Gibbon's Suspension Rescinded By Baseball Thanks to New Drug Pact...

Sometimes in order to make progress, you have to let things go -- like letting those who broke the rules off the hook. Looks like although Jay Gibbons is unemployed, he won't be facing punishment (if he is ever in uniform again) -- the same goes for current Royal, Jose Guillen.

At least baseball is getting there in terms of their drug testing...

Baseball players and owners have agreed to amend their drug agreement, a decision that allows for more frequent testing and eliminates 15-day suspensions assessed in December against Jose Guillen and Jay Gibbons.

The deal, reached after months of negotiations, strengthens the authority the independent administrator has over the drug program. But baseball did not heed advice from the World Anti-Doping Agency and turn drug testing over to an outside agency.

Let's see how this works out, although any player who gets caught these day must be real stupid...

Tech Tags: jay gibbons, jose guillen, baltimore orioles, steroids, drugs, major league baseball

Recommended Reading: East Coast Bias

Worth reading, we can hope as Orioles fans that the tide is finally starting to turn with only 153 games left. Maybe we can make something of this year after all...

From the East Coast Bias blog.

Tech Tags: baltimore orioles, baseball

Painting Katy
We are a full service paint contractor located in katy, texas. We do both residential and commercial work. We do both interior and exterior painting. Call today for a free quote on your paint project!

From MASN Sports: Adam Jones Chats It Up With Amber Theoharis...

Our hope, our future (Adam Jones) chats with Amber Theoharis. Right now, he's a bit raw and although he's done nothing to lose his spot, and looks to be still learning the ropes of the big leagues. I have no doubt he'll bust out one of these days an be an All-Star; however, we as fans need to be patient -- the potential is there based on a catch I saw him make last night, and also his athleticism.

The Streak Snapped; Loewen, Facing the Rays Next

The Orioles on Thursday got swept in a day-night doubleheader to the Texas Rangers. Their six game win streak ended, and has been replaced with a two game losing skid.

Despite the losses, the Oriole pitching came through and the strength of the team, the bullpen cost the team late in game two.

Baltimore lost to Texas, 3-1 in the first game of the double-header. Trachsel was respectable; however, he had a tough seventh inning and ended up yielding two runs.

In game two, Loewen is looking as I thought he’d be — off. From my point of view, he’s trying to find himself on the mound and seems to be kind of forcing things. At the rate he’s going, it could be a short night for the tall lefty. However, he’s managed to work himself out a few jams. Despite Jay Payton's two-run shot and Millar's game tying RBI late, Bradford was the hard luck loser as they Rangers just gained little by little off the bullpen and were able to cross the plate in the 8th.

Let's give the Baltimore Orioles credit -- they had the fight in them and really wanted to win, the chance to despite packing it in -- which was the case in quite a few games last year.

Now, they head over to Tampa to face the Rays for three. In light of the predictions for Tampa Bay this season, I don't where they'll end now considering the injuries to Kazmir and Garza; however, I can say this with my own eyes, both teams seem to be playing much better baseball than they have in the past.

Can Aubrey continue to lay the smack down on his former team? Can Guthrie send us to victory on Friday and which Daniel Cabrera will we see this series?

Stay tuned, it should be fun to watch.

Sobering Reality & We Play Two Down In The Deep Heart of Texas...

I was reading the Washington Post baseball chat this afternoon, and columnist Dave Shenin gave us perhaps a few sobering realities concerning the Baltimore Orioles, despite their amazing start.

Silver Spring, Md.: Dave, what on Earth is going on up I-95?! As one of those misguided lifelong O's fan, I'm happy and all, since my husband kept telling me I was looking at an 120-loss season (and since he's a Tigers fan, that number holds great importance in our house), but I fear this is all a dream and its all going to end VERY badly. Is the season salvageable? As in, not finishing last? Not being the laughing stock of MLB? PLEASE?

Dave Sheinin: It's great that the Orioles are playing so well, but it happens every year, folks. A good team has a terrible start, and everyone wants to write them off, while a bad team has a great start, and everyone wants to print playoff tickets. You sound as if your expectations are reasonable -- you're asking me if the Orioles can avoid last place (yes, but unlikely), as opposed to asking whether they can be a contender (no way). Keep in mind, the Orioles are still probably going to trade Brian Roberts, and it is possible they will also deal away Aubrey Huff, George Sherrill and/or others this summer -- because the goal here is not to hang around the fringes of contention into June, but rather to build a strong foundation from the ground up. A fast start is not going to change that.

A few more questions asked by some chatters:

Taneytown, Md.: Break up the Orioles! Will Markakis have a break-out season this year?

