SB Nation User Blog: duck

Three 2009 Orioles have decided to refuse an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk and have...

duck — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:50:23 -0000

Three 2009 Orioles have decided to refuse an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk and have elected to file for free agency. Pitcher Rich Hill, outfielder Jeff Fiorentino and catcher Guillermo Rodriguez have filed their paperwork with Major League Baseball and have informed the Orioles that they will become free agents.

Three O's refuse assignment, file for free agency -- baltimoresun.com

World Series Game 4: Yankees (2) at Phillies (1)

duck — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:37:55 -0000

The Yankees took back home-field advantage with their win last night over the Phillies, although with the road team winning two of the first three games, I'm not sure how much advantage there is to be had.

It's Game 4 tonight, and while the Yankees are pressing CC Sabathia into duty on short rest, the Phillies are leaving Cliff Lee for Game 5. There's solid reasoning on both sides - CC has done short rest before, Lee hasn't.

But it is quite the gamble the Phillies are taking leaving Lee on the bench. They are throwing their fourth-best starter, Joe Blanton, against the Yankees' best starter, Sabathia. There's a very good chance the Phils end the night down 3-1, and need to win the remaining games to repeat as champions. Of course, Orioles fans know a little too much about a team down 3-1 to a seemingly superior AL squad coming back to win.

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - CC Sabathia	19-8	34	34	2	1	0	0	230.0	197	96	86	18	67	197	3.37	1.15

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Joe Blanton	12-8	31	31	0	0	0	0	195.1	198	89	88	30	59	163	4.05	1.32

Mother Nature gives Jay-Z and Alicia Keys the rainy elbow...

duck — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:42:58 -0000

Mother Nature gives Jay-Z and Alicia Keys the rainy elbow...

The World Series performance featuring JAY-Z and Alicia Keys has been rescheduled to take place in Thursday's pre-game ceremonies, which airs on FOX starting at 7:30 p.m. Eastern.

First MMA event in MD is payoff for years of patience

duck — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:48:56 -0000

First MMA event in MD is payoff for years of patience

"(W)hen the first legalized professional MMA event held in Maryland takes place tonight at 1st Mariner Arena, it will be the culmination of years of hard work and patience." Great story about John Rallo, the driving force in getting MMA sanctioned in Maryland.

Gameday: NLCS Game 2: Dodgers at Phillies (and George Sherrill, too!)

duck — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:59:49 -0000

View full size photo »

The game is in Philadelphia. The teams are the Phillies and the Dodgers. Discuss if you want.

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Hiroki Kuroda	8-7	21	20	0	0	0	0	117.1	110	59	49	12	24	87	3.76	1.14

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Cliff Lee	7-4	12	12	3	1	0	0	79.2	80	35	30	7	10	74	3.39	1.13

Gameday: ALCS Game 1

duck — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:30:12 -0000

Tonight's game doesn't carry much rooting interest for me, since I'm not about to cheer for the New York Yankees or lend my support to any team managed by Mike Scioscia. I just don't like the dude. He stole the job of my hero, Steve Yeager, just because he knew Spanish and could catch Fernando Valenzuela, and hit something like 50 points better. Whatever. Steve Yeager could throw guys out from his knees!

I digress. The Phillies took care of stealing back home-field advantage last night from my Dodgers, and all of LA is a twitter with the thoughts of a LA Series with the Angels. OK, maybe not. Maybe they're all more interested in the McCourt divorse and who gets the team. Or maybe over the split of Justin TImberlake and Jessica Biel. I'm guessing it's the last one. She wasn't good enough for you anyway, JT.

So back to tonight's game. John Lackey faces CC Sabathia. Bobby Abreu doesn't think $16 million is enough for the next two years. And the Yankess are considering using just three starters in this series.

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - John Lackey	11-8	27	27	1	1	0	0	176.1	177	84	75	17	47	139	3.83	1.27

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - CC Sabathia	19-8	34	34	2	1	0	0	230.0	197	96	86	18	67	197	3.37	1.15

Roch: MacPhail announces Trembley is back in 2010 as manager

duck — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:35:57 -0000

Roch: MacPhail announces Trembley is back in 2010 as manager

Roch Kubatko at MASN Sports says VP of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail will announce tonight that Dave Trembley will return for the 2010 season as the Orioles manager.

