Here Come The Rangers...

After taking two from three from the Rays, we have the free swinging and powerful Rangers -- who were swept by Detroit this weekend.

Since my girlfriend is a Rangers fan from Dallas who believes the Orioles suck, I'll say this -- Baltimore will once again take two out of three from an opponent and Texas will be the victim. Well, the Rangers have Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, Michael Young, and a bunch of other mashers; however, their pitching is suspect -- very suspect. We'll miss ace Kevin Millwood, but we'll have Vicente Padilla, Brandon McCarthy, and old friend Kris Benson.

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Rest in Peace, A Legend, Harry Kalas: 1936-2009

I was in Washington for the Nationals Opening Day this afternoon and everyone in attendance heard about the untimely passing of Harry Kalas, longtime announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies and NFL Films. Well, I just got home, listened to some memories of him on WFED -- the flagship radio station of the Nationals -- and I was even more shocked to learn that he died in the broadcast booth at Nationals Park literally a few hours before game time.

Fans of his in Philadelphia and around the world have lost a voice that can surely never be replaced. Although I heard his voice from time when it came to baseball, his beautiful voice made NFL Films broadcasts -- which I love to watch -- so interesting and enthralling.

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O's Spanked by Rays, 11-3, Finish Homestand 4-2; Pictures

After winning the first two games against the Rays in the three game series, the Orioles ran into a brick wall on a cool Easter Sunday. The Tampa offense came alive and they beat Baltimore, 11-3.

It was ugly as Adam Eaton -- who Ihad very little confidence in -- lasted only four innings and gave up four earned runs. He labored through the start, and by the time it was all over, Eaton threw 100 pitches in his outing; moreover, he was all over the place and found himself in trouble again and again. One would think if Eaton has another outing or two like this, he won't be an Oriole for long.

If Eaton was bad, his replacement was even worse. Brian Bass who was horrible on Wednesday, sucked badly on Easter as he became Baltimore's sacrifical lamb as he went 3 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs on right hits all earned -- including four home runs. Dennis Sarfate closed out the game by pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Orioles made things fun as they scored twice off reliever Grant Balfour in the ninth -- who could not get anyone out and was charged with three runs given up; however, J.P. Howell saved the Rays and finished out the game. Adam Jones continued his hot start with two hits, and Luke Scott along with Felix Pie each drove in a run with bases loaded walks.

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O's Shutout Rays; It's Been Five Games, But Riding High So Far...

The Orioles continued their winning ways as they beat the Rays again, this time shutting them out, 6-0. Melvin Mora had a huge night, as he hit a decisive grand slam in the very first inning off Tampa rookie Jeff Neimann -- who settled after a crazy first inning and went 5 1/3 innings, giving up six runs, all earned -- and Nick Markakis also drove in a run that inning, plating Brian Roberts. It looks like Mora is still hot and has not slowed down from his amazing second half in '08.

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O's Down Rays on Friday Night, Pictures

The Orioles defeated an AL East rival and yet another tough in customer in the Tampa Bay Rays, 5-4 last night at Camden Yards. George Sherrill earned the save despite a late inning home run to Tampa catcher Dioner Navarro, and pitcher Mark Hendrickson had an solid debut in black and the orange going 5 1/3 innings and yielding a run. Ageless Melvin Mora drove in three runs in the victory;

Baltimore jumped on Andy Sonnastine as he gave up all the runs the game on eight hits, but they came back into the game in the eighth inning as Jim Johnson gave up a two run home run to Evan Longoria -- who had two on the night, the other coming off Hendrickson in the first.

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What's Ahead: The Tampa Bay Rays; Twitter Again...

After taking two from three from the Bronx Bombers, we have the tough Rays -- who took two of three from the Red Sox, and by the way are reigning league champions this weekend in Baltimore.

If anything, this weekend's series may show where the Orioles really, really stand in terms of their talent level and how they stack up against the American League Easy. Unlike the Yankees, who may have some age and questions about their lineup, the Rays do not have that problem as they are young, athletic, and most important -- good.

• Friday: Hendrickson (0-0, 0.00) vs. Sonnanstine (0-0, 0.00)
• Saturday: Guthrie (1-0, 4.50) vs. Niemann (0-0, 0.00)
  
• Sunday: Eaton (0-0, 0.00) vs. Shields (0-1, 8.44)

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Angels Pitcher & Maryland Native Nick Adenhart Gone Too Soon

This morning, Los Angeles Angels hurler and Maryland native Nick Adenhart tragically had his life taken from him along with two of his friends due to a horrific car accident in Fullerton, California after last night's Athletics-Angels game. A suspected drunk driver smashed the vehicle he was in just hours after the rookie made his first start of the season.

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Yankees Get the Best of the Orioles, 11-2

The New York Yankees got a respite from the negative headlines and they trashed the Orioles, 11-2. I'm sure it's a relief to Yankee fans that their team finally won, and the media might sell a few less papers without the brutal headlines, but they finally got things together on the mound and at the plate.

