The All-Star Workout and Home Run Derby - July 9th, 2007
Here are shots of the 2007 All-Star Workout and Home Run Derby...
Send me comments and let me know what you think...
Click on the link above to see more images!!
The All Star Red Carpet Parade - AT&T Park, San Francisco
Here's the All-Star Red Carpet Parade. I had gotten up real close this year, front and center.
Hope you all enjoy!
Click on the link above to see the full gallery of pictures!
The 78th Annual All-Star Game; San Francisco, Ca
Here are photos from the 2007 All-Star Game -- more photos to come. Hope you enjoy and send comments my way, if you like them!
I shot these from the upper deck, since I could not get down low and the ushers at AT&T Park were awfully stringent about checking tickets, etc.
Be well. Red Carpet parade shots coming up.
Click on the link above to see the full gallery of pictures!
Well, I am on my way back east, and back to Maryland. What a week it has been. I got my laptop fixed out here, while working on the second one, so things are okay.
Anyhow, we shall see what the second half of the season brings to us baseball-wise. I'm curious to see who will stay and go on the Orioles and the various other teams in the majors.
Pictures from the All-Star Weekend coming up.
Hey everyone, sorry for the lack of updates. I am at Kinko's now, and my laptop decided to break down on me this week. It's not turning on for some reason, and I was screwed. So I bought a cheap one from Best Buy, and while it is not nearly as good as the 'problem child', it's doing the job.
I'm working on a way to get pictures from the week onto the blog for you all.
Well, for those of you who got to see the All-Star Game on TV, it was a sight to behold. For anyone who has never been to one, I highly recommend you go to at least one before you die.
The whole thing is a spectacle and quite a production, although I will the 2006 edition of the All-Star Game was a lot better than this year's in San Francisco.
I'll have more thoughts about the game later, as I just woke up.
The other thing is that it is bone chilling cold here. I'm not used to 50-60 degree weather in July.
We had incredible seats for the Sunday events and the Home Run Derby; however, we ended up with SRO (Standing Room Only) for the game itself, but we had an incredible view of the park in the upper deck.
Other impressions:
The last few years have been nothing but lackluster for the Orioles, but last night, ace Erik Bedard threw one of the best games by any pitcher this year.
No disrespect to Daniel Cabrera, but I think what Bedard did last night was even masterful than his one hitter against the Yankees.
In deep heart of sweltering
Criticized by most in the media for being standoffish, not going deep into game and at times “just packing it in”, he seemingly took his game to a new level as he stymied the Rangers and was just plain nasty.
He was so good last night, he struck out the side in the ninth inning.
I didn’t see the game live, but I caught a replay online and he looked like I guy I had never seen before – and keep in mind, he leads the league in strikeouts.
Things went so well last night that the struggling Jay Gibbons homered, and had three hits.
The Wit and Prose of Bedard: Post-Game Quotes:
The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Examiner, Washington Post have a recap of the game last night.
Baltimore Sun Columnist Dan Rodricks believes that the Baltimore Orioles have lost their way; however, not literally. In a well written piece, because the team is not winning, whole generations of youngsters are being deprived of a team that had a past full of glory.
Kevin Millar is picking it up at the plate as he’s now plying everyday. As well, he says he wants to stay in
In light of the chatter of Mark Teixiera wanting to be an Oriole in 2008, Peter Schmuck believes the Evil Empire will want to take a chance on him.
Sun beat writers, Candus Thompson and Monica Lopossay barnstormed the Mid-Atlantic region and visited all the minor-league affiliates of the Orioles.
Utility guy Freddie Bynum is on the DL now. The Washington Post has more.
Well, I just arrived in
It’s 8pm here, but at the moment, I am still on Eastern time and in a bit of a daze. The day got started around 10am, as I parked my car at
Well, I took Airtran, the discount airline, and got a fairly decent fare considering the bought the ticket the day before I left. Anyhow, I landed in
I’m about to head my hotel, which looks okay from what I saw online and is relatively close to the ballpark and the Fanfest location.
