a no hitter earlier in the year.
The attendance last night was 40,429, leaving the Orioles 2,861 fans shy of reaching the 50 million mark at Camden Yards. Anybody want to make a road trip tonight, your odds of winning are probably much greater here than winning the lottery, and the perks, in my opinion, are better. You get $50,000 and a pair of season tickets for 5 years, and according the Orioles official web site, "V.I.P. surprises and more!" OHHH AHHH. Do you think they will let you play owner for the day? Peter Angelos would never let that happen.
Welp, tonight we have Daniel Cabrera vs. Dice-K. Please, please bring good Danny to the yard, how would it look if we lost the game where I, I mean the 50 millionth fan, shows up? Either way, with $50,000 in my pocket, I'll still say, LETS GO O'S!!
The familiar, and still disappointing, scene played out again for Guthrie, who got 1 run in support of his outing. The red hot offense cooled a bit last night, but then again, the pitcher they faced did throw a no hitter earlier in the year.
The attendance last night was 40,429, leaving the Orioles 2,861 fans shy of reaching the 50 million mark at Camden Yards. Anybody want to make a road trip tonight, your odds of winning are probably much greater here than winning the lottery, and the perks, in my opinion, are better. You get $50,000 and a pair of season tickets for 5 years, and according the Orioles official web site, "V.I.P. surprises and more!" OHHH AHHH. Do you think they will let you play owner for the day? Peter Angelos would never let that happen.
Welp, tonight we have Daniel Cabrera vs. Dice-K. Please, please bring good Danny to the yard, how would it look if we lost the game where I, I mean the 50 millionth fan, shows up? Either way, with $50,000 in my pocket, I'll still say, LETS GO O'S!!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Putting the O in Offense
A semi-successful road trip, coming home for nine games after a 4-3 road trip isn't all that bad, especially when there is the 50 millionth fan coming into Camden Yards in the next three days.
How about that Oriole offense, Melvin Mora has been on a tear and he had 6RBI's yesterday, ridiculous. And the team has just been flat out scoring runs in their last 4 games, there average runs per game is 10.75, how are you supposed to loose games like that? Pitching, wasn't expecting such an easy answer hu? Well, when 3 or 4 out of 5 pitchers have outings, more often than not, like Garet Olson's yesterday, 1 2/3 with 5 ER, it makes it tough. Thankfully the Orioles have Jeremy Guthrie on the mound tonight, trying for his career best 5 wins in a row.
Guthrie has been lights out in his last 11 outings, going 7-1 with a 2.51 ERA, and even more dominant as the season wears on, going 4-0 with a 1.23 ERA in his last four starts. He is matched up against youngster Jon Lester, whose last start was good enough for a win going 7 1/3 and giving up 3 earned runs. Hopefully the O's offense will challenge him and Guthrie will swamp the Sox offense. Yet again, LET'S GO O'S!!
How about that Oriole offense, Melvin Mora has been on a tear and he had 6RBI's yesterday, ridiculous. And the team has just been flat out scoring runs in their last 4 games, there average runs per game is 10.75, how are you supposed to loose games like that? Pitching, wasn't expecting such an easy answer hu? Well, when 3 or 4 out of 5 pitchers have outings, more often than not, like Garet Olson's yesterday, 1 2/3 with 5 ER, it makes it tough. Thankfully the Orioles have Jeremy Guthrie on the mound tonight, trying for his career best 5 wins in a row.
Guthrie has been lights out in his last 11 outings, going 7-1 with a 2.51 ERA, and even more dominant as the season wears on, going 4-0 with a 1.23 ERA in his last four starts. He is matched up against youngster Jon Lester, whose last start was good enough for a win going 7 1/3 and giving up 3 earned runs. Hopefully the O's offense will challenge him and Guthrie will swamp the Sox offense. Yet again, LET'S GO O'S!!
Friday, August 15, 2008
So So, and the Draft
Daniel Cabrera pitched a so so game last night pitching 5 2/3 giving up 3 ER and 8 hits, not bad, not good enough to get the win but the O's won so I can't complain. The offense is on fire right now, it has scored 55 runs in the last 7 games, that's almost an 8 run per game average, any team should win with that, but the Orioles are only 4-3 in that span. Says some thing about the, wait, yep, I'm going to say it again, starting pitching.
Lou Montanez, "Sweet Lou," had a good game last night and is hitting .474 since being with the Orioles, and had 2 RBI's last night. Now we all realize that nobody can hit that well for a whole year, but it should give some confidence for Lou. It gives me some in him anyway.
