Well, so much for getting on a roll after the win Sunday in Oakland. The offense was pathetic again last night, and when things are going bad, errors like the one that Wigginton committed in the disastrous 3rd inning seem to happen on a daily basis, and teams have made the O’s pay dearly for giving them extra outs. It was probably only a matter of time before the M’s, as anemic as their offense typically is, scored some runs against Bergesen who had as many balls as strikes after two innings. He just doesn’t have it right now and personally, think it’s great he was sent back down to AAA to figure it out. Was last year a façade, or can he be that pitcher again? I think he’s suffering as much mentally as physically right now, and doesn’t have the confidence to get back to where he needs to be, getting over the top of the ball and making it consistently sink. The Mariners made the plays last night too, including Ichiro’s shoelace catch on a Wieters liner with 2 on in the top of the first. It’s really a train wreck right now, and looking at the schedule, there seems like no end in sight. While the M’s are high on Doug Fister, he isn’t Cy Young but we made him look like him for 6+ innings. I’d never heard of the kid until last year, but apparently he was one of the top pitching prospects in the organization. Here’s hoping he continues to pitch well the rest of the season, b/c he will be a huge boost to the M’s chances of winning the division.
Of course for me, and Shelby, the outcome of the game was very disappointing, but the off the field behavior of the M’s fans was the ultimate disappointment. Yes, the O’s aren’t a good team right now and have had 12, going on 13 losing seasons. I get it. But the M’s aren’t the most accomplished team historically, and if you want to compare them to the Blue Jays, who came in to the league in 1977 too, then there really isn’t a comparison. The ignorance being spewed in the stands last night was just that, ignorant. The shouts of “Orioles Suck” and “miss it Martinez” referring to the O’s left fielder, Lou Montanez were a pathetic display of sportsmanship. I did like, however, repeated shouts “The O’s have crabs,” b/c at least that took a little bit of knowledge about MD, and possibly the O’s players, as well as a sense of humor. At any rate, I’ve probably been to 25 or more O’s games at Safeco Field over the last 11 years (and the O’s haven’t won more than 5 of those games, at most), and attended at least 100+ games the M’s have played against other opponents, and the O’s games seem to bring out the worst in M’s fans. While there were two pretty knowledgeable fans sitting next to us, overall, this fan base leaves a lot to be desired regarding their baseball knowledge and sportsmanship. Yep, I know this sounds like sour grapes and there’s absolutely a component of that, but this behavior has been going on since I went to the inaugural game at Safeco, and that’s the disappointing thing. Cheer for your team Mariners fans, b/c Fister and the M’s deserve credit for a solid win last night. But please, keep the insults to yourselves, b/c it’s downright embarrassing and really reflects poorly on the city. I’ll be home watching tonight but will be back out at Safeco tomorrow night. Go O’s!
PS I just read that Pie is out for at least 3 months. Will the O’s ever catch a break? Ever? I say no, not until Angelos sells the team. Although perhaps the break will be for Lou Montanez who should now have a very good chance to get consistent playing team so we can see what he can do. Go get ‘em Lou!!!!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
A Disaster In Baltimore
What an entirely lost weekend in Baltimore it was. To lose three to Toronto after a tough start in Florida was not what the doctor ordered. The starters have been outstanding overall, and Hernandez threw a very nice ballgame on Saturday as Millwood did yesterday. The obviously glaring problem is our offense, and maybe that’s because Brian Roberts is hurt. I bet if we looked back at the last 5 years and looked at our offensive numbers (not wins, mind you) they would show a huge disparity in games when BR played and when he didn’t. He’s the table setter and makes the offense go. I’ll confess too that McPhail needs to be actively looking for a lead-off hitter, someone who will be around for years, b/c I just don’t have a great deal of faith that Roberts is going to be the player he has been. Call me crazy, negative, an alarmist, or whatever you’d like, but we just can’t afford to have a void at the leadoff spot. These last two games when Izturis and Lugo bat back to back is just painful. They even got a few hits I think, but what team is going to be scared to pitch to either of these guys. It’s just frustrating. And the complacency of some of our guys at the plate, including Markakis is just disheartening. I know Nick is leading the majors in walks, but he doesn’t have single RBI yet? He has to swing the bat, and he struck out looking with a man on third and nobody out yesterday in the 3rd inning. Tacking another run on there should have been a given, sending the O’s ahead 3-0 with Millwood throwing very well. I know Markakis will have his 20+ HR’s and 100 RBI’s, but at a time when nobody on the team is driving in runs and our leadoff sparkplug is going on the DL, we need him to step up. We are 9-54 w/ RISP, enough said. I’m frustrated as I know they are, but the only thing at this point that would be a bigger nightmare than the one we already have is if there were other injuries and our starting pitchers were imploding. The starters have been the bright spot, much to my surprise and delight.