While I am there, I plan to see Alcatraz,
I have been here umpteen times, but there’s always something you miss in
Also, as everyone who reads this blog knows my buddy Doug says I’m a picture wh**e, expect to see a lot of travels and other stuff.
Stay tuned to the blog for more, and maybe I’ll have an encounter with a famous person or two. Considering, I volunteered in
In addition, I am trying not to go broke on this trip, or over budget. I will miss having a car to discover
I have great seats for the events on Sunday and Monday; however, we have SRO (standing room only) tickets, but I will get great shots for everyone; nevertheless.
The high will be a chilly 64, as compared to 96 in my part of the world -- wow.
The Orioles bad season continues as they dropped the first game of the series of the three-game set to Texas, 4-3 in ten innings. Jeremy Guthrie pitched another strong game, and the Orioles mounted a comeback, but lost the game in the tenth as reliever Paul Shuey served up an RBI single to Michael Young for the walk-off win for the Rangers.
Nick Markakis had 3 hits, & drove in 2 runs. Brandon Fahey singled in a run.
The two teams square off tonight and conclude the first half of the season on Sunday.
Fellow readers, I am heading to San Francisco at the moment to catch the All-Star Game at formerly Pac Bell, SBC, and now ATT Park.
One of the most pristine ballparks in all of baseball, I'll be out there from Sunday to Wednesday partaking in the fun, drama and pomp and circumstance of the events.
I'll be at the park Sunday for the filler events, then Monday for the Home Run Derby and Tuesday for the game itself.
Now, if you have any special requests, let me know; however, I cannot guarantee anything. I'll also be covering the events and reporting on it for the DC Sports Box.
Afterwards, I am going to make a quick excursion to sunny, hotter-than-hot Las Vegas and visit my buddy and his wife before I ahead back to the Wild, Wild East...
Be safe, and be well.
I'll have an Oriole write-up in a few moments...
Brian Buress has been an unexpected source of strength for the Orioles. Summoned to the rotation after stints in long relief, he’s done relatively well and has kept the team in ball games.
Well, on Thursday, there was a change to the script. Up against the powerful, but very disappointing White Sox, Buress got hit hard – real hard.
The White Sox, in the end, thanks to a big night by Tadahito Iguchi and Jermaine Dye’s three-run homer, they beat the Orioles, 11-6.
Brian Burres got roasted, toasted and burnt to a crisp, as he allowed seven runs, all earned, on six hits, in a little more of an inning of work. He gave up 5 runs in the first inning, and got tagged for 2 more in the second.
He was then sent to the showers early.
The Orioles did get on board and showed their offense might thanks to 2 RBI’s by Nick Markakis, a 2-run homer by the suddenly hot Corey Patterson, and runs driven in by Brian Roberts and Freddie Bynum.
Kurt Birkins came into the game relieving and looked strong until the 6th where Jose Uribe hit a 2-run homer and Jim Thome drove in a run.
The Orioles split the 4-game series with the White Sox and head to
***
The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Examiner, and Washington Post have a recap of the game last night.
Oriole broadcaster and Hall of Famer, Jim Palmer stopped by the bullpen last night to help Daniel Cabrera (alongside Leo Mazzone watching) with his mechanics and gave him advice as to how he could improve. In light of Cabrera’s struggles, he leads the team in innings pitched, and has looked brilliant at times. I know there has been some clamor to have him traded, but for now, considering his age, physical build and potential, he should stay. I don’t know if a trip to minors may help him, or the organization just sticks with him and lets him go at it in the majors, but the team cannot release him at any cost.
The O, By the Way Blog has more on Palmer’s visit, as does the Orioles MLB site, and the Washington Post.
Roch Kubatko has more Oriole news, this time about what is going on with certain players on the farm teams.
The Baltimore Examiner has a profile on Garrett Olson and other pitchers within the lower levels of the organization, along with Nathan Nery.
- photo from the AP/via the baltimoresun.com
Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals - July 3, 2007
I was at the Cubs/Nationals game on Tuesday night, and here are pictures.
