How bout dem O's

Migg-gate Day 5: Thank You Jebus

2005-12-12T09:13:00.000-05:00

From the Mouf of Miggy in a Comcast Interview (thanks to the Sun):

"I never said I wanted to be traded; I said I want to see a better team," said Tejada, who spoke via phone from the Dominican Republic. "I don't want to keep losing like we have the past two years. Look at the division we're in. It's not easy to win without pitching. It's the hardest division in baseball with the Yankees and Red Sox. And look at what Toronto is doing with their pitching staff. They're going to be tough."
"I think they've got to make some moves," Tejada told Comcast SportsNet. "That's why I'm upset. I hope the fans won't be mad at me, but I think me speaking up might actually help the team get better. I'm speaking for every player on this team. I don't want to play just for money, but to be competitive. I love baseball more than the money."
"I'm not saying I don't like the team or the city. If they trade me, I don't want people to think I just want to go to a winning team. I just want the organization to do something - go get pitching. If they don't, they're telling me they don't want to win. ... I don't want to take anything away from the pitchers we have, but we need more. We need an ace."

Flanagan still claims that he needs to talk Miggy into staying but I think that may be a smoke-screen for whatever "crazy moves" he may be "forced" into making. Maybe he's trying to pull one over on Angelos? (Wouldn't that be awesome).

In other news, Kyle Boller has been added to the list of people that have plane tickets on the house out of BWI to wherever they want...as long as they don't come back.

Miggy-gate Day 4

2005-12-11T10:30:00.000-05:00

The nuts are running the nuthouse...the question is, Are we better off? The effect of contracts in sports threatens to redefine the jurisprudence of contract law across the nation. If you don't like what you've got, just wiggle and you may be able to shake it off. Luckily, this is not the case here.

New Flash: The O's will not trade Miggy. Anyone who pays attention to the Orioles or Tejada knows this and ESPN has taken on the sensationalist tactics of CNN to attract readers/viewers. What will happen is Tejada will begin to dictate, on behalf of the entire roster, what changes need to be made in order to make Baltimore a tolerable place to play. The talks that are going on right now sound a lot like this: "What would make you happy, Mr. Tejada? A number 1 starter, of course Mr. Tejada. Stop messing around with first base and pay attention to set-up men? Yes, Mr. Tejada. Tell Mr. Angelos to stop stealing money from the fans? Whatever you say, Mr. Tejada."

Javy Lopez has jumped on the "trade me" bandwagon and he may just be the player we use to get a grade A reliever. We are going to have to find a way to BUY (gasp) a starter. Nomah can stay in Chicago (even though Mia Hamm is more than welcome to borrow my O's jersey if they do come to Baltimore). We have enough bat and not enough arms.

I just want to see this when the season starts (replacing the AL All Stars with Orioles of course):

Miggy-gate Day 2

2005-12-09T15:10:00.000-05:00

Rick Maese has an editorial in today's Sun that gives me hope:

Actually, what I'm wondering right now is whether they really have changed. Tejada strikes me as a guy who speaks out of frustration, maybe exaggerates his intentions to match his mood.
There was one day in September when Tejada was tired. He told a Sun reporter that he was thinking about sitting out a game, which would've ended his streak of consecutive games.
"My streak will be over," he said then, "probably this year."
Of course, he backed away from those statements the very next day and by season's end, the longest active streak in the majors was still alive.

Its just so great of Miggs to do this now when people are already shoving dirt in Baltimore's face over all the moves the $75 Million Blue Jays are making. If Tejada does move, I hope they find eight different kinds of steriods in his B12 shot.