The countdown is on for the Orioles to sign their first round draft pick Brain Matusz, the left handed pitcher from San Diego State. Reports say he is looking for a Major league deal worth about $5 million. Listen, if I am coming out of college and get offered $2 million, even $1 million to play a GAME, I'm taking it. I don't care how good he thinks he is a major league contract dooms a player out of the draft, case and point, Adam Lowen. Brian, be a man, take the huge privilege you have to play major league baseball and run with it. Good luck O's hopefully this guy is not a Prima Donna.
Tonight is Chris Waters vs. Nate Robertson. Waters is making his 3 big league start, I personally am very excited to see him again. And Nate Robertson, is 4-1 with a 4+ ERA against the "Dirty Birds" so lets try and reverse the trend, and LETS GO O'S!!
Lou Montanez, "Sweet Lou," had a good game last night and is hitting .474 since being with the Orioles, and had 2 RBI's last night. Now we all realize that nobody can hit that well for a whole year, but it should give some confidence for Lou. It gives me some in him anyway.
The countdown is on for the Orioles to sign their first round draft pick Brain Matusz, the left handed pitcher from San Diego State. Reports say he is looking for a Major league deal worth about $5 million. Listen, if I am coming out of college and get offered $2 million, even $1 million to play a GAME, I'm taking it. I don't care how good he thinks he is a major league contract dooms a player out of the draft, case and point, Adam Lowen. Brian, be a man, take the huge privilege you have to play major league baseball and run with it. Good luck O's hopefully this guy is not a Prima Donna.
Tonight is Chris Waters vs. Nate Robertson. Waters is making his 3 big league start, I personally am very excited to see him again. And Nate Robertson, is 4-1 with a 4+ ERA against the "Dirty Birds" so lets try and reverse the trend, and LETS GO O'S!!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Guthrie, Markakis
Jeremy Guthrie and Nick Markakis are my two favorite Orioles, since Adam Jones broke his foot, actually since they put on the jersey. Last night they tried to show you why they should be yours too, despite having some lower back stiffness in the 6th Guthrie went out and pitched a scoreless 7th, getting the win and lowering his ERA to 3.18 6th best in the AL. When is he going to get the due he deserves? Does he have another 5 wins in him for 15? He has pitched so well in his last 4 starts, just check his numbers, 4 wins and a 1.23 ERA, crazy good.
And Nick Markakis, the player who drove in 112 runs last year, and only had 39 at the All-Star break, now has 75 with 17 home runs and a .307 average, is on pace to have another 100 RBI season and hit above his .300 mark from last year, with more home runs, and more outfield assists, which, by the way he is leading all of baseball with 12. Are these guys good or what? Now if we can just get some starting pitching behind Guthrie, we could be there.
Tonight at 7:05 it is Daniel Cabrera vs. Zack Jackson, a player acquired by the Indians in the CC Sabathia trade. Cabrera looks to build on his first scoreless outing of the year last time out, and the Orioles offense looks to stay red hot, a series split is all we can ask for now, but still LETS GO O'S!!
And Nick Markakis, the player who drove in 112 runs last year, and only had 39 at the All-Star break, now has 75 with 17 home runs and a .307 average, is on pace to have another 100 RBI season and hit above his .300 mark from last year, with more home runs, and more outfield assists, which, by the way he is leading all of baseball with 12. Are these guys good or what? Now if we can just get some starting pitching behind Guthrie, we could be there.
Tonight at 7:05 it is Daniel Cabrera vs. Zack Jackson, a player acquired by the Indians in the CC Sabathia trade. Cabrera looks to build on his first scoreless outing of the year last time out, and the Orioles offense looks to stay red hot, a series split is all we can ask for now, but still LETS GO O'S!!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
USA Mens Basketball
We have a guest writer, and he has more to this story a little later in the day. Enjoy!
Michael William Krzyzewski (Coach K) is a great coach, just check the resume: 2001 Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, 10 time ACC champion as a coach, 5 time ACC Coach of the Year, 3 time Naismith Coach of the year, 3 time national championship as a Coach, and a measly .750winning percentage, o yea and don't forget the US Olympic Men's Basketball Coach. Coach K is without a doubt one of the greatest coaches of all time, that goes without question.
But what does come into question is, do I, Ian James Hopkins, a rising Junior at Saint Joseph's University no more about basketball than Coach K. Before your so quick to judge let me run you down my resume:Washington Township Recreation League All- Star in 2003, Recreation League Champion in 1998, Beat Writer for Saint Joseph's Hawks Men's Basketball Team, all around good college student, and you can't forget about the 1-11 record that I sport after two years of Intramural Basketball at my college, in the B- league no less.