Dave Sheinin: Breakout season? I'd say his 2007 numbers (.300-23-112, with an OPS of .847) at the age of 23 constitutes a breakout season.

and...

Judiciary Square: Dave, I saw the attendance for one of the O's/M's games was a bit over 10,000. Since this is tickets sold, I assume their season ticket base is, at best, barely 10K. How big a falloff is that from past years, and where does is stand relative to other MLB teams?

Dave Sheinin: The Orioles' attendance has declined in nearly every season since 1997 (3.71 million), bottoming out in 2006 at 2.15 million. They haven't released season-ticket data, but your logic is correct. I can tell you this: as someone who covered the O's when they were still drawing 45,000/game, it is shocking to me to see Camden Yards so empty. But it's a useful lesson in the one basic truth about sports and attendance: if you put a good product on the field, people will show up.

I cannot disagree with Shenin's thoughts, as they will probably turn out to be correct; however, stranger things have happened.

The Matchups today:

* Game One: Steve Trachsel (1-0) vs. Kevin Millwood (0-2)
* Game Two: Adam Loewen vs. Kason Gabbard

The Orioles once again need to get their bats going in both games, as we know what we getting with Trachsel & I'm not quite sold on Loewen yet.

Follow the thread on Oriole Magic...

Aubrey Huff: Being Told What To Do Versus What Not To Do...

Aubrey Huff. His name either brings scorn or praise; however, for the first two weeks, it's been a lot of the former.

In this week's edition of Press Box, Amber Theoharis thinks we should forgive Mr. Huff for his statments in general on the "Bubba The Love Sponge Show" and his other displays of silly behavior before his infamous statements and thereafter.

Of course, this is not withstanding that the fellow has been nothing short of a jackass before he got to Baltimore, blowing off fans asking for autographs after games and at spring training.

If this were only a only time thing, I'd let bygones be bygones; however, he's not endeared himself to the community or fans in general.

The Orioles are winning. It has been a long time since anybody wrote that line in this town. It feels good -- so why are some fans still holding a grudge? You know who you are -- the fans who booed Aubrey Huff this past week despite the Orioles’ 5-1 record through the first six games and some of the best team ball played in Baltimore in 10 years.

It’s time to stop. It’s useless and counterproductive to the progress the Orioles have made on the field.

The whole situation was sad. Against Tampa Bay, fans cheered when Huff doubled, then went right back to booing when he grounded out -- talk about playing both sides of the fence.

Let’s hope fans display a little more forgiveness next homestand. If not, Baltimoreans risked being shown up by Washingtonians. Sound off the wall?

Hmm, so if he hits his way out of a slump, should we forget what he said about Baltimore.

Of course the way to absolve a person of their stupidity is to of course compare him to another person who committed even more stupid and riskier act.

Her example: Current councilman and former multiple-term mayor of Washington D.C. -- Marion Barry. That's fine and well; however, despite his stupidity, Marion Barry did endear himself to people (that's always subject to interpretation), but people feel Huff has not.

There are several things an 11-year-old can’t comprehend -- world politics, global economy, the fact that “spin the bottle” is always rigged. Preteens simply aren’t big thinkers, and perhaps that’s why my recollection of the 1990 Marion Barry scandal is weird at best. As a bucked-tooth 11-year-old, I remember watching the news and seeing that notorious video of the mayor of Washington, D.C., smoking crack with a hooker. The hooker part of the story confused me because we’d only gotten to Chapter 2 in Mr. Watson’s sexual education class.

I was, however, a proud graduate of the D.A.R.E. drug awareness program and was certain crack was bad. It was clear the mayor of the nation’s capitol had really screwed up.

After serving a six-month prison sentence and just four years after the big bust, Barry ran for reelection in 1994. He won. Now that’s forgiveness.

We can’t forgive a ballplayer who made some dumb comments, but our neighbors to the south can forgive their crack-head mayor?

Huff was booed on Opening Day as if he committed a felony. Did Huff cheat the game? Use steroids? No -- he did much worse. He disrespected Baltimore.

Self-admittedly, Huff made a mistake by making ill-advised comments on an out-of-town radio show about Baltimore’s nightlife. Huff is an honest person whose candid, off-beat personality is the source of a lot of laughs in the clubhouse. He’s the kind of player whose sarcasm and outlandish comments made a long 2007 season bearable for his teammate.

I don't buy he's so much sorry, but he got caught. He said what he really felt that day, and that's fine; however, it's a little bit silly to not expect people to get upset over comments made about a city you spend half the season in.

I'm sure he doesn't have a problem cashing or depositing a pay check with the "Baltimore Orioles" written ink on the upper left hand side.