In other news, there is word on the street that Angelos made another dirty deed. MLB earmarked some of the settlement it made with Petey for "Personnel Improvement". They are now looking to get that money back since Angelos decided to pocket that money rather than give it to the team. Can we buy a break? (Probably not)

Tejada's Being a Dick

2005-12-08T20:39:00.000-05:00

Tejada

decides he's going to kick us when we're down. If management is smart they'll take this as a "Let's Get Movin" statement rather than "Okay, we'll trade you for Nick Swisher and be done with it". I'm not real sure who you can expect loyalty from as far as players nowadays. Cal Ripken was an Oriole and for a while I thought Tejada would be the same way. Now I realize that he's just a punk who thinks 2 years is a lifetime of trying.

Hopefully tomorrow there will be some sort of Kline-like "My comments were misunderstood" but I doubt it. You cold, Miggy. Cold.

Ramon Hernandez

2005-12-08T15:56:00.000-05:00

Ramon Hernandez

is Baltimore bound. There aren't many great catchers out there but he may be one of them.

And now the Baltimore Sun reports that the O's will be shopping Javy Lopez rather than let it ride during his contract year. I can't say I agree with that one unless there is a great starter we could pick up.

In better news, Flanagan says he won't give up Bedard no matter what. Pretay pretay pretay good.

Bye Bye Balking Cry Baby Kline

2005-12-07T09:28:00.000-05:00

I know, I know...that subject said aloud is like nails on a chalkboard but I could think of no other way to say goodbye to Stevie Kline. My impression of him was mostly a roller coaster until I realized that the only time I didn't wish him ill will it was because of something having nothing to do with baseball. For instance, I read one day how he won't let his little girl come to his games for fear that she will hear him booed. Me: Poor dude. Ok from now on I won't boo him. (Next time I'm at the game he balks and throws a home run right afterward, losing the game)...Me: I wish your daughter was here so that she knew from what depths she would have to rise in order to be successful in this world.

Anyway, off to the Giants for him...the recepticle of Orioles pitching trash. Let's not pick him back up like we did with Ponson. Hello LaTroy Hawkins. If you check out www.baseballreference.com you'll see that he had two spectacular season in 2002 and 2003 but has since fallen off again. I think Mazzone may be able to do something with him and he seems excited to be working with the great "pitchers pitching coach".

Now I know why I shouldn't enter academia. If I could, I would take back the 4.0 I gave the warehouse last entry. According to reports from the winter meeting they are being very loose with whom they may trade. If I hear about Bedard going anywhere for anything less than a blue chip starter/first baseman I will...be very sad.

How bout dem Blue Jays? You can't say someone's overspending when they still have the money to buy whatever they want. I really don't want to be looking up at them all season. For now, they still haven't picked up any offensive powerhouses.

Shout out to Oriole Way. Be sure to check out his site which is linked over to the right.

Julio for Benson

2005-12-02T09:26:00.000-05:00

Well if we were giving A's for Effort in reforming this team, the warehouse would be getting a 4.0. They're going after everyone and, although not getting a nickle worth's improvement, destined to get someone.

Jorge Julio, our failed closer/set-up man/middle reliever/man-who-tries-not-to-throw-home-run-pitches, may be traded for Met's Kris Benson, 31, who was 10-8 last year with a 4.13 ERA. ESPN commentators are already saying how stupid that trade would be...for the METS. Benson is known to have untapped potential, which Mazzone could probably pull out. He's a starter and would be a great 2nd or 3rd in our rotation (after Lopez? Bedard? Burnett? ha ha).

If you all are reading this, leave a comment. That way I'll know if I'm beginning to regain some of my lost readership.

And the Regular Retail Price Is...

2005-11-30T14:14:00.000-05:00

$5 million! That is the value of the intangible characteristic of coming to join the Orioles; a team that has not had a winning season in years. Konerko refused the Oriole offer of $65 million over 5 years to accept the World Champ White Sox offering of $60 million over 5 years. If I was the supposed "Number 1 free agent available" (according to ESPN) I would feel pretty pissed that the White Sox didn't even match the top offer on the table. They both knew he would resign, presumably, so why not just look at whats offered and negotiate for the highest amount. At least that would have saved us a little embarassment. First TO, now this.