In yesterday’s game, the ball Miggy was charged an error on did take a bad hop, but he let the ball play him and simply has to make the play. He’s learning and has played very well so far, so no reason to believe that he won’t continue to learn and improve. Plus, he just has a wonderful attitude. He’s really not our problem, and when things are going poorly, other teams, even teams like Toronto, make you pay. At least we have Tampa Bay tonight! They are always bringing up the rear in the AL East. Phew! Go O’s
In yesterday’s game, the ball Miggy was charged an error on did take a bad hop, but he let the ball play him and simply has to make the play. He’s learning and has played very well so far, so no reason to believe that he won’t continue to learn and improve. Plus, he just has a wonderful attitude. He’s really not our problem, and when things are going poorly, other teams, even teams like Toronto, make you pay. At least we have Tampa Bay tonight! They are always bringing up the rear in the AL East. Phew! Go O’s
Friday, April 9, 2010
First Win for O's in 2010
I didn’t see the game last night and didn’t even watch the speed version this morning. After exchanging a few texts with Wass when I was in class last night, and hearing that Matusz was struggling in the 5th, I couldn’t bear to check the scores when I got home after 12:30 last night, b/c I was afraid it was going to ruin what was a fantastic night. Yonder Mountain String Band is at the top of my list as far as live shows go. Their energy is insatiable, and I am tempted to drive to Missoula tomorrow, but I digress.
I was surprised to read Matusz walked five guys and he said that he couldn’t remember the last time he walked that many. But, the guys knows how to pitch and battled through his wildness, finishing on a very strong note, striking out Evan Longoria to end the 5th. It’s great to see Wieters get off to a strong start, and both Garrett Atkins and Reimold get some big hits. It’s really a shame F. Pie is injured.
Hopefully, after another Don “Full Pack” Stanhouse performance from Gonzalez last night, he’s got it out of his system and gets on track. This team has such little margin for error, that we simply can’t afford to blow games. Who can though, so that pretty much goes without saying, but I had to say it. Overall I am somewhat encouraged by the start. Obviously wins and losses is what counts, and I am not saying I am satisfied, but I do like some of the things that have happened so far. Bergesen needs to pitch well tonight and get this home opening series off to a good start. We’ve got to beat the Blue Jays 2 of 3 all year, period.
The M’s on the other hand have shown me little to be encouraged about. We knew they weren’t going to score many runs, but losing 3 of 4 to the A’s was not what the way you wanted to start the season. I just don’t like the M’s rotation, beyond Felix, and even when Lee gets back, 60% of the starts are coming from Fister, Rowland-Smith, Vargas and Snell, and that is frightening. If Bedard can be productive (and of course healthy) and Lee gets healthy, it could be a great top 3, and the M’s could return Vargas to the BP where he probably belongs.
I finally got on MLB Audio and the O’s have bounced back after a shaky 1st from Bergy to get it back to 3-2 on a 2 run single by Miggy. Come on Bergy, we should have the advantage in this pitching matchup Go O’s!
I was surprised to read Matusz walked five guys and he said that he couldn’t remember the last time he walked that many. But, the guys knows how to pitch and battled through his wildness, finishing on a very strong note, striking out Evan Longoria to end the 5th. It’s great to see Wieters get off to a strong start, and both Garrett Atkins and Reimold get some big hits. It’s really a shame F. Pie is injured.
