Markakis, Loewen, & the Relationship of the Orioles and the Washington DC Area...

Wow. I caught this after surfing around the web and various forums just right now.

...Baltimore Orioles players Adam Loewen and Nick Markakis were booed when shown on the scoreboard telescreen, while D.C. United soccer star Ben Olsen drew cheers from the crowd of 16,924....

As a resident of Maryland, an Orioles as well as a Nationals fan, I certainly understand all too well the sentiments of those in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. I can attest that those in that area who dislike the Orioles don’t necessarily hate the players, but the owner, Peter Angelos. I sometimes walk through the city with a Orioles cap on and I’ll get smart remarks like “Angelos Sucks”, “Orioles Suck” or if you’re in DC or Virginia, "why do you still have Orioles stuff on ?”

For example, if you’re an O’s fan and shout “O” during the National Anthem while at RFK, you will get a lot of heat from Washingtonians.

A quick review: Peter Angelos fought tooth and nail to prevent the Montreal Expos (who became later the Washington Nationals) from moving to Washington D.C. as the team would be encroaching on his territory. MLB only moved the team to the nation’s capital for the fact there was no other viable market that could sustain a team and have a facility up and ready to play in.

As a concession for the Expos moving to into Washington D.C., MLB set up a regional sports network, MASN, for both the Orioles and Nationals, but Peter Angelos and the Oriole would own the majority of the network permanently. Also, the Orioles now could not be sold at open market for less than $365 million, almost double the amount the team was originally purchased for.

In addition, the vast majority of fans could not see the Nationals until late 2006, as MASN and Comcast, a cable provider fought over a contract over Orioles coverage in 2007 and beyond, so Comcast refused to put MASN on their cable systems.

The experience of the cable network along with the fight to get the Expos into Washington led D.C. area to resent bitterness and hatred towards Angelos along with the Baltimore Orioles. A lot of Orioles fans who lived in Maryland, D.C. and Northern Virginia became Nationals fans, as some were former Senators fans, some wanted to root for a team in their own vicinity, as well a few did because there were not satisfied with the team under ownership with Angelos.

Was it a bit crass and immature for some angry D.C. fans to rail against Nick Markakis and Adam Loewen, two young players who have nothing to do with the Orioles and their business practices? Yes, but it is America, and sports fans have the right to voice their displeasure. I can not criticize Washington area fans for their anger, because in my mind it is in a way rightly justified and sports is an emotional thing in people’s lives.

However, as I look at things from Angelos’ view and in a corporate sense, the moves he made were smart and in a way, he needed to protect his investment. Now, I am not agreeing in the way he conducted himself, but a lot of what did made sense and with his skills as a lawyer, he surely did benefit greatly from the Expos moving into the Mid-Atlantic region although the Orioles have not been competitive and attendance has dropped greatly.

In the end though, it comes back to Markakis and Loewen were sadly the target of the ire of Peter Angelos. Did they deserve it – no; but nevertheless, the incident is representative of what the Orioles face in Washington D.C.

Washington Nationals 2007 Season Preview - From the Desk of the Oriole Post....

Hope springs eternal for every team before the first game of each and every team before a season, and some teams know they are contenders and some do not. Sadly, for the Washington Nationals, most experts and pundits believe they will not be contenders at all in the National League and perhaps will lose 100 games or more. However, even though the Nationals are rebuilding their organization for the future, the team has potential All-Stars like Ryan Zimmerman & Chad Cordero emerging as the cornerstone of the franchise. With the exception of a few players, 2007 will be a year for many to show they belong on a major league club.

2006 was a year which saw ground break on the team's new home in 2008, the release of Frank Robinson as manager, to the hiring of former Mets’ coach Manny Acta, the upcoming 2007 season will determine the road that the Nationals are on for the years ahead. The team lost superstar player Alfonso Soriano & the team was widely criticized for not trading him, but they made one of shrewd deals of 2006 in which they traded away some members of their bullpen for youngsters Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez.

