Nats Fans Are Not Happy With MASN and the O's; Huff A Silver Slugger...

Well, although the new jerseys are a hit with most Oriole fans in one shape or another, down the Parkway, it's a different story.

Yes, some fans of the Nationals are none too pleased that MASN aired the Orioles rally and jersey unveiling, while the Nats -- who too had new uniforms unveiled -- didn't have any coverage on the network.

With all due respect to Nats fans, I think some of the anger is misguided. MASN is a Baltimore-centric station -- I'm in agreement there 100% percent -- however, I'd be more angry at the Washington organization for not doing more to promote, jazz up an event and get some of the players in town.

The Baltimore organization went all out for this one, and you can't give them enough credit. While I can understand Nationals fans frustrations, I don't think Washington's jersey event even matches the significance of what went on in Baltimore.

I was not at the ESPN Zone in DC, but the Baltimore Orioles put on an *event*, the media had umpteen stories on the jerseys, players were *actually* brought in (not just one guy),and it was promoted heavily -- alas, I'm not sure the Nationals put in a fraction of the same effort or had the media bandwagon on it.

The Orioles made their event important and there was a whole back story to it ("Baltimore" on the jerseys and building fan discontent). The Nationals, as much as we love them, more or less wanted to sell more merchandise and make a change, well to make a change (specifically branding).

I have not heard of the Nationals having a fan fest yet (there was not in '08) -- but if they do, MASN should cover it much like what they did with Orioles in the spring.

***

Oriole Aubrey Huff today won the Silver Slugger as a DH, and I'm sure he could not be any happier. After struggling in 2007, he came on fire in 2008 with a .304 average, 32 home runs, and 108 RBIs.

I've been tough on him for his statements made earlier in the year; however, the award is well deserved, and congratulations.

***
Finally, former Oriole manager and coach Sam Perlozzo has found found employment up the road -- in Philadelphia...

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Orioles TV Time Change ... From The Friendly Folks at MASN

Game Time Change for upcoming Orioles series in Boston

Games and Pre-game shows to begin one hour early on Tuesday and Thursday

The Baltimore Orioles have announced time changes for upcoming games against the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox requested the changes to avoid an overlap with Games 3 and 4 of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Tuesday, June 10, game will begin at 6:05 p.m. on MASN HD
Thursday, June 12, game will begin at 6:05 p.m. on MASN HD

The Orioles pre-game show, O’s Xtra will begin at 5:30 p.m. on both days.

For more information, visit www.masnsports.com.

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Kevin Millar: In Bad Taste?; What is the Worth of the Orioles?

We, as fans always wants to believe our athletes are loyal to our region and us, not only because of the money and emotional investment put forth, but because sports reinforces regional pride and esteem.

Well, Kevin Millar has put athlete loyalty and the team they play for to the test.

I mentioned the contribution of Millar towards the Red Sox and his TV spot in game six of the ALCS, and he throwing out the first pitch in game seven.

While some agreed with what I posted online yesterday here and on Oriole Magic, if you span the rest of the Oriole blogs, forums and websites, fans are not happy at all with Millar's antics.

By far, the most vocal of fans have been at Orioles Hangout discussing the issue; however, I am far more concerned with what Millar does on the field and in an Oriole uniform than I am with some stuff he does with the Red Sox in the post-season. Millar, I think likes Baltimore, but has no real ties to here, and it is obvious to me, he has a lot of affection towards the Red Sox organization.

On top of it all, according the media, Andy MacPhail approved it, so the Oriole brass must have not made a big deal about it. In the end, it seems like more athletes like where they play and love the income, than showing undying loyalty to an organization.

Someone like Derek Jeter is different from the norm, a lot down deep may feel like Manny Ramirez in terms of their loyalty to their team, fanbase and region.

Again, I may be different, but in the end, as Millar does his job as an Oriole, that's good enough for me. As I have gotten older, I have taken sports for what it is -- entertainment, rather than something that is a faux parable of life.

Roch Kubatko, Bill Ordine, and Camden Chat have more thoughts on Kevin Millar.