Anyhow, I hope you all enjoy the great photos!
Youngster Garrett Olson was summoned to the big club yesterday, and in his start yesterday, he didn’t disappoint.
Although he only went a little more than four innings and didn’t earn the win, he still looked good and had a solid outing.
Thanks to the bats and contributions from a Jay Gibbons homer, Kevin Millar and Nick Markakis, the O’s beat the White Sox 9-6 on Independence Day.
The O’s whipped up on Jose Contreras and torched him for six runs in five innings.
Rob Bell came into the game in the fifth and earned his second win of the season.
***
The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Examiner, & Washington Post have a recap of the action from yesterday.
The Orioles released Scott Williamson on Tuesday to make room for Garrett Olson. He was a little surprised by the news, as he didn’t pitch all that bad for the Birds, just that he was always injured and his appearances were few and far between. In addition, it sounded like the club wanted to see more of its young pitchers in the lower levels have a shot at the big time.
I think it was a good move, and does not hurt the Orioles.
The O, By the Way blog has their thoughts on Olson’s start on Wednesday.
Matt Palmer believes that Cal Ripken is trying to take a middle ground in the debate between Barry Bonds and steroids.
-- photo from the AP
I’m at RFK covering the Cubs vs. Nationals for the DC Sports Box, so I’ll keep my post brief.
The Orioles lost last night 5-1 in
Considering Cabrera has been in the majors for a few years now, this is as good as he’ll get?
He can be so amazing, but yet, more often that not, he frustrates the hell out of you.
Meanwhile, the starter for the White Sox, Javier Vazquez who has had an up and down year, dominated the Orioles last night and gave his only via a Kevin Millar homer.
The best pitcher probably in the minors for the Orioles, Garrett Olson gets the start today in Chicago (the article reports Mora play today, and Scott Williamson is on the mend). He was brought up because of the injury to Steve Trachsel, but hopefully he’ll impress, and can get a little more than a cameo this week.
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The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Examiner, and Washington Post has a recap of the game last night.
Roch Kubatko has his thoughts on Daniel Cabrera.
As noted, Garrett Olson is starting for the Orioles tonight in Chicago. As well, The Washington Post has more on him and his expected day later on, so does the Orioles MLB site.
Peter Schmuck believes in light of the Orioles’ failures this season, the front office duo of Mike Flanagan and Jim Duquette deserve high marks for finding Jeremy Guthrie and Brian Burres.
The Baltimore Examiner has a piece on O’s minor leaguer, Wally Crancer and reports that the Aberdeen Ironbirds are stumbling out of the gate as their season began a few weeks ago.
From our Friends at Formula PR:
ESPN Zone and the Baltimore Orioles have teamed up to host the Junior Broadcaster competition, a search for the next generation of sports announcers. Children 12 and under will compete for the opportunity to work in the broadcast booth during an upcoming Orioles game at historic Camden Yards. On July 16 and 17, entrants are invited to ESPN Zone, located at 601 E. Pratt Street on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, where each will have the opportunity to showcase their sports-announcing chops. Two Junior Broadcasters will be selected each day.
“Announcing at an Orioles game is something these young Orioles fans will remember all their lives, and it’s great to be able to offer that to them,” said Christine Baum, ESPN Zone’s manager, marketing and communications. “We expect to get entrants from all over the area and even outside the state, so we’re excited to see what kind of talent emerges as a result of this contest. Judging will not be an easy task.”
The competition will begin at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 16 and Tuesday, July 17. Each entrant will be given a script and asked to watch a monitor and call a play from a recent Orioles game. A panel of judges, as well as the fans on site for the event, will vote to determine the winners.
Entry forms can be submitted beginning today in ESPN Zone’s on-site SportsCenter Studio Store. The competition will be limited to the first 100 eligible entrants. In addition to the grand prize, all entrants will be eligible for prizing, including ESPN Zone game cards and tickets to upcoming Orioles games.
Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals - July 2nd, 2007
I was at the Cubs/Nationals game last night, not as a member of the press; alas, as a fan for a change. Tonight, I'll actually be covering the Mystics tonight in downtown Washington D.C.
Anyhow, I hope you all enjoy the great photos from last night!
The O's won last night in Chicago by a score of 7-6, after mounting a dramatic comeback and taking advantage of a tough Bobby Jenks who was having an off night.
The Orioles came back from a four run deficit to secure the win.
Chris Ray even looked great, striking out the side in the ninth inning after being beleaguered in his past few appearances. He earned his 14th save.
Erik Bedard had so-so outing as he only went a little more than five innings and was tagged for six runs; however, the bullpen picked him up and Rob Bell got the win. Corey Patterson came through with four hits, and Millar came through in the clutch delivering an RBI single to win the game for the Birds.
Although the Orioles are nine games under .500 at 36-45, I feel a lot better about the team than I have in the past few weeks.
At this point, give Trembley a shot to manage until the end of the season. It looks like the players are responding to him and there now seems to be fight in the team – which was missing since April.
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The Baltimore Sun has a recap of the game, as does the Baltimore Examiner, and Washington Post.
Melvin Mora sat out last night’s game with a bruised foot after his valiant effort to tie the game on Sunday. It looks like according to the Orioles MLB site that he might be out a few days.
The Washington Post has more on the development.
Spencer Fordin of the Orioles.com has questions about the state of the team that he has in his current mailbag.
As well, the
The Baltimore Examiner has a great article on manager, Dave Trembley.
The O, By the Blog sees a lot of good out of yesterday’s win.
Roch Kubatko has all the latest in Oriole-land in his blog, Roch Around the Clock.
In light of Brian Roberts being chosen an All-Star for the second time and Jeremy Guthrie on the mound, the O's could not muster a win against the Angels in the rubber match in the three game set.
Thanks to the rifle arm of Vlad Guerrero, the Angels were able to win the game yesterday as Melvin Mora was gunned down at home despite a valiant effort to score.
The Black and Orange lost 4-3.
The collision was rough, as Mora hurt his foot and catcher Mike Napoli had to be carried off the field.
The Orioles were helped out big time by Jay Payton's 2-run homer and heads up baserunning by Ramon Hernandez.
Jeremy Guthrie only gave up four hits, but gave up a 2-run homer to Casey Kotchman and an RBI double to Vlad Guerrero in the 4th inning, and a homer in the 8th to Mike Napoli.
Guthrie was strong, but Lackey was slightly better and the Angels made most of their opportunities.
The O's take on the White Sox in the Windy City tonight.
It'll be Erik Bedard squaring off against Mark Buerhle in what should be a great pitching matchup.
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There's more on the game from the Baltimore Examiner & the Washington Post.
Sun blogger and beat reporter Roch Kubatko has his thoughts on yesterday's game and also the surprise resignation of former Oriole manager Mike Hargrove.
With the struggles of Chris Ray, the Orioles may move to a "bullpen by commitee". There's more also in the Washington Post and the Orioles MLB site who reports that Chris Ray is now being rested...
As noted earlier, Brian Roberts was selected to the 2007 All-Star Game as a reserve second baseman. The O, By the Way blog has their thoughts on some of the All-Star snubs including Jeremy Guthrie and Erik Bedard being passed over. More on All-Star news from the Baltimore Examiner & the Washington Post.
Daniel Cabrera is 'living a dream' by having the ability to pitch in the majors...
The injury to Steve Trachsel and he subsquently landing on the DL leaves a big hole in the Oriole rotation, and perhaps it will be filled by Rob Bell or Garrett Olson.
The Orioles have a lot of good hitting prospects down in the lower levels of the organization according to the Baltimore Examiner.
The Washington Times has an interesting story on Jeremy Guthrie, his season with the Orioles and his time with the Cleveland Indians.
Los Angeles Angels vs. Baltimore Orioles; July 1, 2007
Extended Slideshow: http://sports.webshots.com/slideshow/559706870MGWrwV
Photos of today's action - hope you enjoy...
