Quick Hits

* The Baltimore Sun’s David Steele muses about an amazing week in Baltimore, with Cal’s induction vote and the upcoming playoff game here in the city against the Colts.

* If you’re going to Cooperstown, you’d better act on getting a room – fast.

* Orioles.com beat writer Spencer Fordin takes a look at the depth of the team at the first, third & (mainly infield) spots, now that Huff is on the team. Huff will be expected to play a variety of positions, and Millar will perhaps get a lot of starts at first, while Jay will DH and play some first and outfield. Huff may sub for Mora when he needs a free day. It all depends on what happens in Spring Training and Sam Perlozzo.

* More on Ripken from Spencer Fordin. Cal wants to acquire the Orioles at some point.

* Cal was in New York City along with Tony Gwynn for a media day.

* Tony Pente of the popular Orioles’ Hangout site gives us his reflections of being on Cal’s press conference right after the announcement was made.

* A fellow blogger at Oriole Central on the day of Cal’s induction takes a look back at game 2131 and gives his reflections. It was great to read that and anyone who saw that game was reminded of what the O’s used to be, and importantly being able to witness such a historic moment that evokes such powerful emotions, more than 11 years later.

* The Roar from 34 blog ponders should be B-Rob be traded? At this point, I don’t know considering what the team has done, and for now I’d say he’s still one of building blocks for the future. However, if we get a deal that’s overwhelming, something needs to happen for the good of the team.

Honorable Mention: I’d like to give the blog, Yankees Chick a shout-out. She may be a dreaded Yankees fan, but she offers great analysis and snark commentary. More importantly, she gave props to both Cal Jr. and Cal Sr. recently, which makes her all right in my book.

Also, I’d like you to take a look at Dugout Diary by Joe Boesch. I like his blog in general and his insight towards the game.

As well, My Baseball Bias – An AL East Blog. He’s been at it a short while, but he’s put together an impressive body of work!

Last, but not least, take a look at Inside the Monster, an impressive look at the Red Sox and baseball, by young blogger Mike Edelman. He’s a good guy and really knows his stuff!

More Cal Ripken Love...

Fellow blogger, Aaron Brazell of Suicide Fan has a clip on his site as to why Cal Ripken should be in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. Take a visit to his great site and you'll fing the link to the audio file there, plus other awesome sports related posts.

It's a foregone conclusion that he should be in the Hall of Fame. He's an icon, but the numbers didn't impress me as much as his willingness to go to work, play through pain and whatever else because he loved what he did for a living. More importantly to me, he was the epitome of professionalism, sportsmanship and integrity.

Myself, I cannot say I even like my job and I'm sure millions of others can say the same.

I have no idea if I'll be going to Cooperstown for Ripken's induction, because I didn't think about going to it before I started my blog. Anyhow, it will be a decision made later this spring, not because of funds, but more on the logisitics side as I would need to find lodging, much less a place to view the induction (ok, I would literally have to camp out), traffic issues and parking. If I do go, I'll probably drive up and stay with friends in NYC or find some other arrangement outside the immediate area of Cooperstown.

I'm sure a ton of fans will be there, and I'd love to interact and mingle. However, I don't know at this point if it would be worth it for me to go, or to watch it on TV.

If anyone is planning to go, or has been to a Hall of Fame induction, what's to be expected?

Either leave a comment on the blog, or email me at mdguy2415@aol.com.

O's Quick Notes

• First off, if you have not heard, David Newhan and Todd Williamas were informed that their contracts will non-tendered by the O's. In other words, they have been released and are free to sign with other teams. I had spoken to David Newhan a few times while he was part of the Orioles, and I'll say he's one of the nicest guys in baseball who was very open to the fans and would take a minute to chat with anyone. He was a fan favorite, and although his numbers were marginal for the past few seasons, he always tried and played the game with passion. Todd Williams had a few good seasons with the O's, but got killed last year and was a victim of the bullpen improvements.
• Second, Jay Payton is now officially an Oriole. He's signed for 2 years and about 10 million. In reading the Sun article this evening, I found this statement from him really cool when he described his desire in playing in the stacked AL East against the Sox and Yankees : "I love trying to battle ... the two Evil Empires, I call them, between Boston and New York, and knock those teams off," said Jay Payton, the 34-year-old outfielder, who hit .296 with 10 home runs and 59 RBIs for the Oakland Athletics last season. "It's a lot of fun to go into the stadiums and play in front of those crowds with all that energy."
• Third, the Orioles were chosen to play the New York Mets in the Hall of Fame game on May 21st in Cooperstown, NY. Of course, as we all know Cal is expected to be inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame this year.
• Fourth, Lee Mazzilli, former O's manager, recently on the Yankee bench as a coach has accepted a job with SportNet NY, the Mets Channel up in the Big Apple, NYC. Lee played for the New York Mets from 1976 to 1981, as well as in '86, when they won the World Series.

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