My Thoughts on Big Mac Breaking His Silence

As we are a week beyond the Hall of Fame announcement of Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken, Mark McGwire in an interview recently with the Cal State-Fullerton school news paper that he’s proud of his career, in spite of the spector of steroids and drug use hanging over him.

Although much of the media sees him as a pariah, still fans and the media flocked to see him, and in many cases, to get an autograph as well.

And Mark did sign for fans.

Well, Mark McGwire fell well short of a chance of getting into the Hall of Fame this year, with only 23.5 of the voters placing him on their ballot. Much of debate centered on his Hall of Fall candidacy is with his Capitol Hill testimony in March of 2005 along with allegations of drug use in the media.

McGwire asserts:

"I had an absolutely wonderful career that I am very proud of," McGwire said Friday as he signed autographs at a charity event benefiting the Orange County Abuse Prevention Center. "I'm not in control of what happens -- I was in control of hitting the ball."

He’s right. Steroids will not help you to go from a .200 hitter to a .300 hitter. Performance enhancing drugs are mostly used in the conjunction of athletic training, (i.e., weight training, bodybuilding, running, etc.) and are not used, let’s say before a game. These drugs assist in the recovery time, and therefore, speed up recuperation rate after a workout, and help athletes train harder and longer.

Thus, an athlete may or not may be tired as they would be otherwise, and obviously in conjunction with training, the muscles are stronger, and you have a an athlete whose performance will most likely improve due to training.

With the increase in strength, players are stronger and faster.

Simply, the drugs work and work well. That is nothing short of a lure for professional athletes fall into temptation to try to increase their stats or battle for the next contract.

Until I saw this interview, he’s been nothing short of a hermit, even a recluse. A few weeks back, Wright Thompson of ESPN tried to get in touch with him and wrote an article about him, but was unsuccessful.

If you have read the Oriole Post enough, you know that I think McGwire should be in the Hall of despite his drug allegations. Not to beat on a dead horse, but baseball I feel was a party in allowing the proliferation of drug use to explode in the sport.

Personally, I think McGwire, if he did do drugs should just say that he did. America is a very forgiving society, and unless you have committed murder or ruined the lives of many people, most do forgive celebrities for their misdeeds. If he does want to get into the Hall of Fame, or perhaps get the rain cloud off his head, he should start by admitting what he did and not lie about it.

If he in his mind know he did nothing wrong in terms of using performance enhancing drugs, he should say so. Honestly, if I knew I didn’t do something, I’d be adamant against what allegations, and perhaps would even take legal recourse.

Right now, in the court of public opinion, McGwire is facing nothing short of exclusion.

If he does care about his legacy, and as well as the sport, he needs to speak out against drugs in sport, like he said he’d do in the congressional hearings of 2005. As well, since athletes in his stature have such influence, he should speak out and warn against the supposed dangers of performance enhancing drugs, as inform those who are impressionable that should be no shortcuts to hard work and success.

Quick Hits: Oriole Radio Situation, Ramblings and This and That...

More Behind the Switch from WBAL to WHFS: Childs Walker of the Baltimore Sun gives readers some more insight behind the move of the Orioles game broadcasts from WBAL to WHFS. Well, WBAL is taking issue with the Orioles over the move because they contend that they offered more money to the team; as well, they assert the Oriole wanted more editorial control over the team and they were not happy with some of on air talent at WBAL.

This situation isn’t new, as the Redskins in Washington D.C. have been greatly criticized for operating their network, programming and closing some of the media out. I can understand completely why the Orioles did this, which was the strengthen their product; however, I listen to WBAL once in a while, & granted although at the times the criticism of the team may have been rough from certain people, it was needed and it also echoes the sentiment of a lot of O’s fans.

The Oriole contend the change was to get games onto FM, which does provide a much, much clearer, stronger broadcast than AM, but because the FM signal is weaker, the broadcasts can only be heard in the immediate DC/Baltimore area, unlike AM which has a stronger signal and can be heard in an extended region. As well, the Orioles did want to expand their broadcast options and integrate more their content in rather than using a second party.

I’m sure the change will be good in the long run, for fans and the team, but I will miss Orioles’ coverage on WBAL.


Not cool: I predicted the Patriots would win over the chargers, but L.T. (LaDainian Tomlinson) was not happy with the post-game celebration.

Take a look at the article & accompanying video from Boston.com. Link: http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/01/15/celebration_was_not_a_hit_with_tomlinson//15/celebration_was_not_a_hit_with_tomlinson/

I like both Brady and LT, and the two men are class acts. However, I agree with L.T.’s sentiments, as players need to be professionals, and most notably respect the opponent – plain and simple.

