Ripken, the O's and the Rundown...

Before I go into the news and rundown, Stan Charles' wonderful site, "Press Box" are selling license plates via the the web to celebrate Cal Ripken being inducted into the Hall of Fame. I'm going probably purchase mine in a few days, and it's a cool idea if you want to expound on your love for Cal Ripken even further. Also, all proceed from the license plate sales go to the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation. The Baltimore Sun has more on the story...

Meanwhile, Cal is waiting for the magical day to take place next weekend...

Yesterday was an off day for the Orioles, and this weekend they play in Oakland.

First off, Garrett Olson was sent back down to the minors to make room for Steve Trachsel. To be honest, I thought Olson did a decent job while he was up, but could have used a bit more seasoning. I figured he might be used in the bullpen, but it would be best if he worked on a consistent basis in the minors to not only improve, but work on fine tuning his repertoire. As well, pitcher Jon Leicester was released by the team.

The Orioles MLB site has more on the news.

The Oriole bullpen is impressed with the way they have been used under Dave Trembley.

Tom Verducci of CNNsi.com has a column about Dave Trembley and his status along with what the Orioles need to do to get better...

Columnist Rick Maese has a great article on what Ripken may or may not mention in his speech, and how he is dealing with the process.

Ray Frager of the Sun notes that while WBAL Radio and Comcast SportsNet are honoring Ripken, they cannot use much archival footage due to rules by Major League Baseball and the Baltimore Orioles. It looks like anything much you'll will be on MASN, WHFS and ESPN 1300, and it is kind of a shame, because I listened to WBAL and watched Comcast SportsNet on a regular basis when I coming up (in fact, I could get WBAL at certain times when I was in New York).

As well, Mike Boehm of Oriole Magic has more on the issue, and he's not happy about the coverage. To be quite honest, I agree with him...

Kevin T. Connor has a great profile on Andy Etchebarren, manager of the Aberdeen Ironbirds.

Mike Hall of Press Box Online wonders why Kevin Millar would want to stay with the Orioles...

Spencer Fordin has a great piece on the rise of Jeremy Guthrie.

Amber Theoharis wonders who will fill Cal Ripken's shoes as a hero and a role model. Honestly, I think no one can since Cal was a once in a generation athlete and person, as well the world of sports has changed so much along with society, that hero worship is not the same anymore. I see athletes more or less as entertainers and celebrities, rather than role models or someone to emulate. There are very few athletes who I'd want my younger siblings to pattern themselves after, thus let's look to the real models -- soldiers, teachers, law enforcement, doctors, and yes -- good parents.

Allen McCallum wonders when Vladmir Guerrero signed with the Angels in the 2003-04 offseason, did the Orioles bubble pop?

Stacy Wolfson reports that Dave Trembley is trying to shuffle his lineup to ease the pain of injuries that have afflicted the Orioles.

Latino night was held last Saturday at the Yard, the Orioles advocates raised money, & also collected used equipment from fans to donate to Latin America; specifically, the Caribbean area.

Oriole Central has the greatest and latest from Oriole-land, as does Dempsey's Army, Orioles Insider, & the Wayward Oriole...

The roar from 34 looks at what former Oriole John Maine is doing in the NL -- sigh...