It's really time to start pitching around A-Rod. When he's hot, he's in Pujols/Bonds category. Just walk him.
Good to see the much maligned Jay Gibbons setting the table for the even more maligned Kevin Millar today. Millar jacked one out to leftfield to get Baltimore back into the game after A-Rod's two run shot in the 1st inning.
Do O's fans think the team is snakebitten? Here's the surest sign our luck is changing. Paul Bako hit a three run shot in the Bronx today. That matches his total for the last four years! You know what the odds were against that homer? Incredible.
It's a good thing Johnny Damon didn't start the game. He was on fire from the moment he got into the game.
Kevin Millar looked rejuvenated today. His bat looked so old and slow in Spring Training but I guess Yankee Stadium got the juices flowing again.
And how about Nick Markakis. He does it with the bat, the leather and the legs today. Outstanding.
Outside of the first inning, Erik Bedard pitched like an ace today. He only gave up two hits, struck out four and walked none.
Chris Ray recovered nicely to save the game in the 9th, 6-4.
But the real hero was Paul Bako with a three run shot off of Darrell Rasner. I have beaten up on Bako quite a bit but today, he's aces in my book. That doesn't change my overall opinion of him as a ballplayer though...yet.
Nothin' wrong with taking a series in the Bronx.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Big Game
Happy Easter people...
No Johnny Damon, no Hideki Matsui for the Yanks today.
Gotta win this one while we've got them down. The good news is that no one in the AL East is playing that well. With a win today we'll be 1.5 games out of first at worst...behind Tampa or Toronto.
Our lefty ace is on the mound and they're throwing a guy who should be at Scranton.
Cross your fingers...
No Johnny Damon, no Hideki Matsui for the Yanks today.
Gotta win this one while we've got them down. The good news is that no one in the AL East is playing that well. With a win today we'll be 1.5 games out of first at worst...behind Tampa or Toronto.
Our lefty ace is on the mound and they're throwing a guy who should be at Scranton.
Cross your fingers...
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Heartbreaker
OK, we all know about the grand slam given up by Chris Ray to A-Rod. The O's lose 10-7. But the game was lost when Mr. Reluctant walked Abreu and A-Rod in the 8th. Perlozzo should've brought Jamie Walker in to face Giambi but inexplicably left Baez in to give up a three-run shot and let New York back into the game.
I don't understand why Baez didn't challenge Abreu and A-Rod with no one on base and a four run lead. Issuing two consecutive walks in that situation is inexcusable. Not impressed with Baez thus far.
There has been some talk that Perlozzo should've pulled Ray but that just doesn't happen with established relievers. Ray was the best man for that position and probably got hosed by the ump on what should've been strike three to Jeter.
The pluses are that Mora had a huge game, Markakis hit another homerun and Trachsel was more than adequate facing the most formidable lineup in baseball.
This team will go nowhere this season if Mora doesn't have a bounceback year and it looks like he's going to have one.
You have to like Erik Bedard going up against Darrell Rasner. Time to take the series tomorrow.
I don't understand why Baez didn't challenge Abreu and A-Rod with no one on base and a four run lead. Issuing two consecutive walks in that situation is inexcusable. Not impressed with Baez thus far.
There has been some talk that Perlozzo should've pulled Ray but that just doesn't happen with established relievers. Ray was the best man for that position and probably got hosed by the ump on what should've been strike three to Jeter.
The pluses are that Mora had a huge game, Markakis hit another homerun and Trachsel was more than adequate facing the most formidable lineup in baseball.
This team will go nowhere this season if Mora doesn't have a bounceback year and it looks like he's going to have one.
You have to like Erik Bedard going up against Darrell Rasner. Time to take the series tomorrow.
It Was Truly a Good Friday
A question for Sam Perlozzo; Sam, why are you having Melvin Mora try to sac bunt Brian Roberts to third base in the first inning with nobody out? Fortunately for you Sam, Mora laid down a great bunt and legged it out for a single because Markakis came up next and laced a double down the rightfield line, plating both baserunners. If you had your way Sam, you would've cost us a run.
Everyone flashing the glove in the first inning. Right after Michael Kay describes the O's defense as "less than airtight", Brian Roberts snagged a line drive and doubled Melky Cabrera off of 1st and then Mora made a diving stop on a Bobby Abreu liner.
Good things about Jeter: Fouled one off his toe, hit into a double play, failed to cover second on a Corey Patterson bunt, failed to cover second on a steal by Melvin Mora. I love watching Jeter limp.
Adam Loewen wasn't as sharp as we've seen him before but the result is the same. He's a Yankee killer. The bullpen holds the lead once again and O's win 6-4. More on this game later.
Igawa awaits at 1:05. Let's go O's!
Everyone flashing the glove in the first inning. Right after Michael Kay describes the O's defense as "less than airtight", Brian Roberts snagged a line drive and doubled Melky Cabrera off of 1st and then Mora made a diving stop on a Bobby Abreu liner.