Hopefully, after another Don “Full Pack” Stanhouse performance from Gonzalez last night, he’s got it out of his system and gets on track. This team has such little margin for error, that we simply can’t afford to blow games. Who can though, so that pretty much goes without saying, but I had to say it. Overall I am somewhat encouraged by the start. Obviously wins and losses is what counts, and I am not saying I am satisfied, but I do like some of the things that have happened so far. Bergesen needs to pitch well tonight and get this home opening series off to a good start. We’ve got to beat the Blue Jays 2 of 3 all year, period.
The M’s on the other hand have shown me little to be encouraged about. We knew they weren’t going to score many runs, but losing 3 of 4 to the A’s was not what the way you wanted to start the season. I just don’t like the M’s rotation, beyond Felix, and even when Lee gets back, 60% of the starts are coming from Fister, Rowland-Smith, Vargas and Snell, and that is frightening. If Bedard can be productive (and of course healthy) and Lee gets healthy, it could be a great top 3, and the M’s could return Vargas to the BP where he probably belongs.
I finally got on MLB Audio and the O’s have bounced back after a shaky 1st from Bergy to get it back to 3-2 on a 2 run single by Miggy. Come on Bergy, we should have the advantage in this pitching matchup Go O’s!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Stop the Madness!
Why does the NCAA allow schools to approach coaches about jobs before the basketball season is over? Do the players really deserve to be overshadowed or, at a minimum, distracted during what should be one of the most exciting and special times of their young lives? It’s absurd, and yet the NCAA has complete control over this, yet lets it happen at the detriment of the kids. It makes no sense to me whatsoever. Of course I know it’s a business, but there is also a human side to it that the NCAA apparently disregards. There needs to be a rule that, under no circumstances, should a school be allowed to approach any coach until after the NCAA Championship game. These educational behemoths can wait an extra couple weeks, especially if everyone is playing by the same rules, just like in recruiting :) That means you Calipari!
That’s a nice segue into Kentucky announcing that five of their players are leaving the school for the NBA, only Patrick Patterson’s Mom heard the news after receiving calls from family and friends to congratulate her and her son. Now maybe we don’t know the entire story, and perhaps Patterson did tell Calipari that he was leaving, but at the expense of these soon to be NBA players, Kentucky used this major announcement as a recruiting tool, saying “We’ve got playing time for you, you one and doners!” I mean does Calipari, who has his own set of “rules” really need to upstage these kids who brought him a ton of glory this year? Apparently the answer is YES!
And finally, to finish up my bashing of the NCAA and university head’s of administration, I read an article about how the firing of WF’s Dino Gaudio took the stellar 5 player recruiting class by surprise. As I continued to read, I was once again astounded at the ignorance of another school administrator, WF’s athletic director Ron Wellman. Here’s a link to the article and here’s the quote:
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Wake-Forest-recruits-shocked-by-Dino-Gaudio-s-?urn=ncaab,232802
Wellman urged the five recruits to be "patient" while Wake Forest conducts a search to replace Gaudio.
"Don’t do something at a peak emotional that you would regret later on," Wellman said. "Let us hire the new coach, meet with the new coach and see where it might go."
First of all, I am hopeful that the quote is merely a typo b/c Wellman sounds like an idiot. Beyond that, the arrogance he has to tell these five players to be “patient” and to not do something “at a peak emotionally” is just shocking! My assumption is that these kids were thrilled to be going to WF to play for Gaudio, making the biggest decision of their young lives, and he’s telling them NOT to be emotional? What about you who fired Gaudio after the fade towards the end of the season. Was that done at “peak emotion” or did you really think about that for months? It’s just crazy to me, and ignorant. I know most of these kids don’t really want to be in school and the NBA is the ultimate goal, but it still doesn’t mean that they should be treated like a piece of meat. Yet they are, and it’s all very sad. To the WF recruiting class, there’s another ACC school up in College Park, MD that has a hall of fame coach, lots of talent, and would like to talk to you. Good luck guys, and just be patient.
That’s a nice segue into Kentucky announcing that five of their players are leaving the school for the NBA, only Patrick Patterson’s Mom heard the news after receiving calls from family and friends to congratulate her and her son. Now maybe we don’t know the entire story, and perhaps Patterson did tell Calipari that he was leaving, but at the expense of these soon to be NBA players, Kentucky used this major announcement as a recruiting tool, saying “We’ve got playing time for you, you one and doners!” I mean does Calipari, who has his own set of “rules” really need to upstage these kids who brought him a ton of glory this year? Apparently the answer is YES!
