A very impressive win after a very tough loss on Thursday night to start the series. The O’s really showed me something, with Jones still on the bench with his back issues. I look at the team that is on the field right now and it’s obvious that there is talent, and talent that is developing right before my eyes. Wieters throws to 2nd have improved dramatically in a very short time, though I think he still needs to frame pitches better I think. His offense is coming alive too, and he’s using the entire field which, for a young hitter (Adam, are you listening?) is a wonderful sign. Reimold is just a ballplayer who never stops hustling. I love the kid and between him and Bergesen, they have been the highlights of the season.
It just feels like a different team except for the continued baserunning issues, though based on Trembley and Samuels blow-up with the team this week, I think it’s clear that they are trying to address them, and demanding that the players do so. But again, we saw a couple of bad baserunning mistakes that fortunately didn’t impact he outcome of the game. But in close games, they typically do. Why didn’t Scott go on contact when the infield was back in the 2nd? Samuel didn’t look pleased so I assume he told Luke to go on contact. Why didn’t Pie slide into 2nd base in the 4th on his double? Even Buck Martinez mentioned this (right after me). Pie’s fast and aggressive on the bases, but I just don’t think that always translates into a good, smart baserunner. In fact, I’m actually pretty certain it doesn’t.
Trembley seems to have evolved a little bit too, and it’s shown in his calling for a couple of bunts in the last week. Really since the All-Star break, we have been IN games on a daily basis. Obviously it starts with the starting pitching which has been, overall, much improved, even without Bergy. I know we are playing Cleveland, a team with a similar record, but what the O’s don’t consistently do is beat teams that they should beat. We’ve played the better teams in the AL tough at times over the years, but we haven’t been able to consistently beat the bottom dwellers. And that my friends is why we are among the bottom dwellers.
A couple of things I heard watching the game last night that concerned me:
1) Going into last night’s game, Berken was allowing 62% of lead-off hitters to reach base. This is absolutely awful, and he’s got to do much better than that. It also gives me pause to think that he could be put into the BP at some point. It doesn’t matter what your role is on the pitching staff, if you allow the lead-off man to get on as much as Berken does, you aren’t going to have a job in the majors for very long. I’m sure this is something that Kranitz is aware of and will be working on with Berken.
2) Last season, Jim Johnson did not give up a HR in 68 2/3 innings. This year, in 57+ innings, he’s given up 7 HR’s. More than anything, this seems to be a product of pitch location, b/c Johnson’s stuff is outstanding. Again, I’d assume that this is something that Kranitz will continue to work with JJ to correct.
Overall though, I like the way this team has started to come together. I really think the young guys are starting to take over and assume greater responsibility and leadership roles. Perhaps when Zaun was traded that helped Wieters, I don’t know, but he looks to be more confident than ever. It’s a pretty exciting time, and will be a much anticipated 2010 if these kids can finish the season strong (read ~ .500 – aim low, avoid disappointment). With Tillman and Matusz (against Masterson) in the next two games, it would be great to have a 3 game win streak going into next week. Go O’s!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Tough Loss to Start the Homestand
Tough lose for the O’s to start their home series with the Tribe. Johnson seemed to lose it quickly after he got two outs in the 9th, and when gets the ball up, the results are very predictable. You have to give LaPorta credit for keeping the game going though, and while of course he is young and this is his first season in the majors, there’s a good reason why he was the centerpiece in the Sabathia trade last year. I had already chalked this win up after JJ got 2 outs, though I WAS still watching when Marte launched his 2-run homer to put the Tribe ahead 5-4. I still really liked the way Hernandez battled and I am very pleased with how he is pitched overall this season. Who would have thought? And, Izturis and Wieters have been so impressive recently, both offensively and defensively. Wieters throws to 2nd base have been outstanding, and the way Izturis has been patrolling SS, our pitchers have to know they can throw strikes (but keep the ball down, boys) and the defense up the middle will take care of things. That in and of itself is a huge upgrade from last season. Even though I thought Markakis was on the wrong end of the 3rd strike call, the game should have been over before the O’s had to bat in the bottom of the 9th..
It’s Johnson’s first year, or portion of a year as closer, but the disturbing stat I read on Roch’s blog I think, or maybe Schmuck’s, was that he has given up a hit in 24 of his last 26 appearances. That simply won’t cut it. I’m inclined to let it play out this season and then play it by ear next season. Chris Ray seems to really have turned it around, and has closed successfully before, so perhaps he returns to closer next year. Only time will tell. While of course this loss was painful, with all that’s going on it was water off a duck’s back for me last night as I watched. And that’s really saying something. Let’s hope Berken throws well again and we win the next 3 this weekend at home. Go O’s
It’s Johnson’s first year, or portion of a year as closer, but the disturbing stat I read on Roch’s blog I think, or maybe Schmuck’s, was that he has given up a hit in 24 of his last 26 appearances. That simply won’t cut it. I’m inclined to let it play out this season and then play it by ear next season. Chris Ray seems to really have turned it around, and has closed successfully before, so perhaps he returns to closer next year. Only time will tell. While of course this loss was painful, with all that’s going on it was water off a duck’s back for me last night as I watched. And that’s really saying something. Let’s hope Berken throws well again and we win the next 3 this weekend at home. Go O’s
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
O's v Twins 8/24
Tillman pitched a very solid game and it’s too bad that he was bettered by Scott Baker. The Twins always seem to have a bunch of up and coming pitchers, and baker looks like a pretty good one. Tillman induced 3 DP’s, none better than the one in the 1st inning by Izturis. It was the kind of defense this young staff needs to know they have behind them. They need to know they can throw strikes and let batters put the ball in play, and it looked like that’s the attitude that Tillman had tonight. He’s only 21, so it’s tough to complain about his performance in a total 6 ML starts. The gaping hole in the middle of the line-up becomes more pronounced with Jones out of the line-up, and Luke Scott has truly looked lost for a month and a half. Again I’d say that his slump can be traced back to the last interleague series and the limited playing time he got. He has little to no confidence and truly looks overmatched. With Huff gone, this line-up has to rely on Scott, so he really needs to pick it up. Even when he does though, we still need at least one more big bat in the middle of the order.
I read this in the Sun this morning: Fourteen of the Orioles' past 25 losses have been by two runs or fewer. Of course you can look at this however you want. I choose to look at it as the O’s making progress, while trading away Huff and their closer, Sherrill, over the course of the last month, and losing their best pitcher, BY FAR, Bergesen, to an injury on 7/30. For the most part, we are playing teams tough and our starting pitching has given us some solid performances over the last few weeks. I know, it’s not much, but it still provides hope that the O’s are turning the corner. And that isn’t just coming from a homer like me; I hear it all the time listening to opposing teams broadcasts on MLB Extra innings. It’s really happening, and while I would love to see this team actually WIN more games, I DO see progress that will hopefully continue through the end of the year, and perhaps we play spoiler come September. Maybe Trembley survives? I am not sure about that, but I have seen progress in the last month or so whether the losses pile up or not. Go O’s!
I read this in the Sun this morning: Fourteen of the Orioles' past 25 losses have been by two runs or fewer. Of course you can look at this however you want. I choose to look at it as the O’s making progress, while trading away Huff and their closer, Sherrill, over the course of the last month, and losing their best pitcher, BY FAR, Bergesen, to an injury on 7/30. For the most part, we are playing teams tough and our starting pitching has given us some solid performances over the last few weeks. I know, it’s not much, but it still provides hope that the O’s are turning the corner. And that isn’t just coming from a homer like me; I hear it all the time listening to opposing teams broadcasts on MLB Extra innings. It’s really happening, and while I would love to see this team actually WIN more games, I DO see progress that will hopefully continue through the end of the year, and perhaps we play spoiler come September. Maybe Trembley survives? I am not sure about that, but I have seen progress in the last month or so whether the losses pile up or not. Go O’s!
Monday, August 24, 2009
More O's 8/23
Sunday’s win for the O’s was a really nice way to end the season series against the pretenders that are the White Sox. Berken in particular really impressed me. For a guy who has obviously struggled for the last couple months, he showed me an awful lot after the first two White Sox reached base on errors in the first inning. He still gave up an unearned run, but with a start like that, and a pitcher likely lacking confidence after his recent struggles, I love that he battled for 5 2/3 and got a well deserved win. He needed it, as did the O’s. The bullpen has been stellar (two earned runs in the past 17 1/3 innings), and Roberts has really turned it up a notch. Even recent comments in the Sun tell me that yeah, these guys want to win, and it’s not coming as quickly as they’d want it to, but they understand the big picture, the long term future, and it sounds like they are looking forward to it. As I’ve mentioned recently, this team just has a different feel to it, and it’s not necessarily b/c we’ve won a little more over the last week either, though that never hurts. Hopefully Tillman and Matusz throw well the next two nights and we can win another series on the road. This time in Minnesota! Go O’s!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Homer Announcers and O's 8/23
We've all heard them, but I'd suggest that there are none worse than White Sox announcer Hawk Harrelson. I believe there is an obligation as an announcer to at least look at the game with some objectivity. Your team's pitcher doesn't always throw strikes, and your base runners aren't always safe. Brian Roberts was picked off first today on a play that, initially, looked as if he was out. Then, on the White Sox broadcast, several replays were shown from different angles, clearly showing the ball arriving at 1B before Roberts got back but his arm getting back into first BEFORE the tag. Perhaps Harrelson chose not to look at the replays, but that wasn't apparent to me watching and listening to the game. What had HE just seen? Does he drink so much Kool-Aid that he can't see and convey the obvious to his listeners? I certainly understand "rooting" for your team in the broadcast booth, I really do. But when umps miss calls, I think you have an obligation to acknowledge that, and call it out. Apparently Harrelson doesn't.
Later in the game Beckham struck out on a Baez fastball that was a fine pitch, and surely too close to take with two strikes, yet Harrelson and his partner said "I can see why Gordon is upset about that. That was not a strike. That was a tailing fastball by Baez that didn't tail back." Really Hawk? Are you watching the same game as me? Apparently not, and you can "Put THAT on the board, Hawk, yes! Me gone!" Great series win O’s, and kudos to you Berken, EVEN if Ozzie doesn’t know your name. Perhaps he should learn it. Go O’s!!!
Later in the game Beckham struck out on a Baez fastball that was a fine pitch, and surely too close to take with two strikes, yet Harrelson and his partner said "I can see why Gordon is upset about that. That was not a strike. That was a tailing fastball by Baez that didn't tail back." Really Hawk? Are you watching the same game as me? Apparently not, and you can "Put THAT on the board, Hawk, yes! Me gone!" Great series win O’s, and kudos to you Berken, EVEN if Ozzie doesn’t know your name. Perhaps he should learn it. Go O’s!!!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Revisiting Trembley Leaving Tillman In on 8/19
While of course you could amke an argument to leave Tillman in to start the 7th on Wednesday against Tampa Bay, but it jjst seemed like a no brainer to pull him after 6innings. Six solid innings and 100 pitches. Here's how I looked at the situation: Tillman's high pitch count this season is 110. It's August, and he's logged close to, if not the highest innings total of his young career. What were the odds that he was going to go out for the 7th inning and have a 10 pitch inning? Very small, so why not remove him from the game against one of the best offenses in all of baseball, feeling really good about his performance. Tillman battled all night and survived because his change-up and curveball were top notch, having very little success fooling the Rays hitters with his relatively flat fastball. I recognize that the BP has been overworked all season, I really do, but to not bring a reliever in to start the 7th at the expense of one of your young starters made no sense at all to me. Hopefully Trembley reads the blog, ackonwledges his mistake, and doesn't let it happen again :)
O's v White Sox 8/21
Guthrie pitched a very solid ballgame despite getting squeezed all night. The pitch that Reimold looked at to end the 4th inning was a pitch Guthrie didn’t get all night. It looked to me like Guthrie was more relexed, and I wonder if the addition of top prospects Matusz and Tillman has allowed Guthrie to relax a little more. He battled all night, and was really able to bear down after Roberts booted the grounder in the 2nd, working with Wieters and Roberts to pick off Podsednik at 2nd base with 2 on and nobody out. It was a huge play. The other huge play was the double-play that Guthrie started on Gordon Beckham’s comebacker in the 5th. Guthrie tossed high to Izturis who made a great play to jump, catch the throw and complete the DP with a strong throw to first. Tonight the O’s made plays when they had to, and really played a solid ballgame.
Izturis caught a pop-up to end the 7th and his reaction after the catch indicated that, he called Mora off but perhaps Mora felt like it was his ball. Either way, they sort of bumped into one another, and Izturis didn’t even turn around after he made the catch to acknowledge Melvin. Perhaps there are more chemistry issues than we are aware of. Regardless, it seems like a little different team since Huff was traded. This team just feels a little different now, but in a good way, and I’m not sure I can explain it any more than that. Perhaps it’s simply Brian Roberts surge, and we all know that as he goes, the O’s go. In particular, the O’s offense goes.
Markakis got a nice bounce on his groundball triple in the 8th, and with so little room for error with this team we need breaks like that. Breaks like that though also give a team confidence and with that, hopefully come more wins. The one call that baffled me was on Reimold’s line-drive down the left field line in the 7th that kicked up chalk, paint, or whatever it was, and the third base ump in perfect position, calling the ball foul. Trembley came out to argue and perhaps he wasn’t sure if it was fair himself, but I wish he had blown a gasket and gotten thrown out of the game. It was clearly fair, but it didn’t seem to phase Reimold as he singled right afterwards. I really like this kid, and apparently, first I heard of this, he’s playing with a “30%” tear in his Achilles. What’s that all about and why haven’t we heard this before?