Next week should be great, as Peyton and Brady go into a show down.

I’m still not betting against Brady.

Going for America’s Team: Bears and Saints next week in Chicago – I’m going with the Saints. Winning it all would do wonders in the collective mind of the city, after going through so much.

Want to see my Fastball? Well, I have only been blogging for a short while, but I have taken a job with 451 Press and will be administering their blog, Fastballfans.com.

So, I’ll be in front a computer more than I have been and reading more too, but it’s all in good fun plus love of the game!

I’ll be doing general baseball news and covering the entire league, but you’ll see some my essays from the Oriole Post on there along with other goodies. It’ll be a lot of work trying to build it up, but I hope to do my best.

As well, I will maintain the Oriole Post as usual, and try make it evolve as well.

This and That: This week, I am going to go through my ball park list and go through each one and explain why it was placed where it did. I factored in the ball experience & aesthetics, price, parking, atmosphere, neighborhood and fan interaction (which for me, is very important).
As well, I’m going to go through Oriole projections and try my best to go over each player, maybe one player per day.

Martin Luther King - I Have a Dream...

Today, January 15th is the national observance of Martin Luther King's birthday. Of course, we in America know the significance of this day and what he did in his life not to get the wheels in motion for equality for African-Americans, but for all people.

Let's also remember the countless men, women and children who lost their lives in a turbulent period in American society for the quest of equality and the "Dream".

If you have chance, take a moment of your day, reflect, look back at all you have got & sometimes how different things can be. Society may still not be perfect, but it could be a lot worse.

However, it could be better and there's still work to be done.

The clip above is Martin Luther King's, "I Have a Dream" speech, which is easily the best, influential and possibly inspirational speech ever done.

Thank you Dr. King for all that you did throughout your short life.

The Baseball Collector

This video originally aired on Katie Couric's evening show in September of '06, I believe. Baseball fan Zack Hample, who has snagged nearly 3,000 baseballs at major league games is interviewed by CBS's Steve Hartman.

Quick Hits

Dave Letterman’s Top Ten – Hall of Fame Edition: If you missed the Top Ten with Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn on CBS, here it is:

* The Link : Go Here.

Ripken Commercial: I found this on YouTube. I am going guess this was done towards the very end of his career, and it features him, some audio highlights of the big moments of his career. His daughter appears at the end wanting to go home.



More Rodrigo: Fellow blogger, Jason at My Baseball Bias gives his take on the Rodrigo Lopez trade. He takes a look at Rodrigo's numbers and seeing them jump out on the screen tells you all need to know as to why he's no longer an Oriole.

News on an old friend, good ol' Bruce Chen: The Minnesota Twins are interested in another former Oriole, Bruce Chen. He may be used in the pitching rotation as a spot starter or in the bullpen. Bruce was was 0-7 with a 6.93 ERA with the O's last season after winning 13 games the year before in 2005. There's a reason why he'd been with 8 teams, as he seemingly had never got himself together until 2005, and then completely failed. He'll pitch for someone since he's left handed, but his stuff needs to be spot on in order for him to succeed.

Real nice guy though; however, I do find him real corny & very unfunny. Those who have been to Oriole Park know what I mean...

(Thanks to Babes that Love Baseball for the tip.)

Honorable Mention: A great site I found the other night was Babes That Love Baseball, a Minnesota Twins Blog. Anyhow, I opted to exchange links with her and in the course of talking via email, we talked about baseball (of course) and I showed her a gallery of Minnesota Twins pictures I had taken. On her site, she created a little nifty gallery of some pictures that were shared.

Check it out – she knows her baseball and the Twins!

Would You Bet Against This Man?

3 Super Bowls, an 11-1 Playoff Record. I'm not betting against Tom Brady. He's got the killer instinct and embodies "the clutch".

Well, I expect his team, the New England Patriots to beat the San Diego Chargers today.

Anyhow, this video is a Nike spot with Tom Brady explaining how he was able to becme an icon from his humble sports beginnings.

Quick Hits

In the midst of the NFL Playoffs and the upcoming Super Bowl, all of us who love baseball can take solace that pitchers and catchers will show up in sunny Florida and Arizona in a little more than a month for spring training. Also keep in mind; we have a little less than 3 months before Opening Day!

The season will be here sooner than we know it!

* The Baltimore Sun has an article about MASN, the regional sports network that shows both the Orioles and Nationals in the mid-Atlantic region. The article points out how MASN wants to be the sports network for both Washington and Baltimore.

