The New and Improved Robert Andino

I have not been a big fan of Robert Andino. And that would be an understatement.

When he arrived to the Orioles in 2009, I thought he was fine. Not a good player but just fine. I even advocated for the release of Cesar Izturis since I saw Andino as a younger, cheaper version of Izzy who might just develop a slightly better bat.

But after watching defensive lapses, baserunning errors and just a general lack of effort that season, I began to sour on him.

After watching him during Spring Training in 2010 and a couple of Tides games early in the season, I wrote this exactly one year ago:

Whenever a player is sent back to the minors, you would like to think it won't affect his attitude. In Andino's case, it looks like it has. I am not normally one to jump on players for not trying or not hustling when they are playing poorly but Andino barely looked interested. He failed to run hard on a groundout to short even though he certainly had a fair chance of making it to first safely...and made no effort to throw to first to complete a double-play later in the game. Both those plays were makable but Andino just didn't make the extra effort....He misplayed a flare that dropped for a hit in the 4th and made a throwing error in the 8th that seem to be extensions of the general lack of focus on defense that he displayed in Spring Training. It's just one game but I don't want to see him back in Baltimore. I'm not sure I even want to see him in Norfolk.

Like I said, I don't call a player out for not hustling on a regular basis. It's a long season and guys will make mistakes or not hustle on occasion. I get that so I don't call a guy out at a drop of the hat. I didn't join the "Brian Roberts isn't hustling" movement we saw from fans a couple years ago.

But Andino had worn my patience thin. He had a great opportunity in Spring Training and throughout the 2010 season to come play in Baltimore. Brian Roberts missed most of the season. Izturis has a really bad year at the plate. But even with those opportunities staring him in the face, he just couldn't get his head right. I figured his days as a useful player were over.

Fast forward to 2011. Andino has filled in admirably for the injured J.J. Hardy hitting .314/.397/.392 over 18 games. He has not been caught stealing, has not been picked off and is generally running the bases really well. He has 3 infield hit, including a bunt hit and has yet to hit into a double play. He has made 3 errors at shortstop but has shown fine range, a good arm and is making the routine plays that he used to occasionally botch.

I am not lobbying for Andino to be a starter, not ever. And you have to worry a little about a guy who is so sensitive that he needs a bunch of "atta boys" to give it his all on the field but he's a changed player in 2011. No doubt about it.

Kevin Millwood....An Oriole Again?

Kevin Millwood is free from the Yankees and is still interested in pitching. According to Britt Ghiroli, the Orioles are somewhat interested in bringing him to Baltimore.

Is that a good idea? Yes...under certain circumstances.

Firstly, Millwood was not so bad last season. He was not great but not so bad. His ERA was a hefty 5.10 but his xFIP was 4.46. And he did have his moments:

ERA
April        3.38
May          4.29
June         8.82
July        10.66
August       3.54
September    3.82

He has his uses, even at the tail end of his career. But only in a particular role. And right now that role is as a AAA pitcher.

The current rotation in Norfolk right now is some combination of Ryan Drese, Mike Ballard, Rick VandenHurk, Chris George, Chorye Spoone and Chris Jakubauskas. None of them are pitching well. Anybody feel OK with one of those guys making a spot start?

Brian Matusz and Justin Duchscherer are coming back at some point. But until then, the Oriole rotation is a bit thin right now. If Jake Arrieta's hip acts up on him, I'd rather call up Kevin Millwood than Ryan Drese. And there is little risk that Millwood will take a full time rotation spot from one of the young pitchers.

Will Millwood sign a minor league deal? Who knows? But that's the only way he fits on this team.

DIY idea: Miu Miu neon shoes

Miu Miu shoes s/s 2011

Here's a DIY project you can make in a few minutes.
Miu miu shoes for summer are so fresh and beautiful! They're decorated with neon and metallic leather. Do you want them as much as i do?
Buy some rolls of colored scotch tape (or colored adhesive paper sold at meters in craft shops,it's laminated)and start adding some neon accents to a pair of classic pumps. Stick the tape on the borders or around the heel,you can stick it diagonally and mix different colors (for example you can stick more than one layers of scotch). Use Miu miu pumps for reference or get creative and make your own pair of neon shoes. If you have more than a few minutes buy spray paint in neon colors to decorate your shoes, use paper scotch to protect those areas you don't want to paint and to obtain sharp borders in those areas you want to color and...spray!