After seeing Scott not handle Mora’s throw over to 1B in the bottom of the 7th (the throw was in the dirt but Scott needed to extend the glove so it was easier to handle, a shorter short-hop, so to speak), it was great to see Aubrey come in as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the 8th. Overall, a real nice win for this team. Let’s hope Hernandez throws a good one tonight and we can score a few against Danks tonight, no small task. Go O’s!
Izturis caught a pop-up to end the 7th and his reaction after the catch indicated that, he called Mora off but perhaps Mora felt like it was his ball. Either way, they sort of bumped into one another, and Izturis didn’t even turn around after he made the catch to acknowledge Melvin. Perhaps there are more chemistry issues than we are aware of. Regardless, it seems like a little different team since Huff was traded. This team just feels a little different now, but in a good way, and I’m not sure I can explain it any more than that. Perhaps it’s simply Brian Roberts surge, and we all know that as he goes, the O’s go. In particular, the O’s offense goes.
Markakis got a nice bounce on his groundball triple in the 8th, and with so little room for error with this team we need breaks like that. Breaks like that though also give a team confidence and with that, hopefully come more wins. The one call that baffled me was on Reimold’s line-drive down the left field line in the 7th that kicked up chalk, paint, or whatever it was, and the third base ump in perfect position, calling the ball foul. Trembley came out to argue and perhaps he wasn’t sure if it was fair himself, but I wish he had blown a gasket and gotten thrown out of the game. It was clearly fair, but it didn’t seem to phase Reimold as he singled right afterwards. I really like this kid, and apparently, first I heard of this, he’s playing with a “30%” tear in his Achilles. What’s that all about and why haven’t we heard this before?
After seeing Scott not handle Mora’s throw over to 1B in the bottom of the 7th (the throw was in the dirt but Scott needed to extend the glove so it was easier to handle, a shorter short-hop, so to speak), it was great to see Aubrey come in as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the 8th. Overall, a real nice win for this team. Let’s hope Hernandez throws a good one tonight and we can score a few against Danks tonight, no small task. Go O’s!
Friday, August 21, 2009
O's 8/20
I didn’t see any of the O’s game last night but it was a nice win, albeit a little too close for comfort. Matusz pitched pretty well again, with 7 K’s and no walks, giving up 4 runs in 5 1/3 innings and allowing 7 hits. The 3-run HR to Zobrist was the big blow, but Matusz seemed very pleased with the way he pitched. He knows what he is doing and exposure to the AL East this year should be very beneficial. With him, Tillman and Bergy, it’s a nice start to next year and beyond. What I like most about these three pitchers is there attitude and ability to understand the things each needs to work on. They seem to acknowledge that they are just getting their feet wet and have a lot to learn, and while that sounds like something that should be obvious, not all young athletes (or anyone, for that matter) are that humble, and I take that as a great sign of things to come
Probably the most pleasant surprise from the bullpen this year has been Kam Mickolio. Even though it’s a small sample size, his numbers are outstanding (8.1 IP, 10 K’s 3 BB, 3 Hits and a .74 WHIP), and most importantly he’s throwing strikes and keeping his BB’s to a minimum. He’s always thrown the ball very hard, but the knock on him has been his inability to throw strikes. He’s a big guy, so getting your body to repeat a delivery is not going to be easy, but he seems to have made tremendous strides this year, and it would be great to have another power arm in our bullpen. And, the Bedard trade just keeps on giving.
Here’s hoping the O’s win a couple in Chicago this weekend and we continue to see growth from this ever changing and youthful team. Go O’s!
Probably the most pleasant surprise from the bullpen this year has been Kam Mickolio. Even though it’s a small sample size, his numbers are outstanding (8.1 IP, 10 K’s 3 BB, 3 Hits and a .74 WHIP), and most importantly he’s throwing strikes and keeping his BB’s to a minimum. He’s always thrown the ball very hard, but the knock on him has been his inability to throw strikes. He’s a big guy, so getting your body to repeat a delivery is not going to be easy, but he seems to have made tremendous strides this year, and it would be great to have another power arm in our bullpen. And, the Bedard trade just keeps on giving.
Here’s hoping the O’s win a couple in Chicago this weekend and we continue to see growth from this ever changing and youthful team. Go O’s!
Sounders v New England Revolution
It was a beautiful evening but a very disappointing night for the Sounders. While they had some good chances that they didn’t capitalize on, as has been the case in many game this season, Montero’s inability to cash in on a late 1st half PK was brutal. There was really no excuse for missing it and it would have been a fine way to end the 1st half, tying the score at 1 goal apiece. Overall, Montero is a skilled player, but, in my opinion, he lacks a fundamental element in sports: heart. Game after game I see Montero lose the ball and, instead of scrapping to get the ball back, he typically mopes and loafs back down the field. I love the fact that Kasey Keller called Montero out after the game (http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlesports/archives/177053.asp#extended), saying he “Needs to grow up”. And, with his fifth yellow card that he received, this time for heading the ball out of the Revolution goalie’s hands (how stupid is this!?!?!), he now has to sit against 1st Place Houston this weekend. How Montero thinks he’s going to get to play in a European league, with his current attitude and play, is beyond me. It’s just a shame, b/c he’s talented and has an incredible opportunity with the Sounders, but if I were a GM abroad (and I am a GM locally for the EPL Fantasy League team known as the Sounders FC) his attitude would be enough for me to take a back seat in pursuing him. Good luck in Houston Sounders. A draw is crucial, and a win would be huge. Go Sounders.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wednesday 8/19 O's
Tillman’s secondary pitches looked outstanding and he was able to throw his curve or change-up on any count. As he was quoted in the Sun this morning, he simply needs to do a better job of throwing first pitches for strikes down in the zone. He threw a lot of first pitch strikes which is great, but I think all three homers hit off of him last night were on the first pitch. At least Zobrist and Upton’s were, b/c the Rays broadcast nearly missed both with all their jibber jabber in between innings.
The Rays made a number of big plays, but none bigger than Bartlett’s attempted catch on Izturis’ line drive with the bases loaded, picking up the ball and gunning down Wieters at the plate. Kudos to Wieters for actually holding at third to make sure the line drive gets through the infield. It was just a bad break, right after we got a big break when Pie’s dribbler hit a crease in the Tropicana rug and Niemann was unable to make a play at first. Another critical play was similar to the play Crawford made in this year’s All-Star game, as he made a great catch in the 7th on Pie’s long ball to the left field wall with Wieters on 1B after a walk (not that he would have scored unless Pie got an inside the park HR!). The bottom line is that The Rays made pitches and plays when they had to, and deserved the win. This isn’t a game that I get upset about though, as we had some chances and played a solid ballgame.
The only criticism I have is leaving Tillman in the game to start the 7th. He had thrown 100 pitches and given up a handful of hits and 2 runs. Why not take him out of the game and leave him a really nice start? Makes no sense whatsoever to me, and the point was driven home as Upton drove the first pitch of the bottom of the 7th well into the left field seats. Enter Trembly to pull Tillman. Come on Dave, protect this kid!
Aside from the pitching, which I truly believe will come around and we’ve seen the start of it, the other terribly glaring deficiency with this team is a lack of HR hitters. Now I will assume that Reimold and Wieters both continue to develop power, but neither are going to be a 35-40 HR guy, as far as I can tell. This goes back to my suggestion last year to sign Adam Dunn. Not that we needed a DH, but we need someone who hits HR, and his K’s don’t kill you all the time as they are better than a double-play, right? Anyway, I am not sure he was or is the answer, but we need more power in the middle of this line-up. The Angels, Yankees and Rays have killed us this year with the long ball. Quick and easy runs, and we see so few of them with the O’s. I am not sure how this can be addressed in the off-season without trading a lot of talent, but it’s a major concern. We just don’t score enough runs.
Here’s hoping Matusz throws a nice game tonight and we get a win. Go O’s
The Rays made a number of big plays, but none bigger than Bartlett’s attempted catch on Izturis’ line drive with the bases loaded, picking up the ball and gunning down Wieters at the plate. Kudos to Wieters for actually holding at third to make sure the line drive gets through the infield. It was just a bad break, right after we got a big break when Pie’s dribbler hit a crease in the Tropicana rug and Niemann was unable to make a play at first. Another critical play was similar to the play Crawford made in this year’s All-Star game, as he made a great catch in the 7th on Pie’s long ball to the left field wall with Wieters on 1B after a walk (not that he would have scored unless Pie got an inside the park HR!). The bottom line is that The Rays made pitches and plays when they had to, and deserved the win. This isn’t a game that I get upset about though, as we had some chances and played a solid ballgame.
The only criticism I have is leaving Tillman in the game to start the 7th. He had thrown 100 pitches and given up a handful of hits and 2 runs. Why not take him out of the game and leave him a really nice start? Makes no sense whatsoever to me, and the point was driven home as Upton drove the first pitch of the bottom of the 7th well into the left field seats. Enter Trembly to pull Tillman. Come on Dave, protect this kid!
Aside from the pitching, which I truly believe will come around and we’ve seen the start of it, the other terribly glaring deficiency with this team is a lack of HR hitters. Now I will assume that Reimold and Wieters both continue to develop power, but neither are going to be a 35-40 HR guy, as far as I can tell. This goes back to my suggestion last year to sign Adam Dunn. Not that we needed a DH, but we need someone who hits HR, and his K’s don’t kill you all the time as they are better than a double-play, right? Anyway, I am not sure he was or is the answer, but we need more power in the middle of this line-up. The Angels, Yankees and Rays have killed us this year with the long ball. Quick and easy runs, and we see so few of them with the O’s. I am not sure how this can be addressed in the off-season without trading a lot of talent, but it’s a major concern. We just don’t score enough runs.
Here’s hoping Matusz throws a nice game tonight and we get a win. Go O’s
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
O's and Vin Scully
It was clear when the O’s traded Huff that they weren’t interested in bringing him back next year, at least at a salary established through the ridiculous arbitration system (i.e. The player’s representatives present and salary, team management present a salary, and an arbitrator decides. Stupid really, but that’s baseball for you) Anyway, with Michael Aubrey playing pretty well in AAA and a big upgrade from Huff defensively, as well as Wiggy being signed for next year, Brandon Snyder, and potentially Hughes, who we got from TB, there are options. None with the kind of pop Huff can display, but I don’t think it’s a bad move at all. And, I’d welcome him back next year to primarily spell the regular 1B, whoever that turns out to be, and DH, at a reasonable salary, b/c we will miss his bat. It saves the O’s some cash too, and it never hurts to have another arm in the farm, and the kid sounds like he potentially could be a middle reliever. I really want to see Aubrey succeed though, and his swing is as sweet as old batting helmet Olerud, so we shall see. It’s a low risk high reward type deal.
As for last night’s game, the O’s just can’t seem to get over the hump. Not that we have any options right now, but I hope Trembley and Kranitz are really working with Berken, both physically, and mentally, b/c the kid could be ruined after this stint in the majors. Now I know a few years ago Bonderman, while pitching for the tigers, had a similarly brutal year and came back very strong the following year, but I also think he was considered to have had much more upside than Berken. We’ll see, but at a minimum, I am hopeful Berken can stick in the BP for the O’s in the future. Wieters AB in the 8th last night was brilliant, resulting in 9 pitches and a 2-run HR to the opposite field, as all 4 of his HR’s have been. He’s got a long swing, to be sure, but he’s had the toughest job of anyone this season, and has done a very good job. In fact, his improvement over the last two months alone make this year a big success for him, and I think he’s going to have a long and successful career in black and orange.
Obviously the team is still not winning, but there are still a lot of positives to take from the year so far, which is what I need to keep reminding myself of. That, and the fact that there is only 6 weeks left of regular season baseball, so I’ll soak in as much as I can before October. That’s why I tuned into the Cards v Dodgers on Tuesday night in the 9th inning, hoping that Pop Pop’s Cardinals would hold on 3-2. I was watching the Dodgers broadcast since Vin Scully is one of the all time greats, and he didn’t disappoint. In fact, he said one of the greatest things I’ve ever heard listening to a game, on the radio or on TV. With 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th at Chavez Ravine and the Dodgers down 3-2, Casey Blake launched a long fly ball to left center. The crowd immediately started to roar as if the game would be tied with Blake’s HR (how many times have you witnessed this?), when Vin Scully says “That split second when the crowd is seeing things with their heart…” In my opinion, an absolutely perfect description of that particular moment in time. Brilliant! Thanks Vin, keep doing what you’ve been doing since the Dodgers were in Brooklyn. Man do I love baseball. Go O’s!
As for last night’s game, the O’s just can’t seem to get over the hump. Not that we have any options right now, but I hope Trembley and Kranitz are really working with Berken, both physically, and mentally, b/c the kid could be ruined after this stint in the majors. Now I know a few years ago Bonderman, while pitching for the tigers, had a similarly brutal year and came back very strong the following year, but I also think he was considered to have had much more upside than Berken. We’ll see, but at a minimum, I am hopeful Berken can stick in the BP for the O’s in the future. Wieters AB in the 8th last night was brilliant, resulting in 9 pitches and a 2-run HR to the opposite field, as all 4 of his HR’s have been. He’s got a long swing, to be sure, but he’s had the toughest job of anyone this season, and has done a very good job. In fact, his improvement over the last two months alone make this year a big success for him, and I think he’s going to have a long and successful career in black and orange.