And finally, to finish up my bashing of the NCAA and university head’s of administration, I read an article about how the firing of WF’s Dino Gaudio took the stellar 5 player recruiting class by surprise. As I continued to read, I was once again astounded at the ignorance of another school administrator, WF’s athletic director Ron Wellman. Here’s a link to the article and here’s the quote:
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Wake-Forest-recruits-shocked-by-Dino-Gaudio-s-?urn=ncaab,232802
Wellman urged the five recruits to be "patient" while Wake Forest conducts a search to replace Gaudio.
"Don’t do something at a peak emotional that you would regret later on," Wellman said. "Let us hire the new coach, meet with the new coach and see where it might go."
First of all, I am hopeful that the quote is merely a typo b/c Wellman sounds like an idiot. Beyond that, the arrogance he has to tell these five players to be “patient” and to not do something “at a peak emotionally” is just shocking! My assumption is that these kids were thrilled to be going to WF to play for Gaudio, making the biggest decision of their young lives, and he’s telling them NOT to be emotional? What about you who fired Gaudio after the fade towards the end of the season. Was that done at “peak emotion” or did you really think about that for months? It’s just crazy to me, and ignorant. I know most of these kids don’t really want to be in school and the NBA is the ultimate goal, but it still doesn’t mean that they should be treated like a piece of meat. Yet they are, and it’s all very sad. To the WF recruiting class, there’s another ACC school up in College Park, MD that has a hall of fame coach, lots of talent, and would like to talk to you. Good luck guys, and just be patient.
Another Tough Loss for the O's
Well, another really tough loss last night against the D Rays and it was one of those games that I never felt like the O’s would win, despite being ahead for the first 4 innings. I thought Guthrie threw very well and had great movement on his pitches, especially his slider. Very encouraging, and from the quotes I read today, it sounds like he felt very comfortable and better than at any point last year. Two 1-run losses is painful though, and one of the areas that the O’s absolutely need to improve ASAP. As I watched the game last night it struck me that the O’s are hoping that next year or in 2012 they develop into what D Rays are today. I mean, their #1 and #2 starters are both younger by several years and better than the O’s top 2, Millwood and Guthrie. Evan Longoria IS a star now, and if he stays healthy is going to put up some monster numbers for the next 10 years. Markakis may not quite be Longoria, but he’s not far, and should easily win several Gold Gloves if people would look away from Ichiro (or look more closely, b/c Markakis deserved a GG last year!) They just have a wealth of talent who also have major league experience, and several of the O’s young players who I’d expect to be in very good star range, in Wieters, Matusz, Reimold, Jones, and perhaps Tillman, will continue to get ML experience and hopefully develop this year. The Rays are clearly ahead of the O’s, which brings me back to my state of depression. It’s just a brutally tough division, but I feel like the O’s are clearly headed in the right direction. Here are a couple more thoughts from last night’s game:
- Great hustle by Markakis to run hard and score from 2nd on a routine grounder to 2B that should have ended the inning. That’s the kind of stuff we need out of this team, the little things. Everyone can always hustle, and if you don’t, you sit your ass on the bench, Period.
- Regardless of what Reimold said in the papers, he looked terrible on both balls that went over his head into the LF gaps last night. He’s not a great leftfielder anyway and seemed tentative, but he’s got to get better. Quickly. Our defense needs to tighten up and all you have to do is watch the games to know that, not the box score.
- We got some breaks on check swings last night and did capitalize. We need lots of beaks.
- Hopefully the O’s learned how important tacking on runs in the late innings is. The rays did it last night and it proved to be the game winner. The O’s didn’t on opening night and you know how things ended up.
- Guthrie and Millwood’s performances were encouraging; especially b/c of what they did in the spring. I was very pleased with Guthrie last night, and he always battles.