***

Meanwhile, in light of the horrible baseball that has been played by the Orioles for the past decade and the ever declining crowds at Camden Yards -- guess what? The Oriole are making money hand over fist.

That's right.

The Baltimore Sun's Childs Walker reports on the club's financial health, and it's pretty good. Most of the team's value comes from MASN, obviously and a deal by MLB as part of the negotiations to bring the Montreal Expos into Washington.

From the report:

Because of the excellent fiscal health of Major League Baseball, the creation of the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network by Orioles owner Peter Angelos and the league, and the continuing adoration for Camden Yards, the Orioles are worth more than ever before, investment bankers and financial analysts say.

The team is valued at about $400 million, says John A. Moag, president of Moag and Co., a Baltimore-based investment banking firm that specializes in sports transactions. And MASN, which is 90 percent owned by the team, is worth at least another $400 million, he said.

That's a far cry from the $173 million (about $240 million in today's dollars) that Angelos and his partners paid for the Orioles in 1993.

I would not be surprised at all with the assessment. Much of the value seems to be built upon the reputation of Camden Yards, along with the potential of the cable TV network, which the Orioles have almost all the ownership of.

If the Orioles ever became competitive again and could build up the network to the level of NESN or YES, the organization would be in far better condition than it is now and would bring an obvious level of respect back to baseball in the region.



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The Game Yesterday: O's Beat the Devil Rays 8-3, Condensed Video, the Rundown and More Thoughts on Dempsey...

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Last night, the Orioles got back on track and beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to 8-3 last night.

Plucked out of long relief, and working as a starter now, Jeremy Guthrie allowed one run in six innings of excellent baseball.

He’s auditioning for a spot in the rotation, but he’s looked real good in the starting role this season.

The Orioles tagged Jae Seo for 5 runs, as the Oriole took advantage of the lowly Devil Rays. Nick ‘the Stick’ Markakis homered and drove in two runs, as did Melvin Mora.

Miguel Tejada, Aubrey Huff, Jay Payton and Jay Gibbons also drove in a run.

In fact, Jay Gibbons, who had been struggling went 3 for 4 and homered in the 8^th inning.

Chad Bradford came in the game in the 7^th inning, but got hit hard, giving up 2 runs. Danys Baez got the hold, and Chris Ray also got in some work during the 9^th inning.

**

Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun has more on the game last night.

Jay Gibbons is not happy with his role in having to sit on the bench, and Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post has more to add on the issue.

Pitcher Scott Williamson is ready to come off the DL.

Matt Palmer of the Baltimore Examiner ponders about Jay Gibbons, who as of late has been regulated to the bench…

Spencer Fordin notes that the stopgap starters are filling in the roles of those on the DL.

**

The Orioles have once again been dragged into the steroid mess. Investigators in baseball’s steroids probe have demanded to see the medical records of former Orioles Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, Jason Grimsley, David Segui, Jerry Hairston, & Fernando Tatis.

In light of not having a subpoena by the courts, the medical records may not be that easy to get.

As well, it looks like investigators also searched at least six computers of Orioles staff members, which shows the O’s were at least compliant – unlike some other organizations.

Again, there may or may be proof of drug use found on part the former Orioles, but the team once again is in the forefront of the national media when it comes to allegations of drug use.

The ‘O, By the Way Blog’, has more on the steroid talks and the Orioles, as does Roch Kubatko.

Business may about to pick up once again…

**

Well, Rick Dempsey has kind of put himself and MASN into a world of trouble, at least on the PR side, if only temporarily.

Rick Maese of the Baltimore Sun has a piece on the saga, in which Dempsey does apologize and realized he was wrong; nevertheless, he looked very stupid, awkward and made an even more disgusting, ornery joke.

Furthermore, Rick updated his blog about the incident that yesterday evening; however, there was a mention here on the Oriole Post about the video earlier that morning that he followed up on.

Good reporting, Rick.

I had originally caught wind of this whole incident thanks to Oriole Magic’s, Heather Irvin and her comments about the situation.