For the most part, I'm indifferent to booing or not booing him - I just sit there when he comes to bat. We cannot tell people what to do to or what not to do. People will cheer when they want to, and right now, Huff has to live with his statements.

Like I told people before the season -- Baltimore fans have long, long memories (a lot of people are still pissed that the Colts left town a generation ago), and for a group who has enormous pride of their region, Huff's episode as I thought would not be forgotten in the off-season.

Peter Angelos Writes Revisionist History (From Oriole Magic)

Been a busy morning in these parts, but I was reading the Baltimore Sun just now and apparently, Peter Angelos wants the Washington Nationals to succeed and he thinks the attendance at Oriole Park is lacking, um, because of the weather!

In addition, he's all for us Oriole fans catching the occasional game in Washington.

I wish I had the money and power to write revisionist history; however, most of us know better than to believe the assertions of Peter Angelos. I don't think he's a bad guy, and I have all belief that Angelos bought the team thinking he could make it better and bring a Championship back to Baltimore.

How things have not worked out.

"There's no law against visiting the other franchise," Angelos said in an interview with The Sun. "One's a National League city and one's an American League city."

Angelos had once argued the region couldn't support two franchises.

"Originally, I said [Washington and Baltimore] were very close to each other," Angelos said. "But nonetheless, it is the nation's capital, and the team is there, and it ought to be supported, and hopefully, both franchises will provide successful baseball."

Really. I guess this is where your lawyer skills come in handy. We're you not against the move of the Expos to Washington and did you not fight tooth and nail to stop it?

>>>Read More Here...

Houston Kitchen Remodeling
We are one of the oldest and most trusted kitchen remodeling companies in houston, texas. We have over 30 years experience in the kitchen remodeling business and we have designers that are ready to impart their vast design ideas to you. Call today!

Review: "Baseball, 365 Days," by Joseph Wallace

I'm a huge photo hound, as I have various types of photography in my house, and as well, thoroughly enjoy taking action sports photos. For a hobby that's so near and dear to me, I've got the book for you.

Obviously, if you're reading this blog, you love baseball and recently I was given a copy of "Baseball, 365 Days" by Joseph Wallace; thus, naturally being a fan of the sport, I have fallen in love very much with it.

However, "Baseball, 365 Days" isn't just about baseball photos -- it's literally and archive of the game from the early 70's to today.

It features everything from colorful fans, to Ozzie Smith in the field, to Nolan Ryan being fierce on the mound and everything in between. Each stunning photograph -- from plays in the field to tender moments, like fans interacting with their favorite player were picked from the archives of Major League Baseball.

The book isn't just litany of pictures placed in a book --- each photograph tells a story, from one of exuberance to pain.

With each photograph, Wallace gives a brief summation and commentary about the picture at hand -- but, keep in mind -- it's the pictures that tell the story, not the words on the page.

"Baseball, 365 Days", may rival "War and Peace" in terms of the number of pages, I assure you it's a much more fun and enjoyable book.

I have the book on my desk, and in the end, I make it point look at it every so often now, not only to become a better photographer and story teller -- it's because I love the game of baseball so much.

The Hits Keep Coming Radio Show: 7PM Tonight!!!

Tune in tonight as bloggers Ian of Sox of Dawgs and Jason of My Baseball Bias join me for our hour long baseball show called, “The Hits Keep Coming” on Blog Talk Radio. Every week at 7PM Eastern Time (6PM Central/ 5PM Mountain/ 4PM Western/Pacific) we chat, analyze and comment about the world of Major League Baseball.

This week: The wacky first week that was...

If you’d like to call in, the phone number is 718-664-6564 or you can send us an instant message if you use AOL IM at hitskeepcoming20.

Please join us at: http://blogtalkradio.com/oriolepost - 8 PM Eastern Time tonight!

Topics to be discussed this evening:

* Orioles 6-1, Tigers 0-7 will it continue?
* St. Louis’ hot start as well as Milwaukee in the NL Central
* Opening day at Fenway
* Yanks injuries, are they serious?

You can listen to last week’s show by going over to the sidebar on the left and look for the Blog Talk Radio section.

See you all tonight!!!

Houston Bathroom Remodeling
We are one of houston’s top bathroom remodeling firms. We offer free estimates and perform free computerized designs of your kitchen so that you can see what it will look like before you buy. Call today for a free consultation with one of our desig

Seven In A Row? Are We Drinking the Kool Aid?

Well, we all may be drinking the Orange Kool-Aid, or we may be cautiously optimistic; however, the Baltimore Orioles are on a roll.