Finally, a pitcher for the came through as A.J. Burnett -- another player who spurned Baltimore for the riches and the mystique of the Yankees -- delivered for the Bombers as he went 5 1/3 innings, struck out seven and gave up two runs. Yankee reserve Nick Swisher went 3-for-5 with five RBI's along with a two-run homer, and Mark Teixiera -- the most hated man in Baltimore -- had two hits including a 410 foot blast for his first home run of the season.

Meanwhile, Alfredo Simon took the loss as he gave up four runs in five innings of work. He started off fine; however, ran into a Yankee lineup ready to do damage as Simon gave up three runs -- two via home runs by Teixeira and Swisher.

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Videos of Teixeira Being Booed; Nationals VP Stan Kasten Urges Philly Fans to Invade Washington

Found this on Youtube, if you really cared to know how bad the booing and the vitrol was towards Yankee Mark Teixiera.

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ESPN's Colin Cowherd Rips Birdland

ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd on Tuesday gave his two cents on Orioles Opening Day -- well, more specifically the treatment that fans gave to Mark Teixiera and also the perception of the team itself -- and perhaps he sort of went over the deep end with his comments.

Some in the national press have decided to rip Oriole fans for expressing their disdain of local boy Mark Teixiera joining the Evil Empire and spurning the home town team for riches and a potential world title.

I listen to Cowherd when I can, and while he comes off as a blowhard at times who makes comments just to fire up his listeners, I also find lot of what he says at times insightful.

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Koji Uehara Has Quite the Debut; The $200 Million Dollar Yankees are 0-2...

Yes, Mark Teixiera was booed for the second consecutive game; however, the Orioles thanks to timely hitting downed the Yankees, 7-5. Koji Uehara made quite the debut in Baltimore, going five strong innings, giving up one earned run on five hits. He had pretty good control, and while he ran into a little trouble in the fourth inning, his defense helped him out and he was able to send Yankee bats to the bench when he needed to. He threw strikes and that's been a welcome change from the past several seasons.

It seems that $200 plus million doesn't buy you much as the Yankees are 0-2 to start the season, and one has to imagine what the New York rags will conjure up in the morning to put on their covers.

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Teixiera Given Baltimore Love, Biden Too...

Tuesday, 07 April 2009 18:44

Well, if we needed to be reminded about the reception Mark Teixiera got in Baltimore yesterday at Camden Yards, our friends on sports talk, ESPN, and the MLB network let us know about it. I was listening to the radio -- particularly 105.7 off and on all day -- and the topic of Mark Teixiera got beaten to death.

Well, honestly I don't like that Teixiera is a Yankee, but I don't hate the guy and I have not gone as far as some people to show their hate. I wish the guy well, but the way he handled his free agent negotiations in the off-season was nothing short of ornery. However, baseball is a business and Teixiera made the decision that was best for his career and family -- that was sadly becoming a Yankee.

The guy obviously wanted to go to a winner, and the Yankees along with their payroll fit the bill. The Baltimore Orioles were never in the hunt, and while they could have offered him $30 million per year to play in the black and orange, he was not coming to Camden Yards.

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Thoughts and Reflections from Orioles Opening Day 2009

Baltimore Orioles Opening Day; O’s vs. Yankees, April 6th, 2008
The 2009 Opening Day for the Baltimore Orioles was one to remember as the bats came alive, and the rumors of Jeremy Guthrie's demise were unfounded as they defeated the New York Yankees, 10-5. Newest Oriole Cesar Izturis capped off the day by depositing a pitch for a two-run homer in the eighth inning and the Orioles added two more runs to put the game away for good. Interestingly enough, Cesar's homer was close to being an interference -- as it looked that Johnny Damon (left fielder for the Yankees) perhaps may have had a fan make his job difficult -- but we'll take it.

Baltimore ace, Jeremy Guthrie -- was not great, but Lord did he look better than he ever did in March -- as he went six innings and gave up three runs. Aubrey Huff drove in three runs, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis drove in two runs each to help the Orioles. The bullpen nearly coughed up the game as Chris Ray gave up a two-run homer to Hideki Matsui, but they kept things in order.

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Opening Day, T-Minus 5 or so Hours Away..

Opening Day is here, and while it is not a picture perfect day -- frankly, it looks ugly out right now from my window in Annapolis -- baseball will hopefully be played today. I have been looking at the Weather.com website off and on throughout today, and while it is pounding here, let's hope it passes through.

Today, our ace Jeremy Guthrie will counter against the large and rotund C.C. Sabathia at Camden Yards. We all know Guthrie has been beaten around on the mound; however, he says he's healthy and ready to go. His performance during Grapefruit League action and the World Baseball Classic says otherwise, but we'll take the Stanford grad at his word.

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Opening Day and Mark Teixiera

As we all know, Opening Day is Monday afternoon at Camden Yards against the Evil Empire, aka the New York Yankees. Well, I am in the camp that Opening Day seems a tad over-rated, and perhaps corny, but it makes the official start of Spring in my eyes, and also lets me know that warmer days are ahead. In addition, there's nearly six month plus worth of baseball to watch, and I'll be there -- god-willing -- through the good, the bad and perhaps the ugly in 2009.