Good things about Jeter: Fouled one off his toe, hit into a double play, failed to cover second on a Corey Patterson bunt, failed to cover second on a steal by Melvin Mora. I love watching Jeter limp.
Adam Loewen wasn't as sharp as we've seen him before but the result is the same. He's a Yankee killer. The bullpen holds the lead once again and O's win 6-4. More on this game later.
Igawa awaits at 1:05. Let's go O's!
Friday, April 6, 2007
Yankees Series Preview
I can't wait to play the Yanks. Why? Just look at the positives:
Everyone seems upset that Baltimore now has to face former favorite son Mike Mussina due to this weeks rainout in the Bronx. O's fans should be happy. While he has been 9-5 with a 4.21 ERA against Baltimore since he left, he is only 3-2 with a 5.09 ERA against Baltimore in the last three years. New Oriole Aubrey Huff has hit .293 against Moose for his career. It looks like a very favorable matchup for Baltimore especially with Adam Loewen bringing his 2.63 ERA in 24 innings against the Yankees to the mound.
The next two games we get Igawa and Rasner. Igawa is the only one to be slightly concerned about since he's a lefty. Baltimore has a good chance to win two out of three this weekend.
The O's scored 4.66 runs per game at Yankee Stadium last season. Over 9 games they slugged 11 homers.
Johnny Damon will likely miss the series. Derek Jeter made 3 errors over the course of his first two games. I wonder if the Bronx faithful booed him?
First divisional matchup tonight people. Let's go O's!
Everyone seems upset that Baltimore now has to face former favorite son Mike Mussina due to this weeks rainout in the Bronx. O's fans should be happy. While he has been 9-5 with a 4.21 ERA against Baltimore since he left, he is only 3-2 with a 5.09 ERA against Baltimore in the last three years. New Oriole Aubrey Huff has hit .293 against Moose for his career. It looks like a very favorable matchup for Baltimore especially with Adam Loewen bringing his 2.63 ERA in 24 innings against the Yankees to the mound.
The next two games we get Igawa and Rasner. Igawa is the only one to be slightly concerned about since he's a lefty. Baltimore has a good chance to win two out of three this weekend.
The O's scored 4.66 runs per game at Yankee Stadium last season. Over 9 games they slugged 11 homers.
Johnny Damon will likely miss the series. Derek Jeter made 3 errors over the course of his first two games. I wonder if the Bronx faithful booed him?
First divisional matchup tonight people. Let's go O's!
Where Are They Now?: The 1998 Oriole Draftees
(No game last night so here's something a little different...)
The fourth installment of our continuing series of dismal tragedy and high comedy that is this organization's drafts under the Angelos Regime. Let's have at it!
Rick Elder - OF - High School - 1st Round
Elder tore up the Rookie Leagues but never adjusted to A ball. He got as high as Delmarva in 2001 and is now playing in the Independent leagues.
Mamon Tucker - OF - High School - 1st Round
Two first round picks on high school outfielders, two busts. He made it to A+ Frederick and was selected in the Rule V draft by Philadelphia. He bounced around the minors for a couple more years hitting .262 with 11 homeruns for his career. He's out of baseball.
Ben Knapp - RHP - High School - 2nd Round
Ben never really got it together, even in the low minors. He got to Frederick, briefly, in 2003 and was released. he played a year of independent league ball and now is out. he compiled a 23-27 record and a 4.65 ERA over 5 seasons.
Alex Hart - RHP - High School - 2nd Round
Drafted but never signed. A wasted pick. I'll include an 11th draftee to even things out.
Steve Bechler - RHP - High School - 3rd Round
We'll never know what Bechler could've been but signs pointed to him being a useful major league reliever someday. For those that don't know, Bechler died of a heart attack (probably brought on by ephedrine) during Spring Training of 2003.
Chris Davidson - P - Western Carolina University - 4th Round
Unclear on the reasons here but Chris Davidson never pitched professionally for anyone. Out of baseball.
Joshua Yarno - RHP - High School - 5th Round
Another guy who I can find no record of. Out of baseball.
Tim Raines, Jr. - OF - High School - 6th Round
Tim is no longer with the organization but was still kicking around the Nationals' minor league system last year. I don't want to spoil the rest of this list but with 75 games played and a .213 average in the Majors, Tim is the most successful member of this draft class. (sigh)
Tim Nelson - 3B - Allan Hancock College - 7th Round
Played two seasons at Bluefield and hung 'em up. Hit .226 over 34 games.
Randy Perez - LHP - High School - 8th Round
Randy never really distinguished himself at the lower levels and rose only as far a A+ Frederick. After 2003, he was out of baseball.
Francisco Monzon - C - High School - 9th Round
Monzon couldn't hit his way out of a wet paper bag in Rookie ball. That's as far as he got.