* From Pittsburgh: Robert Nutting will now be the controlling owner of the Pirates, taking the reigns from Kevin McClatchy. Considering how bad the Pirates have been the last 14, 15 years, perhaps a change in direction will get the Pirates improved and competitive.

For a city with such a deep sports history, Pittsburgh deserves so much better than to see a team like the Pirates struggle. Ever since Barry Bonds left town, the team has not been competitive in the least.

Spending some time up there for the All-Star break, I can relate to the sentiments of Pirate fans since O’s fans here have been struggling to see a winner too.

Pittsburgh sports fans are proud people, and considering it was the home of Roberto Clemente, Bill Mazeroski, Dave Parker, Willie Stargell and Honus Wagner along with the Steel Curtain (Steelers), a city with a rich tradition should not have a baseball team that’s been hard on its luck.

I’m sure the news may be a welcome relief to some up there right now.

* I want to give a shout out to Pramit Mohapatra, a local blogger I met Friday night at Suicidefan.com’s get together for the Ravens’ playoff game. He writes for the Baltimore Sun and covers mixed martial arts, which include the UFC, K1 and Pride Fighting Championships. Well, even though mixed martial arts are as far from baseball as you can get, if you’re a fan of it, it’s worthwhile to check his stuff out. His blog site is at http://www.mma-insider.com/ and his latest article in the sun covers UFC 66. Well, the sport is not for everyone, but for those who love boxing and the martial arts, mixed martial arts is a growing sport and is now getting some serious mainstream coverage. Myself, I would not never consider myself a fight fan, but there’s something very compelling about the UFC gives it legitimacy that boxing is missing right now.

Purple Haze

As we all know, the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens played today at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Being that I am close to Washington D.C. and grew up with the Redskins, I had no connection to the Colts at all & this week much of the Baltimore media has focused on the events of 1984 and the Irsay family.

It was a long day, but an amazing one to behold.

Out of curiosity, I asked a few of my fellow tailgaters why so many Baltimore citizens were still upset at the Indianapolis Colts organization.

I learned something new. The issues for many go beyond the move of the team.

In recent days, Baltimore Sun reporters Roch Kutbako, Rick Mease, and Dan Rodricks have tapped into their own anger as well as the residents of Baltimore and the outlying area towards the Irsay family.

In the Pro Football Hall of Hame in Canton, Ohio, I learned that the records and accomplishments of what happened in Baltimore are credited to Indianapolis. Much of records involving Johnny Unitas and other Colts are attributed to Indianapolis. The Super Bowl Trophy, etc. are held with the Colts.

That’s ridiculous.

When I visited the Sports Legends museum a while back, I wondered why there were not more Baltimore Colt items. I guess my question was answered today.

My typical response until today was Baltimore in way needs to get over the events of 23 years ago, but learning about the passion Baltimore had for its Colts and the deeds of Irsay, I would be pissed and I would not blame anyone for their disdain.

I saw numerous people touch Johnny Unitas’ statue in front of M&T Stadium and realized ever after 23 years, Baltimore’s love of its sports heroes and the past have never died. Even though Baltimore has a fine team with the Ravens, a lot of people still have a very, very soft spot for Unitas and the Colts.

To be blunt, the records and history of the Baltimore Colts should be with the city of Baltimore. When the two Washington Senator teams moved from the 60’s and 70’s, those teams started their own tradition and renamed their teams. When Art Modell moved the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore, he left the Browns history back in Cleveland and started anew with Baltimore.

Well, enough of the negative, let’s move onto the positive.

I took in the ambiance of Baltimore and saw a sea of purple, which was all over the downtown area. For me to see that and take it in is a beautiful thing. Baltimore is a proud city of people, and that is evident more than ever with the Ravens playoff run and the outpouring of support from the city.

With the Orioles being down and out right now, most of the Baltimore sports scene was focused on the game. Hanging out my tailgate buddies, sports is beautiful and bring people from all walks of life together to root for a common cause and if it makes everyone happy for one day, then we are all better for it.

Too bad the Ravens lost. I pretty much predicted a victory, but the Colts had very good ball movement and the kicker, Adam Viniateri was money. The Ravens showed flashes of brilliance, but the offense was just inefficient and they got stunned by Indianapolis.

A fine season by the Ravens, but it will be a long off-season for everyone considering the way the season ended.

My Ramblings

Is this America’s Team? The New Orleans Saints beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27-24. After seeing for myself the devastation on the Gulf Coast and also stories from some co-workers who were stationed down there to help with cleanup with a facility, it would be a great story and inspirational if the Saints made it to the Super Bowl and won.