In other news, it appears we are standing a good chance of getting Byrd. He wants to play for Mazzone and we are the top bidders (for now). Please God let us get someone. If nothing else to remind the Sports Nation that we were one of the top 10 teams in baseball at the all-star break. According to most sources, playing for the O's is like playing for the Devil Rays. Sheesh. Tejada, Mora, Roberts, Lopez, Bedard, Cabrera. Play nice.

Off-season Mess

2005-11-29T09:11:00.000-05:00

You're less than reliable host has returned. No promises this time. Just the assurance that I'm not satisfied with how this blog or the Orioles finished last season.

So Ryan has defected to the services of another nation. I wish him the best and hope he said as many "Holy sh*ts" as the rest of America when he read the offer from the Blue Jays. To digress for a moment, a closer is primarily of value in 1 run games. Assumedly, save opportunities come up about 20-30 times a season. That said, the Blue Jays will be paying BJ about $500,000 a save. I understand the argument "The only teams that are pissed are the ones that didn't get the player" but this is truly ridiculous.

White Sox 1st Baseman (and AL Champ MVP) Paul Konerko, reportedly, has been offered $50 million over 5 years. This offer is evidently the best on the table for the time being. Konerko, evidently, won't come East. The Orioles finally make the best offer to an unattainable player. Oh the Sound and the Fury.

Mora and Gibbons are up for resigning. Its a good thing that Mora didn't have the same numbers as last year and its too bad that the O's didn't sign Gibby for more that one year last offseason. Both should be retained (although I admit I am a big Gibbons fan). Also, the Sun is talking about making Roberts a little more comfortable before he comes up for re-signing next year. I don't know about that. The Orioles have an uphill bidding battle with most players because they are a losing team. Its kind of like when an airline gives you first class tickets after your original flight fills up. If the O's can pull out a, knock on wood, WINNING season they may be in a better position to deal with Roberts.

Its a sad year in Baltimore Sports. All we have going for us is a World Heavyweight Champion who won his title by default.

The Mountie is BACK

2005-07-22T11:30:00.000-05:00

Well its been more than a week later and not much has changed. The Yanks and the Saux are tumbling around upstairs while the O's are just trying to make sure they don't fall off the ladder. Burnett still isn't an O but the Marlins have optioned up a minor league right hander. I stand by my former position that Burnett isn't worth pulling the carpet out from under our youth. The Yanks and Saux have torn up their farm system. What that means is if we have some faith in what we have growing we can have a much better team than them without breaking the bank.

Bedard...awesome. Our bullpen is shaping up. My lucky hat is back in my possession (long...boring story). Its time to make a statement.

Whew

2005-07-14T07:37:00.000-05:00

I hope you all enjoyed the irony of my last post as I faded off into oblivion. My summer picked off at a break-neck speed and everytime I sat down to write something I almost felt bad for coming back to a lackluster "thing". Well, if there is a great time to come back...isn't it the halfway mark.

A couple big items:

Burnett: This fella makes all the difference right now. No one will deny that combined with what we have, this kid will do wonders. His strikeouts combined with our infield will be a good chance for a win almost every outing. Do we want him? Nope. In two years we will have Cabrera as our ace, Hayden as our second man, and probably John Maine somewhere in the mix (I think Chen will be traded in the next two years). Bigbie is a new Surhoff and the day we get rid of him we will feel bad. So I say, lets use this season as an experiment. Next year as a contender. The year after that as Champs.

Playoffs: Ok, now...let me finish my piece before you close this page. We will probably make the playoffs (KNOCK ON WOOD). The Red Sox and being held together by band-aids and chewing gum. Bronson is a flash in the pan and opposing teams will soon pray for Schilling's time at the mound. Clement is a bad mamma-jamma but many teams have his number. The Yanks will be big competition but you can only get so far on offense (pot calling the kettle black?). O's --> Cabrera and Penn are getting better with every outing. Bedard will be back, not to a 5-1 self, but he will be good. Our bullpen is certainly shaping up (Hey Kline, we have this awesome farm system...maybe you can teach them how to balk). And if the O's can play half of how they played last August it is almost in the bag (we were stepping up on the Red Sox for the wildcard last year). Now seems a good time to put my chips in...so I done's it.

