Hey guys and gals! As some of you know, I spent the weekend visiting my friend Jill and her husband Tristan in San Diego. I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to catch a Padres game while I was there, particularly since Tristan got free tickets from his boss. There were only two tickets and he's not much of a sports fan, so he dropped Jill and me off outside the gate and enjoyed the afternoon to himself. Meanwhile, I got to feel smart by explaining things like double switches and the significance of the batters' eye to Jill, or supplying helpful bits of trivia about Padres history.

We were there for the Sunday afternoon game vs. the Milwaukee Brewers, and it was a beautiful day (in San Diego - go figure): 75 degrees, sunny, no clouds. They were giving away Padres insulated lunch bags to the kids, but at 6'1" with a goatee I couldn't really pass for 10 years old. Oh well. The stadium was nice enough from the outside, but I'm not much of an architecture guy so I couldn't give you details. There was a waterfall and some hanging plants, neat little touches to distract from the sterility of a monolith of a building. The sandstone was something different, since most new ballparks are all about the brick. It's definitely a good fit for the city. 

via d.yimg.com

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Hey folks, I'm heading to Camden Yards for Thursday's game against the Mets and for once it looks like I'll be there a bit early. Let me know if anyone's interested in meeting across the street to have a few beers and pregame. We can do the Diamond Tavern at the Hilton or Pickle's, depending on what works for people. Not sure about time (I still have to get my ticket), but I'm going to shoot for 6:15. It'd be great to see some of you, and I'm sure the O's would appreciate it if we help drown out the large Mets crowd that will likely be there!

via d.yimg.com

Okay, no one's done a game recap recently, and this one actually merits it, so let's dig in. For six and a half innings, this game followed a familiar script. After two batters, the O's had a 2-0 lead courtesy of a Brian Roberts single and a 2-run homer by Adam Jones, Son! Kenshin Kawakami looked turrible in the first inning, and we lost a chance to knock him out early when Matt Wieters struck out on a 3-2 curveball to leave the bases loaded. I'm convinced that he did so as an act of mercy; he doesn't want Gregg Zaun to get too discouraged by his inadequacy in relation to Matt.

While Kawakami settled down (with the assistance of the still-frozen Birds, who stranded nine total runners in the first six innings), the wheels came off again for Mr. Rich Hill. He loaded the bases with two walks wrapped around a blooper that fell between B-Rob and Nick Markakis, and promptly coughed up four runs on two-strike hits by Matt Diaz and the horrible Jeff Francoeur and a Kelly Johnson sac fly. Nate McLouth singled with two outs, but Nick saved Hill's ass from further damage by nailing Francoeur at home. Matt Wieters' sweep tag may or may not have gotten Frenchy, but he sold it beautifully to the ump and got the call.

Once again, Brian Bass was beastly in relief, restoring order with three innings of scoreless relief. He would earn the win to improve to 4-1. Way to go, Fish Pump. So how did he become the pitcher of record? It was still 4-2 entering the bottom of the seventh...

Enter Eric O' Flaherty.

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Perhaps the past few games - really, the young season at large - have broken my brain, but I'm oddly excited about tonight. Adam Eaton starting in Yankee Stadium (2009 edition)? If Guts can give up three straight HR to the bottom of the MFY batting order, there's no telling what Eaton will do. Factor in the almost universal knowledge that this should be the last time he befouls an Orioles uniform before the club finally gives up and moves on to David Hernandez/Chris Waters/other, and we could be looking at the flameout to end all flameouts. Oh, and Joba the DUI Artist is the opposition, so there's that wacky subplot to deal with as well. Let's look at Adam's performance to date, shall we?

For the record, the only quality start came against a White Sox team that's dead last in the A.L. in runs scored (150), and 13th in AVG (.245) and 12th in OPS (.701).

I can feel it in my bones. This should be the horrible start to end all horrible starts. Predictions? I'll say 3 IP, 11 H, 8 ER, 4 HR, 1 BB, 2 K.

According to the Schmucker, the Kangaroo Court is back:

The Orioles are putting together a Kangaroo Court this season, with catcher Gregg Zaun set to preside as judge when it is called to order later this month.

Lots of teams have held court over the years, but one of the most famous Kangaroo Courts was here in Baltimore in the early 1970s, with Hall of Famer Frank Robinson perhaps the most famous Kangaroo magistrate in baseball history.