Peyton and his Commentary on the Irsays: In article posted in the Baltimore Sun, Peyton Manning can relate those in Baltimore and the outlying areas concerning the anger towards the Irsay family.

The owner who moved this team is no longer living," said Manning, who completed 15 of 30 passes for 170 years in eliminating the Ravens from the playoffs. "His son (Jim Irsay) is our owner now and I think they're two different people. I never knew the previous owner and everything I read about him or hear about him, I don't think I probably would have liked him very much."

It’s nice that Peyton opined with his thoughts on the issue. However, I don’t think that will in the minds of people well, and considering the Ravens lost, his thoughts will be rendered empty. Jim Irsay now owns the team; I really don’t think it matters to the people of Baltimore since he’s the son of Robert Irsay.

Peyton’s understanding of the feelings of those in Baltimore comes from the experience of his father, Archie and the constant threats that his father faced with hearing rumors of his team, the Saints possibly having to move.

Salaries/Arbitration: A ton of players are eligible for arbitration. The big names include Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Carlos Zambrano, Dontrelle Willis, Freddy Sanchez & Francisco (K-Rod) Rodriguez. More info can be found here: http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070112&content_id=1778568&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Some guys will be definitely getting a hefty pay raise to say in the least.

Honorable Mention, the Blog Roll: Minnesota Twins pitcher Pat Neshek has a blog at http://eteamz.active.com/PatNeshek/ & it’s cool that a player would be willing to share so much of himself. He comes off as very down to earth and he’s got an eclectic blog to say in the least. As well, he’s got a very cool autograph!

Ducksnorts is an awesome website for those who are hardcore baseball fans. Although the blog is Friar-centric (ok, Padres), it’s a great source for baseball insight and news for any real baseball fan.

Take a look at Random Reality Thoughts, from Rob, a fellow blogger in the Washington D.C. Metro area. It is DC/Baltimore based, but it’s got some good stuff for those interested in the sports scene in that area.

The Pink Seats is a site I visit perhaps once a week, and it has a lot of info about sports from a female perspective. Pink is not my color, but the Pink Seats is a very cool site.

Youtube is Great - The Good, Bad and the Ugly of Sports Videos...

I was scouring Youtube this morning and decided to find some funny baseball video since I did not feel like writing much this morning, as I am getting stoked to tailgate, hang out with friends and hopefully catch some football.

Anyhow, maybe very week or two, I’ll post a series of videos on the Oriole Post that I find alluring, amusing or downright weird and scary. I’ll focus mostly on baseball, but if I see something worthy, it’s being posted.

Alas, here are my first six baseball related videos.

Youtube is amazing.

God bless Youtube, America, and the users who upload to it.

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions to add video, feel free to leave a comment or email me at mdguy2415@aol.com!




Ok, the hair is bad and clothes are a little uncool, and I don’t really like country music outside Johnny Cash or Toby Keith, but the Oakridge Boys honor Nolan Ryahn who happens to be one of my favorite pitchers of all time, and a complete badass.



This video is of Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins with a play on Mean Joe Green’s famous Coke commercial in the 1970’s. This is a commercial promoting the Minnesota Twins and their young star, Joe Mauer. I think this is funny and very *cute*.

I cannot believe I just used the word cute in that fashion.



The original Mean Joe Greene Coke video - classic, simple and just awesome.



I think this Ichiro commercial is funny. As we know, as my friend Janice would say, he’s “got mad skills”.

However, I don’t think I have ever heard him speak in English until this video.



I think Tommy Lasorda is awesome, and I loved him in the series of commercials promoting the 2006 season. This one was my favorite, by far and maybe the girls might have something to do with it.



This video has nothing to do with baseball, but it’s so bad it’s good. Anyhow, this video deals with Vince McMahon singing (lip syncing) and dancing with some girls and wrestlers in the background. I have no idea if he channeled James Brown or found some soul, but I give him credit for being so brazen. It was so good, I mean so bad I played it three times…



My last video for now, but it's a goodie. I love this video, and I'm sure it's been viewed all over already on the internet and on talk shows. It's being posted because I love it, I find it fascinating, and maybe there might be someone who has not ever seen it. This a video that chronicles the history and evolution of Dance from probably the 1950's to the current day.

Quick Hits - Orioles News

Well, Camp Leo is no more: According to the Sun, “Because of a rule in baseball's new collective bargaining agreement, the Orioles have decided not to hold "Camp Leo," a voluntary pre-spring training pitching camp headed by Mazzone. The rule stipulates that all minicamps have to be complete by Feb. 5. The Orioles hadn't planned on having the camp, a tradition Mazzone began while the Atlanta Braves pitching coach, until the following week.”