Top Ten Draft Pick Stats
Number that are regular contributors for the O's: 0
Number still in the organization: 0
Number traded for regular contributors: 0
Number out of baseball: 9
Diamonds in the rough: 0
Conclusion
I didn't think it was possible but now this draft is the worst I've ever seen and by a huge margin. Pat Gillick gets partial credit for Bechler I suppose, maybe. How bad was it? Out of the dozens of players selected by Baltimore that year only three made it as high as AAA: Tim Raines, Steve Bechler and a guy named Joey Hammond (and his stint was a cup of coffee). Dreadful.
And people wonder why we want Angelos gone. And why the farm system has been so bad
The fourth installment of our continuing series of dismal tragedy and high comedy that is this organization's drafts under the Angelos Regime. Let's have at it!
Rick Elder - OF - High School - 1st Round
Elder tore up the Rookie Leagues but never adjusted to A ball. He got as high as Delmarva in 2001 and is now playing in the Independent leagues.
Mamon Tucker - OF - High School - 1st Round
Two first round picks on high school outfielders, two busts. He made it to A+ Frederick and was selected in the Rule V draft by Philadelphia. He bounced around the minors for a couple more years hitting .262 with 11 homeruns for his career. He's out of baseball.
Ben Knapp - RHP - High School - 2nd Round
Ben never really got it together, even in the low minors. He got to Frederick, briefly, in 2003 and was released. he played a year of independent league ball and now is out. he compiled a 23-27 record and a 4.65 ERA over 5 seasons.
Alex Hart - RHP - High School - 2nd Round
Drafted but never signed. A wasted pick. I'll include an 11th draftee to even things out.
Steve Bechler - RHP - High School - 3rd Round
We'll never know what Bechler could've been but signs pointed to him being a useful major league reliever someday. For those that don't know, Bechler died of a heart attack (probably brought on by ephedrine) during Spring Training of 2003.
Chris Davidson - P - Western Carolina University - 4th Round
Unclear on the reasons here but Chris Davidson never pitched professionally for anyone. Out of baseball.
Joshua Yarno - RHP - High School - 5th Round
Another guy who I can find no record of. Out of baseball.
Tim Raines, Jr. - OF - High School - 6th Round
Tim is no longer with the organization but was still kicking around the Nationals' minor league system last year. I don't want to spoil the rest of this list but with 75 games played and a .213 average in the Majors, Tim is the most successful member of this draft class. (sigh)
Tim Nelson - 3B - Allan Hancock College - 7th Round
Played two seasons at Bluefield and hung 'em up. Hit .226 over 34 games.
Randy Perez - LHP - High School - 8th Round
Randy never really distinguished himself at the lower levels and rose only as far a A+ Frederick. After 2003, he was out of baseball.
Francisco Monzon - C - High School - 9th Round
Monzon couldn't hit his way out of a wet paper bag in Rookie ball. That's as far as he got.
Top Ten Draft Pick Stats
Number that are regular contributors for the O's: 0
Number still in the organization: 0
Number traded for regular contributors: 0
Number out of baseball: 9
Diamonds in the rough: 0
Conclusion
I didn't think it was possible but now this draft is the worst I've ever seen and by a huge margin. Pat Gillick gets partial credit for Bechler I suppose, maybe. How bad was it? Out of the dozens of players selected by Baltimore that year only three made it as high as AAA: Tim Raines, Steve Bechler and a guy named Joey Hammond (and his stint was a cup of coffee). Dreadful.
And people wonder why we want Angelos gone. And why the farm system has been so bad
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Around The Orioles Blogosphere
Mike over at Oriole Magic absolutely lets Jaret Wright, Jay Gibbons, the O's front office and anybody standing near them have it over the team's 0-3 start. Mike is never short of an opinion!
Meanwhile at Oriole Post, Anthony thinks the team has played dismally and sees the team possibly going 0-6. Overall though, he remains optimistic.
Ben at Oriole Central recognizes the ugly but also highlights the positives from the series. While concerned, he's not "pressing the panic button yet."
At Camden Chat, SC takes Wright, Corey Patterson, Nick Markakis and Melvin Mora to task for their poor series. He can't wait to play the Yankees to remove the taste of this series from his mouth.
An finally, Roch Kubato's blog on baltimoresun.com he feels it's not time to panic but it is time to be a bit concerned. He also astutely states that Perlozzo is feeling the heat after three games. I never thought this would be the case so early in the season but I think he's right.
Hang on guys, it's going to be a long rollercoaster of a season.
Meanwhile at Oriole Post, Anthony thinks the team has played dismally and sees the team possibly going 0-6. Overall though, he remains optimistic.
Ben at Oriole Central recognizes the ugly but also highlights the positives from the series. While concerned, he's not "pressing the panic button yet."
At Camden Chat, SC takes Wright, Corey Patterson, Nick Markakis and Melvin Mora to task for their poor series. He can't wait to play the Yankees to remove the taste of this series from his mouth.
An finally, Roch Kubato's blog on baltimoresun.com he feels it's not time to panic but it is time to be a bit concerned. He also astutely states that Perlozzo is feeling the heat after three games. I never thought this would be the case so early in the season but I think he's right.
Hang on guys, it's going to be a long rollercoaster of a season.
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