Obviously the team is still not winning, but there are still a lot of positives to take from the year so far, which is what I need to keep reminding myself of. That, and the fact that there is only 6 weeks left of regular season baseball, so I’ll soak in as much as I can before October. That’s why I tuned into the Cards v Dodgers on Tuesday night in the 9th inning, hoping that Pop Pop’s Cardinals would hold on 3-2. I was watching the Dodgers broadcast since Vin Scully is one of the all time greats, and he didn’t disappoint. In fact, he said one of the greatest things I’ve ever heard listening to a game, on the radio or on TV. With 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th at Chavez Ravine and the Dodgers down 3-2, Casey Blake launched a long fly ball to left center. The crowd immediately started to roar as if the game would be tied with Blake’s HR (how many times have you witnessed this?), when Vin Scully says “That split second when the crowd is seeing things with their heart…” In my opinion, an absolutely perfect description of that particular moment in time. Brilliant! Thanks Vin, keep doing what you’ve been doing since the Dodgers were in Brooklyn. Man do I love baseball. Go O’s!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Phillies Closer Issues
What's going on with Brad Lidge? Eight blown saves this year after none last year has to have the Philles organization very concerned. Lidge is pitching the way he did in his last days in Houston, leading to his departure to Philly, and he seems to have lost all confidence. It's a huge problem in my opinion, and the Phils need to figure out Plan B and Plan C, otherwise it could be a quick playoff flameout. Perhaps Pedro could provide help at closer, or Brett Myers if he can come back from hip surgery. Myers though had a set back recently after a slipping while getting out of his truck late last week (must have been icy), and changing his story about how he sustained the injury, so a timeframe for his return is unclear. The injury and story itself raise questions, and it's not what the Phillies need right now with their closer issues. There doesn't appear to be any other pitchers who have cleared waivers that may be an option as far as I know, so it seems like the closer situation is going to have to be answered internally. However it is resolved and as well balanced as the Phillies are, to head into the playoffs with a questionable closer could be a disaster. With 6 weeks to go in the season, it should be interesting, and a little scary for Phillies fans to see how it all plays out.
O's 8/15 and Matusz
Overall, and despite the loss, I was still very impressed with the way Matusz threw on Saturday against the Angels. He's a pitcher and has a plan out there. For whatever reason, in the 3rd ining he simply lost command of all his ptches and the inning got our of control as the Angels scored 5 runs. Matusz will be fine, and he, as Tillman has showed, has great poise and confidence, and doesn't get rattled easily, if at all. Exposing him to the majors this year should turn out to be very benificial, while also giving us fans a glimpse of the future, and continued hope. B/c what else do we have other than hope right now? Here's hoping the O's get a rare Sunday and series win today with Guthrie on the hill. Go O's
8\14 Continued
O's win big, 16-6. Tillman showed good character in hanging in there against one of the best offenses in MLB. Nice work and congrats on your 1st big league win Tillman. His secondary stuff is really outstanding, he just needs to work on fastball command, in particular, and obviously, down in the K zone. Go O's
Friday, August 14, 2009
O's 8/14
Tillman isn't commanding his fastball to start but his change and curve look good. The hit that Vlad got was something you don't see very often at all. In fact, Jim Palmer said that in his 40+ years of baseball, he's never seen anything like it. The ball hit 3 feet in front of the plate and on the bounce up, he poked a pop-up into left field that dropped, leading to Pie's throwing error. Adding insult to injury, Tillman followed the run scoring error by throwing followed a belt high fastball that Rivera launched off the CF wall. At least we threw two runners out on the base paths, but it's not a good start to this one.
Roberts doubled and Jones walked so let's go Markakis, get us back in it! Home plate ump is all over the place but after Markakis' strikeout Huff came through with a 2-run 2B. Good times, rooting for the O's! Reimold walked and Wieters struck out, then Mora had a very nice AB and hit a single up the middle. Pie doubled and there is actually some excitement in baltimore, and in Seattle. Izturis dumped one in for 2 more and what a first inning. We got some breaks, including the check swing on mora that the Angels catcher didn't ask for help from the 1B ump. Gotta go, inning still going and heading out for birthday dinner
Roberts doubled and Jones walked so let's go Markakis, get us back in it! Home plate ump is all over the place but after Markakis' strikeout Huff came through with a 2-run 2B. Good times, rooting for the O's! Reimold walked and Wieters struck out, then Mora had a very nice AB and hit a single up the middle. Pie doubled and there is actually some excitement in baltimore, and in Seattle. Izturis dumped one in for 2 more and what a first inning. We got some breaks, including the check swing on mora that the Angels catcher didn't ask for help from the 1B ump. Gotta go, inning still going and heading out for birthday dinner
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The O's are Irrelevant
This team needs to be turned upside down and the coaching staff needs a complete overhaul. What improvement have the O’s shown in the second half, in particular, in the areas that Trembley identified as team deficiencies: fundamentals. Did you watch last nights game when, in the 5th inning, on a one out Markakis pop-up Brian Roberts raced around and scored, only there was only one out and he was doubled off of 2nd base? Does Juan Samuel still coach third base? Seriously, this team is a total disaster and I believe that, as a team, both the players and coaches, don’t believe they can win games. There is so little passion from anyone, players and coaches alike, save perhaps Ty Wigginton. The O’s ran themselves out of innings again today, when Markakis followed Roberts on a double steal and was gunned down at 2nd for the second out of the inning. It’s really just stupid mistake after stupid mistake, while other teams make big plays. I know we’ve some made big plays this year, but if I am keeping a tally, we are way down the list of great defensive teams and clutch hitters. It’s truly disheartening and as I’ve said previously, my time is being freed up with the continued blunders and poor play by the O’s.
I just can’t imagine how McPhail doesn’t make a managerial change in the off-season. He didn’t bring Trembley in and has had to have seen enough. There is talent on this team, but the younger pitchers are probably two years away right now, and the overall losing culture has to be changed. We need a fiery manager to kick some ass when guys make mental mistakes. Like Charlie Manuel sitting Jimmy Rollins down, the 2007 MVP, for not running a ball out (or something like that. Philly fans probably know the whole story). Roberts should have immediately been pulled out of last night’s game and not played today. Samuel should have been relieved of his duties for the rest of the year as I have never seen more guys thrown out at the plate this season! His comments about “accountability” were an absolute joke, and even more disappointing. There is NO accountability on this team by ANYONE. Trembley’s mantra seems to be “It is what is.” Well it’s just not good enough anymore and isn’t going to cut it. Even despite the mounting losses, if I saw and felt like guys really cared and hated to lose, like I always did playing sports, I’d feel a helluva lot better. I just don’t. I want to see some fire and enthusiasm. I want guys to throw helmets and coolers and get upset when they strike out in the 7th with the bases loaded, down a run, to end an inning. I want to know these guys care half as much as I do, and it’s rare I see that, by any of them.
I believe continuity is typically important for a team, but the culture in Baltimore right now needs to change, and I just can’t see it happening with Trembley at the helm. With baseball and the length of the season, the stars really need to align in any particular season for a team to make a run at the playoffs. I didn’t expect this tem to even be .500 this year, and I know improvement doesn’t always show up in W’s and L’s, but when we consistently lose to teams like the Oakland A’s (we’d lost 9 games in a row to them before our win last night, but Oakland started another streak today!), who are also in a rebuilding mode, we must reexamine where this organization is and where we are heading. Come on, Vin Mazzarro beats us for the 2nd time this year? Here’s how he pitched coming into the game:
Vin Mazzaro picked up his second straight victory Thursday, holding the Orioles to three runs -- two earned -- in 5 1/3 innings.
Back-to-back wins may not sound like much, but they come after the 22-year-old rookie lost eight straight decisions. He's now 4-8 with a 5.53 ERA in 14 starts overall, including a sub par 49/31 K/BB ratio in 76 1/3 innings.
This summary of Mazzaro’s last couple months is a microcosm of our entire season, not beating teams who we claim are on our level and are, similarly, rebuilding and pitching young guys. I don’t expect to beat the teams in the top tier too frequently right now, but we can always play hard, no? Run balls out, throw to the right base, keep your head in the game and know how many outs there are. Stuff like that. Stuff management MUST demand daily of their professional players and coaches, or make changes. Problem is, we aren’t beating anyone. With the way the O’s have performed in the 2nd half and repeating the same mistakes as the first, I just don’t see how at this point in Trembley’s tenure the writing isn’t on the wall. Trembley’s not a bad guy, it’s just that the O’s need a change, and the sooner the better.
I just can’t imagine how McPhail doesn’t make a managerial change in the off-season. He didn’t bring Trembley in and has had to have seen enough. There is talent on this team, but the younger pitchers are probably two years away right now, and the overall losing culture has to be changed. We need a fiery manager to kick some ass when guys make mental mistakes. Like Charlie Manuel sitting Jimmy Rollins down, the 2007 MVP, for not running a ball out (or something like that. Philly fans probably know the whole story). Roberts should have immediately been pulled out of last night’s game and not played today. Samuel should have been relieved of his duties for the rest of the year as I have never seen more guys thrown out at the plate this season! His comments about “accountability” were an absolute joke, and even more disappointing. There is NO accountability on this team by ANYONE. Trembley’s mantra seems to be “It is what is.” Well it’s just not good enough anymore and isn’t going to cut it. Even despite the mounting losses, if I saw and felt like guys really cared and hated to lose, like I always did playing sports, I’d feel a helluva lot better. I just don’t. I want to see some fire and enthusiasm. I want guys to throw helmets and coolers and get upset when they strike out in the 7th with the bases loaded, down a run, to end an inning. I want to know these guys care half as much as I do, and it’s rare I see that, by any of them.
I believe continuity is typically important for a team, but the culture in Baltimore right now needs to change, and I just can’t see it happening with Trembley at the helm. With baseball and the length of the season, the stars really need to align in any particular season for a team to make a run at the playoffs. I didn’t expect this tem to even be .500 this year, and I know improvement doesn’t always show up in W’s and L’s, but when we consistently lose to teams like the Oakland A’s (we’d lost 9 games in a row to them before our win last night, but Oakland started another streak today!), who are also in a rebuilding mode, we must reexamine where this organization is and where we are heading. Come on, Vin Mazzarro beats us for the 2nd time this year? Here’s how he pitched coming into the game:
Vin Mazzaro picked up his second straight victory Thursday, holding the Orioles to three runs -- two earned -- in 5 1/3 innings.
Back-to-back wins may not sound like much, but they come after the 22-year-old rookie lost eight straight decisions. He's now 4-8 with a 5.53 ERA in 14 starts overall, including a sub par 49/31 K/BB ratio in 76 1/3 innings.
This summary of Mazzaro’s last couple months is a microcosm of our entire season, not beating teams who we claim are on our level and are, similarly, rebuilding and pitching young guys. I don’t expect to beat the teams in the top tier too frequently right now, but we can always play hard, no? Run balls out, throw to the right base, keep your head in the game and know how many outs there are. Stuff like that. Stuff management MUST demand daily of their professional players and coaches, or make changes. Problem is, we aren’t beating anyone. With the way the O’s have performed in the 2nd half and repeating the same mistakes as the first, I just don’t see how at this point in Trembley’s tenure the writing isn’t on the wall. Trembley’s not a bad guy, it’s just that the O’s need a change, and the sooner the better.
Monday, August 10, 2009
From Bad to Worse
The O’s season continues to spiral out of control, and the offense is anemic. With the arrival of Tillman and Matusz in the last few weeks I have certainly seen a glimpse of the future, but the future, to me, seems like 2011-2012 at this point. I’d expect both to show improvement through the end of this season as well as next, but also, plenty of growing pains. It’s a real shame that Bergesen got injured b/c he had a chance at ROY, but it’s just another indication that you can never have too much pitching, and that this organization really, really needs to start catching some breaks.
I know this organization has taken steps forward this year, but playing in the AL East means that you can’t just take baby steps forward, you need to take giant steps forward, especially considering where we have started each of the last couple seasons in the AL East pecking order. It’s pretty disheartening, really. We need at least another, if not two big bats in the line-up. I read today that we haven’t HR’d in 38 innings, and since the All-Star break, our avg with RISP has been abysmal. When you aren’t hitting HR’s and not hitting with RISP, have a pitching staff with a 5+ ERA, you just aren’t going to win many games. I know Wieters power will come around (but I really question whether he’s going to be a guy that he can hit top notch pitching, in particular, power pitchers) and I’d expect that Reimold will continue to show improved power, but will these guys be guys who, when coming to the plate, the opposing team’s pitcher is shaking in his spikes? That remains to be seen. Personally, I think the O’s probably need to say goodbye to Huff unless big things change (and we would likely get 2 draft picks for him b/c he’s a type A free agent) through the end of the year, and they need to make Luke Scott the permanent DH. After his smoking hot streak earlier this season we went into interleague play and he sat quite a bit, clearly getting rusty, and hasn’t been close to the same hitter ever since. I just think he needs to play regularly, and I’d prefer to keep him off the field unless he improves over the winter, preferably at 1B. I don’t understand why HE isn’t taking groundballs every day and devoting himself to a position, one that is a gaping hole, 1B?
Maybe they just give the job to Brandon Snyder next year and see what he can do. He’s had a very nice season between AA and AAA, and as long as he finishes strong and has a good spring training, perhaps that’s the O’s hope. He’s not a gold glover, but he’s got to be better than Huff (though he has exceeded my very low expectations this year) and Scott. Every time I see Mark Teixeira hitting bombs and scooping balls out of the dirt (or throwing home, off balance to get a streaking Oriole at home plate with no outs and the bases loaded), I get sick to my stomach. I know he didn’t want to play in Baltimore, I get that. But he was the single most important FA that could have helped the O’s in so many ways, and it’s just disappointing that after a dozen years of “trying,” the O’s weren’t in a position to convince Teixeira to play for his hometown team. Just pathetic!