Oh well. Perhaps it could have only helped the pitching staff get in order and further prepare for spring training.

Did the Orioles know the rules or not? Or was it just an oversight?

Reminder: O’s regular season single game tickets go on sale Sunday at 10am.

Quick Hits: Rodrigo and the Ravens

Rodrigo: The erstwhile pitcher for the O's is gone from the beautiful state of Maryland and now in the Rocky Mountains. All in all, he was a fairy decent pitcher, considering where he was signed from. He won 15 game a a few times and was counted on being a fairly, consistent pitcher most of the time.

Then came 2006. He sucked it up - badly. I always figure it was a bad year, but his attitude due to his failures in 2006 didn't exactly endear him to anyone. Since baseball is a business, rather than a game anymore, he needed to go and a 4 million dollar reliever doesn't appeal to the O's, although we've got Baez.

Rodrigo, you were cool and did your job here the best you could. Happy trails, live long and prosper in Colorado. I'm not going to diss him, as he once stood out for 30-45 minutes and signed for fans, and I got his John Hancock.

Since I need to reach out and touch with my fellow bloggers, here's a roll call of the Rodrigo coverage.

* Camden Chat made me laugh so hard with their post on Rodrigo. Perhaps a little mean, but most O's fans can relate to the sentiment in the post. The proof is in the pictures - Link

* Oriole Central gives their say, but without the blatant humor, though they get their shots - Link

* The Baltimore Sun story - Link

The Ravens: Today will be big day here in Maryland. I live outside of Washington D.C. and no one really cares them here. It was a sea of purple at my job on Friday, but I'm on the wagon and I'm going to support the Purple and Black. Since I live in Maryland, we all might as well support the Ravens, you know.

I say the Ravens beat the Colts if they sport the "D" and don't let Peyton run up the score. If the Ravens can score 20, Indy is done.

I'll be tailgating up there and I'll see if I can get a ticket. If worse comes to worse, I'll just to go a bar and make some new friends.

Speed and Violating the Law: The Reality of Athletes and Drug Enforcement

If anyone has been under a rock for the past 2 days, Barry Bonds has tested positive for amphetamines. When the news first came out, Bonds asserted that he got a product from Mike Sweeney, his teammate that have had some of the same components shared with amphetamines.

I left a post on another site about this same topic, and in my heart of hearts, if drug use in sports really wanted to be stopped, it would have been done long, long ago. If baseball, much less any other sport wanted to stop illicit use of drugs, then Bug Selig and others in position of authority would have the gumption to style the drug testing program held by the Olympics.

The World Anti-Doping Agency has railed against baseball’s testing, and I agree with their standpoint. If baseball really wanted to stop the illegal drug use once and for all, they would not curb into the Players’ Association and just add testing for HGH and whatever else.

Someone remind me, how long has amphetamine use been in sports, most especially baseball?

Folks, all this is all to pacify those with the pitchforks, and not because some executive decided to wake up one day and care.

However, if a system is not in place to stop drug use, then why would one stop doing so?

The answer is simple: Money and power. Now, if fans were really that upset over drug use, they'd stay away and demand changes to occur. We still pay X amounts of dollars to see our heroes play & we’ll go to the ends of the earth to get an autograph and get close to our favorite athletes.

I opine if Barry Bonds and Rafael Palmeiro are using performance enhancing drugs, then some of fringe and every day players have to be doing it.

Human beings will do they need to get ahead, and athletes are no exception. Cheating has been going on since the beginning of time and we live in a culture that actually rewards infamy.

We are all that surprised that cheating still goes on, and is widely accepted?

To be quite honest, a friend and fellow blogger told harked back to when Charles Barkley asserted, “athletes are not role models, parents should be”.

I have now stopped looking at athletes are role models as heroes or icons, & instead I look at them as entertainers. I see athletes today like wrestlers, who have a persona that may or may not be real, but I look at them as what they are – human beings paid to play a kid’s sport and do it the best they can.

I’d love for sports to be clean, and for every athlete to have the social consciousness of a Muhammad Ali or a Carlos Delgado, but the money involved and the adulation is just too much for one to resist heading to the dark side.

When we stop having a Pollyannaish view of athletes, we can further understand the drug debate and why humans give into tempatation.