We will see about the aftermath of this incident, as let’s keep in mind as my friend Sooze reminded me, Bert Byleven of the Minnesota Twins network got in hot water for saying the “F” word.

As someone who has seen a female friend go through domestic violence (to the point she left the state she was living in), I find some of the comments excusing Rick Dempsey to be silly.

I see it more than a bad joke; Rick Dempsey took something that is a sensitive issue and made it into a sick joke about a current player and his wife.

I even find it more disturbing that MASN didn’t take more offense to it, and found it even more disturbing how they justified it.

"Rick shoots from the hip. He has a refreshing, in-the-moment style of analysis," said Todd Webster, a MASN spokesman. "He regrets what he said, and we have no doubt he feels badly about the remark."

I’m sure Rick does regret what he said, but the excuse is a pathetic cop-out. I don’t know where he’s shooting from the hip, but he sounded freaking asinine to me.

Gary Throne, A Bloody Mess: The Bloody Sock Revisited, Curt Schilling & MASN's Gary Throne...

Well, most baseball fans know of the 'bloody sock' game that Curt Schilling pitched in the '04 ALCS (game 6) to tie the series for the Boston Red Sox.

Now, someone is questioning the validity of that game.

However, it's none other than MASN's own Gary Thorne.

From boston.com:

Thorne said on the air, while the Orioles were batting in the fifth, that he'd been told by Sox catcher Doug Mirabelli that was not blood, but paint, on the sock Schilling wore during Game 6 of the 2004 American League Championship Series against the Yankees. It was done for the public relations effect, Thorne said.

"The great story we were talking about the other night was that famous red stocking that he wore when they finally won, the blood on his stocking," Thorne said to broadcast partner Jim Palmer, the Hall of Fame pitcher, in a conversation that had begun with a discussion of Schilling's blog.

"Nah," Thorne said. "It was painted. Doug Mirabelli confessed up to it after. It was all for PR. Two-ball, two-strike count."

Palmer: "Yeah, that was the 2004 World Series [sic]." Thorne: "Yeah."
During a break two innings later, Thorne confirmed that's what he said, and that Mirabelli had told him so in a conversation "a couple of years ago."

"Go ask him [Mirabelli]," Thorne said.

Mirabelli was shocked, then angry, when relayed Thorne's comments.
"What? Are you kidding me? He's [expletive] lying. A straight lie," Mirabelli said. "I never said that. I know it was blood. Everybody knows it was blood."

Wow. Okay.

Well, I can only imagine the coverage this is getting in Boston. Well, here are some quotes from the higher-ups on the Red Sox, and from Curt ’38 Pitches’ Schilling himself.

What Schilling says:

"It gets stupider," Schilling said with a tone of resignation in his voice. "I got the 9-inch scar for you. You can see it.

"There are some bad people in your line of work, man."

Here’s what Terry “Tito” Francona says about the situation:

"I am just floored. Schill takes his share of shots, and this one is so far below the belt that I'm embarrassed and I wish somebody would have had the good conscience to ask me. I saw the leg. If that had been painted, I wouldn't have had my knuckles so white, and having so much anxiety."

Larry Lucchino:

"I have never heard any such thing internally, and I refuse to believe it now," Lucchino wrote. "It was a courageous moment for Curt Schilling and a glorious moment for the Red Sox, and it shouldn't be sullied with such speculation now."

My favorite of them all – Theo Epstein:

"You're kidding me, right?" Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein wrote in an e-mail last night. "I'm the GM of the team, not Jerry Springer. I couldn't give two [expletives] about what was on his sock, I care that we won the game. The rest, and Gary Thorne, is just noise."


Now, I am no fan of the Red Sox – but one of my best friends in Marblehead, Mass., is and I can only imagine what is going through his mind at this moment.

I’ll say watching the 2004 ALCS myself – there is no way the bloody sock story is fake. I believe Schilling did indeed pitch with a bloody sock, and what transpired with that game and the 2004 World Series was special.