The Kangaroo Court concept is meant to be fun -- how else do you explain Frank fining Brooks Robinson for "showboating" in the 1970 World Series -- but the courts also have a practical purpose. They allow players to call other players on fundemental errors and lapses in baseball etiquette in a non-confrontational setting.

The money collected either goes to charity or is used for some kind of late-season team meal or party...or both.

"It's just a way to keep people accountable,'' said Zaun. "It's also a good excuse to raise some money and get everybody together for dinner."

 

This is just awesome.

For all of those looking for a brief, amusing distraction from the Mark Teixeira madness, Dean Jones, Jr. reports that Eider Torres (White Sox) and Freddie "Boom Boom" Bynum (Nationals) have found new homes. As near as I can tell, both were inked to minor league deals. Man, the Nats would look awesome with Danny Cabrera on the mound and Freddie at SS next year!

This of course means that of the six horrifying creatures that started at shortstop for the Birds in 2008, only Brandon Fahey (who played an inexcusable 248 innings there) still remains with the organization. When the apocalypse comes, only Brandon Fahey, the cockroaches, and Waffle Crisp cereal will remain.

From Sports Illustrated, Joe Sheehan suggests five radical moves to shake up the offseason. It's a general list, so the only item related to the Orioles is this:

4. The Orioles move Brian Roberts from second to shortstop.

Roberts, playing his walk year in 2009, was Baseball America's National Defensive Player of the Year at shortstop in college. The O's didn't have a reliable shortstop in 2008, and given their farm system and the players on the market, they aren't likely to have one in '09. Roberts would be better than the available options and allow Baltimore -- which is closing in on respectability -- to sign one of many stopgap second basemen (such as Ray Durham and Mark Grudzielanek). If successful, the move would give Roberts even more trade value, something the team needs to maximize.

I'm not sure about this. What if re-learning another defensive position screws with his hitting? Is Roberts at SS and Durham or Grudzielanek at 2B any better than Roberts at 2B and Furcal/O. Cabrera/Izturis/whoever at SS?

It's an interesting hypothetical to kick around, at least.

Sheehan also thinks the Mets should build their bullpen like the Rays: inexpensive young relievers on the verge of a breakthrough. He mentions Scranton-New York Express rider Chris Britton and Dave Trembley's good friend Fernando Cabrera as possible targets. Heh.

Kei Igawa and the Famous Chicken (via brotz13)

I've been meaning to post this scan since the Yankees were officially eliminated from the playoff race, but good intentions and all that. I went to an SWB Yankees game in August, and the promotion was an appearance by the Famous Chicken (aka the San Diego Chicken). As if it weren't funny enough that Kei Igawa spent most of this year at Scranton, this is his second year spent largely at AAA (the photo is from 2007). Let's see: $26 million posting fee, and a five-year, $20 million contract on top of that. Money well spent, guys.

Okay, I've noticed that things are a little dead around here. Sure, the O's are showing signs of grinding toward another listless finish, but that doesn't mean we can't have a little fun! I just did a little rooting around on eBay, and the following game-used jerseys could be yours...if the price is right!

2005 #61 John Maine Home (from his first career win - autographed to boot!)

1999 #41 Jason Johnson Road

1999 #13 Mike Figga (!) Black Alternate

Pretty entertaining stuff. There few a few obscure ones the last time I searched, months and months ago. Doug Linton and Francisco de la Rosa come to mind.

Hey guys, I'm checking in with a little diversion today. As I may have mentioned once or twice, I'm the guy behind the NumerOlogy site and Orioles Card "O" the Day blog. I've intended for some time to sponsor a player page on Baseball-Reference.com, because 1) it's an awesome site that's totally worthy of support and b) throwing up a link to my site totally couldn't hurt my traffic. I'm asking for your input: which Orioles player, past or present, should I sponsor? Here are the guidelines:

1) It should be someone who's not currently sponsored. If you could check it out yourself before making a suggestion, that'd be a big help.

2) I'm a cheap bastard. I'm looking to spend $10, no more and no less. That could be one O.K. player, like Billy O'Dell (who wore 4 different numbers with the O's, making him relevant to my site), or it could be two $5 scrubeenies (like Eli Whiteside and Paul Carey).

3) Obviously, if you have any rationale for your choice, explain yourself.

Thanks,

Kevin

P.S.: While surfing for examples, I found that John Wasdin costs $10. WTF?