Sosa: Sosa is our "red button". I'm not going to say he will do anything different...but just imagine if he did. ESPN: "Dem O's were just hanging in there and then Sosa came out the box." We have this "red button" that should be in the back of everyone's mind when we are a couple games out of first.

This blog: I am going to hold myself to a once a week commitment. Readers finally started to post at the end of my last run so hopefully some people will come back.

Fair Weather Fan I am Not

2005-05-04T09:01:00.000-05:00

I know it is too early to suggest that anyone is turning their back on the O's but I want to encourage all the other sploggers out there to keep writing. Losing two to the Blue Jays definitely brought this experience back to earth. When the O's pick back up and restart their winning season, everyone will have to admit the validity of the team.

Things to appreciate about this series: Pitching. Cabrera and Lopez have been amazing. Todd Williams was the only pitcher to slip and we know that he is otherwise fantastic.

Things to mull over: Why are all of our bats slumping at the same time? Don't tell me its the pitching because it's not. These guys are facing relief pitchers with 4.05 ERAs and getting struck out. See you all around 3pm.

April In Da Books...And it's a good read

2005-05-01T21:17:00.000-05:00

Peter Gammons has a column out today about the O's. He examines their red hot start and what it may mean for the rest of the season. He then lists how teams various April records have ended out the season since 1976. I said it once and I'll say it again: the games do count...even the ones in April. (By the way, Gammons says the O's have a .708 winning percentage but then lists them here as in the .600-.700 range...I understand rounding but I thought I'd point out that little tidbit).

May 1 winning pct.; teams, made playoffs, pct.
(Teams heading into Sunday)

Over .700; 13, 10, 77%
White Sox

.600-.700; 46, 24, 52%
Cardinals, Orioles, Twins, Marlins, Dodgers

.550-.599; 39, 16, 41%
Braves, D-Backs

.500-.549; 42, 11, 26%
Angels, Red Sox, Nationals, Cubs, A's, Giants, Mariners, Blue Jays, Tigers

.450-.499; 36, 8, 22%
Rangers, Padres, Mets

.400-.44; 36, 2, 6%
Yankees, Phillies, Reds, Astros, Brewers

Under .400; 54, 1, 2%
Indians, Devil Rays, Pirates, Rockies, Royals

No comment

2005-05-01T12:57:00.000-05:00

Well besides having the internet down for all of this morning I have just had nothing to say. I mean I could comment on the game but so many other "splogs" (forgive me from using the term...whether previously coined or not) cover the games so much better than myself. I've just been so dazed the past day or so that I really am speechless. I went to the Wizard's game...that was awesome. Came home and saw the O's come back and win. Now I just saw Melvin Mora steal a two run homer.

Now, if you kind readers would start posting then maybe I could think of something to say.

4/30/05: O's 7 DR 5

2005-04-30T21:23:00.000-05:00

The Friendly Mountie

2005-04-30T08:25:00.000-05:00

ERA: 2.48 K: 24 Throws: Left

nuff said

Three Eight Five

2005-04-30T07:16:00.000-05:00

.385 is B-Bob's batting average. Holy Schnikees! (I'm not this much of a dork...I just want to try and keep the language clean). Who is this kid? I feel like the Orioles went out and bought a dozen eggs (Sosa) and came home to find their cat popping out omlets (B-bob).

Bedard...wow. And like B-bob, who doesn't want to like this dude? He's humble and hard-working. Mazz has all the starters "box" the game (fill out the box sheets) before every start. Bedard boxes every game (except his own of course). Bedard asks every other starter for advice even though some may say he is in the top half of the group. I imagine everything Ray Miller says goes from words to action whenever he talks to the kid. Now...if only we had a catchy nickname. For now "The Kid" will work.