I posted this as a comment yesterday in response to Heather Irvin's thread on Oriole Magic, but I know better than to think the Orioles will contend in ‘08, much less will finish better than .500; however, what are seeing with Baltimore is what makes April a month where a team can either have a feast or go through famine like the powerful Tigers in Motown — it gives us fans hope.

In the end, Baltimore may come crashing down to earth this week, or next, but for once it was kind of nice to take a vacation from the negativity and whatever else.

The streak makes for great water cooler talk, and although the natural laws will finally descend on the Orioles — at least we have had some positivity in Bird-land, and it’s not been around for a long time.

We still need our starters to go deeper, Hernandez may not be the real deal, and whatever other problems the O’s have still need to be resolved, but things are a lot different from ‘07.

It’s been an entertaining week, and as Heath (of Dempsey's Army) said, yesterday, "let’s all enjoy the ride", because we will probably return to bitching and complaining soon enough.

Here are the highlights from yesterday:

Bill Buckner Returns to Fenway and The Red Sox

After winning two World Series in the past few years, it seems like the ghosts of the past in Boston are starting to subside. Well, Bill Buckner, who made perhaps the biggest error in baseball history during the 1986 World Series, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to a loud ovation Tuesday at Fenway Park before their home opener.

Growing up, I had seen this man abused by the media - unfairly, for making an error from a routine play.

Some people forget baseball is just a game, and life goes on. It was good to see Buckner back at Fenway and the crowd adore him; however, it's too bad that it had to take two World Series and the landscape of the game changing forever for him to even done this.

ESPN Giving The O's Love...

Hey, we're getting there on ESPN provided we can keep winning and make something of the 2008 season.

The Royals winning, Florida in first in the NL East? The Tigers and Rockies tanking? Luke Scott leading the ML in hitting? Aubrey Huff leading the ML in RBIs? Ok, so it's only April 8th and there's five months left in the season for the natural order to take shape, but weirdness is what makes the first few weeks interesting.

Recommended Reading: "D.C. Stadium Frees Orioles To Return Focus To Baltimore"

Take a minute to read this great article by the Sun's George Weigel. It's a wonderful piece about the Baltimore Orioles and their "regionalism" attempt.

I live in Montgomery County and grew up outside of Washington D.C., so I can understand the point of regionalism and the Oriole marketing strategy; however, considering the state the baseball team and Camden Yards is pretty much empty sans the Yankees and Red Sox are in town, it's about time that the team tries to reconnect with the city.

Plus, the marketing concept is kind of old considering the Washington Nationals in the region.

There are quite a few fans like me root for both and grew up loving the Orioles; alas, it would not hurt to put "Baltimore" back on the road jerseys and whatever else.

I, and other fans know the Orioles play in the city of Baltimore and it would not kill us to see the city return back to the uniform.

Do fans of the Red Sox in Maine feel offended that the road jerseys say "Boston" on them?

Of course not.

Do what's right.

Six In A Row; Orioles Down Rangers, 8-1

Where are the Baltimore Orioles who we thought would suck and what has been done with them? In another combination team effort at the plate, backed the impressive outing by Brian Burres (yes, folks I have spelled his name right finally), Baltimore beat Texas, 8-1.

Luke Scott and Scott Moore homered for the Orioles while Aubrey Huff, who's hotter than hell right now went 4-for-4, nearly missing a home run, and had 4 RBIs.

Granted, it may all change next week, but things could not be any better at the moment.

Trachsel is on the hill for us Wednesday night, as Baltimore goes for it's seventh win in a row.



Houston Roofing Companies
How to find reputable roofing companies

Baltimore Goes For Six in Row; Up 4-0 In the Deep Heart of Texas & Video...

Well, the Baltimore Orioles are up 4-0 down in the Deep Heart of Texas right now. Both Luke Scott, and Scott Moore have homered for the Birds. Burres has gone 4 strong innings so far. I don't expect him to go more than five or so, but if he can get in a quality start, Baltimore will be in great shape.

Yee-Ha; yipppi-kayee. Will the Orioles finish up today with six straight wins?

I just a minute ago looked at what some of the media, blogs and including myself have said about the team before the games started to count and it's startling to compare and contrast what was said versus what's going on now.

Maybe reality will hit the Orioles, perhaps they have a lot of magic and are a lot better than previously indicated. Maybe Jamie Walke's words sparked the troops?

Whatever is going on, it's a good time to be an Oriole fan. Me, I am a happy fan-boy.

I've got a game thread running at Oriole Magic, so jump on and enjoy the party.