Now, as Roch Kubatko said this morning, Matusz needs to be the stopper. A tall task indeed, but I really like this kid’s chances this year. Maybe not tonight, mind you, but he really looks like he is going to be something special. We need him to be special tonight, as it is as important a 3rd game of the season than there has ever been for this team. With Niemann on the hill for the Rays, I am keeping my fingers crossed that our offense finally gets going. I’m not going to be able to watch tonight as we are going to see Yonder Mountain String Band after my class, but I’ll have some things to say after I watch the recorded version at high, high speed when I get home! Go O’s and come on Brian Matusz!!!
- Great hustle by Markakis to run hard and score from 2nd on a routine grounder to 2B that should have ended the inning. That’s the kind of stuff we need out of this team, the little things. Everyone can always hustle, and if you don’t, you sit your ass on the bench, Period.
- Regardless of what Reimold said in the papers, he looked terrible on both balls that went over his head into the LF gaps last night. He’s not a great leftfielder anyway and seemed tentative, but he’s got to get better. Quickly. Our defense needs to tighten up and all you have to do is watch the games to know that, not the box score.
- We got some breaks on check swings last night and did capitalize. We need lots of beaks.
- Hopefully the O’s learned how important tacking on runs in the late innings is. The rays did it last night and it proved to be the game winner. The O’s didn’t on opening night and you know how things ended up.
- Guthrie and Millwood’s performances were encouraging; especially b/c of what they did in the spring. I was very pleased with Guthrie last night, and he always battles.
Now, as Roch Kubatko said this morning, Matusz needs to be the stopper. A tall task indeed, but I really like this kid’s chances this year. Maybe not tonight, mind you, but he really looks like he is going to be something special. We need him to be special tonight, as it is as important a 3rd game of the season than there has ever been for this team. With Niemann on the hill for the Rays, I am keeping my fingers crossed that our offense finally gets going. I’m not going to be able to watch tonight as we are going to see Yonder Mountain String Band after my class, but I’ll have some things to say after I watch the recorded version at high, high speed when I get home! Go O’s and come on Brian Matusz!!!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Rough Opener for O's, Gonzalez
What a terribly disappointing loss to start the season. I don’t think there is anything that is more demoralizing than a blown save, though despite Gonzalez coughing up a 1 run lead in the B9, it should never even have gotten to that point. The O’s had many chances to extend their lead throughout the game (1 for 12 with RISP), including in the 9th, and couldn’t get the big hit. Miggy stung the ball to LF with the bases loaded but it wasn’t meant to be. And getting three solo HR’s? Are you kidding me? There are some positives from the game, but man, it’s not what we needed to start the season. Here are some additional thoughts from the game
- Wieters has such an effortless swing, and the bomb he hit to CF in the 2nd was caught by an equally effortless Upton running it down
- Has anyone hit a longer HR at Tropicana Field than Luke Scott’s?
- Great to see, Wieters, Jones and Markakis hitting the ball the opposite way. Much like most hitters, when you are swinging the bat well you use the entire field, and Markakis double off of Shields on a breaking ball on the outside part of the plate was a fantastic piece of hitting.
- Markakis gunning Navarro out to end the 3rd was a thing of beauty, but in the 5th, F. Pie made a pretty good throw to the plate that got there in plenty of time and Wieters couldn’t handle it. TB put pressure on the O’s defense, but that was a play that has to be made. No excuses at all, and I wonder if Wieters would say that he should have made the play.
- Millwood looked pretty good (though not physically, as he seems to have put on a few lbs.), especially after his spring, but he too got away with a couple bad pitches that could have been ugly, one to Longoria. You have to be lucky in this game and get some breaks to win, and bad pitches that don’t get hit drive home the point of how difficult it is to hit a baseball.
- Albers looked like he had great movement on the ball and looked comfortable. Very nice to see
- I’ll give Gonzalez the benefit of the doubt in his first game with the O’s, and with a little luck, he could have had a much more comfortable lead than 1 run heading to the bottom of the 9th. But, he’s our closer, and we simply can’t afford to lose games like this.
I’m glad the season is here and hope Guthrie is able to throw a nice game tonight. Hitting 3 HR’s off of James Shields is no small feat, but hitting with RISP is critical for long term success, and the O’s need to improve this season. Keep working the counts and running the bases well too! Good Luck tonight O’s!
- Wieters has such an effortless swing, and the bomb he hit to CF in the 2nd was caught by an equally effortless Upton running it down
- Has anyone hit a longer HR at Tropicana Field than Luke Scott’s?
