SB Nation User Blog: elktonfan

What a weekend!

elktonfan — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:21:20 -0000

Wow, what a weekend at CBP!

Had the chance to visit the home of the Fightin's for all three games, and while the corporate tix I got from the boss got me 10 rows from the field on Friday and Saturday, my own quick pick of a couple of cheap standing room tix for yesterday were the real winners of the weekend.

The O's really played wonderful baseball, except for all of the frustrating RISP that were still haunting them on Saturday.

My top five highlights from the weekend -

The Roberts homer on Saturday. Down to his last strike, he hammered the crap out of that ball. The Phils were one strike from celebrating, and with one mighty swing BRob silenced 45,000 screaming fans. I think I heard about twenty "Yes" cheers as he rounded the bases - but the silence that fell over that place in the blink of an eye was a thing of beauty.
Georgie pitching lights out on Sat and then yesterday. He was wicked good.
The standing room seats @ CBP. You can travel anywhere in the park, just don't try and take a seat. I spent 3/4 of the game standing above the field level seats behind home plates, in a beverage stop complete with cup holder, etc. Awesome.
Dinner @ Tony Lukes on Oregon Ave both Sat and Sunday. We love us some Boogs, but these guys make the best roast pork and roast beef sandwiches in the world. Hands down.
Being able to come into work today and laugh out loud at my Phille Phanatical office mate.

OK my fellow chatters

elktonfan — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:00:24 -0000

As the newest Oriole Hall of Famer prepares to make his MLB debut tomorrow, and then the answer to my question will moot to say the least, I thought I would take this opportunity to ask my fellow O's fanatics on this wonderful site....

Who is your favorite Oriole catcher, besides he who hath, nor requires, no name?

Hoiles?Gil?Quiroz?Dalrymple?Hendricks?Johnson?Others?

For me, it was Andy Etchebarren. Caught tons of great pitchers, had an ok arm, and when I was a kid growing up, that was one of the first long words I learned how to spell....etchebarren.

Your take?

SC told me he'd let this slide.

elktonfan — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:02:24 -0000

SC told me he'd let this slide.

Matt Weiters watch

elktonfan — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:04:24 -0000

This fall, our number one draft pick Matt Weiters is playing his baseball in the Hawaii fall league..wooden bats and all. He is playing for the Honolulu Sharks. The league has a pretty decent site, with daily box scores and game recaps.
You can track his, along with a few other O's prospects, by going here:
http://www.hawaiiwinterbaseball.com/teams/sharks

Anna, we missed ya!

elktonfan — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 20:34:39 -0000

The worst part of having Kris Benson on the DL this year has been not having his lovely, yet perhaps a bit wacky, spouse to discuss and look at.
Found this on the internets and thought I would share..
Now here is one fine way to show your O's colors!!!
Now, in order to post this lovely pic, I must post a minimum of 300 characters.
ok- how bout
ooooooooooooooh baby!

Happy Birthday, Brooksie!

elktonfan — Fri, 18 May 2007 12:15:04 -0000

Number 5, the greatest third baseman to ever step foot on a diamond, turns 70 years old today!
A very Happy Birthday to my childhood idol, and the one professional athlete whose autographs I have kept to hand down to my grandchildren when I leave this place.
Brooks, along with Carl Yaz, are the only two ball players in Major League history, to have played all of a 23 year career in the bigs with the same club.
A first ballot Hall of Famer, 16 time gold glove winner, MVP of the American League, of the World Series, and the greatest ballplayer I ever saw at the hot corner, Brooks is the face of the wonderful organization that we now know as the Orioles. My, how things have changed!
Many Happy Returns, Brooks. You are still my hero!

That's it for me....I'm done.

elktonfan — Sun, 13 May 2007 22:29:28 -0000

See you guys when the Front Office decides that the once proud Oriole organization finds it within their tiny little brains to hire a true baseball professional to lead this team from a manager's role.
Sam Perlozzo may actually be the worst manager in the history of this franchise.
Today's meltdown after the near shutout by our young Guthrie, and the subsequent failure to close out this game, is the end for me.
I will not waste one more minute listening to them, watching them, or reading about them until PA or Flanny gets rid of Perlozzo, and his walk happy Leo Mazzone. They suck. Period.
I'm sick of, I can't take it, and I certainly have better things to do with my time than to waste it on garbage like this.