Quick Hits

Rodrigo a Goner: Rodrigo Lopez has been traded to the Colorado Rockies. The news has been long in the making, but he’s finally gotten out of Baltimore after a woeful 2006 where he lost 18 games. The Orioles will receive 2 minor leaguers in exchange for Rodrigo. He was expendable, as the Orioles had a plethora of starters, and it was more than likely Rodrigo would be part of bullpen if he remained on the team, as it is a role he loathed being in.

Todd Williams re-signed: The Orioles re-signed Todd Williams. He’s signed for 1 year, $775,000 with an opportunity to make an additional $300,000 in incentives.

My Ramblings and Quick Hits

Wondering More About an Old Friend: Washington Post writer Tom Boswell writes on the saga of Frank Robinson’s life after the Washington Nationals. As most people who have kept tabs on me know Frank is my favorite Oriole of all time and I think what he’s been through is an injustice. For man who took a franchise that was dead and neglected made them into a respectable unit and then to have the last few months happen as a result seems wrong to me.

In life, no one owes anybody anything, especially in the business world, but sometimes you have to remember those who served right. The Nationals should not be obligated to give anyone a job, for a man of Frank’s stature, something should be done. It’s more than obvious; he loves that team and wants to be a part of it, though he cannot be on the field.

Shame on Major League Baseball for not taking care of someone who bluntly, did your dirty work for many, many years.

Sorry, this is just wrong.

Rodrigo Lopez: I’m surprised he’s still with the team. I figured he might still be on the team when spring training come about, but according to the Sun, he will not be. There have been longstanding talks to trade him, and he was not dealt in the early part of the winter, for reasons I don’t know. He had a horrible year in 2006, but showed flashes of brilliance, and might be useful for someone.

Is Fenway the Best Ball Park? Maryland’s Tim Kurkjian writes about Fenway Park, and he feels that it’s the best park in baseball. In my personal opinion, I think Fenway is nothing short of a baseball cathedral, full of history, quirks, passionate fans and an aura about it that you cannot find in most other places.

I have been to Fenway Park every year for the past three to catch my Orioles play, hang out with friends in the area, and also scour the Northeast.

However, I feel that it is for my comfort is not the best – I think PNC is.

Fenway Park is probably number 3 in my list of top ball parks, but I think PNC is the best because of its almost perfect fit in Pittsburgh, the food selection, the seating, and aesthetics of the stadium in relation to the community and city. In addition, there’s so much to do there and you’ve got almost every concession in the world that’s there.

Oriole Park at Camden Yards is number two, as it is pristine as it is heading into its 15^th year of operation. I appreciate its coziness, the red brick, the warehouse and the fact it tries to be a ballpark, not all things to all people with too many bells and whistles. The field is a backdrop to the beautiful brick and aesthetics of the design.

It’s got the whole working man’s feel, but yet a beauty about that impresses everyone.

I have been to 19 of the recent ballparks, and I'll justify why each park placed where it did on my list.

The List:

(1) PNC, (2) Camden Yards, (3) Fenway Park, (4) Wrigley Field, (5) Dodger Stadium, (6) Pac Bell Park, (7) Coors Field, (8) Safeco Field, (9) Petco Field, (10) Ewing Kauffman Stadium, (11) Minute Maid Field, (12) The Ballpark in Arlington, (13) Yankee Stadium, (14) Turner Field, (15) Chase Field/Bank One Ballpark, (16) Skydome, (17) RFK, (18) Metrodome, (19) Shea Stadium,

The worst of the worst ever: The Kingdome

Honorable Mention for the worst: Olympic Stadium

O’s Radio: Ray Frager opines on the O’s radio situation.

Quick Hits...

Sometimes I need to think before I speak (or write). I was a crass with another blogger over a particular post and went over the line. I’ve got thick skin, but I also have sense and a conscience, so sometimes you have to do what’s right.

You live and learn, and at my ripe old age, sometimes I need to be careful and read in between the lines.

David Beckham: What can you say? I have no idea if he’s worth 250 million dollars over 5 years, but Los Angeles will be a happening soccer town. I’m sure he’ll be even bigger and better now that he’s across the pond and he’ll have a lot of paparazzi to deal with here – I mean not that England didn’t have them, you know?

Soccer will now be the hot ticket.

If anything, he’ll help to foster the game here and perhaps it will help all of the MLS and his peers take the game to the next level. I’ll be looking to seeing him when he comes to Washington D.C. or New York.

More kids will want to be Beckham. I’m not sure that girls will not want to be Posh Spice though.