- Great to see, Wieters, Jones and Markakis hitting the ball the opposite way. Much like most hitters, when you are swinging the bat well you use the entire field, and Markakis double off of Shields on a breaking ball on the outside part of the plate was a fantastic piece of hitting.
- Markakis gunning Navarro out to end the 3rd was a thing of beauty, but in the 5th, F. Pie made a pretty good throw to the plate that got there in plenty of time and Wieters couldn’t handle it. TB put pressure on the O’s defense, but that was a play that has to be made. No excuses at all, and I wonder if Wieters would say that he should have made the play.
- Millwood looked pretty good (though not physically, as he seems to have put on a few lbs.), especially after his spring, but he too got away with a couple bad pitches that could have been ugly, one to Longoria. You have to be lucky in this game and get some breaks to win, and bad pitches that don’t get hit drive home the point of how difficult it is to hit a baseball.
- Albers looked like he had great movement on the ball and looked comfortable. Very nice to see
- I’ll give Gonzalez the benefit of the doubt in his first game with the O’s, and with a little luck, he could have had a much more comfortable lead than 1 run heading to the bottom of the 9th. But, he’s our closer, and we simply can’t afford to lose games like this.
I’m glad the season is here and hope Guthrie is able to throw a nice game tonight. Hitting 3 HR’s off of James Shields is no small feat, but hitting with RISP is critical for long term success, and the O’s need to improve this season. Keep working the counts and running the bases well too! Good Luck tonight O’s!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
It's All Over, Now On To MLB!
Well, college hoops is over and it ended with such a thud that I’ll be depressed until the O’s take over 1st Place in the AL East later this summer (or tonight!). Richmond’s 1st Round disaster, MD’s loss on a last second shot by, of all people, Korie Lucious, WVU’s disappointing loss AND DaSean’s torn ACL, and Butler’s loss to that hated team from Durham that officially capped off what had been a fine college hoops season. I loved all the stories about “Why People Hate Duke” leading up to last night’s game, and if everyone is talking about it must be true, right? Did Duke get all the calls last night, again? I wouldn’t go that far, but how on earth does Brian Zoubek probably played 15 minutes in the 1st half and NOT have a foul called on him? I know he picked up four in relatively short fashion in the 2nd half, but come on!!!! And, Matt Howard was basically a non-factor b/c of a couple touch fouls that WERE called on him. Anyway, I’ll give Duke credit that they played better than everyone in this tournament, and are a deserving champion. But I still hate them, and will take what little solace there is in the fact that the Terps beat the last two national champs during the regular season. Well, it’s all I’ve got to hold my hat on. Next year should be very interesting for MD, and as long as we get solid PG play, we should be back in the Big Dance. I am hopeful that they will, b/c Gary Williams almost always gets more out the talent he has than any other head coach in college, save perhaps Tom Izzo.
It’s on to baseball and the hope of watching the O’s youngsters develop this season. If we can get through the first 25 games with our heads above water, I will be thrilled, and can’t wait to see them play in Seattle in a few weeks. Go O’s!
It’s on to baseball and the hope of watching the O’s youngsters develop this season. If we can get through the first 25 games with our heads above water, I will be thrilled, and can’t wait to see them play in Seattle in a few weeks. Go O’s!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Earl's Thoughts On O's and Other Random Things
I’ve got a lot of things to say today as we have the truly official Opening Day for baseball, though not the O’s. Last night’s Yankees vs. Sox was MLB’s way of kicking off the start of the season, and if MLB can figure out a way to start the season with the Sox and Yanks, can’t it figure out a way to get closer to bringing back a balanced schedule? I digress, b/c that’s just never going to happen. So here we go:
- Sounders lost 1-0 on Saturday night and though I missed the game b/c of the Final Four, as predicted in my post after opening night, the Sounders struggled to put the ball in the net, despite many chances. Montero needs to step up as the primary target and goal scorer, and Ljundberg needs to keep his trap shut and just play. Home losses though aren’t going to help the Sounders get back to the playoffs this year.