I know what your thinking, and no I am not some drunken idiot college kid, I am currently using much to good grammar to be drunk. But lets face it, it would be seemingly easy to choose who knows more about basketball, more specifically, who would be a better person to pick the United States Men's Basketball team. Well if you ask me, it isn't so easy, I'd say the choice between me and Coach K is harder than trying to win 8 gold medals in one Olympics (Phelps love). Just humor me, instead of going by the resume, lets go by the fact,the facts being who coach K has chosen to represent this wonderful country on the hardwood, in comparison to who I would choose, and for purposes of not getting to ridiculous I will keep Kobe on the roster,won't put in my boy and greatest baller ever Adam Morrison, and I will attempt to keep college players of the roster but my word is weaker than Tayshaun Prince on the bench.I'd like to first establish who I agree with Coach K on:
Dawayne Wade; I think a lot of people think D-Wade was over-rated when the Heat won the NBA ship, partially including me, but this Olympics he is def out to prove his haters wrong.
Kobe Bryant; In all honesty I do not like Kobe, I'd go as far as to say I hate him, Kobe Bryant the basketball player is amazing, he does some of the sickest things ever done on a basketball court and that is why he is on this roster. But I don't agree with Kobe the person.
Chris Bosh; Georgia Tech attendee, this Demon Decon garners a lot of love from yours truly, all 6'10" 230 pounds of him. A solid post presence, underrated shooter, and fine tuned rebounder. He def deserved to get the USA nod.
Lebron James: 'Nuff said
Chris Paul: CP3 needs to just stop it, he teases the defense while tantalizing the crowd. The boy can play and there is no one on this planet that can argue that.
Michael William Krzyzewski (Coach K) is a great coach, just check the resume: 2001 Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, 10 time ACC champion as a coach, 5 time ACC Coach of the Year, 3 time Naismith Coach of the year, 3 time national championship as a Coach, and a measly .750winning percentage, o yea and don't forget the US Olympic Men's Basketball Coach. Coach K is without a doubt one of the greatest coaches of all time, that goes without question.
But what does come into question is, do I, Ian James Hopkins, a rising Junior at Saint Joseph's University no more about basketball than Coach K. Before your so quick to judge let me run you down my resume:Washington Township Recreation League All- Star in 2003, Recreation League Champion in 1998, Beat Writer for Saint Joseph's Hawks Men's Basketball Team, all around good college student, and you can't forget about the 1-11 record that I sport after two years of Intramural Basketball at my college, in the B- league no less.
I know what your thinking, and no I am not some drunken idiot college kid, I am currently using much to good grammar to be drunk. But lets face it, it would be seemingly easy to choose who knows more about basketball, more specifically, who would be a better person to pick the United States Men's Basketball team. Well if you ask me, it isn't so easy, I'd say the choice between me and Coach K is harder than trying to win 8 gold medals in one Olympics (Phelps love). Just humor me, instead of going by the resume, lets go by the fact,the facts being who coach K has chosen to represent this wonderful country on the hardwood, in comparison to who I would choose, and for purposes of not getting to ridiculous I will keep Kobe on the roster,won't put in my boy and greatest baller ever Adam Morrison, and I will attempt to keep college players of the roster but my word is weaker than Tayshaun Prince on the bench.I'd like to first establish who I agree with Coach K on:
Dawayne Wade; I think a lot of people think D-Wade was over-rated when the Heat won the NBA ship, partially including me, but this Olympics he is def out to prove his haters wrong.
Kobe Bryant; In all honesty I do not like Kobe, I'd go as far as to say I hate him, Kobe Bryant the basketball player is amazing, he does some of the sickest things ever done on a basketball court and that is why he is on this roster. But I don't agree with Kobe the person.
Chris Bosh; Georgia Tech attendee, this Demon Decon garners a lot of love from yours truly, all 6'10" 230 pounds of him. A solid post presence, underrated shooter, and fine tuned rebounder. He def deserved to get the USA nod.
Lebron James: 'Nuff said
Chris Paul: CP3 needs to just stop it, he teases the defense while tantalizing the crowd. The boy can play and there is no one on this planet that can argue that.