Schilling, for that game, no matter what I have said about, you have my respect for life. It takes a real ballplayer and a man of grit to pitch through all of that.

However, I need to take Gary Throne (a MASN guy – a basically an employee of the Orioles to task) and Jim Palmer too for not even refuting the assertion Throne made.

It’s been proven time and time again that Schilling did indeed pitch with sutures in him, and they did break, thus blood leaked out.

Do we need a freaking DNA test for this now?

What’s especially shocking to me was that Gary Throne, not only a veteran of baseball play-by-play, but hockey, would even say such a thing – especially something that is pretty much fact. I don’t know if he was trying to make conversation with Jim Palmer, or perhaps was just bored but needed to talk about something, but his thoughts were just way off base.

What Throne was thinking, I don’t know; therefore, he’s going to have a hell of a lot of people mad at him, even myself…

Quick Hits: O's and MASN Related Stuffage...

photo from the baltimore sun...

Erik Bedard and Arbitration: There’s an article from the Ottawa Citizen about O’s pitcher Erik Bedard and his hopes for a contract extension. It’s an interesting read, and it sounds like at this point all he wants is the deal to be done so he can focus on pitching.

I think the Orioles seriously should start looking at possibly giving him a contract extension if Bedard so desires, as starting pitching is at a premium, and he if he continues his success, it would be far cheaper to sign him now than later down the road.

Ken Rosenthal and the O’s: In light of the media bashing of the Orioles and their winter moves, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal believes that Oriole might surprise the skeptics.

Here are some notable quotes from the article:

"They play in the wrong division. They've got the wrong owner. And after nine straight losing seasons, it's reasonable to call them the game's most underachieving franchise; the Orioles, playing at Camden Yards, possess far greater financial resources than say, the Pirates and Royals."

That much I agree with. We just don’t have the firepower to fight the Yankees and Red Sox.

Then he says:

"The only way for the Orioles to challenge the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays, however, is if Cabrera and Loewen make the same jump that left-hander Erik Bedard did last season. If that happens — and if the division somehow proves weaker than expected — then the O's could turn into the Tigers East, reviving with young pitching."

I think this statement is key, even moreso than the upgrade of the bullpen. I believe a team’s success is measured by its starting pitching. If Bedard, Loewen and Cabrera can take their pitching game to the next level, then the Oriole can seriously look at contending with anyone. Even though the Yankees and Red Sox do have the dominant pitching in the division, if the young arms develop – look out.

And finally…

More likely, the Orioles will improve modestly, then target a breakthrough in '08. Of course, the Devil Rays should be much-improved by then, while the Red Sox finally should have a closer and the Yankees could have Andruw Jones playing center field. Things never get easier in the AL East.

The statement above is why I think 2007 is critical to the long term success of the Orioles. If the Orioles can make can finish at or above .500, then the team is in perfect position to upgrade with marquee free agents in 2008 and perhaps make a serious at contention. However, if the Orioles finish at the same level as they did 2006, much of the moves done will mean nothing and the team will once again have to deal only with mid-level free agents rather than the marquee names needed to make an impact.

MASN News: According to the Baltimore Examiner’s Jim Williams, Rick Dempsey should be officially named to MASN this week. He’ll most likely work the pre and post game baseball shows for the Orioles. MASN is still looking for talent, and that will help shape the network, according to Phil Wood. I noted in a previous post that network may be going after ESPN’s Gary Throne.

As well, Williams says that Comcast Sports Net will still have a presence with baseball, especially at Camden Yards as it will too have its own pre-and post game shows.

In the same article, he mentions that Amber Theoharris might be leaving the network for a higher profile job in New York. I sorely hope MASN can keep her in town, as she is one of the better talents in the area and brings a great perspective on sports in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Fanning the Flames: MASN Criticism from Marc Fisher

A week or so ago, I talked with MASN Spokesperson, Todd Webster what MASN would be doing baseball-wise in 2006, and as well the perception amongst many, especially those in Washington that MASN was too Baltimore-centric for another blog. I had several criticisms, most especially that the baseball coverage on MASN was severely lacking this offeason

Add another critic to the fray: Washington Post writer and blogger, Marc Fisher.