Video Recap of the Baltimore Orioles vs. Seattle Mariners

Aubrey Huff Talks About The Victory With MASN's Amber Theoharis...

Video courtesy of MASN Sports. Check out their site for more Orioles info!

Jamie Walker Opines On The Media & Expectations...

Baltimore Beats Seattle For Fifth Win A Row: Sweep Series

Wow, who would have thought the Orioles would be 5-1 after six games? Well, the Birds beat the Boys of Seattle, 5-4, this afternoon.

So much for being one of the worst Oriole teams of all time. Perhaps we may still be bad or horrible, but the Black and Orange are trying their best to prove the naysayers all wrong.

There are only 156 games to go; however, right now it's an exciting time for us fans.

The hero of the day -- beleaguered slugger Aubrey Huff who hit a solo home run in the 8th inning to put the "w" in the win column for Baltimore.

Sherill earned his 4th save in 5 games, and Sarfate now leads the team with 2 wins. Daniel was Daniel, but after a win over a strong Mariners team, you've got to be only proud of the Birds.

Go O's.

The Week In Review; Luis Hernandez Chats With Amber; Rundown...

Folks, the Baltimore Orioles are 4-1 and sitting atop the division.

It’s been a good week for fans as the Birds split the series with the improved Rays and have taken three straight from the Seattle Mariners, supposed contenders in the AL West. We go for the series sweep this afternoon & so far and we have seen a little of everything from everyone.

The starting pitching still concerns me, and the Orioles still may not have enough offense; alas, we are on top of the Red Sox, Yankees and Jays.

As today is Monday, what do you think the week holds? Do we keep the streak alive? What do you think of Trembley? The shortstop situation? Huff? Jones and Scott?

Also, what do you think of the classic “Oriole Magic” song being replaced before the game before with a song by the group, “Saliva”? Ok, I am a little split on this -- the "Oriole Magic" song is very outdated; however, it's uniquely Baltimore and something that I at least have looked forward to hearing before each and every game.

Although the players don't want it played before games, after the game the guys embraced the song like never before....

Here's a nice piece from MASN Sports that was posted last night by Amber Theoharis. She was able to get an interview with yesterday's hero Luis Hernandez, and he looked like a little kid who got his first hit. It was something refreshing to see at this level and his utter joy at getting a key hit to send the fans home happy.

Meanwhile, we as fans are riding high -- thus, let's hope we can get the sweep this afternoon against Seattle. Steve Melewski of MASN gives us a preview of today's game, & Casey Willett reports that the Orioles are loose and ready to have fun.

Damp Proofing West Yorkshire
Offers roofing, property repairs, structural restraint, damp proofing, timber treatment, wall tie replacement and electrical contracting.

Photo Gallery: Seattle Mariners vs. Baltimore Orioles, April 6th; O's Beat Mariners, 3-2

Photo Gallery: Seattle Mariners vs. Baltimore Orioles, April 6th; Balto., Md - Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Today was a wonderful day at the Yard, as Luis Hernandez (yes, him), had a walk-off RBI single in the bottom-of-the-ninth inning to send Baltimore to victory as they beat the Mariners, 3-2.

Basically, the Orioles had their backs to the wall, as they were shut-out by young phenom, Felix Hernandez for eight innings, until the M's bullpen took over and things went haywire.

With J.J. Putz out on the DL, the Mariners turned things to Eric O'Flaherty. Let's just say he was awful.

The O's rally in the ninth would start off with Nick Markakis doubling to left; thereafter, Kevin Millar grounded out to move Markakis to third; the next batter, Aubrey Huff grounded out as well to drive him in.

Luke Scott came up after Huff, with two outs, and singled to right getting the ball past Seattle's Jose Vidro. Seattle manager John McLaren pulled the book on O'Flaherty and Mark Lowe came into the game to try to close it out.

However, Lowe was just as bad as O'Flaherty. Well, Jay Payton poked a single to right, and there were runners on first and third; thereafter, Lowe walked Ramon Hernandez and threw a wild pitch on ball four to score Adam Jones, who was pinch running for Luke Scott.

Then, Luis Hernandez did his thing and sent the crowd left at the Yard into a frenzy, despite the chilly conditions.

Baltimore starter, Jeremy Guthire had a solid outing; however, the offense could not muster up anything for him before the comeback in the ninth inning.

Seattle's runs were scored thanks to an Richie Sexson RBI in the third and Raul Ibanez home run in the sixth. Too bad the Mariners spoiled Hernandez's great outing; alas, this win gives the Orioles an air confidence as they go for the sweep on Monday.

Yes, we're in first place in the AL East and 4-1; very, very nice. Let's see if we can keep it up!