Ugly, but Thanks
Man last night was ugly, I don't want to say it AGAIN, but the Orioles need starting pitching. Here is yet another reason why. When bull pen pitchers get moved into the starting rotation, you loose a quality arm out of the bull pen, so when the game is on the line your quality bull pen arm to choose from is one less, thereby over using your quality arms, and loosing the game.
Its only been a three game skid, but still, thank you Indians for giving us Jeremy Guthrie, tonight's starter. He has single handily stopped any Orioles loosing streak from going past 5, and tonight he will look to go deep into the game as to stop this current trend of coming back from being down and then loosing the game in the late innings.
Guthrie has easily been the Orioles MVP this season, in my eyes at least. He has also been one of MLB's hottest pitcher as of late, winning his last 3 of 4 starts while posting a sub 2 ERA, and including his first career complete game.
Thank you Mr. Guthrie and good luck tonight vs. the Tribe. Two things are certain tonight, Guthrie is pitching, and LETS GO O'S!!
Its only been a three game skid, but still, thank you Indians for giving us Jeremy Guthrie, tonight's starter. He has single handily stopped any Orioles loosing streak from going past 5, and tonight he will look to go deep into the game as to stop this current trend of coming back from being down and then loosing the game in the late innings.
Guthrie has easily been the Orioles MVP this season, in my eyes at least. He has also been one of MLB's hottest pitcher as of late, winning his last 3 of 4 starts while posting a sub 2 ERA, and including his first career complete game.
Thank you Mr. Guthrie and good luck tonight vs. the Tribe. Two things are certain tonight, Guthrie is pitching, and LETS GO O'S!!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Broken Rec-Rec-Rec-Rec
We need pitching-skip-scratch-we need pitching-skip-scratch-we need pitching. How many times does the offense need to comeback to win a game? This problem is starting to get so ridiculous in my mind, but I don't have a solution. There has to be someone other than Jeremy Guthrie who can pitch a decent game regularly right?
Anyways, lets highlight the positives, Aubrey Huff extended his career/this years club's best hitting streak to 19 games last night with a home run. The offense looks red hot, but when we only need to bull pen to hold the lead, they can't and when we need them to stop the bleeding, they can't.
Dear Santa,
For Christmas this year I would like 4 pitchers that can pitch like Guthrie, oh and may I also have a few bull pen pitchers that can lock down a game when necessary? And if you have enough room in that bag of yours, grab a short stop, and some big guy who grew up in MD and plays for the best team in baseball.
One Love,
Jim
Tonight is Olson vs. Sowers, God only knows how this one will turn out. But, He also knows I'll be watching, hopefully we can scrap together a win. LETS GO O'S!!!
Anyways, lets highlight the positives, Aubrey Huff extended his career/this years club's best hitting streak to 19 games last night with a home run. The offense looks red hot, but when we only need to bull pen to hold the lead, they can't and when we need them to stop the bleeding, they can't.
Dear Santa,
For Christmas this year I would like 4 pitchers that can pitch like Guthrie, oh and may I also have a few bull pen pitchers that can lock down a game when necessary? And if you have enough room in that bag of yours, grab a short stop, and some big guy who grew up in MD and plays for the best team in baseball.
One Love,
Jim
Tonight is Olson vs. Sowers, God only knows how this one will turn out. But, He also knows I'll be watching, hopefully we can scrap together a win. LETS GO O'S!!!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Sorry and We're Back on the Road
Hello all, and sorry for the no post for the last few days, good thing I wasn't married to the blog, "in sickness and in health." I was under the weather, but I am back and still feeling the effects. Anyways, Chris Waters proved he was human yesterday giving up 5 earned runs in only 4 innings, but left with the game still in hand, the bullpen however gave it up. But how much can you really argue after keeping the potent Texas offense to only 1 run in the first two games. Taking yet another series.
Back on the road tonight against the downtrodden Cleveland Indians, anybody else feeling a sweep. OK maybe that might be a little far fetched because the O's seem to have trouble in the third game of a series, but a guy can wish right? And four games in a row is going to be tough.
Dennis Sarfate, tonight's starting pitcher, got a text message from his wife after his last start saying, "Your trying to hard." Notice anything? Yea me TOO. Anyways, he said he is going to relax and have fun out there tonight, hopefully it will work as he goes up against Fausto Carmona, who has very similar number to Sarfate, toss up. But still, LETS GO O'S!!!!
Back on the road tonight against the downtrodden Cleveland Indians, anybody else feeling a sweep. OK maybe that might be a little far fetched because the O's seem to have trouble in the third game of a series, but a guy can wish right? And four games in a row is going to be tough.