In a recent post to his blog, Raw Fisher, titled The Angelos Channel: All-Baltimore, All the Time, he’s nothing short of brutal towards Baltimore Orioles’ owner, Peter Angelos.

I’m not going to bash Mr. Angelos at all anymore, but MASN needs to a do a lot more with the Orioles and Nationals baseball coverage as it does not even to compare to other networks, such as YES or NESN.

As both a Nationals and Orioles fan, I would not say Angelos would be dumb enough to try to not market MASN to Washington, but in the back of my mind, it’s almost like Washington is indeed seen as a secondary market. In my conversation with Todd Webster, I mentioned that many Washington residents were highly upset with MASN and the lack of Washington coverage.

In that sense, Fisher is right. MASN not only needs to cover the Orioles and Nationals, but also

Again, one of my main criticisms of the network to Mr. Webster was that MASN does not cover enough baseball at all, and it would be in their best interests to start emphasizing both the Orioles and the Nationals, and perhaps having separate shows for each team. I also believe that MASN should use some of the brilliant baseball minds in both cities to spark the interests of baseball fans. If there was a new show strictly about baseball on MASN, fans may feel more connected to the team, and it would be beneficial to see players and staff from both teams go on the air and talk about the season and all.

I don’t know if much of what is going with MASN is due to it being a fledgling network, or just trying to map a plan, or whatever else, but an improvement sorely with the baseball coverage, especially in terms must be made.

Well, I am going to try to be positive and see what happens before spring training and beyond, but again I see where Marc Fisher is coming from.

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

The Explosion and Annoyance of Yankee and Red Sox fans at Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Well, this next post is concerns a long standing issue that angers many Oriole fans throughout the Mid Atlantic region.

It concerns our great friend and sometime troublemakers to the north – our dear Yankees and Red Sox fans. In attending some of the Boston and New York games here the past year, I have gotten friendly a few of the fans and chatted with them about why a lot of them would travel to Baltimore.

All in all, a good portion of those fans are well-behaved, somewhat respectful of Camden Yards and the history of the Baltimore Orioles. However, a small minority of the Red Sox and Yankees fan do engage in some boorish and disgusting behavior. At least for me, with some of my friends being Yankee and Red Sox fans, inviting them to a game at Camden Yards does allow for some bantering and good natured ribbing.

Why have they taken over? I have 3 main reasons.

The first reason is simply supply and demand, accessibility along with economics. Well, I went to school in NYC and would venture up to Boston once a year in the 1990's, and I will tell you right now, it was nothing in terms of fan support for either team as it is now. I remember the Yankees drawing 25-30K per game in 96' and the stadium being half empty! Simply, because tickets rare readily available through Orioles.com or Ebay, anyone at anytime can get tickets rather easily. A lot of the fans who come down to Baltimore either cannot get up close to their favorite ballplayers, or tickets are very scarce & in the case of the Red Sox, impossible to get without spending your mortgage.

These days in that part the country of, unless you make a good living, or have grandfathered yourself into the season ticket base for both teams, the average family cannot afford to see their team, so they come here. In New York City and New England, tickets are also hard to find for those teams, so it makes more sense to come here to Baltimore for a lot less money.The second reason is the recently fan and media explosion of both teams. The fanaticism in Boston and New York now was nothing like it was in the mid-90s'. Both teams are now in a peak period, where fan interest is strong, the two teams have ridiculous media coverage, a lot of cash, hyped up 24-a-day RSN's, Sports Talk Radio which seems to cover their teams like the White House Corps cover President Bush, charismatic players, a lot of bandwagon fans, and the feeling you of needing to be "in" to be a fan and you have the main reasons why the Yankee and Red Sox fan bases are so fanatical.

Compare the coverage of the Orioles on MASN in comparison to NESN or YES. You’ll see the difference. Try to find a baseball report on the Orioles during the winter here, but, however, reports are available on the Red Sox and Yankees – almost several times a day!