Barry, Barry, Barry: Well, at least the news came out AFTER Cal and Tony got into the Hall of Fame. According to the AP, Mr. Bonds had tested positive for amphetamine use. Now, I know we are all after Barry and we really, really, really hate him, but if he’s using uppers and possibly steroids, who else might be using drugs? I’d say a lot of the fringe players and everyday ones do it to keep their jobs. I'd imagine quite a bit take drugs and substances that are in question.

To be perfectly honest, I no longer look at athletes as part of the moral fabric. Sorry, everyone from all spectrums of life cheat and lie to get ahead and its bit unrealistic to assert that athletes won’t or can’t do so. Barry is a product of today’s’ American society, and the thought of cheating to win, is sadly a fact of life and people are celebrated for it.

We should rail against his drug use and his bloated numbers from it, but we should not be all that surprised that anyone cheated in any facet of life to get ahead.

Like I always say, the court of public opinion will take care of those who cheating in sports

Ravens Football: I am a ‘Skins fan by heart, but a Ravens fan by acquired taste. I am going to enjoy this weekend’s games, for sure and will tailgate with friends unless something comes up. It’s a big deal here in Maryland right now, and the Ravens with their tough D will give Peyton a hard time. According to Roch Kubtako, Cal Ripken will be involved with the pregame festivities.

The game really intrigues me the San Diego versus New England. San Diego may have won 14 games and have L.T, but sorry, as I told someone today, I can not bet against Tom Brady – ever.

Fan Disconnect - The Problem with the Orioles

(photo from the baltimore sun)


I’d gotten the idea to write this article after hearing Orioles Hangout’s own Tony Pente chat about the state of the Orioles on a local sports talk radio here in Baltimore one afternoon.

Well, it got me thinking as an Orioles fan, what exactly has changed from the rocking days and nights of Oriole Park at Camden Yards in the mid to late 1990’s to this present day? Why does there seem to be disconnect between the Baltimore Orioles franchise, the fan base and community at large?

Is the “Oriole Way” gone & perhaps for good? The ties that bind the past and present between the Oriole and fans seem to be non-existent.

These days, the only people I can give my tickets away are to Yankee or Red Sox fans.

What was once a prime destination of D.C. and Marylanders for baseball has become a waste of time.

Most nights for the past couple of years in Baltimore (except for Red Sox and Yankee games), whether there were promotions for free stuff, or even heavily discounted tickets and specials, the fans stayed away. This past season, the Orioles only drew 2.1 million people, and that is 1.6 million less than in 1997, when the team drew 3.7 million fans.

This year we had a fan protest led by Nestor Aparacio, owner of WNST, a small sports talk radio station in Baltimore along with endless criticism on part of the media and many observers in the world of baseball.

How has a franchise which was once the epitome of baseball teams fallen so far?

First off, much of the apathy starts at the top with Peter Angelos, the Orioles owner. Much of the resentment of the team is shouldered on Mr. Angelos, as some fans put it bluntly, “destroyed the Baltimore Orioles”.

Mr. Angelos has been seen as a man who cannot make up his mind, as well someone who is meddlesome. It has been reported that he tries to have input in player negotiations and deals, which leaves the perception that all decisions do not through the people that were hired – but through him and him only.

As well, with the teams’ performance on the field as a result, the man at the top is the easiest to blame. Right now, amongst fans, he’s so disliked that clamors of Cal Ripken possibly buying the team brings a layer of hope.

In fact, most fans and the media are convinced that the Orioles will and only improve when the team is sold.

The second reason is that with the exception of a few players, Orioles fans have no one to connect or relate to. In my mind, with the exception of Brian Roberts (who is in and out of the community doing various work, to Melvin Mora, who lives in the area, the superstar shortstop Miguel Tejada, fans have no one to really cheer for and be the public face of the team.

The attitude dampened amongst fans shortly in 2005, after sluggers Rafael Palmeiro and Sammy Sosa were dragged into the steroid debate; as well, a year after that, Tejada, Roberts and Gibbons were thrown into the mix by Jason Grimsley.

One of my fellow bloggers and a few friends have opined Ripken may have had a role in declining attendance via his retirement. When Ripken played in Baltimore, even when the team was bad, but there was a chance he’d do something or make history, and more importantly, he was a Maryland guy, and one who was the epitome of baseball and professionalism. I’ve heard stories of him staying hours after he finished a game to sign autographs and interact with the fans. With the exception of Brian Roberts and a few others, most players get into their SUV’s and roll our of the stadium parking lot.

I’ll say since Ripken’s retirement, the buzz at the park has been gone.

Personally, a way to excite the fans is for the players to be more accessible, either via batting practice, willing to sign autographs and perhaps go or beyond what their obligations are.