As you may have noticed, in between exams I've been reading "Moneyball" there is one line in there describing Miggy that I thought was pretty funny. The author inquires why Tejada strikes out all the time. The answer? "You don't walk off the island".

So anyway, I'm tapped out for today. I may have more to write later but I also MAY be going to the Wiz playoff game (pays to know some people who know some people who robbed some people)...(that's a quote from a movie so don't go five O on me).

Suggested Reading:
Laura Vecsey STILL Loves Her Team
Bandwagon Loads Up in DC
McNabb Hates T.O. as Much as You Do
Get...off...our...back (DirecTV covers Nats)

Addendum: Saux

2005-04-29T20:40:00.000-05:00

Oh yeah...so now Schill, Wells, and Arroyo are all warming pine. Last I heard, you are to submit applications to 100 We're Screwed Lane, Boston, MA.

Anyone else tired of this "It's just April" talk? I mean, yeah it is, great calendar work folks. Talk to the teams in August and ask them whether they would trade a losing April for a losing June and they'd be hard pressed to find the difference. The games do count...all of them. So for the mean time, be an April sportscaster in April and a August sportscaster in August. If a team is doing well, say it! Don't qualify their success with your stereotypes of how they should have done. The reason this pisses me off the most is because if the Saux or the Yankers had a rip roaring April the headline would be "Yanks Continue Dominance". Orioles do well? "A Bunch of Teams Have a Great April...now what happened to the Yankees". I hate to sound like a victim but it is all bunk.

It's the lawyer in me.

More Power Rankings...

2005-04-29T07:57:00.000-05:00

Just to make sure I supply my loyal readership with all the irrelevancies of sports here are the latest Power Rankings from Fox Sports (which also does business for Sporting News).

How I really feel about the Saux...

2005-04-29T07:29:00.000-05:00

I've been real torn about this recently. Curt "I've got a real red sock" Schilling and David "Thank God Ponson's Fatter than Me" Wells are on the 15 day DL. They probably will only be there for the 15 days but Schilling has an especially long hall (anyone smell career ending injury?). I am pissed. We've got the World freakin' Champion team in our own division and they are literally crippled. We face them again in June (thanks to the rain delay, I've got Fenway Tickets!) and who knows what kind of jack-mo they'll have pitching then (Boomer will be back, but I reiterate my doubts about Schilling). And those wins, knock on wood, will be cheap.

The Oriole's eat bullpens. Bronson Arroyo is prone for break-down. Clement is real good but falls apart like a Jinga tower late into games. I'm not saying we are always going to do well against the Red Sox. I'm not even all that concerned with the O's/Saux match-ups. I just don't want to look at the standings later on...should we continue at this pace...and be tagged as a victor of circumstance.

Suggested Reading:
Brian Roberts Up for Sainthood This is a great article. I wish he would become a little bit more of a hard ass though. Like "Yeah I hit another homer...just like I did yesterday. Get off my back"
Laura Vecsey Loves Her Team!
Washington Post: Gotta be a Hater
Miggy...uh...loves crabs

Splogs

2005-04-28T17:04:00.000-05:00

This term may have been coined before but if not...you heard it here first. It wasn't until this season that I really noticed the prevalence of sport's blogs. Now that I've started I can't think of watching the game any other way. Now, if my team wins I get to read game notes by someone who is GLAD the team won. If the team loses, well the splogger is sad with me...pissed off about bad calls and the like. Most recently I've been checking out "Flying Orioles" everyday and posting. By the end of the day there's been a full conversation about the day in O's sports.

Anyway, I just wanted to marvel at this new (or semi-new) epidemic. By the way, check out my new link: Maryland Sports Fans.