Right now, baseball is in a period of economic boom, and from that result, the contracts free agents have received this offseason have been unprecedented. However, the Nationals have pretty much stayed out of the fray and have had no big signings during the winter. The Nationals’ front office, led by Stan Kasten and General Manager, Jim Bowden have a plan in place to rebuild from within via draft picks, talent in Latin America and lower level players than rather than investing heavily in the free agent market. The team was able to get some young talent via trades and had a good draft; so much of the energy in the offseason was spent trying to rebuild a moribund minor league. Hopefully under the tutelage of Manny Acta, the Nationals perhaps could do better than expected.

As we are heading into the New Year, the Nationals’ have a litany of needs, primarily in the pitching department. The batting lineup and bench are in better shape; however, besides young star Ryan Zimmerman, Nick Johnson and perhaps Austin Kearns to an extent, the Nats’ have a lack of power and impact bats in the lineup and on the bench. With second baseman Jose Vidro being traded, strong bench guy Daryl Ward gone, Alfonso Soriano now in the Windy City, the Nats are looking to become younger and have a core of players that will help them to compete.

Let’s start off with the huge glaring area, starting pitching.

The only sure bet in the rotation right now is John Patterson. The pitching situation in 2006 was unstable, to say in the least. With pitchers such as the durable Livan Hernandez, Ramon Ortiz, Ryan Drese, Joey Eischen and Pedro Astacio no longer on the team, 2007 will be an open audition. However, the future does look bright for pitching staff as we have young stars John Patterson and Chad Cordero on board, a decent bullpen, and up and comers in Mike O’Connor and Beltran Perez.

In 2005, John Patterson had a breakout year with the team and was projected to be an ace in the making until last season. In 2006, he struggled with injuries and only started eight games until he was sent to the disabled list for the rest of the season. As it looks right now, Patterson must be healthy for this team to have any stability at all in terms of a starting rotation. He is the number one guy and a strong showing in 2007 is needed from him to build for the team’s future.

The two other youngsters in the rotation, Mike O’Connor and Beltran Perez, showed flashes of brilliance in 2006, as well as growing pains in their first year at the major league level. Mike O’Connor split time between Washington and AAA New Orleans to work on some things, and while he had some ups and downs, he will be counted on to maintain some stability in the rotation. The other youngster who caught the eye of many observers was Beltran Perez, who had a few quality starts in his brief time in Washington. He finished 2-1 with an ERA under 4, so the Nationals will be counting on him to keep up the good work and perhaps take his game to another level.

The wild card in the rotation at the moment will be Tim Redding. Signed to a minor league deal, he has decent numbers as a pitcher in his career; however, he has struggled with his pitching along with injuries over the last few years. He has bounced around with a few teams, as he was with Houston, then San Diego and had a stint with the Yankees. With major league experience, Redding will be counted on making a contribution to the rotation. Another pitcher signed from the free agent is Jerome Williams, a long time veteran, who’ll be expected to contribute and eat innings.

Other pitchers in the organization who might be slotted for the pitching rotation are Jason Bergmann, Jermaine Van Buren, Shawn Hill & Billy Traber.

The bullpen was a source of stability and strength in 2005, but in 2006, it wavered somewhat. Mainstays Chad Cordero and Jon Rauch were solid, however, the loss of Luis Ayala due to the World Baseball Classic hurt along with Gary Majewski & Bill Bray being traded to the Reds for Felipe Lopez and Austin Kearns.

The middle relief for the Nationals was last season sometimes shaky, but overall remains solid. The main cog in the middle relief in 2006 was Jon Rauch. It seemed to me that Rauch was in every other game, but he proved himself to be more than reliable, partly because of his experience as a starting pitcher. With a record of 4-5 and a sub 3 ERA, he’ll definitely be relied upon in 2007.

Luis Ayala will also be a main key to the bullpen, but it may be unknown how he’ll do in 2007, as he sat out all of 2006. In 2005, he was a workhorse, going 8-7 with a mid-2 ERA and was the go-to man in the bullpen. He’ll be needed to get back to his 2005 state in order for the Nationals to be competitive in the late innings.

Chad Cordero is still the closer, although he was the target of trade rumors. He had an incredible 2005 and his 2006 was not a bad follow-up, as he saved 29 games, won 7, and finished with a low 3 ERA. Once again in 2007, he’ll be looked upon to close games and shore up some wins for the Nationals. Saul Rivera was another contributor, appearing in 54 games and finishing with a 3.43 ERA. He’ll be needed to maintain or exceed the same level of numbers he had in 2006.