- What a disappointing performance by The Mountaineers on Saturday night. While I wouldn’t have bet against Duke, and maybe truck Bryant’s injury was just another reason why Duke pounded WVU, but I really expected it to at least be a game. Poor DaSean Butler too, as that was a horrible way to bed your WVU career. Good luck in the NBA and to the Mountaineers next year. There will be one more little Mountaineer fan in Catonsville, MD, so perhaps that will help!
- Congratulations to Greivis Vasquez who continues to make the University of MD proud with the Cousy award and 2nd Teal All-American. I am going to really miss you GV, and thanks for all the memories! Good luck!
- Why can’t Liverpool hold late leads in the EPL? In the last two seasons they have lost or drawn so many games in the final minutes and extra time. Is it lack of concentration, fitness, desire? Whatever it is, sitting 6th in the table leaves little margin for error, and the teams ahead of them are far better than they’ve been in the past, so it’s an uphill battle. At least Torres’ goal from last Sunday will be seen many times over for the rest of the season. Truly brilliant!
- I can’t say I am feeling real good about the O’s so far but I try not to put too much stock (or any) into spring training. I’ll confess that I haven’t seen them play yet, but the early part of the schedule is simply brutal for them and I fear a slow start will bury them. The season goals for this team, in my humble opinion, should be to continue to develop all of the youngsters, like Reimold, Jones, Pie and Wieters, and Hernandez, Bergesen, Matusz, Berken, and in a few months, Tillman. Matusz is going to be a star, I have no doubt. Tillman’s attitude after being sent to Norfolk was outstanding, and if he can continue to refine his secondary pitches, in particular his change-up and two-seamer/cutter, I feel he will be some much better suited for success in the majors, even in the gotdamn AL EAST! Bergy needs to keep the ball down and he will be fine. He knows what he is doing, and showed great success against the AL East before his untimely injury. Hopefully the O’s have re-learned how to run the bases this year, b/c I can’t and simply won’t watch another season in which I saw little league base running in a dozen games or more. It was so embarrassing and Trembley better stick to his word of no tolerance.
- Other areas of improvement must include a better record against the Sox and Yankees (7-29 combined last year), road record (25-56) and record in 1 and 2 run games (29-43). Of course the AL East is the most brutal division, by far, but it’s the division we play in and I can’t even think of a situation in which realignment would do anything other than keep is the same division. So, as I think we’ve done, we’ve really started to place a premium on the draft and scouting, and taking chances on later round guys who are coming off of injury (see what the Angels did with Nick Adenhart, RIP) or fell due to signability issues, b/c we simply don’t have an owner who is willing to go out and break the bank in the free agent market. The Belle deal, which Angelos insisted be made b/c he feared the Yankees would scoop him up is still gun-shy on big deals b/c of the potential fallout. Maybe had he let the baseball people make the decisions that baseball people make, but again, I digress. Overall though, there is a ton of great talent on this team, but whether our young pitchers actually start making an impact is obviously yet to be seen. And, are they number 1 starters, #5’s, or middle relievers. That’s what I think is most difficult to gauge at this point, and only time will tell.
- Finally, my biggest concern is Brian Roberts. As I’ve said for years now, as the O’s go so goes BR, and his back issue is a huge concern. It’s also not one that will ever likely go away. A back issue for a guy who plays second base, uses his leagues as a weapon, and leads off games is a very scary issue. There is simply no replacing him for this team, and few teams in MLB would have a replacement for such a player, so it’s critical that he plays well for 130+ games. We shall see.
- For this season to be a success, it’s good and bad that it doesn’t necessarily have to show up in the wins columns. There are a ton of variables, but I want to see improvement for many different players, and while of course it would be great if those improvements translated into wins, but I just can’t get my arms around that at this point. Trembley will be evaluated on it, and I’m hopeful we will win more games than last year, 10 more at least, but that too will take time to resolve. If Roberts stays healthy, we play solid defense and the BP shows up, I think we can.