Ecco un progetto da ultimare in pochi minuti!
Prada propone per quest'estate delle scarpe decorate da accenti neon e metallici.
Comprate dei rotoli di scotch colorato o della carta adesiva colorata venduta a metro nelle grandi catene di ferramenta tipo Brico (è plastificata) e cominciate ad attaccarla ad un paio di scarpe da decorare.
Ispiratevi alle miu miu oppure attaccate lo scotch colorato come più vi piace(usate rotoli di colore diverso).
Se avete a disposizione più di pochi minuti allora comprate della vernice spray nei colori neon e metallici e usate lo scotch di carta per proteggere le aree che non devono essere decorate e ottenere dei bordi ben definiti nelle aree da dipingere.

Real Long Beach NY Wedding Engagement | Beautiful Sunset pictures

When you are are looking for amazing beach engagement pictures I would imagine you would want something like this! Beautiful sunsets, the ocean, sand and love! Aren't these just so amazing? What do you think? The amazing Timecut Photography did an awesome job!

Side note: Don't forget that the amazing $3000 Photography Giveaway is still on! Ends Soon so Hurry!

xo

The Roast

Give him them their due, Obama's comedy writers get a few good shots in against FOX News, Republicans and The Donald...



UPDATE: But it's always funnier and more effective for a president to self-deprecatingly take more shots at himself than others. Still, it's pretty cool to know in retrospect that as Obama was standing up there that Saturday night, he and his National Security team were secretly getting ready take out Osama bin Laden the next day.

And it's gives his punchline about the kind of decisions that "keep him up at night," special poignancy.

Osama Bin Laden: Rest in Hell

Finally, something we can all cheer and agree on.


UPDATE: From the New York Post editorial:

(Bin Laden) will, of course, be hailed as a martyr among those who would repeal civilization and return the world to the 9th Century -- evil men who are responsible for untold suffering, men who will not stand down simply because Osama has been brought to justice.

But his death cannot help but to give pause to the enemies of civilization. Surely they sensed the eagle's shadow as it passed over -- and who knows, maybe some will pay attention to Obama's closing words:

"The cause of securing our country is not complete, but tonight we are once again reminded that America can do whatever it is we set our mind to. That is the story of our history."

God bless the perseverance of those who stayed after the master terrorist.

God bless the brave young men who carried out yesterday's mission -- they are the best the nation has to offer.

And God bless America.

Hats return

Beautiful hats designed by Philip Treacy for Armani Privè 2011
I totally fell in love with these futuristic hats and the veil masks: they look so modern!


a collection of hats from the royal wedding

Last week we all followed the royal wedding with interest.We all wanted to see the bride's dress but something i was curious about were the hats guests would show off !
Hat is an accessory we often forget about. We do wear it sometimes but our hats are far away from the extravagance of english ones. Many hats worn at Kate and William wedding were designed by Philip Treacy. Treacy calls hats "a cheaper form of cosmetic surgery" because they can transform facial proportions."When you meet someone, you meet their face," Treacy said. "It's the most potent part of the body to embellish."
Even if we won't go to the formal events where fancy hats are required we can make our own elegant head accessory adding some details like veils and feathers to normal hats or boring plain headbands.



La scorsa settimana abbiamo tutti seguito con interesse il matrimonio di Kate e William. Tutti volevano vedere il vestito della sposa ma con altrettanta impazienza era attesa la sfilata dei cappelli. Il cappello è un accessorio che spesso dimentichiamo di considerare nel nostro look e anche quelli che compriamo sono ben lontani dagli stravaganti cappellini inglesi. Molti cappelli indossati al matrimonio sono stati realizzati dal designer Philip Treacy. Egli chiama i cappelli "una forma economica di chirurgia estetica" perchè possono cambiare le proporzioni del viso. "Quando incontri qualcuno,incontri la sua faccia,per questo è la parte del corpo più potente da decorare" continua il designer inglese.
Anche se non parteciperemo agli eventi formali in cui il cappello è di rigore possiamo sempre ispirarci alle creazioni di Philip Treacy e aggiungere dei dettagli eleganti come piume e velette a dei cappelli e cerchietti che già abbiamo e sfoggiarli al prossimo matrimonio di famiglia.