Other contributors to the bullpen may possibly be Ryan Wagner, long-time veteran Ray King, Brandon Claussen & Winston Abreu.

Now, we go to the batting lineup and the bench. In 2005, the Nationals struggled en route to 81 wins because of the lack of power and offense in key situations. In 2006, the situation remained the same as it did in 2005. In 2006, there were many bright spots in the batting lineup who should give the Washington Nationals hope for the future.

In 2007, the situation may improve with the development of Ryan Zimmerman, Felipe Lopez, and Austin Kearns; but, the return of Christian Guzman and the outfield raises a lot of questions. Also, Brian Schneider will need to improve upon his 2006 campaign, although he seemed to show that he was coming out of it late in the year. The good news is this team is young, so there’s a lot that can be improved on for the future.

The main cogs of the offense for 2007 will be emerging superstars Ryan Zimmerman, Nick Johnson, Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez.

Zimmerman, as all Nats’ fans know at this moment is the face of the franchise, and the future of the team. In his rookie year, he hit 20 home runs with 110 RBI and batted .287, which we were amazing numbers and helped him to finish near the top of the Rookie of the Year votes. He’s now the man of this team, and he will only better as time goes along. He can no doubt handle the pressure of being the anchor of team, as evidence with his walk off homerun on a June Sunday against the Yankees.

He’ll be the mainstay of this team for years to come.

Nick Johnson is a player who finally broke out in 2006, with 23 homeruns and batted .290. Always known as a great ballplayer, he was finally able to remain healthy enough to make an impact and become a leader on this team until he got into a freak accident with Austin Kearns while trying to catch a flyball. He’ll always have the reputation of being injury prone, but when healthy, he’s on point and the Nats will need him more than ever in 2007.

Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez came from the Reds in a trade for Gary Majewski and Bill Bray. Experts noted that the Nats’ got the best of the deal and both men showed flashes of brilliance with the team while struggling after the trade. Both men are good sized and both should be able to hit power and average. Lopez is slotted to be the every day second baseman, while Kearns will play right field. Both are young and should be able to contribute to the Nationals for many years.

Brian Schneider struggled in ’06, but his track record shows that he should bounce back and hit for power more next year. His tangibles are that he’s a good catcher handles a staff real well, and knows how to call a game; so in the end, that’s what matters to the team, though a good bat is always a plus.

The situation with the batting order and the field get shaky with Christian Guzman and the outfield.

Let’s start with Guzman. After an infamous 2005, where he batted .219 after being under .200 most of the year, and missing ’06 with injuries, he’s due to bounce back. Although 2005 was horrendous for him, his track record shows that he will do better as evidenced by the numbers he produced in Minnesota. However, the Nats’ organization has been criticized for signing him to the contract he received and he’ll always be a target for it unless he produces and justifies the signing with the numbers.

The outfield, outside of Austin Kearns, is up for grabs. Nook Logan played a lot of games towards the end of season and didn’t look terrible, and is a good fielder, but his past history shows a player undisciplined at plate that lacks power and has a poor OBP. That being said, perhaps with a good spring training and work, he will win the center field job.

The wild card with the outfield comes to who will even get to play out there. First of you have Ryan Church, a player with loads of potential who has not been able to put it together. Church is 28, and has been up and down with the organization, due to his erratic play at the major league level. Personally, I think he’s more suited for left field, or being a platoon player. In the end, to show he belongs on this team, he’ll have to work, play at a consistent level and produce with the bat.

The other men who are in consideration for the outfield are two of probably the best prospects in the Nationals organization, Larry Broadway and Kory Casto. Casto was named the Nats’ minor league player of the year and Broadway had always been seen as one to possibly play in the majors, so both men will get a chance to show what they have in spring training.

If they make the team, one or both may be on the bench unless the Nats’ get another veteran bat. A possibility for the outfield is Chris Snelling who came from the Mariners in the Jose Vidro trade. The bench does look weak right now, but Robert Fick has re-signed with the team and he plays multiple positions. As well other non-roster invitees with a chance to make the team are long-time veteran Travis Lee, catcher Danny Ardoin.