I wonder who is going to get outs from the BP next year as well, much less the starters. Perhaps Uehara will be a mainstay in the pen next year, and if Chris Ray continues to get back on track, that’s a start. But beyond them and Jim Johnson (maybe Cla Meredith?), there will be quite a battle for spots b/c nobody has distinguished themselves this year, IMHO. Since I am a glutton for punishment though and my focus right now is watching the young guys get better, I’ll continue to tune in, but the Red Sox sweep and for the most part, the teams’ play since the All-Star break, has made it increasingly more difficult to devote much time to this team. It’s sad, but true. Go O’s, get that Oriole Magic back!
I know this organization has taken steps forward this year, but playing in the AL East means that you can’t just take baby steps forward, you need to take giant steps forward, especially considering where we have started each of the last couple seasons in the AL East pecking order. It’s pretty disheartening, really. We need at least another, if not two big bats in the line-up. I read today that we haven’t HR’d in 38 innings, and since the All-Star break, our avg with RISP has been abysmal. When you aren’t hitting HR’s and not hitting with RISP, have a pitching staff with a 5+ ERA, you just aren’t going to win many games. I know Wieters power will come around (but I really question whether he’s going to be a guy that he can hit top notch pitching, in particular, power pitchers) and I’d expect that Reimold will continue to show improved power, but will these guys be guys who, when coming to the plate, the opposing team’s pitcher is shaking in his spikes? That remains to be seen. Personally, I think the O’s probably need to say goodbye to Huff unless big things change (and we would likely get 2 draft picks for him b/c he’s a type A free agent) through the end of the year, and they need to make Luke Scott the permanent DH. After his smoking hot streak earlier this season we went into interleague play and he sat quite a bit, clearly getting rusty, and hasn’t been close to the same hitter ever since. I just think he needs to play regularly, and I’d prefer to keep him off the field unless he improves over the winter, preferably at 1B. I don’t understand why HE isn’t taking groundballs every day and devoting himself to a position, one that is a gaping hole, 1B?
Maybe they just give the job to Brandon Snyder next year and see what he can do. He’s had a very nice season between AA and AAA, and as long as he finishes strong and has a good spring training, perhaps that’s the O’s hope. He’s not a gold glover, but he’s got to be better than Huff (though he has exceeded my very low expectations this year) and Scott. Every time I see Mark Teixeira hitting bombs and scooping balls out of the dirt (or throwing home, off balance to get a streaking Oriole at home plate with no outs and the bases loaded), I get sick to my stomach. I know he didn’t want to play in Baltimore, I get that. But he was the single most important FA that could have helped the O’s in so many ways, and it’s just disappointing that after a dozen years of “trying,” the O’s weren’t in a position to convince Teixeira to play for his hometown team. Just pathetic!
I wonder who is going to get outs from the BP next year as well, much less the starters. Perhaps Uehara will be a mainstay in the pen next year, and if Chris Ray continues to get back on track, that’s a start. But beyond them and Jim Johnson (maybe Cla Meredith?), there will be quite a battle for spots b/c nobody has distinguished themselves this year, IMHO. Since I am a glutton for punishment though and my focus right now is watching the young guys get better, I’ll continue to tune in, but the Red Sox sweep and for the most part, the teams’ play since the All-Star break, has made it increasingly more difficult to devote much time to this team. It’s sad, but true. Go O’s, get that Oriole Magic back!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Bad Things Continue as O's Lose To Royals
It looks like Rich Hill's day's are numbered, though it sounds like an easy solution at this point is to put him on the DL with shoulder tendinitis. At least that would buy the O's some time and they can deal with a roster move later, if necessary. If he's been hurt for awhile, let us know, so we can cut the guy some slack. If not, I have no problem letting him go. Aside from pitching poorly, Hill's been a complete professional and even apologized to the front office and his teammates after the game. I'm quite certain he's more disappointed than anyone, so I wish him good luck, in particular, if he's still playing in an O's uniform again.
The game itself was a horrendous way to start a homestand after the brutal road trip that was, and losing to a team that started the night at 38-59. Just brutal. This was a game that the O's have to find a way to win, and yet that flailed away at Soria in the 9th and went quietly, very quietly. Though I wasn't glued to the TV for the entire game, the two things that stick out in my mind are: Juan Samuel may be the worst 3rd base coach in the history of baseball. I'm sure he's a great guy and I remember him as a player, but when Reimold got thrown out at the plate to end the 5th, then saw the replay showing where Reimold was when Freel picked up the ball in LF, I wanted to scream. Reimold was still 5 feet from touching 3rd base, much less rounding it, when Freel fielded a hard hit ball in relatively shallow LF. What was Samuel thinking? Then I read this quote from Trembley from the Sun and think, "what is he thinking?" Maybe he doesn't want to call out Samuel in the media, fair enough, but since I don't know what Trembley said to him after the game, I can only be outraged at Trembley's comment about the play:
"Reimold has been a very good base runner," Trembley said. "It's still early enough in the game, and I think that's the right call right there."
Had Trembley seen the replay? Either way, it was a horrible decision to send him and it seems like Samuel has gotten more runners thrown out at the plate than in any year I can recall. My other question is why Trembley didn't PH for Izturis in the 9th. With Andino, Zaun and Pie on the bench, and Izturis struggling since coming back from the DL, I don't get it. Granted these aren't great options, but both Pie and zaun have been hitting the ball rpetty well in their last efw appearances, so how does it hurt you?
Finally, and I can't take credit for this as I read it from a poster on another blog, but why did Trembley even pitch to Billy Butler in the 8th? He's killed the O's, and it was a huge run to give up at that time in the game. As the season continues to spiral downward, I become less and less convinced that Trembley is the right man for this job. What makes it an even more difficult decision for the FO though, is that many of the young players who have come up could potentially be playing for an entirely new staff next season, and I am a firm believer in continuity. But, to continue the way things are going, would be a huge mistake in and of itself, and a betrayal to us, the fans, so McPhail may have no other choice but to make a change.
Well, at least we have Berken going tonight and Tillman facing Greinke tomorrow night. Things are looking up. Go O's
The game itself was a horrendous way to start a homestand after the brutal road trip that was, and losing to a team that started the night at 38-59. Just brutal. This was a game that the O's have to find a way to win, and yet that flailed away at Soria in the 9th and went quietly, very quietly. Though I wasn't glued to the TV for the entire game, the two things that stick out in my mind are: Juan Samuel may be the worst 3rd base coach in the history of baseball. I'm sure he's a great guy and I remember him as a player, but when Reimold got thrown out at the plate to end the 5th, then saw the replay showing where Reimold was when Freel picked up the ball in LF, I wanted to scream. Reimold was still 5 feet from touching 3rd base, much less rounding it, when Freel fielded a hard hit ball in relatively shallow LF. What was Samuel thinking? Then I read this quote from Trembley from the Sun and think, "what is he thinking?" Maybe he doesn't want to call out Samuel in the media, fair enough, but since I don't know what Trembley said to him after the game, I can only be outraged at Trembley's comment about the play:
"Reimold has been a very good base runner," Trembley said. "It's still early enough in the game, and I think that's the right call right there."
Had Trembley seen the replay? Either way, it was a horrible decision to send him and it seems like Samuel has gotten more runners thrown out at the plate than in any year I can recall. My other question is why Trembley didn't PH for Izturis in the 9th. With Andino, Zaun and Pie on the bench, and Izturis struggling since coming back from the DL, I don't get it. Granted these aren't great options, but both Pie and zaun have been hitting the ball rpetty well in their last efw appearances, so how does it hurt you?
Finally, and I can't take credit for this as I read it from a poster on another blog, but why did Trembley even pitch to Billy Butler in the 8th? He's killed the O's, and it was a huge run to give up at that time in the game. As the season continues to spiral downward, I become less and less convinced that Trembley is the right man for this job. What makes it an even more difficult decision for the FO though, is that many of the young players who have come up could potentially be playing for an entirely new staff next season, and I am a firm believer in continuity. But, to continue the way things are going, would be a huge mistake in and of itself, and a betrayal to us, the fans, so McPhail may have no other choice but to make a change.
Well, at least we have Berken going tonight and Tillman facing Greinke tomorrow night. Things are looking up. Go O's
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sounders vs Chicago Fire
I went to the Seattle Sounders v. Chicago Fire soccer match on Saturday and as always, it's was a high-energy, raucous crowd at Qwest field, despite the disappointing result. The Sounders certainly had more quality chances than the Fire, but couldn't quite put the ball by Fire's keeper Jon Busch. He made a couple of outstanding saves in the 1st half and really kept the Fire in the game.
The most disappointing part of the game was when Lundberg got red carded early in the 2nd half, minutes after the Fire lost a player to a second yellow card. Now I know Lundberg is a good soccer player, but what I also know is that he rivals Blanco in the whining department, something I have zero patience for. Lundberg would rather argue with an official than try to chase down a ball an opponent just stole from him, as he did on at least two occasions in this match (and all of the 60 minutes he actually played!). So when he received a yellow card for diving, Lundberg as usual, jawed with the ref. Now I don't know whether he actually dove or was fouled, though it looked more like a dive than anything to me. What I do know however, is that under no circumstances do you say something to the ref that is going to get you thrown out of this game, a game that up to that point the Sounders were the better team and whose opponent just lost a man for the rest of the match. It was inexcusable, and to see the standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 32K as Lundberg was escorted off the field was nearly as disappointing as his red card. In a game that was this important and clearly winnable, level heads must prevail, and I hope Sigi made a point to tell Lundberg after the match, and shows him he means it when he sits his ass on the bench for the match against San Jose on August 2nd. Go Sounders!
The most disappointing part of the game was when Lundberg got red carded early in the 2nd half, minutes after the Fire lost a player to a second yellow card. Now I know Lundberg is a good soccer player, but what I also know is that he rivals Blanco in the whining department, something I have zero patience for. Lundberg would rather argue with an official than try to chase down a ball an opponent just stole from him, as he did on at least two occasions in this match (and all of the 60 minutes he actually played!). So when he received a yellow card for diving, Lundberg as usual, jawed with the ref. Now I don't know whether he actually dove or was fouled, though it looked more like a dive than anything to me. What I do know however, is that under no circumstances do you say something to the ref that is going to get you thrown out of this game, a game that up to that point the Sounders were the better team and whose opponent just lost a man for the rest of the match. It was inexcusable, and to see the standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 32K as Lundberg was escorted off the field was nearly as disappointing as his red card. In a game that was this important and clearly winnable, level heads must prevail, and I hope Sigi made a point to tell Lundberg after the match, and shows him he means it when he sits his ass on the bench for the match against San Jose on August 2nd. Go Sounders!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Does Brett Favre think he's bigger than the game?
He must with the way he is acting. Retire already, you are done. Are the Vikings really this desperate? And why is this such a huge story, since we all know his best days are years behind him. I'm just sick of these athletes making a huge deal about retiring, shedding tears in press conferences, and walking away for some period of time, only to return to great fan fare. I recognize that these athletes have ego's that are insatiable, but why the media drools all over this nonsense is beyond me. Retire already Favre, and let us get back to what is really important, the O's second half!
Second Half Swoon
Nearly every time the Yankees needed to make a big play, they did. In fact, aside from Swisher’s defensive gaffe, and he made up for it with two other great catches and a HR, when the O’s were putting pressure on the Yankees, they responded defensively. Why more emphasis wasn’t put on and credit given to Teixeira’s defense, when looking at how important a piece he is is just beyond me. I know he wasn’t going to sign with the O’s, and that was apparent when Boras never provided a counter offer to the O’s initial contract proposal. But it drives the point home that defense at 1B is a truly critical component in a playoff caliber team, and it has to be addressed in the off-season, somehow. I just don’t get why Luke Scott doesn’t take 250 ground balls at 1B every single day, but I digress! Teixeira’s a gold glover, will be for many years, and despite his brutal start, he’s back up at the top of nearly every offensive category. It kills me, really, but I am almost over it, just a few more years and I will be fully recovered…….
Here’s hoping the O’s get off to a good start tonight in Boston with Bergesen on the mound, and that if Tillman makes his debut next week as anticipated, he pitches better than last night. Go O’s
Here’s hoping the O’s get off to a good start tonight in Boston with Bergesen on the mound, and that if Tillman makes his debut next week as anticipated, he pitches better than last night. Go O’s
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Phils and All-Star Game
The Phils signed Pedro today and while I think it's a low risk high reward signing, and he sounds like he has been throwing very well, I don't think it's going to truly separate them from the other NL East contenders. I think he will help though. What would set them apart however is making a blockbuster trade for Halladay. The Phils have some players/prospects that should obviously interest the Jays (Happ, Marson, Donald, Carrasco to name a few), but to me the key will be to avoid extracting anyone from the ML roster in order to obtain him. To avoid trading Happ, they may just have to add a 4th, or dare I say 5th (see Bedard trade) player, and I am not sure the Phils are willing to do that, nor should they, necessarily. It will be interesting to see where Halladay goes, and personally, I hope they trade him to ANY team in the NL, and that whoever they get in return doesn't pan out. And by the way, I'm still mad at Cito gaston for not pitching Mussina in the All-Star game ehld at Camden Yards in 1993, and beating the Phillies in the same season, when all we could do was keep playing the Dead's "The Music Never Stopped" to keep the Phils rally going.
As for the All-Star game, I found it surprisingly entertaining, and quick (perhaps that was the best part). It was outstanding to see Adam Jones have two very good AB's and knock in the winning run on his sac fly. What still puzzles me about the game though is that there has not been an outrage by everyone (save perhaps Selig himself) that home field advantage in the WS depends on this game, yet it's still considered an exhibition game. It's just another bad call by Selig and it has to change. The All-Star game should be all about having fun, in particular for the fans, but also for the players. It's a brutally long season, and a 3-4 day stretch replete of stress should be mandatory (do you hear me Player's Association?). Don't get me wrong, I think any player who is selected to the game has an obligation to participate unless injured or some other reasonable excuse (like Pedroia, who was spending time with his wife who is pregnant), but I also ackowledge that players need a braak as well. That's why the WS home field advantage should NOT depend on it.