MORE FROM ROCH:
"Andy MacPhail confirmed that manager Dave Trembley's option will be picked up next season.

MacPhail said the club will be judged more on wins and losses next season. He had several conversations with owner Peter Angelos, the most recent today.

The front office is satisfied with the way Trembley nurtured the young talent, but MacPhail said the focus next year will shift to the present rather than the future."

Monday Bird Droppings

duck — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:39:42 -0000

More photos » by Tony Dejak - AP

See what you started, Jeremy Guthrie? Now you've got Sean Henn blowing his nose on his jersey, too! Some leader you are! (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Browse more photos »

Tillman may have made last start Sunday - MASNsports.com

Roch says: "Tillman may be shut down after today's start. Manager Dave Trembley dropped a few hints during the last homestand. The right-hander has one start remaining, but Trembley could opt to go the bullpen-by-committee route. I'm not sure who's next in line to enter the rotation, but Lambert or Chris Waters would make sense." Oh, goody. I'm sure that will work out well. -duck

Good news on Pie - MASNsports.com

"Orioles manager Dave Trembley told reporters in Cleveland that outfielder Felix Pie's injury isn't as serious as they first believed. Pie will rest for a few more days and could return to the lineup next week. "We thought it was going to be a whole lot more severe than what it was," Trembley said." Stacey, you can take the candles out of your windows now. -duck

Source: Tampa Bay Rays interested in Chicago Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley - ESPN Chicago

"It appears that there's more than a little interest in Chicago Cubs right fielder Milton Bradley. A source with knowledge of the situation said that the Tampa Bay Rays are very interested in bringing the beleaguered outfielder to Florida." Tampa Bay, you might want to re-think this one. -duck

Rays shut down J.P. Howell - Newsday.com

"J.P. Howell has struggled recently and the Rays have decided to shut down the lefthanded reliever. Howell has pitched 156 innings the past two seasons. That is the third highest among relievers in that span." So we got that going for us in this upcoming series, which is nice. -duck

Dimaond Dave looks on the sunny side - MASNsports.com

"The way I'm looking at it is, we're getting out of this series, we go to Tampa, there will be some sunshine and warm weather, it's another environment, it's an opportunity for us to turn this thing around in our favor. And the only thing you can look at is, tomorrow starts a winning streak for us and let's see how many game we can win coming down the final week of the season." Uh, Dave? Going on the road to play a team that had lost 11 in a row before they swept you last week probably isn't the best way to break out of a slump. -duck

O's relievers failing to show they belong in majors -- baltimoresun.com

"The hope was that the additions would bolster a tired bullpen and give several pitchers an opportunity to show that they belong at the major league level. What it has done instead is reveal a lack of organizational depth in that area and likely made several necessary offseason roster decisions much easier to make." Don't even bother making the "small sample size" argument. The current crew is bad, and probably won't get better. So we will try AGAIN next year to find 6 or so decent relievers... -duck

Swept by Indians, O's hit a new low -baltimoresun.com

"Perhaps it's impossible for a team that is more than 30 games under .500 and has been playing mostly meaningless contests for months now to hit rock bottom in the final days of a 162-game season. But leave it to the Orioles to find a way." Wait, the O's are still playing? Hadn't noticed. -duck

Orioles-Rays Preview - CBSSports.com
"This season won't be as memorable as last year's run to the AL East title and their first pennant, but if the Rays win four of their final seven, they'll become the eighth major league team to win 180 games over two seasons after losing 180 in the previous two years." Let's just say I'm hoping they don't get it. -duck

I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who's ever lived: I've loved Open Thread with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough.

Nolan Reimold goes to DL: Achilles' surgery ends season

duck — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:22:16 -0000

Nolan Reimold goes to DL: Achilles' surgery ends season

Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold's solid rookie season has come to an end. He will placed on the 15-day disabled list and have surgery Wednesday to repair the Achilles tendon in his left foot, which will keep him sidelined for three to four months but shouldn't affect his status for next season.

Orioles to start '10 season with rare road opener

duck — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:22:13 -0000

Orioles to start '10 season with rare road opener

The Orioles will spend a rare Opening Day on the road in 2010, when they will start off their season April 6 in Tampa Bay. Baltimore has spent 16 of the past 18 season openers at home, with 2007 and 1995 standing as the lone exceptions.