As well, the Nationals recently signed long-time MLB veteran, Tony Womack. Womack is 37, and probably towards the end of his career, but he’ll give the Nationals veteran presence, and will probably come off the bench, or platoon in the outfield or infield. His lifetime numbers are unimpressive to say in the least, but his experience may be a benefit to a young, rebuilding team.

In the end, the Washington Nationals look to be a “team in progress”. Projected to finish 4^th or last, the Nationals do have a lot of work ahead of them in order to create a competitive team for the new ballpark and beyond. The future is not too bad, as they have a few stars up and coming, along with a few signings that may produce lightning in a bottle.

How the talent develops will determine the future of this team for 2007 & beyond.

The Nationals New Ball Park: Non-Orioles Related

Well, our neighbors to the South, the Washington Nationals, have made incredible progress on the construction of their ballpark. It's incredible what's happened of late down there and it looks to be that the Nationals should be able to complete the project on time, considering the mountain they had to climb.

I like baseball in general, and I often consider the Nationals as the second team I follow. I have been to quite a few games in Washington and hope the team does will in the future, and I will be keeping track of their stadium progress.

Here's an article I wrote about the Nationals for another blog: http://all-baseball.com/oleanders/

Here are pictures of the stadium construction: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86213991@N00/

My Gripe with MASN: The Lack of Baseball Coverage

Anyhow, I was on the phone with my good friend from Virginia this afternoon discussing the Orioles and Ravens football, and the topic turned to MASN (Mid-Atlantic Sports Network) a regional sports network which broadcasts in the Washington-Baltimore market owned by the Baltimore Orioles and Peter Angelos.

My mind got going this morning when I read an article in the Washington Examiner about MASN and their baseball coverage next year. The article reported that MASN personalities, Amber Theoharis and Anita Marks could possibly be involved in the production of the pre-game shows of both the Nationals and Orioles, ala “Baseball Tonight” on ESPN where they would interview, go over stats, score, and offer commentary, and the announcers for both teams would contribute to the coverage.

In my mind, it sounds like a great idea.

However, I not only have a big problem with not only this idea, but with MASN in general right now. There can be a pre-game show to incorporate both teams in the mindset of the Washington and Baltimore area fans, but I think both Washington and Baltimore are two different markets, and thus need to perhaps have separate identities when covered by MASN.

Before I go off and give my commentary, I know MASN is pretty much in its infancy and will probably expand and develop, but I am not happy with the baseball coverage right now of the network. Granted, we are in December and the Baltimore Ravens are in the playoffs, and we have the NBA and college basketball just heating up, it’s almost like both the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles are just passing note.

I will give credit to the Anita Marks Show on MASN and ESPN 1300, as well as Playmakers and the Saturday fare on MASN with Peter Schmuck for keeping us up date the best they can with Orioles information, but in comparison to let’s say NESN, YES or Sports Net New York, affiliates of the Red Sox, Yankees and Mets, respectively; baseball coverage has been little to none this offseason.

I really think MASN should at least offer up a half-hour show covering the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals. NESN, YES and Sports Net New York offer at least a half-hour show, if not full fledged weekly special and mention on their broadcast chronicling each teams offseason moves, also highlights into their players seasons and perhaps even lives’ off the field. Even though the fans obviously don’t know the players and are not privy to the conversations in the locker room, in watching those networks, you feel as if you’re part of the scene and more importantly, the players and staff are accessible and have been humanized. More importantly, fans feel connected to the team and know what’s up to date.

In honesty, I tend to be forward thing and maybe this all has been thought of, but right now, maybe a show chronicling the Orioles and their lives on and off the field could do a little more to spark the interest of fans, even in these lean years.

For example, a snippet of the Orioles Holiday Party on a broadcast might have been great PR and content for MASN. I know coverage was on Channel 13 in Baltimore, but considering MASN is owned by the Orioles, would it have been prudent to show video coverage on the team’s affiliate network? Perhaps MASN can do a special about Cal’s road to the Hall of Fame? Or even specials with individual profiles of various Orioles over the years, such as Jim Palmer, Brooks Robinson, Earl Weaver, Boog Powell, etc?

The team owns the network. Let’s start celebrating and educating young fans on our illustrious history, and reminding us fans what the Orioles once were and how we can be what this team was in the past again?

How about a show chronicling the business of baseball, transactions, players, etc? It’s December, but they are enough baseball fans in the area to have at least a program or two that keep us entertained and informed.