Personally, I think MLB needs to either go back to alternating home field advantage each year, awarding home field advantage to the team with the best record, or base it on overall W/L on interleague games, which I believe is typically finished prior to the All-Star break (if not then scratch this one). Come on Bud, pull your head out and change this back to truly being an exhibition game that is for us, the fans.
As for the All-Star game, I found it surprisingly entertaining, and quick (perhaps that was the best part). It was outstanding to see Adam Jones have two very good AB's and knock in the winning run on his sac fly. What still puzzles me about the game though is that there has not been an outrage by everyone (save perhaps Selig himself) that home field advantage in the WS depends on this game, yet it's still considered an exhibition game. It's just another bad call by Selig and it has to change. The All-Star game should be all about having fun, in particular for the fans, but also for the players. It's a brutally long season, and a 3-4 day stretch replete of stress should be mandatory (do you hear me Player's Association?). Don't get me wrong, I think any player who is selected to the game has an obligation to participate unless injured or some other reasonable excuse (like Pedroia, who was spending time with his wife who is pregnant), but I also ackowledge that players need a braak as well. That's why the WS home field advantage should NOT depend on it.
Personally, I think MLB needs to either go back to alternating home field advantage each year, awarding home field advantage to the team with the best record, or base it on overall W/L on interleague games, which I believe is typically finished prior to the All-Star break (if not then scratch this one). Come on Bud, pull your head out and change this back to truly being an exhibition game that is for us, the fans.
O's First Half Summary
Team Performance Overall Grade - C+
Pitching
McPhail did the right thing by staying away from high priced, mostly marginal FA's (save CC and Lowe, and perhaps Burnett, but with his injury riddled past I think the Yanks will get burned) and instead signed Eaton, Uehara and Hendrickson (though the plan was for him to be in the BP, where he is now and is pitching very well), Uehara, as well as Alfredo Simon, and trading for Hill to join the rotation with Guthrie. The Hill trade was low risk high reward (though how low the risk is yet to be determined both b/c Hill is still a work in progress, and I don't know who the potential pool of players going to the Cubs consists of). Simon pitched very well in Spring training and was cheap, and Eaton could have provided a veteran presence to a young/inexperienced rotation and also was cheap, but we saw how that worked out. With all the talent in the minors at EVERY level, McPhail did the prudent thing, even though the rotation has not been the teams strong suit, to put it mildly.
Here are some more individual comments about pitchers:
- Eaton is clearly done. It's too bad, but he is.
- Hendrickson - He's pitched very well as a reliever and is now 4-0 with a 2.79 ERA in the BP.
- Berken - He looks to me a long releiver or spot starter. Nice to give him a chance right now though, and we will see if they keep running him out there every 5days or he's replaced by Tillman or another young arm in the 2nd half.
- Hernandez - Just like most pitchers, when he has kept the ball down he's been effective. He too is probably more likely to wind up in the BP, but what a nice problem to have. I'd love to see his power arm in the BP with Sherrill, Johnson, maybe Hoey eventually, Mickolio, Sarfate?
- Bergesen - A Godsend, and he really looks like he knows what he is doing. Pitches quickly and throw strikes, and everything I've read indicates the team loves to play behind him. He's got good but no great stuff, however he has a great game plan and more often than not executes it. He really reminds me of Greg Maddux, though Maddux probably had considerably higher K number. Looking forward to seeing this kid continue to develop, as he is only 23.
- Baez - pleasant surprise though he has come abck down to earth, unfortunately, as I don't think he will command much in the way of a trade. Get something for him now and get rid of a little salary as well.
- Hill - The jury is still out on him but I am skeptical he will stick. Until he can consistently command his fastball he's going to struggle. Why ALL teams don't take more pitches early in games makes no sense to me. I think Statistically, the best game he threw was in Seattle in June, and they swung at anything and everything he threw. His breaking ball is an A+, but everything feeds off of the fastball. The nice thing though is this is his first year working with Kranitz, so perhaps we just need to continue to be more patient. Unfortuntaely, with the young arms in AAA and AA, his leash simply can't be long based on numbers alone. Here's hoping he makes the O's make a very difficult decision, perhaps allowing us to trade some of the surplus pitching to plug a long term hole at 3B, SS or 1B. Maybe he turns out to be a lefty specialist which would work too.
- Uehara - IMHO he's a relief ptcher right now and hopefully when he gets back from injury, we will already have Tillman up and he simply heads to the BP. He can still be a valuable arm in the pen, and again, this was a long term deal and first take on getting into the Asian market. I think it's been a success overall.
- Guthrie - Though he has had a number of quality starts, he's really done nothing to impress me this season. While of course there has been a lot of pressure on him, I've been very disappointed with his performance. His trade value isn't even very high so unless we are overwhelmed and can fill a position of need, he remains an O.
Everday Players
I think Scott and Bergesen are the CO- MVP's of the first half, and it was great see how well Reimold performed, though he is slumping a bit now, and how Wieters has come on as he ahs gotten more comfortable.
Here are some more individual comments about everyday players:
- Andino - what a great job he's done, and my guess is that the O's activated Izturis earlier than necessary b/c they want to see whether there is any interst in him at the deadline. - I think this is a good move, since we know Andino plays solid defense, and has a really good feel for the game (except bunting - why can't this team bunt?); I thought Izturis was unimpressive with the glove (that's why we signed him, no?) for the first month or so but played much better leading up to his injury. I’d chalk the slow start up to getting acclimated to a new organziation and working with a new 2nd baseman, changing leagues and just getting more comfortable. A very good signing IMHO, and if we can parlay it into another piece with a trade, even better.
- Jones - obvious improvement and needs to hit the ball to RF for him to be and remain a star (could pretty much say that about any hitter). He needs to keep his head in the game more as well, but I suspect he will do that. First time making the All-Star game is a great accomplishment and I hope it's one of a dozen, or so.
- Wieters - He should be playing 6 days a week, period. He's 23 and he can do it, so write him in the line-up a little more. His opposite field power really impressed me and with all the ridiculous pressure on him as the next big thing, I think he's done pretty well. One thing that he needs to improve on is recieving the ball on plays at the plate. As a buddy pointed out a few weeks ago (Heinze), it's clear that Wieters was taught to keep his mask on when recieving a throw for a play at the plate. This really seems to limit his ability to see the ball as well as required, and he needs to drop the mask. Obviously there is a risk of getting hit in the face, but that's a risk I'd be willing to take, as should the O's.
Pie - He's still been a positive acquisition and, at a minimum, hasn't become a problem in the clubhouse despite the O's signing of Wiggy after we traded for Pie and the unanticipated call-up of Reimold, which subsequently created far less playing time than he probably anticipated. Kudos to him for keeping his mouth shut and doing what has been asked of him.
Salazar - the guy can hit and he needs to stay on the ML team. He's so valuable, especially with all the lefties we have in our line-up and the fact that he can play both the IF and OF. We need to find spots to get him in the line-up 5 times a week, so figure it out McPhail
Andy McPhail has the team on the same course as he wanted at the beginning of the season; the Bedard trade and Tejada trades were nothing short of a smashing success, and the farm system is in very good shape. He gets an A in my opinion, but still has plenty of work to do, especially leading up to the deadline at the end of July.
I'm really looking forward to seeing Tillman called up and my guess is that Arrieta may get a September call, but I don't think Matusz. Matusz will likely be near his innings threshold for the season, so that may be the biggest reason, though I'd expect him in AAA soon after the break. He's been truly dominating and we need to see what he does at AAA this year so he is nearly ready to make the rotation out of spring training next year.
Nice to see Trembley recently address some of the issues we've seen all season, specifically relating to playing sound fundamental baseball, that there would be an emphasis on this in the second half and that lapses won't be tolerated. Great news indeed, but I am confused as to why he needed to be a spectator during his 2 game supsension to see some of these shortcomings. As fans, we've been noticing them all season, in particular the base running which has been truly atrocious. Night in and night out we give up runners on the base paths, shortening innings for the opposing pitchers and making things much more difficult on ourselves. I've never seen a worse base running team, and overall fundamentals (bunting, throwing to the right base or cut off man, etc) need to improve dramatically in the 2nd half or I believe it will cost Trembley his job (so does Alex). Sadly, I think it should. Trembley really needs to convince me that he IS the right guy to continue moving the O's forward, and he has his work cut out for him. I'm not convinced that he is the man to take the O's to the next level, but I am pulling for him.
Other personnel decisions to be made:
- what to do with Huff? (trade him then sign him back would be my preference)
- Luke Scott - can the guy play 1B? FT DH?
- How can Andino fit into the plan, beyond being a back-up? - I think the O's activated Izturis to see whether he is ready in the hopes of trading him. With Blake Davis back from injury and in AAA, and having ready that his glove is ML ready now, it makes sense to me to have Andino at SS and Davis back him up. If we can get something good for Izturis than I think we need to entertain the thought of trading him. And he's not too expensive so many teams could be interested.
I could go on and on but I am hopeful that we see a lot of positive things from the O's, despite the tough schedule ahead. If we can go, say 35-39 in the 2nd half (with I think 39 games against the AL East), I think this season would be a pretty big success based on all the young players we've started to integrate (and I'd win my bet with Mandalay Bay!). Here's hoping it happens. Go O's
Pitching
McPhail did the right thing by staying away from high priced, mostly marginal FA's (save CC and Lowe, and perhaps Burnett, but with his injury riddled past I think the Yanks will get burned) and instead signed Eaton, Uehara and Hendrickson (though the plan was for him to be in the BP, where he is now and is pitching very well), Uehara, as well as Alfredo Simon, and trading for Hill to join the rotation with Guthrie. The Hill trade was low risk high reward (though how low the risk is yet to be determined both b/c Hill is still a work in progress, and I don't know who the potential pool of players going to the Cubs consists of). Simon pitched very well in Spring training and was cheap, and Eaton could have provided a veteran presence to a young/inexperienced rotation and also was cheap, but we saw how that worked out. With all the talent in the minors at EVERY level, McPhail did the prudent thing, even though the rotation has not been the teams strong suit, to put it mildly.
Here are some more individual comments about pitchers:
- Eaton is clearly done. It's too bad, but he is.
- Hendrickson - He's pitched very well as a reliever and is now 4-0 with a 2.79 ERA in the BP.
- Berken - He looks to me a long releiver or spot starter. Nice to give him a chance right now though, and we will see if they keep running him out there every 5days or he's replaced by Tillman or another young arm in the 2nd half.
- Hernandez - Just like most pitchers, when he has kept the ball down he's been effective. He too is probably more likely to wind up in the BP, but what a nice problem to have. I'd love to see his power arm in the BP with Sherrill, Johnson, maybe Hoey eventually, Mickolio, Sarfate?
- Bergesen - A Godsend, and he really looks like he knows what he is doing. Pitches quickly and throw strikes, and everything I've read indicates the team loves to play behind him. He's got good but no great stuff, however he has a great game plan and more often than not executes it. He really reminds me of Greg Maddux, though Maddux probably had considerably higher K number. Looking forward to seeing this kid continue to develop, as he is only 23.
- Baez - pleasant surprise though he has come abck down to earth, unfortunately, as I don't think he will command much in the way of a trade. Get something for him now and get rid of a little salary as well.
- Hill - The jury is still out on him but I am skeptical he will stick. Until he can consistently command his fastball he's going to struggle. Why ALL teams don't take more pitches early in games makes no sense to me. I think Statistically, the best game he threw was in Seattle in June, and they swung at anything and everything he threw. His breaking ball is an A+, but everything feeds off of the fastball. The nice thing though is this is his first year working with Kranitz, so perhaps we just need to continue to be more patient. Unfortuntaely, with the young arms in AAA and AA, his leash simply can't be long based on numbers alone. Here's hoping he makes the O's make a very difficult decision, perhaps allowing us to trade some of the surplus pitching to plug a long term hole at 3B, SS or 1B. Maybe he turns out to be a lefty specialist which would work too.
- Uehara - IMHO he's a relief ptcher right now and hopefully when he gets back from injury, we will already have Tillman up and he simply heads to the BP. He can still be a valuable arm in the pen, and again, this was a long term deal and first take on getting into the Asian market. I think it's been a success overall.
- Guthrie - Though he has had a number of quality starts, he's really done nothing to impress me this season. While of course there has been a lot of pressure on him, I've been very disappointed with his performance. His trade value isn't even very high so unless we are overwhelmed and can fill a position of need, he remains an O.
Everday Players
I think Scott and Bergesen are the CO- MVP's of the first half, and it was great see how well Reimold performed, though he is slumping a bit now, and how Wieters has come on as he ahs gotten more comfortable.
Here are some more individual comments about everyday players:
- Andino - what a great job he's done, and my guess is that the O's activated Izturis earlier than necessary b/c they want to see whether there is any interst in him at the deadline. - I think this is a good move, since we know Andino plays solid defense, and has a really good feel for the game (except bunting - why can't this team bunt?); I thought Izturis was unimpressive with the glove (that's why we signed him, no?) for the first month or so but played much better leading up to his injury. I’d chalk the slow start up to getting acclimated to a new organziation and working with a new 2nd baseman, changing leagues and just getting more comfortable. A very good signing IMHO, and if we can parlay it into another piece with a trade, even better.