Dennis Sarfate, tonight's starting pitcher, got a text message from his wife after his last start saying, "Your trying to hard." Notice anything? Yea me TOO. Anyways, he said he is going to relax and have fun out there tonight, hopefully it will work as he goes up against Fausto Carmona, who has very similar number to Sarfate, toss up. But still, LETS GO O'S!!!!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Wow, and A Nice Trip
There you go O's fans a winning road trip, which was clinched by the right hand of a 27 year old rookie pitcher making his major league debut. Chris Waters pitcher 8 shutout innings of 1 hit baseball in his first start in the majors, to get his first win in the majors. Pretty impressive right, here a perspective, this is the first time a pitcher making his major league debut pitched that well for the Orioles in more than 20 years!
Watching Waters last night reminded me of the first time I saw Jeremy Guthrie pitch last year, they both just went out there and got the job done. I am not saying that Waters in our next staff ace like Guthrie, but there are a lot of similarities. Career minor leaguers getting their first start with the Orioles in an away game, both are in their late 20's, both pitched very well in their first outing, and both gave me a feeling of indescribable steadiness, one that this years pitching staff only gave me every five days. Now hopefully that will be more broken up. Congrats Chris!
Tonight matches up Olson vs. Santana. Not the best match up for the O's, or is it? Remember about two Sundays ago when the Orioles broke that streak, the same two pitchers were going at it, and Olson came out on top. Olson will be going for his third straight quality start and his third straight win, some thing he has yet to do in his major league career. LETS GO O'S!!!
Watching Waters last night reminded me of the first time I saw Jeremy Guthrie pitch last year, they both just went out there and got the job done. I am not saying that Waters in our next staff ace like Guthrie, but there are a lot of similarities. Career minor leaguers getting their first start with the Orioles in an away game, both are in their late 20's, both pitched very well in their first outing, and both gave me a feeling of indescribable steadiness, one that this years pitching staff only gave me every five days. Now hopefully that will be more broken up. Congrats Chris!
Tonight matches up Olson vs. Santana. Not the best match up for the O's, or is it? Remember about two Sundays ago when the Orioles broke that streak, the same two pitchers were going at it, and Olson came out on top. Olson will be going for his third straight quality start and his third straight win, some thing he has yet to do in his major league career. LETS GO O'S!!!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Comeback and Waters
What a game, what a team, not only did they come back to tie the game in the ninth inning, they did it against the games best closer. The Orioles, down 5-1 in the 9th, tied the game but RBI's by Melvin Mora and Nick Markakis. But eventually the O's closer George Sherill gave up a walk off walk to end the game. That should have been a heart breaker to manager Dave Trembley, but no, he reinforced how proud he was of his team and how they never gave up. Is this guy great or what?
Adam Jones flew back to Baltimore yesterday to get his foot checked out by team doctors, which could end up in a promotion for Bowie outfielder Lou Montanez, now aren't you glad I gave you that update yesterday so you know who he is.
Chris Waters will get his first major league start tonight against the best team in baseball. Tell me there won't be a little case of the nerves? I wish him well as it seems that those "September" call ups have started about a month too soon. That's only due to injuries people, wish AJ luck and a speedy recovery.
Adam Jones flew back to Baltimore yesterday to get his foot checked out by team doctors, which could end up in a promotion for Bowie outfielder Lou Montanez, now aren't you glad I gave you that update yesterday so you know who he is.
Chris Waters will get his first major league start tonight against the best team in baseball. Tell me there won't be a little case of the nerves? I wish him well as it seems that those "September" call ups have started about a month too soon. That's only due to injuries people, wish AJ luck and a speedy recovery.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Minor League
Quick update from the farm. Matt Wieters the Orioles number 1 prospect is batting an amazing .371 with 10 doubles, 6 homers, and 34 RBI's in 36 games. He posted slightly lower numbers in A Fredrick before his promotion to AA Bowie, another promotion maybe on the way this year to AAA Norfolk.
Also in AA Bowie Lou Montanez is hitting .334 with 26 homers and 97 RBI's. He is having a career year and should get a look at a promotion later this year. The only problem is that he is 27 and has struggled whenever getting a promotion.
Tuesdays pitcher will likely be from the farm system, two names being thrown around are pitchers C Waters and H Penn. It looks as though, if they were to call up a pitcher, it would be Waters, but that decision has yet to be made.