MASN and 105.7FM

elktonfan — Wed, 02 May 2007 23:03:21 -0000

We are a month in to this season, and we have two new media outlets doing the games for us.
My critiques as of today:

MASN - Gary Thorne, bloody sock comments aside, has been a decent change from Jim Hunter. He is enthusiastic without being a total homer, and calls games like a true professional.
Jim Palmer has been his usual obnoxious self, and gets on my nerves it seems like every time I watch the games.
Buck is solid, and I only wish he would just supplant Palmer and do the home games too.
The TV coverage has been ok technically, but the GIANT graphic for the score, count, etc is way too big. I do wish they would spring for HD cameras and dolby sound, but such O's suckage is just as easliy watched in analog as HD.

FHS -105.7FM -
The pregame coverage is nothing like it used to be on WBAL...the manager's show is gone replaced by the pregame media gaggle with Sam..and it sucks.
Tom Davis has been useless going back to his HTS days. Just a waste of air other humans could be breathing. A straight homer.
Dave Johnson is as bad at coverage as he was pitching, which ain't saying much.
Joe Angel is funny, informative, and a true O's fan. He doesn't tow the company line, and he may eventually find himself like Jon Miller and run out of town.
Fred Manfra is a bombastic butthead, slow to the call, boring, and very unprofessional.

Comments?

Meanwhile, in the Bronx...

elktonfan — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 23:07:31 -0000

The Boss issued a press release today that he fully expects his team and the staff to improve and give the Skankee fans a championship season before it's all said and done..the dreaded vote of confidence!

Torre has changed pitchers a whopping 95 times in April, the second most in Baseball history, according to the Elias Sports bureau.
Gosh, I thought that Perlozzo was doing it more than that, but I guess I was wrong. Maybe it only seems that way.
Our suckage is great, but at least we don't have a $200 Million payroll that is underachieving.
So, while we flounder below 500 for the 10th consecutive year, we're not in pinstripes and sitting in the cellar.
They are currently the 3rd worst team in baseball, and that is my silver lining so far this season.
I know, it won't last. They'll find someone to bail them out and pitch some innings, but it sure feels real nice tonight.

Are you getting excited yet?

elktonfan — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 17:09:14 -0000

I know I am.
Last night, I had to go up to North Philly for a job. It was over at 8, so I tried to dial up 105.7, but got some classic rock station on the Jersey Shore instead of the O's game. So, I tried to listen for a score on the Phillies game and of course nearly fell asleep listening to Kalas and "Wheels", so it was the last resort to get 880 WCBS and our beloved John Sterling. Tuned in just as Veritek had tied it 2-2, and then heard A-Rod hit his 2nd of the night as Crisp did a back flip into the bullpen.
Finally, I heard the O's score and was excited that D Cab was still tossing and we were 2-2 in the 6th.
Finally, as I made my down I-95, I got the O's game somewhere around Wilmington.
I used to be able to hear WBAL at night all the way to New York on some evenings, so I'm not sure that I'm liking this switch to FM very much. Yeah it sounds better, but the reception outside of Maryland is not real good.
Anyway, back to the game.
Listened as D Cab walked the lead off guy in the 7th, and then proceeded to load the bases and get pulled. Manfra then cursed Parrish, saying he is NOT a situational pitcher, and he can get righties as well as lefties out. Next pitch- bullet off Melmo's glove and a 4-2 deficit.
So, I get home, and start talking to the wife. She's watching something, and heads to the bathroom. Turn the channel to check the score, and they had ties it up!
Then, great at bat by Corey and a clutch base knock. Bako lays it down, and they walk our lead off guy.
Melmo gets the walk, and then our own superstar in the making gets the grounder through the drawn in infield!
Man, this team is fun right now. In years past, I never ever would have expected us to come back on Toronto twice in the same game. We are actually playing heads up baseball, and being patient at the plate. Two nights ago they were patient with Kazmir, got into the bullpen, and scored late. Last night, they forced Burnett into a ton of deep counts and got into the Jays pen again.
Finally, they seem to be on the right path.