- Jones - obvious improvement and needs to hit the ball to RF for him to be and remain a star (could pretty much say that about any hitter). He needs to keep his head in the game more as well, but I suspect he will do that. First time making the All-Star game is a great accomplishment and I hope it's one of a dozen, or so.
- Wieters - He should be playing 6 days a week, period. He's 23 and he can do it, so write him in the line-up a little more. His opposite field power really impressed me and with all the ridiculous pressure on him as the next big thing, I think he's done pretty well. One thing that he needs to improve on is recieving the ball on plays at the plate. As a buddy pointed out a few weeks ago (Heinze), it's clear that Wieters was taught to keep his mask on when recieving a throw for a play at the plate. This really seems to limit his ability to see the ball as well as required, and he needs to drop the mask. Obviously there is a risk of getting hit in the face, but that's a risk I'd be willing to take, as should the O's.
Pie - He's still been a positive acquisition and, at a minimum, hasn't become a problem in the clubhouse despite the O's signing of Wiggy after we traded for Pie and the unanticipated call-up of Reimold, which subsequently created far less playing time than he probably anticipated. Kudos to him for keeping his mouth shut and doing what has been asked of him.
Salazar - the guy can hit and he needs to stay on the ML team. He's so valuable, especially with all the lefties we have in our line-up and the fact that he can play both the IF and OF. We need to find spots to get him in the line-up 5 times a week, so figure it out McPhail
Andy McPhail has the team on the same course as he wanted at the beginning of the season; the Bedard trade and Tejada trades were nothing short of a smashing success, and the farm system is in very good shape. He gets an A in my opinion, but still has plenty of work to do, especially leading up to the deadline at the end of July.
I'm really looking forward to seeing Tillman called up and my guess is that Arrieta may get a September call, but I don't think Matusz. Matusz will likely be near his innings threshold for the season, so that may be the biggest reason, though I'd expect him in AAA soon after the break. He's been truly dominating and we need to see what he does at AAA this year so he is nearly ready to make the rotation out of spring training next year.
Nice to see Trembley recently address some of the issues we've seen all season, specifically relating to playing sound fundamental baseball, that there would be an emphasis on this in the second half and that lapses won't be tolerated. Great news indeed, but I am confused as to why he needed to be a spectator during his 2 game supsension to see some of these shortcomings. As fans, we've been noticing them all season, in particular the base running which has been truly atrocious. Night in and night out we give up runners on the base paths, shortening innings for the opposing pitchers and making things much more difficult on ourselves. I've never seen a worse base running team, and overall fundamentals (bunting, throwing to the right base or cut off man, etc) need to improve dramatically in the 2nd half or I believe it will cost Trembley his job (so does Alex). Sadly, I think it should. Trembley really needs to convince me that he IS the right guy to continue moving the O's forward, and he has his work cut out for him. I'm not convinced that he is the man to take the O's to the next level, but I am pulling for him.
Other personnel decisions to be made:
- what to do with Huff? (trade him then sign him back would be my preference)
- Luke Scott - can the guy play 1B? FT DH?
- How can Andino fit into the plan, beyond being a back-up? - I think the O's activated Izturis to see whether he is ready in the hopes of trading him. With Blake Davis back from injury and in AAA, and having ready that his glove is ML ready now, it makes sense to me to have Andino at SS and Davis back him up. If we can get something good for Izturis than I think we need to entertain the thought of trading him. And he's not too expensive so many teams could be interested.
I could go on and on but I am hopeful that we see a lot of positive things from the O's, despite the tough schedule ahead. If we can go, say 35-39 in the 2nd half (with I think 39 games against the AL East), I think this season would be a pretty big success based on all the young players we've started to integrate (and I'd win my bet with Mandalay Bay!). Here's hoping it happens. Go O's
Friday, July 10, 2009
Gourds and Shinyribs 7/9/09
I'm not sure whether this is in the correct order but I think all the songs they played are here. Tt was an outstanding show indeed. Super high energy and it looked like the boys were really having a good time. In particular, it was great to see Jimmy enjoying himself and it appears he's trying to kick that cigarillo habit again which ain't easy, so keep up the good work Jimmy! Val, Ray and I went over to the Tractor to pick up Val's bags that were left there last night (Val or Ray could explain that but all things point to Stano!) and the band seemed pretty good. They were heading to lucnh and then making their way to Portland, on a truly spectacular day out here in the PNW. Thanks to the Gourds and Shinyribs (who put on a brilliant show last night) for two outstanding nights and hope the shows in Portland are fun and memorable. It was great to meet some new folks here and look forward to the next time...
Cheers
Earl
Tractor Tavern 7/9/09
Country Love
Yoli
Pushed Her Down
Out On the Vine
A Few extra Kilos
Fossil Contender
Collections
Pill Bug
Pine Island Bayou
Terbox
JCWSF
Everybody's Missing the Sun
Magnolia
Illegal Oyster
Dooley
Omaha
Ants
Thurman
How Will u Shine
TTT Gas
Encore
I Come Up
All the Labor
Flavor
Jorge
Oh Sister
Cheers
Earl
Tractor Tavern 7/9/09
Country Love
Yoli
Pushed Her Down
Out On the Vine
A Few extra Kilos
Fossil Contender
Collections
Pill Bug
Pine Island Bayou
Terbox
JCWSF
Everybody's Missing the Sun
Magnolia
Illegal Oyster
Dooley
Omaha
Ants
Thurman
How Will u Shine
TTT Gas
Encore
I Come Up
All the Labor
Flavor
Jorge
Oh Sister
Thursday, July 9, 2009
O's and Gourds, what a Wednesday!
What a day indeed, with the O's comeback victory and the Gourds show a the tractor. The end of the O's game was reminiscent of several O's games of recent memory, so it was nice to be on the winning end this time. Brutal loss for the M's though, and with their 4 game series starting against the rangers tonight in Seattle, they need HUGE things from Felix to help them forget about yesterday's debacle. The way the 9th inning unfolded was unbelievable, and one of the many reasons that I think baseball is the greatest game of all. I can't get enough of it! I only wished that I had been sitting their with Mark and Kev. Maybe next time……
A bunch of us met at La Carta in Ballard for some gerat food and our favorite margaritas, then headed to the Tractor for the show. I thought it was a pretty small crowd even though it was a Wednesday, maybe 250 at most. Baby Gramps was outstanding, hilarious and truly entertaining, and he serenaded us after the show just for good measure. That guy is a character, and tonight the infamous Shinyribs opens. I hope he's as good as Baby Gramps!!!!
I thought The Gourds lacked some energy last night, and I am not sure what Jimmy's problem was, but he was in an awful mood. He spent much of his time both before and after the show with huge headphones on, and wasn't particularly friendly to anyone. It's too bad b/c I always enjoy chatting with him, but perhaps after a good nights sleep and relaxing day today, he will be in top form tonight. A couple of the highlights for me were Web Before You Walk Into and Clear Night, one of the encores. It was a show that was exempt of all your typical crowd pleasers, but a good show nonetheless. And, Stano recorded it and was there in all his kind glory. Thanks Stano, and I always appreciate the shows I attend even more when listening to them after wards, so I can't wait to hear it? Have you mastered it yet? What are you waiting for! Anywho, I fully expect tonight to be more lively and a bigger crowd with the band having more energy, and it to be a greatest hits type of show. So, my guess is we here the likes of Lower 48, Cracklin's, Jorge, Ants On A Melon, Flavor On Yer Tongue, Plaid Coat, All the Labor, Jericho, Whiskey In A Jar and many others! What Shelby and I haven't heard in ages is Blood of the ram, and I need to see Kev stomping those feet and Claude pounding the keys tonight!!! BTW, Claude LOVED the Natty Boh shirt we got him so we are thrilled about that. It should be a blast and we have a bigger crew, so more tomorrow. I'll post the full set list after it's posted to the Gourds Blog. Looking forward to the O's having the day off and the Gourds show tonight. Go O's! Go Gourds!
A bunch of us met at La Carta in Ballard for some gerat food and our favorite margaritas, then headed to the Tractor for the show. I thought it was a pretty small crowd even though it was a Wednesday, maybe 250 at most. Baby Gramps was outstanding, hilarious and truly entertaining, and he serenaded us after the show just for good measure. That guy is a character, and tonight the infamous Shinyribs opens. I hope he's as good as Baby Gramps!!!!
I thought The Gourds lacked some energy last night, and I am not sure what Jimmy's problem was, but he was in an awful mood. He spent much of his time both before and after the show with huge headphones on, and wasn't particularly friendly to anyone. It's too bad b/c I always enjoy chatting with him, but perhaps after a good nights sleep and relaxing day today, he will be in top form tonight. A couple of the highlights for me were Web Before You Walk Into and Clear Night, one of the encores. It was a show that was exempt of all your typical crowd pleasers, but a good show nonetheless. And, Stano recorded it and was there in all his kind glory. Thanks Stano, and I always appreciate the shows I attend even more when listening to them after wards, so I can't wait to hear it? Have you mastered it yet? What are you waiting for! Anywho, I fully expect tonight to be more lively and a bigger crowd with the band having more energy, and it to be a greatest hits type of show. So, my guess is we here the likes of Lower 48, Cracklin's, Jorge, Ants On A Melon, Flavor On Yer Tongue, Plaid Coat, All the Labor, Jericho, Whiskey In A Jar and many others! What Shelby and I haven't heard in ages is Blood of the ram, and I need to see Kev stomping those feet and Claude pounding the keys tonight!!! BTW, Claude LOVED the Natty Boh shirt we got him so we are thrilled about that. It should be a blast and we have a bigger crew, so more tomorrow. I'll post the full set list after it's posted to the Gourds Blog. Looking forward to the O's having the day off and the Gourds show tonight. Go O's! Go Gourds!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
O's Bats Come Alive, Umps Need a Refresher
Obviously it was great to get a win last night, though we very well could have knocked Bedard out in the first when he was still getting adjusted to being back on the mound. That being said, the team showed a lot of character after the blown call in the first which cost them a run, and with Guthrie having some health issue yet unknown to me (I read this morning he had flu-like symptoms and was woozy).
As Shelby and I sat and watched the first inning, we were both pretty sure that Reimold should have scored from 2nd when Gutierrez' throw to home bounced off the mound and went out of play. But, since Trembley's repeated arguments and the umps subsequent summit to discuss the play didn't change the outcome of the initial ruling, thankfully I have a copy of the MLB's Official rules. So, without consulting an attorney to interpret said rules, which IMHO are frequently ambiguous, I believe the Rule is 7.05(g) which states:
Each runner, including the batter runner may, without liability to be put out, advance - two bases when, with no spectators on the playing field (how hilarious is this!) a thrown ball goes into the stands, or into a bench (whether or not the ball rebounds into the field), or over or under or through a field fence, or on a slanting part of the screen above the backstop, or remains in the meshes of a wore screen protecting spectators. The ball is dead. When such a wild throw is the first play by an infielder, the umpire, in awarding such bases, shall be governed by the position of the runners at the time the ball was pitched, in all other cases the umpire shall be governed by the position of the runners at the time the wild throw was made.
Reimold was on the 3rd base side of 2nd base when the throw was made, and clearly should have scored. As Trembley was quoted in his post-game press conference, for the umpiring CREW to not know this rule or interpret it correctly is inexcusable, and they should be held accountable. Fortunately for the O's it didn't matter, but that's not the point. Whether Trembley's rant inspired the team I don't know, but I loved his comments after the game, defending his team and how hard they play on a daily basis. I trust that this team IS playing as hard as they can if the manager demands that, whether it always looks like that or not. Maybe that's just me drinking the cool-aid…. The team and Trembley need to have a chip on their shoulder though, and maybe this will become more evident as the season progresses. Winning games is the only way to convince other teams (and me) that we are constantly improving and to gain respect around the league, but I am hopeful that this game proves to be just the tonic the O's need to continue developing. Facing Felix today is no small task, but if we get a good start from Hernandez and Luke Scott has another 7 RBI's, we just may be able to win a series on the road. Go O's!
Edit- Looks like it's Vargas on the mound for the M's today. Although I am tired of facing lefties, this is still far better than facing Felix. Go O's!
As Shelby and I sat and watched the first inning, we were both pretty sure that Reimold should have scored from 2nd when Gutierrez' throw to home bounced off the mound and went out of play. But, since Trembley's repeated arguments and the umps subsequent summit to discuss the play didn't change the outcome of the initial ruling, thankfully I have a copy of the MLB's Official rules. So, without consulting an attorney to interpret said rules, which IMHO are frequently ambiguous, I believe the Rule is 7.05(g) which states:
Each runner, including the batter runner may, without liability to be put out, advance - two bases when, with no spectators on the playing field (how hilarious is this!) a thrown ball goes into the stands, or into a bench (whether or not the ball rebounds into the field), or over or under or through a field fence, or on a slanting part of the screen above the backstop, or remains in the meshes of a wore screen protecting spectators. The ball is dead. When such a wild throw is the first play by an infielder, the umpire, in awarding such bases, shall be governed by the position of the runners at the time the ball was pitched, in all other cases the umpire shall be governed by the position of the runners at the time the wild throw was made.
Reimold was on the 3rd base side of 2nd base when the throw was made, and clearly should have scored. As Trembley was quoted in his post-game press conference, for the umpiring CREW to not know this rule or interpret it correctly is inexcusable, and they should be held accountable. Fortunately for the O's it didn't matter, but that's not the point. Whether Trembley's rant inspired the team I don't know, but I loved his comments after the game, defending his team and how hard they play on a daily basis. I trust that this team IS playing as hard as they can if the manager demands that, whether it always looks like that or not. Maybe that's just me drinking the cool-aid…. The team and Trembley need to have a chip on their shoulder though, and maybe this will become more evident as the season progresses. Winning games is the only way to convince other teams (and me) that we are constantly improving and to gain respect around the league, but I am hopeful that this game proves to be just the tonic the O's need to continue developing. Facing Felix today is no small task, but if we get a good start from Hernandez and Luke Scott has another 7 RBI's, we just may be able to win a series on the road. Go O's!