The third reason is our fellow Oriole Fans, access and our ticket affordability. As well, a lot of season ticket holders and fans sell their tickets via EBay and Stub Hub for a profit, so that's another reason for the proliferation of Yankee and Red Sox fans to Baltimore.

Furthermore, especially for die-hard Yankee fans, they have to ability to see their players up close during the game and batting practice, snap pictures, get autographs, and come to one of the crown jewels in baseball. You also have a lot of the businesses and hotels that cater and wait for those fans to show up so they can make a buck. As well, add to that the generous ticket prices we offer here, you have the reason for the takeover for each Red Sox/Yankee series.

Now where does that leave those who bleed for the Black and Orange? Well, simply it is a reflection of the state of this team. Not to put all the onus on Angelos, but he's captain of the ship, and no matter what, he needs to realize the impact that these fans have on us. Oriole fans no doubt care for their team, but why spend your hard earned money if the entity you give to doesn't put out a competitive product.

Combine the lack of a product now, and the Orioles fine history until 1998 and the lack of anything to remember for the past decade, we have the seeds for fan apathy.

Simply put, not to beat a dead horse, we need to get better, spend the cash, rebuild the farm system and get the players to play for pride and to win, not for the paycheck. If not, for the Yankee and Red Sox attendance, we'd be in the position of the Pittsburgh Pirates. There's too much history and too much to be proud of for the amount of fan apathy -- but, everything starts at the top, and since they are collecting our money, they need to do their part.

Fans will come back and support a superior product. We don't have that right now. It's up to Mr. Angelos and his Front Office to do whatever they can to make this team competitive again. It's embarrassing and demoralizing to see the visiting fans outnumber you 50-50, 60-40 or 70-30...

Smart investments, restoring the pride of what the Orioles once were, caring about the fans and their welfare can create a Renaissance like is being seen in Detroit.

Quick News and Hits...

• Rick Dempsey is leaving the Orioles' coaching staff and will join the MASN Broadcast team. Always popular with the fans, animtated as a player an coach, I'm sure he'll add a lot of entertainment and baseball knowledge to the Orioles' games on MASN.
• More on the Angelos Sale. It's not going to happen...yet. However, take a look at Peter Schmuck's view of the situation. I posted that Angelos' has too much pride to sell this team, especially in the state that it is in right now. If anything, he'll probably more determined than ever to make sure the Orioles are in good shape before he ever sells the team. Link: http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.schmuck16dec16,0,4606153.column?coll=bal-sports-baseball

Angelos Not Selling the O's ... well, at least not yet

The Baltimore Sun is reporting that Orioles majority owner, Peter Anglelos has denied a report that he's selling the Baltimore Orioles written yesterday by Foxsport.com's Ken Rosenthal.

Link: http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.orioles15dec15,0,6960861.story?coll=bal-sports-baseball

I imagine Peter Angelos and Cal having a great relationship, and he respecting Cal because he's a hometown boy and a Maryland sports icon, but right now in light of the O's failures as a franchise, it makes little sense.

Angelos and the Orioles are still making a profit in spite of the Orioles losing record. Although the Orioles have had falling attendance and a hit on the bottom line, thanks to a share of the Montreal Expos (now Washington Nationals) relocation and television rights and ownership, along with his new sports network, MASN, the team should be in healthy shape for years to come. As well, thanks to agreement to allow the Montreal Expos to move into Washington, the Orioles cannot go on the market for less than $365 million dollars.

According to the Baltimore Sun article, Angelos lost $15 million in 2005, but I don't think I believe that measure at all. I am sure with the new sports network, the Orioles should be good shape.

From what I know about Mr. Angelos, he's a man of enormous pride, a little stubborn and a skilled businessman/lawyer and I don't think he's going to sell the team just because fans want him to, or he feels it's not viable. If anything, I don't see him surrendering the team unless he's damn well ready to or if he passes away suddenly.

He may not be much in the eyes of fans, but his savvy has got this team into a good position financially.