Days Off

2005-04-28T12:16:00.000-05:00

My dad and I are meeting up for Monday's game so I'm pumped...if only I had a game to watch now. I decided for fun I would play a stats game to see what kind of foundation we have for the current standings. I'll be comparing everyone in the AL East (turn away D-ray fans).

Start at the top:

Orioles:
BA: .303
OBP: .354
SLG: .489
ERA: 4.81
WHIP: 1.51

Saux:
BA: .276
OBP: .358
SLG: .451
ERA: 4.22
WHIP: 1.48

Blue Jays:
BA: .275
OBP: .339
SLG: .413
ERA: 4.76
WHIP: 1.37

Yanks:
BA: .281
OBP: .367 (yikes)
SLG: .441
ERA: 4.89
WHIP: 1.55

D-Rays:
BA: .290
OBP: .348
SLG: .415
ERA: 6.07 (ha ha ha)
WHIP: 1.61

Conclusion: Smile...evertings irey.

GASP

2005-04-28T07:41:00.000-05:00

Don't say anything and they may not know we're looking

All's good in O-town

2005-04-28T06:29:00.000-05:00

(Bet you thought you'd never see the phrase "O-town" ever again...I bet you at least HOPED you'd never see it).

So...we's got rain. And the forecast for Friday and Saturday? "It gon rain". Sports Illustrated has its latest Power Rankings out yesterday and the O's are third. Why? Well straight from the horse's mouth:

Sure, it's early but taking five out of six from the Yankees -- and outscoring them 47-26 in the process -- is impressive. A hot start certainly is one way to counter that novelty of the Nationals down the road.

Now I don't want either of my two readers to think that I have some sort of false idea of what the power rankings are. I talk about them a lot NOT because they prove anything (the standings do that) but because they are a thermostat on the outside view looking in. The higher they see our .300+ batting, stolen base and RBI leading team the better I can sleep at night without bracing for a slump to end all slumps.

Speaking of slumps, how bout dem Yanks? "Ohmigod A-rod just hit three homers in the same game. The Yankees are back in it. First place here we come, get out of the way Toronto...no really, get out of the way. Com'on Blue Jays...the Orioles took our seat, we're trying to get it back. Whattya mean we have to win games...didn't we win...oh that's right, we lost...again." Mike Mussina's "moose" is cooked (that was bad). Yes, yes I know: the Yankees historically slump in April. Well the games do count and from what I see this is more of a disease than the common cold. You've got above average offense hitting at a below average pace, over-rated pitching (Pavano) on pace, and a bullpen that doesn't scare my 6 year old little leaging cousins. Everyone has a Yankee fan at their home or office and I have this suggestion: Don't say a thing. It will freak the hell out of them because they are used to looking down the pipe at the Orange and Black. Don't say a word and they have to sit in their misery without even the hope of an "in your face" comment once the Yanks come back (which they probably will...but not without the Oriole's permission). All they will have is a bad team doing what bad teams do: lose.

Little Tiny Bit of Love

2005-04-27T16:07:00.000-05:00

Instead of Brooms we got raincoats today. I hate to sound like a turncoat but I didn't really think Cabrera was ready for a Wakefield matchup just yet. Next month, definitely. Today, there was hope but hope in one hand #$%#$ in the other, check which one fills up first.

So, what love am I talking about? Sport's Illustrated is showing itself to be the first domino (falling before the home paper, I might add). Despite his straigh-jacket comment, there is much credence in his suggestion that a "fluke" team couldn't have come back from last night's deficit. B.J. "I don't look like a Red Sock" Ryan also is the real deal. Our starters are NOT sporatic and anyone who actually looked into that could see that it is the fluke games that set off their ERA's rather than being consistently bad with a fluke win.

I'll be watching the Wiz up against the Bulls tonight. If Arenas can step up and hang with Hughes, this is going to be a great game. If not, Gordon will walk all over them. (This isn't a basketball blog...just thought I'd give a prop or two).