Edit- Looks like it's Vargas on the mound for the M's today. Although I am tired of facing lefties, this is still far better than facing Felix. Go O's!
Rodrigo Lopez, back in MLB
Good for the Phillies for getting a nice star out of Rodrigo Lopez two nights ago. While he certainly had some success in Baltimore, he always seemed more like a 4A player to me. MO's fans will also remember that wen he wasn't performing well, talk of going to the bullpen spurred comments from Lopez that he was only interested in being a starter. I'm glad that's his current role in Philly, b/c that's a fan base that expresses their displeasure as strongly as any. Good Luck!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Another Lost Night at Safeco Field
Well another lost night here in Seattle as the O's looked helpless against Washburn. They hit the ball hard several times but right at guys, however it was a game that never seemed in doubt for the M's. They are now 5-2 against the O's this year, and in games I've attended at Safeco, the O's are 0-3. Good times! While Bergesen didn't pitch nearly as well as last Wednesday's game against the Sox (remember that, 5-1 O's lead heading to the ninth, only to los 6-5 in 11), the ball that Woodward hit to LF over Reimold should have been caught. He was very tentative going back o it, and from the angle I saw it, from centerfield, it was a ball he simply has to catch. That pretty much ended any hope of the O's winning the game with the way Washburn was throwing.
It was still a great night with Shelby and a bunch of good friends, and 2 hr 15 minute games are right up my alley.
My only complaints were that the scoreboards weren't working, making it difficult to keep track of the game, in particular, because we were with friends who we don't see often enough. My other complaint, and this is more personal, was as I was walking up the CF bleachers in my orange Mr. Boh shirt and Goonie Bird hat after the M's got the final out, a Mariner fan yells at me "the O's Suck!" While of course it pissed me off, it was more disappointing than anything. What does that accomplish? For me it's just a really poor reflection on the individual. At any rate, it's not the first time I've felt that way leaving an M's game (in fact the first 10 O's v M's games I attended at Safeco, the O's lost!), but there just is no place in baseball, or any sport really, for that behavior. It didn't spoil a great night out at a wonderful ballpark. Here's hoping the O's get on Bedard early and often tonight and get back on track. Go O's!
Also, below is a link to an ESPN article written by Jerry Crasnick on the O's outfield being the envy of baseball. Nice to see we are getting some very positive national pub!
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=4309422
It was still a great night with Shelby and a bunch of good friends, and 2 hr 15 minute games are right up my alley.
My only complaints were that the scoreboards weren't working, making it difficult to keep track of the game, in particular, because we were with friends who we don't see often enough. My other complaint, and this is more personal, was as I was walking up the CF bleachers in my orange Mr. Boh shirt and Goonie Bird hat after the M's got the final out, a Mariner fan yells at me "the O's Suck!" While of course it pissed me off, it was more disappointing than anything. What does that accomplish? For me it's just a really poor reflection on the individual. At any rate, it's not the first time I've felt that way leaving an M's game (in fact the first 10 O's v M's games I attended at Safeco, the O's lost!), but there just is no place in baseball, or any sport really, for that behavior. It didn't spoil a great night out at a wonderful ballpark. Here's hoping the O's get on Bedard early and often tonight and get back on track. Go O's!
Also, below is a link to an ESPN article written by Jerry Crasnick on the O's outfield being the envy of baseball. Nice to see we are getting some very positive national pub!
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=4309422
Monday, July 6, 2009
Gourds, Tractor Tavern, Seattle, WA July 8 & 9
Aside from the O's being in Seattle and Shelby and I just returning yesterday from a great trip to the East Coast, where the O's went 1-1 in games we attended (the loss being the "Bergy Disaster" in last Wednesday afternoon's matinee against the Red Sox), our favorite band plays two shows at The Tractor Tevern in Seattle. Should be a couple of barnburners, as they always are, so you'll probably here more about that this week than the O's. Unless of course the O's can get it going on the road, something that has not come easily to them this season....
More Learning To Win, Or Not
Below is an entry from Peter Schmuck's Blog in The Baltimore Sun from today that echoes my sentiment from weeks ago about the O's and learning to win. While I saw very little of the Angels v O's series, and missed the utter meltdown in Friday night's debacle, I think Jim palmer makes a very good point. It's exceedingly frustrating to watch pitchers get 2 strikes on batters yet not be able to put them away; hitters not taking advantage with big hits and two outs or simply making productive outs early in an inning.
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/schmuck/
July 5, 2009
Lost weekend
The Orioles should have won three of the four games in Anaheim, but they don't know how to win. Jim Palmer told me that a month or so ago, pointing out their penchant for stalling after an early scoring rally as proof of a lack of "killer instinct." Never has that been more true than the last five days, during which they have lost three games in which they held a four-run lead at some point.
I don't have the numbers at my fingertips, but I'm guessing the percentage of games major league teams win when they take a four-run lead is pretty high. The Orioles have held a four-run lead in four of their last five games and won just one of them.
Obviously, that's because they have some real pitching issues, one of which is an uncanny ability to give runs right back after the offense explodes. In each of the past two games, the Orioles have taken a four-run lead in the top of an inning only to allow three in the bottom of the same inning. That meshes not-so-nicely with the nasty habit of scoring a handful of runs early and then letting the pedal off the metal.
Now that I'm through with today's rant, I have a confession to make. When the Orioles got ahead 4-0 today, I headed out to the cinema.
Why? Because I've already seen this movie too many times.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Back to me
Almost a dozen years of losing makes it difficult to learn "how to win", but I believe the talent level is approaching the point where we should be expecting this team to win, certainly more than it has been. I've also previously noted that the O's record in one run games isn't bad (and follower Alan has given me a hard time for this), but the last two games against the Angels, losing 11-4 and 9-6, were 1 run games when the team melted down. In fact, we had 4-0 leads in each of them, and pitchers couldn't throw strikes and fielders couldn't catch the ball.
I was pleased to read that Trembley called the entire team out, and specifically called out some of the older veterans, including BR, and I hope the message was clear. It will be three tough nights in Seattle, but here's hoping Bergesen throws well again, and Trembley stays in the dugout come the ninth inning and a 4 run lead. Go O's
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/schmuck/
July 5, 2009
Lost weekend
The Orioles should have won three of the four games in Anaheim, but they don't know how to win. Jim Palmer told me that a month or so ago, pointing out their penchant for stalling after an early scoring rally as proof of a lack of "killer instinct." Never has that been more true than the last five days, during which they have lost three games in which they held a four-run lead at some point.
I don't have the numbers at my fingertips, but I'm guessing the percentage of games major league teams win when they take a four-run lead is pretty high. The Orioles have held a four-run lead in four of their last five games and won just one of them.
Obviously, that's because they have some real pitching issues, one of which is an uncanny ability to give runs right back after the offense explodes. In each of the past two games, the Orioles have taken a four-run lead in the top of an inning only to allow three in the bottom of the same inning. That meshes not-so-nicely with the nasty habit of scoring a handful of runs early and then letting the pedal off the metal.
Now that I'm through with today's rant, I have a confession to make. When the Orioles got ahead 4-0 today, I headed out to the cinema.
Why? Because I've already seen this movie too many times.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Back to me
Almost a dozen years of losing makes it difficult to learn "how to win", but I believe the talent level is approaching the point where we should be expecting this team to win, certainly more than it has been. I've also previously noted that the O's record in one run games isn't bad (and follower Alan has given me a hard time for this), but the last two games against the Angels, losing 11-4 and 9-6, were 1 run games when the team melted down. In fact, we had 4-0 leads in each of them, and pitchers couldn't throw strikes and fielders couldn't catch the ball.
I was pleased to read that Trembley called the entire team out, and specifically called out some of the older veterans, including BR, and I hope the message was clear. It will be three tough nights in Seattle, but here's hoping Bergesen throws well again, and Trembley stays in the dugout come the ninth inning and a 4 run lead. Go O's
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Killer Instinct Follow-up
Over the course of the first couple months of the season, one thing that sticks out in my mind is the number of opportunities the O's offense let slip away. I'm talking both in close games, and games when the O's are ahead. They just don't seem to have any killer instinct, becoming complacent when they are ahead, or not having the ability to win the close games b/c they don't make critical plays. I know the O's record stands at 9-8 in one run games, but having watched so many of their games this year, I just don't think that is an accurate reflection on their ability to win close games. When you make stupid base running errors, or commit errors on a routine plays, you typically don't win close games. Primarily b/c these errors, more often than not lead to the other team scoring unearned runs, or base running mistakes which translate into lost opportunities.
We need a more guys who are fighters, who truly hate to lose, in order to really turn this organization around. We need more (or ONE) Jake Arrieta's, which is why I can't wait to see him in an O's uni. This article in The Sun http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-sp.osminors22jun22,0,1396121.story speaks to the kind of player he is, and drives the point home that this isn't an attitude that many on the current O's roster possess. Perhaps it's there, but I don't hear it in interviews, and I just don't see it on the field, where it truly counts. Matt Hobgood, from everything I've read, also seems to have this make-up, and he couldn't get here soon enough.
McPhail and Trembley must insist the players and organization take on this mentality, or we are destined to repeat the last decade plus of losing.
We need a more guys who are fighters, who truly hate to lose, in order to really turn this organization around. We need more (or ONE) Jake Arrieta's, which is why I can't wait to see him in an O's uni. This article in The Sun http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-sp.osminors22jun22,0,1396121.story speaks to the kind of player he is, and drives the point home that this isn't an attitude that many on the current O's roster possess. Perhaps it's there, but I don't hear it in interviews, and I just don't see it on the field, where it truly counts. Matt Hobgood, from everything I've read, also seems to have this make-up, and he couldn't get here soon enough.
McPhail and Trembley must insist the players and organization take on this mentality, or we are destined to repeat the last decade plus of losing.
Fundamentals? Killer Instinct?
I can accept losing, but not the way the O's have lost the last two nights. Felix Pie should be DFA's out of principle. After Wieters threw the ball into CF on Bonifacio's steal attempt in the 7th, Pie picked the ball up and I tohught I heard a fan yell "Throw it in! Get the ball in!" but apparently Felix didn't. It was little league baseball, if that. What a joke. I was watching the game on the Marlins broadcast and the silence in the booth after witnessing Bonifacio race all the way around to score was deafening. Obviously, you don't see plays like that very often, at least if you aren't watching the O's on a daily basis. This team still seems to find ways to lose, depsite my previos post and hope that they are starting to figure out how to win. It's really disheartening, though based on this quoet from the Sun today, it sounds like Trembley is losing patience (shouldn't he have LOST his patience by now, though?)
"That's not what we're all about here," Trembley said. "That's not winning baseball. You don't win baseball games by doing that. You give baseball games away by doing that. That's not what it's all about here, and that's not what the majority of guys here are all about. It happens. It's unfortunate, but it's not acceptable. It's that simple."
Pie doesn't seem to have progressed at all this season, and how many years have teams been waiting on him? I just can't see him ever panning out….Here's hoping our defense can consistently back up these young pitchers and string together some strong, major league play. Base running and playing solid defense just aren't that difficult, yet they seem to consistently be our Achilles heal. Let's avoid this sweep tonight. Go O's!
A couple other thoughts about last night in baseball. It was great to see Big Papi hit his 7th HR of the season, and maybe he really IS starting to come around. As difficult as this season has been for him so far , I think he's handled himself incredibly well, so I am glad to see he's getting it going.
Another nice win for the M's who seem to be winning with smoke and mirrors. And in the AL West, where Texas has certainly cooled down, they could actually sneak into the playoffs if their offense ever gets going (and Bedard can stay off the DL)
"That's not what we're all about here," Trembley said. "That's not winning baseball. You don't win baseball games by doing that. You give baseball games away by doing that. That's not what it's all about here, and that's not what the majority of guys here are all about. It happens. It's unfortunate, but it's not acceptable. It's that simple."
Pie doesn't seem to have progressed at all this season, and how many years have teams been waiting on him? I just can't see him ever panning out….Here's hoping our defense can consistently back up these young pitchers and string together some strong, major league play. Base running and playing solid defense just aren't that difficult, yet they seem to consistently be our Achilles heal. Let's avoid this sweep tonight. Go O's!
A couple other thoughts about last night in baseball. It was great to see Big Papi hit his 7th HR of the season, and maybe he really IS starting to come around. As difficult as this season has been for him so far , I think he's handled himself incredibly well, so I am glad to see he's getting it going.
Another nice win for the M's who seem to be winning with smoke and mirrors. And in the AL West, where Texas has certainly cooled down, they could actually sneak into the playoffs if their offense ever gets going (and Bedard can stay off the DL)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tough night but still, some positives
While I am obviously disappointed that the O's lost tonight, I have both good feelings and continued bad feelings about certain aspects of this team. First and foremost, the base running, all season, has been nothing short of atrocious. I said it a month or more ago, but this is truly the worst base running team I have ever seen. Ever. Most of the bad decisions are being made by veterans too (see Melvin Mora, who still thinks he's as fast as he was 10 years ago). I can only hope that Trembley's comments to the media are different than those he conveys to his team, b/c there is simply no excuse for them, and that's the position he needs to take with the players, young or old. Wigginton had the entire play in front of him in the 11th last night, and yet got thrown out by 20 feet at second base. What was John Shelby doing? Did Wigginton run through a stop sign on his way to 2nd base? I didn't see a replay that showed what Shelby was doing, but regardless, Wigginton has to know the situation (11th inning, Zaun on 1B and one out) and was looking straight down the right field line as the right fielder was picking up the ball. It simply makes no sense.