Yes, Baltimore will more than likely have their 12th losing season in a row in 2009, but I'm looking to seeing mainstays Brian Roberts, Jeremy Guthrie, Melvin Mora and Nick Markakis in the lineup, but also the return of Chris Ray, and also the development of Adam Jones and Felix Pie. I'll probably catch some minor leagues at Bowie, and may take the ride up I-270 to Frederick to catch a game or two.

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Orioles FanFest 2009

The Orioles once again held their annual FanFest at Camden Yards on Saturday. I'll say the place was packed (the team estimated 10,000 fans showed up), and once again the organization had activities for everyone, from forums where experts talk about the team -- from the majors all the way down to the minors -- to autograph signings with players and old school Orioles, vendors selling various items, stuff for kids to do, and watching the 2009 Orioles workout on the field.

Well, the event I look forward to the most would be "The State of the Orioles" with Andy MacPhail and manager Dave Trembley (hosted by MASN's Jim Hunter). All three men spoke about the team, and fans asked various questions; therefore, most of the questions centered obviously on the development of the team -- specifically the young pitching -- along with moves made in the offseason.

Overall, it was good to see the fans out and about, the Orioles actually back home, meeting with friends and fellow season ticket holders, along with the park which looks spectacular as always!

Orioles Fan Fest - April 5th, 2009 - Photos

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The Baltimore Sun Looks at the Spring Training Facilites Down in Florida...

If you get a chance, today's Sun is a must-read about the Orioles Spring Training site resolution, and more importantly the current team complexes down in Florida. Um, it's not good, and if you take into the account what some players have to contribute along with some personnel from other organizations and the team, something needs to be done and soon.

The candid responses from the players about the conditions in Florida are nothing short of galling. It's an incredibly detailed, well-written investigative piece, and if anyone doesn't think that there's a problem with the team's situation in Florida -- there probably is now.

Another interesting view of the situation comes from WNST's Drew Forrester and Nestor Aparicio -- love or hate him -- that points out the deficiencies the Orioles have with their camps in Sarasota, and their spring home in South Florida.

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O's Down Nats, 6-2 in Norfolk; Eaton Named 5th Starter...

The Orioles are on their way back north to Baltimore; however, they made a detour in Norfolk and faced their neighbors to the south, the Washington Nationals. This afternoon, the Orioles faced a former teammate -- Daniel Cabrera -- and defeated them, 6-3.

Of course, with Cabrera, the more things change, the more they have stayed the same. He issued five walks and five runs in five innings, as well seemed to be all over the place at the plate.

Koji Uehara was solid as he went six innings and allowed two runs on a single hit. Ryan Zimmerman hit a two-run homer off Uehara in the fourth inning to tie the game. The only other run the Orioles allowed came in the eighth inning as Lastings Milledge hit a solo shot off Matt Albers.

Nick Markakis hit a two-run homer in the first inning off Cabrera and in the fourth inning Cesar Izturis plated Melvin Mora to break a 2-2 tie; thereafter, Chad Moeller plate Brian Roberts and Ryan Freel with a single. Oscar Salazar drove in Baltimore's last run in the ninth inning.

Remember, Fan Fest is tomorrow at Camden Yards, and then they travel to Washington in the afternoon to face the Nationals again.

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Guthrie Lit Up, Is He Hurt, Etc.?

The Baltimore Orioles got shelled by the Florida Marlins, 12-2, and the big concern heading into Monday is that status of starting pitcher, Jeremy Guthrie.

Right now, the results out of the exhibition season and the World Baseball Classic for the team ace has not been good. Guthrie only lasted four innings, and gave up eight runs -- all earned -- on ten hits. I watched the game on MASN in the evening, and while he looked good at spots, he got hit hard.

As it is, Guthrie has given up 24 hits and 18 runs in four Spring Training outings -- extremely scary considering the fact he will starting on Monday against the powerful Yankees.

Could he be hurt, the result of the World Baseball Classic, not prepared (I don't think this is the case with Guthrie considering how he is), or just going through a spell of bad luck?

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Hayden Penn out of the Baltimore Organization; Andino an Oriole...

The big news from yesterday -- perhaps minor in the wide of scheme of things -- is that formerly prized prospect, Hayden Penn was traded to the Florida Marlins for infielder Robert Andino.

What's the big deal with Andino? Not much. He's simply a nice, slick fielding fielder who's your typical 'all glove, no bat' type of guy. Obviously with Hanley Ramirez at shortstop and Dan Uggla at second, he would seldom find himself on the field; plus, he's also out of minor league options. As a result of the trade, veteran Chris Gomez was released, and he's not done much with bat in Grapefruit League action; furthermore, the move all but signifies that the Orioles are indeed getting younger and trying to find players who fit in the general plan.

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