Third, the team seems not openly embrace it’s history at all, and this was evidently clear with the Orioles not having any role with the 1966 World Series Anniversary at all, as an event was held at a local university in Baltimore by the Babe Ruth Museum. I found very few mentions of that event in the 2006 season, even though it was a watershed moment in the team’s history.

In addition, the teams needs to bring back many of the old players, whether it’s in a town hall fashion, or at the Sports Legends Museum, or at the park one evening to reconnect those fans who saw the great events of the past and the currents to young to remember “The Oriole Way”.

Also an issue of contention with some fans is that “Baltimore” is not on the road jersey. Tony Pente mentioned this as a cause for some fans, and even Press Box tried to push it as well. The Orioles are Baltimore’s team now, and it maybe will bit of a service to fans to put the name of the city on the road jersey.

For me, I love the old 60’s road jerseys, and yes, it would bring back some nostalgia. I even have one at home of Brooks Robinson.

However, I think that’s an ancillary issue.

The Orioles need to stop blaming the Washington Nationals for the attendance issues, as they are not leaving and I personally think living in between the two cities, each city can support their team. I am sure there was some effect of the Nationals coming into the area in terms of some season ticket and luxury box sales, but what ultimately brings fans to the park is the product.

However, many fans who live in Washington D.C. and south the city do not consider the Orioles to be relevant anymore. I could say in living near that city and going to quite a few Nationals games is that is indeed the case. Most fans who followed the Orioles have adopted the Nationals as their team and new generations of fans who could have been Orioles fans will never be.

In addition, many fans are upset at Peter Angelos blocking a movie initially to move the Expos into Washington, and TV rights issue with Comcast that alienated even more fans, locking a vast majority of Nationals’ viewers out of seeing their team.

Camden Yards may be pretty and an awesome baseball experience, but fans cannot sit through 9 nine years of losing and feel the team does not care for the welfare of the fans.

Times change, people change, but the past does not. However, the future can be changed.

Perhaps with the moves the Orioles have made, the fan base will return if team can be competitive. The players need to show the fans they care, and in turn, so do the fans.

I had an ex-girlfriend tell me, "you see the world with blinders on". Perhaps I do, I feel the same way about my team and how I feel about them. In the end, with the negative, you can always see a positive, and even though the Orioles have had rough time, in the end, as long as the fans care and the players try there's always hope.

Barry Update...

According to ESPN: "Barry Bonds, who has maintained that he has never knowingly taken performance-enhancing drugs, reportedly tested positive last season for amphetamines. Bonds blamed the failed test on a teammate and did not appeal, according to Thursday's New York Daily News."

Link: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2727325

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!

Quick Hits - Late Edition

* For the record, Cal wants to the buy the O’s if they were for sale. Would that be big or what?

* Wondering about a Very Old Friend: According to CBS Sportsline, the Washington Nationals’ first ever manager, Frank Robinson, will not be returning to the team in any permanent capacity. Both GM Jim Bowden and team president Stan Kasten made this known on Monday, but Frank Robinson may be an advisor to the team, working with minor leaguers during spring training.

As all us O's fans know, Frank was a cog in Baltimore winning 2 World Series and he won the Triple Crown with us. Perhaps in some capacity, the Orioles might want to use his guidance and baseball knowledge within the organization. I can understand why the Nationals would not want him back, but there's something just wrong about it and after he did with that team and supported them, Major League Baseball owes him something.

* Maybe I’m biased, but he’s an icon and my all-time favorite Oriole. Perhaps the Orioles might want to extend a branch out to him.

Link: http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9920968 & http://all-baseball.com/oleanders/


* Mark Mulder is staying with the St. Louis Cardinals. He agreed to a 2 year, $13 million contract that could be worth up to $45,075,000 over three seasons with incentives. I figure this was a good move by the Cardinals, in which they stepped back this winter by not seeming to have enough pitching to compete. Mulder, I think may come back, as his track record before the injuries indicate he should be a contender to have a strong season.

* St. Louis also agreed to a one-year, $1 million deal with right-hander Ryan Franklin and minor league contracts with outfielder Rick Ankiel and infielder Jolbert Cabrera.

* My prayers go out to the Mercer family. Well, the tumor in the former Yankee Mercer’s brain was malignant and it might have spread into other areas, which means he’s in an unknown area. My God be with him in this tough time.

* Right-hander Tim Worrell retired Wednesday.

* Scott Schoeneweis and the New York Mets agreed to a $10.8 million, three-year contract.