This would have been a truly amazing win, on top of five solid wins in a row prior, and despite another poor performance from Baez (whose trade value continues to plummet) as well as Wigginton's gaffe. As disappointing as it was though, there were definitely some positives, in particular scoring 5 runs in the last two innings to tie the game and Koji's performance through 6 innings (it was clear he was out of gas though). In my opinion, he's a middle reliever at this point in his career, and his role is likely to change later this year or next. As long as he's getting guys out I don't really care where he pitches, but more importantly, his signing made in-roads into Asia, which has to be worth $10M over 2 years, no? The other thing that is positive is that we continue to play competitive baseball while the top of the order is in a slump. At least a power slump, between Jones, Huff and Markakis, and I think that's a very positive sign. Jones needs to get back to hitting the ball to the opposite field and he will be fine, and I am not the least bit concerned about Markakis. Wieters made his opposite field bomb last night look so easy, and I can see us having much to cheer about as his year, and career, continue in an O's uniform.
A couple of other observations. Huff seems to hit into more bad luck on balls he hits hard than any other batter (Jones is a close 2nd I think), but I may remember more of Huff's hits b/c he seems like such a whiner when he gets out. These things tend to even out over a long season though, and here's hoping that's the case. And, I know I complain about Sherrill and his Don Stanhouse-like saves, but during the broadcast, the FL announcers indicated that their closer, Matt Lindstrom, has only had four 1,2,3 innings among his 1 saves this year (and a 1.90 WHIP, ouch!). Reading that, and seeing how well Sherrill has been pitching doesn't make me feel so bad. I'd feel even better if we traded him and got a solid 3B or SS prospect or a couple more arms. Overall, there's a ton to be excited about with this team, so last night was just another blip on the radar screen. Let's start another streak tonight. Go O's!
This would have been a truly amazing win, on top of five solid wins in a row prior, and despite another poor performance from Baez (whose trade value continues to plummet) as well as Wigginton's gaffe. As disappointing as it was though, there were definitely some positives, in particular scoring 5 runs in the last two innings to tie the game and Koji's performance through 6 innings (it was clear he was out of gas though). In my opinion, he's a middle reliever at this point in his career, and his role is likely to change later this year or next. As long as he's getting guys out I don't really care where he pitches, but more importantly, his signing made in-roads into Asia, which has to be worth $10M over 2 years, no? The other thing that is positive is that we continue to play competitive baseball while the top of the order is in a slump. At least a power slump, between Jones, Huff and Markakis, and I think that's a very positive sign. Jones needs to get back to hitting the ball to the opposite field and he will be fine, and I am not the least bit concerned about Markakis. Wieters made his opposite field bomb last night look so easy, and I can see us having much to cheer about as his year, and career, continue in an O's uniform.
A couple of other observations. Huff seems to hit into more bad luck on balls he hits hard than any other batter (Jones is a close 2nd I think), but I may remember more of Huff's hits b/c he seems like such a whiner when he gets out. These things tend to even out over a long season though, and here's hoping that's the case. And, I know I complain about Sherrill and his Don Stanhouse-like saves, but during the broadcast, the FL announcers indicated that their closer, Matt Lindstrom, has only had four 1,2,3 innings among his 1 saves this year (and a 1.90 WHIP, ouch!). Reading that, and seeing how well Sherrill has been pitching doesn't make me feel so bad. I'd feel even better if we traded him and got a solid 3B or SS prospect or a couple more arms. Overall, there's a ton to be excited about with this team, so last night was just another blip on the radar screen. Let's start another streak tonight. Go O's!
Monday, June 22, 2009
O's learning how to win?
Well, I didn't expect to sweep a series on the road against the defending World Series champs. While I give plenty of credit to the O's entire team, we caught the Phils at a particularly difficult time, and took advantage of it. More than the five game winning streak though, it looks like this team is starting to understand how to win, and that's encouraging, to say the least (it's been a long 11+ years). The comeback win against K-Rod seemed to get things going, and the BR 2-run homer on Saturday night helped continue a great run. But if you've been watching the games, the O's are also getting breaks, and in some cases, several of them (see phantom tag on Jimmy Rollin's infield grounder yesterday), but you have to in order to get on a roll. It remains to be seen how the young players continue to develop, but I've been very impressed with the poise and effectiveness from the young pitchers (Berken and Bergesen, in particular), and Reimold, and hope things continue to go well in Florida.
Good luck to the Phillies the rest of the way and go O's!
Earl
Good luck to the Phillies the rest of the way and go O's!
Earl
Friday, June 19, 2009
O's 6/18, random Thoughts and Phils Series
I read a headline about a "Hon Festival" in MD and I have to say, it's a festival I am sad to have missed. For all you local Baltimore folk, you can probably relate to and appreciate the use of the term "hon."" Follow the ink so you don't miss it next year, and if Jimmy's is still down in Fells Point, stop by, I assure you that someone will address you as "hon." Man do I miss that here in Seattle…...
www.honfest.net/
One other random thought from Wednesday's O's broadcast was how relaxed and animated Trembley was during his interview on MASN's "Wired Wednesday." For me, it would be great to see a lot more of this. He's incredibly stoic in the dugout, and while he's obviously focused on the game, he sometimes gives the appearance of a deer in the headlights. Maybe it's just me, although my Mom even made the comment a few weeks ago, and she doesn't watch a lot of baseball! At any rate, it was nice to see and I hope we see more of it as the season progresses
On to last night's game. Berken looked great through 5 innings and it was clear he had a plan and executed it well. He kept the Mets hitters off balance, consistently kept the ball down, and got K's both via his off speed pitches as well as his fastball. What impressed me most was how comfortable and confident he looked, and his ability to stay focused after Andino made the throwing error to lead off the 4th ( BTW, Wiggy should have been able to actually stretch for, or at least stretch and make it a short hop, not an in between hop on the throw in the dirt). For any pitcher, much less a rookie, poor defense behind you so often leads a pitcher unraveling, but Berken didn't appear to let him bother him. In the 6th inning though, he was consistently up in the zone and after giving up only 1 hit through 5, gave up 2 runs and four hits in the 6th. He finished the inning with close to, if not 90 pitches for the game, and it should have been the end of his day. The most obvious reason he should have been pulled was b/c he was getting pitches up and he was coming off of two very poor outings, so he could have left feeling pretty damn good about his outing. We can always can second guess (in particular, I can), but this seemed like a no brainer to me. It all worked out and it was nice to read in the Sun that Wiggy went over to Berken and told him that the offense would get him off the hook, and sure enough they did.
Home plate ump Mark Wegner had a very generous strike zone all night for both teams, but I really thought the O's got a break in the bottom of the 9th as K-Rod, in my opinion, was really getting squeezed. When things are going well (and I consider 3 of 4 going in to last night's game "going well" for the O's, at least) this is what happens. And, the sacrifice bunt by Roberts and K-Rod's subsequent throw to third to try to get the lead runner was another great break for the O's, and great hustle by Felix Pie to even make it close. I watched the play about 5 times in slo-mo, and I have to say that it could have gone either way, but I think the correct call was made. Surely there are Mets fans, and even Jim palmer on the broadcast, who may think otherwise, but these are the kinds of breaks teams need sometimes. We'll see if they parlay it into a couple wins off of the Phillies lefties this weekend. There's been lots of chatter coming out of Philly regarding the Phils home tonic with the O's coming to town, and Bob Ford had some bulletin board material for the O's in this article, including the excerpt below: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20090619_Bob_Ford__Manuel_is_near_boiling_point_with_listless_Phils.html
Here's the kicker:
"Life might get a little brighter tonight when the Baltimore Orioles, owners of the worst road record in the American League, drag themselves into town. If you can't have the Washington Nationals around - and the Nats are the only thing standing between the Phils and an 8-18 home record - the Orioles are the next-best option."
As any association with the Nats should outrage O's fans on many levels, I'd like to think we have a decent chance of taking 2 of 3 with the Phils myriad issues. Patience against Rich Hill tonight could spell disaster, but I'm looking forward to some good old banter with those folks from Philly. Especially that Sophocles punk! I think Reimold and Jones will have big weekends. Go O's!
www.honfest.net/
One other random thought from Wednesday's O's broadcast was how relaxed and animated Trembley was during his interview on MASN's "Wired Wednesday." For me, it would be great to see a lot more of this. He's incredibly stoic in the dugout, and while he's obviously focused on the game, he sometimes gives the appearance of a deer in the headlights. Maybe it's just me, although my Mom even made the comment a few weeks ago, and she doesn't watch a lot of baseball! At any rate, it was nice to see and I hope we see more of it as the season progresses
On to last night's game. Berken looked great through 5 innings and it was clear he had a plan and executed it well. He kept the Mets hitters off balance, consistently kept the ball down, and got K's both via his off speed pitches as well as his fastball. What impressed me most was how comfortable and confident he looked, and his ability to stay focused after Andino made the throwing error to lead off the 4th ( BTW, Wiggy should have been able to actually stretch for, or at least stretch and make it a short hop, not an in between hop on the throw in the dirt). For any pitcher, much less a rookie, poor defense behind you so often leads a pitcher unraveling, but Berken didn't appear to let him bother him. In the 6th inning though, he was consistently up in the zone and after giving up only 1 hit through 5, gave up 2 runs and four hits in the 6th. He finished the inning with close to, if not 90 pitches for the game, and it should have been the end of his day. The most obvious reason he should have been pulled was b/c he was getting pitches up and he was coming off of two very poor outings, so he could have left feeling pretty damn good about his outing. We can always can second guess (in particular, I can), but this seemed like a no brainer to me. It all worked out and it was nice to read in the Sun that Wiggy went over to Berken and told him that the offense would get him off the hook, and sure enough they did.
Home plate ump Mark Wegner had a very generous strike zone all night for both teams, but I really thought the O's got a break in the bottom of the 9th as K-Rod, in my opinion, was really getting squeezed. When things are going well (and I consider 3 of 4 going in to last night's game "going well" for the O's, at least) this is what happens. And, the sacrifice bunt by Roberts and K-Rod's subsequent throw to third to try to get the lead runner was another great break for the O's, and great hustle by Felix Pie to even make it close. I watched the play about 5 times in slo-mo, and I have to say that it could have gone either way, but I think the correct call was made. Surely there are Mets fans, and even Jim palmer on the broadcast, who may think otherwise, but these are the kinds of breaks teams need sometimes. We'll see if they parlay it into a couple wins off of the Phillies lefties this weekend. There's been lots of chatter coming out of Philly regarding the Phils home tonic with the O's coming to town, and Bob Ford had some bulletin board material for the O's in this article, including the excerpt below: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20090619_Bob_Ford__Manuel_is_near_boiling_point_with_listless_Phils.html
Here's the kicker:
"Life might get a little brighter tonight when the Baltimore Orioles, owners of the worst road record in the American League, drag themselves into town. If you can't have the Washington Nationals around - and the Nats are the only thing standing between the Phils and an 8-18 home record - the Orioles are the next-best option."
As any association with the Nats should outrage O's fans on many levels, I'd like to think we have a decent chance of taking 2 of 3 with the Phils myriad issues. Patience against Rich Hill tonight could spell disaster, but I'm looking forward to some good old banter with those folks from Philly. Especially that Sophocles punk! I think Reimold and Jones will have big weekends. Go O's!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
O's v Mets 6/15
Last night's game was so frustrating and a perfect example of why this team is 10 games below .500, AGAIN. There seems to be so little energy and enthusiasm (ENERGY is NOT rising!) and I feel like the complacency starts with the manager. I am really getting tired of these quotes from Trembley:
"The game could have snowballed totally out of hand. It didn't," Trembley said. "We made them earn it after we gave them some runs and some extra chances."
What do you mean "we made them earn it." The victory? We handed it to them on a silver platter. And the 4th inning, as it turned out, DID snowball out of hand, no? Guthrie hadn't given up a hit until AFTER Roberts error. Mental toughness, anyone? Trembley's complacence, or at least appearance of complacence is really starting tog et old. It seems like after every loss there is something that went wrong that he's able to say "It is what it is" and move on. Good teams make plays. Good teams figure out ways to win, and this team has not figured out how to do that yet, and I am not sure under Trembley's guidance they ever will. And that's sad, b/c I like the guy. There doesn't seem to be any sense of urgency, and after winning the last two against the Braves and getting the offense going, we made Mike Pelfrey (MIKE PELFREY!) look like a Cy Young candidate. This team needs to want it more…..
"The game could have snowballed totally out of hand. It didn't," Trembley said. "We made them earn it after we gave them some runs and some extra chances."
What do you mean "we made them earn it." The victory? We handed it to them on a silver platter. And the 4th inning, as it turned out, DID snowball out of hand, no? Guthrie hadn't given up a hit until AFTER Roberts error. Mental toughness, anyone? Trembley's complacence, or at least appearance of complacence is really starting tog et old. It seems like after every loss there is something that went wrong that he's able to say "It is what it is" and move on. Good teams make plays. Good teams figure out ways to win, and this team has not figured out how to do that yet, and I am not sure under Trembley's guidance they ever will. And that's sad, b/c I like the guy. There doesn't seem to be any sense of urgency, and after winning the last two against the Braves and getting the offense going, we made Mike Pelfrey (MIKE PELFREY!) look like a Cy Young candidate. This team needs to want it more…..
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)