The same needs to be done with the Washington Nationals too.

Simply put, even though baseball may be in the offseason, the sport is still relevant now with all the big deals and especially with fans on forums and blogs on the information superhighway, so it would be nice if MASN, with it’s potential could follow the same suit and keep up to date with information on baseball’s Hot Stove and the O’s?

Link: http://www.examiner.com/a-464420~Triple_X_has_classical_signal_solution.html

My O's Icon: Frank Robinson...

Well, as long as I have been alive and an O’s fan, I have always had this one name in my mind: Frank Robinson.

For me growing up, Frank Robinson was an iconic symbol unlike any other. I always tell everyone Cal Ripken was my favorite all-time Oriole growing up, but Frank was my all time favorite ballplayer.

I went to the final Nationals game of 2006 at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C., which was Frank’s last one as manager. As a baseball fan in general, I often catch other teams than the Orioles, but even though Frank donned the Nationals red and blue, he was still the man to me. I’ve only met him once at a show, but that Sunday I felt that one of the symbols of my past was going away, perhaps never to been again. Seeing this icon, a man who had a will of steel, and sometimes stubborn, cry and show the love to his fans that Sunday sent chills up my spine. That day 30,000 of us along with Frank and his family showered him with emotion, love and empathy reserved at most time for only immediate family.

The only time I felt that way when I saw Cal Ripken run across the warning track at Camden Yards while watching TV the night he broke Lou Gehrig’s streak.

It was surely a business move on the Nationals part and most people understood and respected it. Some people feel the Nationals disrespected Frank by the way they handled letting him go. No matter how anyone felt, or the amount of wins and losses, people loved Frank even though he was not touchy-feely, grandfatherly or had the aura or charisma of a Joe Torre, or the supposed managerial brilliance of a Tony LaRussa.

I admired Frank. Maybe it is because we have a common ethnicity and saw some play the game, who looked like me do something I dreamed of all my life; or maybe I respected the way he played ball and his competitive fire. Perhaps it was that he wore the black and orange with pride, although we wore red, white and blue for the last several seasons. What struck me though was that Frank was a tough, proud man who did not take crap or disrespect from no one.

When someone threw at him, he got mad and didn’t get back with violence, but at the plate with the bat and took it out on the ball.

Frank at AARP age, took on Mike Scioscia, a man more than 20 years younger than he.

He wore the number 20 for the Orioles and the National. He hit 586 homers. He was the Triple Crown Winner in 1966. Frank was a two-time World Series winner. As well, he became the first African American manager with the Cleveland Indians in 1974.

I was not born when he played. My first glimpse of this legend was when he was manager of the Orioles. Based on his managerial statistics, he was not a great numbers-wise, never took a team to the playoffs, and he surely never had the best talent on his teams, but he seemed to approach his job with an old-school grit & workman-like ethic.

In life, you work hard, take your lumps, do your job even though you may not have the resources, and do everything with integrity. Frank Robinson was the embodiment of those values, not only when he played, but when he managed.

Although I was only able to see him play via tape many years later, I fell in love with this power, persistence and ferocity.

For that, I am grateful.

He’s an icon of two cities, and not many athletes, or much less people can claim that. I sincerely wish that he will get a job in baseball again, whether it is with the Nationals or another organization.

The man has too much history, baseball acumen and should be representative for baseball; whether it is in someone’s front office, as a representative to spark the game in minority and the inner cities, or simply as someone who could spread the values of being a good ballplayer with plus 50 years of experience.

In the end, Frank Robinson took jobs in baseball that were much left up for grabs and a last resort. He had to manage an awful Expos team devoid of resources, later become vagabonds and had to survive a move to another city. Even though the Nationals were never much good, except with the magical season in 2005 where they won 81 games, he was the tie that bonded the team – much like he was with the Orioles.

For my hero and icon, Major League Baseball needs to respect what he’s given to the game and give him something back.

***

Other clips of Frank’s Retirement – thanks to user Michael Briggs

Part One: http://youtube.com/watch?v=F_NX5EutolM&mode=related&search=

Part Two: http://youtube.com/watch?v=i_nN3uBHp9E&mode=related&search=

Part Three: http://youtube.com/watch?v=XN5rBpNoAb0