Roch Kubatko has confirmed on his blog that he has accepted the Baltimore Sun's buyout package and his last day is this Friday, August 1. He says that he's still "weighing his options", and has not decided what to do yet. But never fear, he will be taking his blog with him. Say what you like about Roch, but he brings readers to that site and they're taking some self-inflicted damage by letting him walk. I still read him every day; the jokes are groaners, but he's got a lot more access to the team than almost anyone. The occasional quote or bit of breaking news makes it worth reading to me.

According to the latest tally from mlb.com one hour ago, Brian Roberts is still in FOURTH for the All-Star Final Vote, with balloting ending today at 5PM. Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria still leads Jermaine Dye of the White Sox, and they've apparently distanced themselves from (h)G(h)iambi, Brob, and that jackass from KC...

(puts on "COLLEGE" sweatshirt)

NOTHING IS OVER UNTIL WE DECIDE IT IS! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! And it ain't over now! 'Cuz when the going gets tough...

The tough get going! C'mon, who's with me? C'mon, let's go! AAAAAHHHHHH!!!

(runs out of CC alone, comes back to see everyone still sitting around morosely)

Hey! What's this lying around shit? What the fuck happened to the Birdland I used to know? Where's the spirit? Where's the guts, huh? "Ooh, we're afraid to go with you Kevin, we might get in trouble." Well just kiss my ass from now on! Not me! I'm not gonna take this. Longoria, he's a dead man! Dye, dead! Giambi...

DEAD!

Seriously, you guys. We're not gonna let some pissant rookie from that concrete retirement home down south take what rightfully belongs to the best damned smurf second baseman in the league, are we? We've got six hours and UNLIMITED VOTES to make a little more Orioles Magic happen.

Let's do it!

Turned on ESPN in time to catch the O's-Stros highlights on Baseball Tonight. What can I say, I'm a glutton for punishment. Anyway, that ESPNews reject Dari Nowkhah was hosting, but at least it wasn't that ass-clown Steve "Fill Thine Horn with Oil and Go Kill Yourself" Berthaiume. Boy, was Dari in rare form. Over the course of the highlights, he managed to state the following:

1) That the Orioles won in the bottom of the ninth.

b) Kevin Millar drove in both runs.

Later, during Touch 'Em All, he noted that Luke Scott was part of the Erik Bedard trade. That's strike three, but hey, who's counting? It's just the Orioles.

Larry Stone of the Seattle Times quotes Mariners manager John McLaren on Erik Bedard :

"I think that's basically what he is,'' McLaren said. "That's the way he was in Baltimore. Basically, he's programmed to go 100 pitches.

"There's not an easy way to put it. I'd love to see him go further, but if he's not capable, he's not capable....There's no use dwelling on it. It is what it is. He's a 100-pitch pitcher."

A pain that O's fans know all too well. Talk about selling high on a guy. It's also worth noting that the genius who brought Bedard to Seattle, M's GM Bill Bavasi, was fired today. Of course, that Bedard trade was the least of his problems. Trading Rafael Soriano for Horacio Ramirez, counting on beat-down, power-deficient Jose Vidro as an everyday DH, paying top dollar for Carlos Silva, Jarrod Washburn, Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson...eugh. This guy made Mike Flanagan look like John Schuerholtz.

For giggles, I scoped out some Yankee blogs this morning to see how they were coping with yesterday's pounding. Peter Abraham of the LoHud Yankees Blog actually had a rational take on the Jeter HBP and LaTroy's response to it...but his readers begged to differ .

The level of Yankee sycophantism (probably not a word) is hilarious bordering on nausea-inducing, including those who refer to Jeter as the Man or "our Man". There's even a Red Sox fan who is very persistent in his (correct) argument that Mr. Yankee dives in with his hands first, which is why he's always getting plunked and which is why he was plunked last night.

But the best are the handful of yahoos who insist that not only was Danny at fault for hitting Jeter, but he'd also thrown at Melky earlier in the game. For those who weren't watching, he threw a pitch high and tight; Melky spun out, but was in no real danger of being hit.

If you've got some time to waste, take a read and try to stifle your laughter.

Okay guys, I need some numerical assistance for my website. When Alex Cintron joined the big league club last Sunday, mlb.com had him listed as #19 (I missed his appearance late in that day's game). On Saturday night, he finally got into another game and was wearing #13. For anyone who caught the Mother's Day game vs. Kansas City, which number was Alex actually wearing that day?

As a P.S., I was at Friday's game and spotted the bullpen catcher wearing #67. Since we cleared out Sam Snider, Orlando Gomez, and Rudy Arias after last year, does anyone know who he is?