Brad Bergesen in AA Bowie has a club record of 14 wins this season, while posting a 2.70 ERA and 1.1 WHIP with 2 complete games and 2 shutouts in 123.1 innings. Looks like the real deal to me, and I say take the same course that the Rays are doing with their pitching prospects, move them one level at a time.
Also in AA Bowie Lou Montanez is hitting .334 with 26 homers and 97 RBI's. He is having a career year and should get a look at a promotion later this year. The only problem is that he is 27 and has struggled whenever getting a promotion.
Tuesdays pitcher will likely be from the farm system, two names being thrown around are pitchers C Waters and H Penn. It looks as though, if they were to call up a pitcher, it would be Waters, but that decision has yet to be made.
Brad Bergesen in AA Bowie has a club record of 14 wins this season, while posting a 2.70 ERA and 1.1 WHIP with 2 complete games and 2 shutouts in 123.1 innings. Looks like the real deal to me, and I say take the same course that the Rays are doing with their pitching prospects, move them one level at a time.
Oh Boy
The Orioles took two out of three from the Mariners this weekend; a road series win, even though they are the worst team in baseball. A road series win is a road series win. Next up is the best team in baseball, The Angels.
Its been tough for me to watch these West Coast games, because they start around 10PM Eastern Time, and I have work early in the morning. So I will do the best I can to give some kind of commentary.
Because it is always football season, and the Redskins played their first preseason game yesterday I get to talk about it. They looked pretty good in their opening drive, going for a touchdown in only 77 seconds. Jason Cambell looked comfortable and accurate going 5-5 in his passes. That's it for now, we'll get back to that later on in the year.
Tonight at 10:05 PM Dennis Sarfate vs. Joe Saunders. Saunders has a 5+ ERA against the O's but has never lost. Hopefully Sarfate just had a bout with nerves in his last start and settles into a nice grove tonight.
Its been tough for me to watch these West Coast games, because they start around 10PM Eastern Time, and I have work early in the morning. So I will do the best I can to give some kind of commentary.
Because it is always football season, and the Redskins played their first preseason game yesterday I get to talk about it. They looked pretty good in their opening drive, going for a touchdown in only 77 seconds. Jason Cambell looked comfortable and accurate going 5-5 in his passes. That's it for now, we'll get back to that later on in the year.
Tonight at 10:05 PM Dennis Sarfate vs. Joe Saunders. Saunders has a 5+ ERA against the O's but has never lost. Hopefully Sarfate just had a bout with nerves in his last start and settles into a nice grove tonight.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Comes and Goes, Way to Go O's!
The trade dead-line came and went with out any action by the Orioles. If MacPhail get paid due to his foresight, he should get a raise, the man not only is a trade genius, but a draft genius. Looking at his history with the two other major league clubs it is obvious he knows what he is doing and has a World Series and innumerable amount of playoff appearances.
As hard as it is to wait, which we have been doing for now the 11th year, I can wait a little longer if it means I won't have to for a while.
Other news: Daniel Cabrera was suspended 6 games for hitting A-rod in the Bronx!!! That is absolutely ridiculous, and an appeal is coming.
Big names that got traded yesterday, Ken Griffey Jr. and Manny Ramirez, Griffey went from the Reds to the White Sox, and Ramirez went from the Red Sox to the Dodgers.
Tonight at 10:05 PM Jarrod Washburn Vs. Garrett Olson. Olson needs another quality start like he had breaking the Sunday loosing streak. The Mariners traded a lot and, oddly enough, just like the Orioles last year fired their GM and Manager and started the re-building of their franchise.
Remember this is the team that gave us Adam Jones, George Sherill, and three others for Eric Bedard, looking like that trade may be one of the best for the Orioles. LETS GO O'S!!!
As hard as it is to wait, which we have been doing for now the 11th year, I can wait a little longer if it means I won't have to for a while.
Other news: Daniel Cabrera was suspended 6 games for hitting A-rod in the Bronx!!! That is absolutely ridiculous, and an appeal is coming.
Big names that got traded yesterday, Ken Griffey Jr. and Manny Ramirez, Griffey went from the Reds to the White Sox, and Ramirez went from the Red Sox to the Dodgers.
Tonight at 10:05 PM Jarrod Washburn Vs. Garrett Olson. Olson needs another quality start like he had breaking the Sunday loosing streak. The Mariners traded a lot and, oddly enough, just like the Orioles last year fired their GM and Manager and started the re-building of their franchise.
Remember this is the team that gave us Adam Jones, George Sherill, and three others for Eric Bedard, looking like that trade may be one of the best for the Orioles. LETS GO O'S!!!
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