- I’m hoping the Mariners can score enough runs and find three more starts to hang in there in the AL West. Lee obviously must get healthy too, but the M’s would do very well to sign Washburn and get him into camp ASAP. He wants to play here so stop low-balling him and ring him in. Some other team could come calling any second, so get it down Jack Z. I’m really looking forward to seeing Chone Figgins and Ichiro at the top of the order, but the pop in the middle of the order right now looks minimal. Even if Milton Bradley keeps his mouth shut, stays healthy and plays well, he’s only played more than 125 games once in his career, so someone is going to have to develop some pop in the middle of the order. Gutierrez can probably hit 25 HR’s, though perhaps not in Safeco, but overall I see his production increasing, but losing Branyan may be a bigger loss than Jack thinks. I still believe the M’s will compete, but the Angels overall rotation seems considerably stronger than the M’s. The rangers will have the same pitching issues as they always do, but that’s just a hunch.
- Kudos to the Butler Bulldogs for making it to the NCAA Hoops Championship game! What a season and what an accomplishment. How they are going to beat Duke I don't know (perhaps get a few calls?!?!?!), but there are going to be 100 million Butler fans cheering them on tonight. Go Bulldogs and Good luck!!!!
I’m glad the baseball season is finally here, and I’m looking forward to seeing my Orioles in Seattle on 4/21 – 4/23, bundled up with Shelby and drinking Red Hook’s. Here's to the start of what I hope to see a view into the O's future successes! Go O’s!
- Sounders lost 1-0 on Saturday night and though I missed the game b/c of the Final Four, as predicted in my post after opening night, the Sounders struggled to put the ball in the net, despite many chances. Montero needs to step up as the primary target and goal scorer, and Ljundberg needs to keep his trap shut and just play. Home losses though aren’t going to help the Sounders get back to the playoffs this year.
- What a disappointing performance by The Mountaineers on Saturday night. While I wouldn’t have bet against Duke, and maybe truck Bryant’s injury was just another reason why Duke pounded WVU, but I really expected it to at least be a game. Poor DaSean Butler too, as that was a horrible way to bed your WVU career. Good luck in the NBA and to the Mountaineers next year. There will be one more little Mountaineer fan in Catonsville, MD, so perhaps that will help!
- Congratulations to Greivis Vasquez who continues to make the University of MD proud with the Cousy award and 2nd Teal All-American. I am going to really miss you GV, and thanks for all the memories! Good luck!
- Why can’t Liverpool hold late leads in the EPL? In the last two seasons they have lost or drawn so many games in the final minutes and extra time. Is it lack of concentration, fitness, desire? Whatever it is, sitting 6th in the table leaves little margin for error, and the teams ahead of them are far better than they’ve been in the past, so it’s an uphill battle. At least Torres’ goal from last Sunday will be seen many times over for the rest of the season. Truly brilliant!
- I can’t say I am feeling real good about the O’s so far but I try not to put too much stock (or any) into spring training. I’ll confess that I haven’t seen them play yet, but the early part of the schedule is simply brutal for them and I fear a slow start will bury them. The season goals for this team, in my humble opinion, should be to continue to develop all of the youngsters, like Reimold, Jones, Pie and Wieters, and Hernandez, Bergesen, Matusz, Berken, and in a few months, Tillman. Matusz is going to be a star, I have no doubt. Tillman’s attitude after being sent to Norfolk was outstanding, and if he can continue to refine his secondary pitches, in particular his change-up and two-seamer/cutter, I feel he will be some much better suited for success in the majors, even in the gotdamn AL EAST! Bergy needs to keep the ball down and he will be fine. He knows what he is doing, and showed great success against the AL East before his untimely injury. Hopefully the O’s have re-learned how to run the bases this year, b/c I can’t and simply won’t watch another season in which I saw little league base running in a dozen games or more. It was so embarrassing and Trembley better stick to his word of no tolerance.
- Other areas of improvement must include a better record against the Sox and Yankees (7-29 combined last year), road record (25-56) and record in 1 and 2 run games (29-43). Of course the AL East is the most brutal division, by far, but it’s the division we play in and I can’t even think of a situation in which realignment would do anything other than keep is the same division. So, as I think we’ve done, we’ve really started to place a premium on the draft and scouting, and taking chances on later round guys who are coming off of injury (see what the Angels did with Nick Adenhart, RIP) or fell due to signability issues, b/c we simply don’t have an owner who is willing to go out and break the bank in the free agent market. The Belle deal, which Angelos insisted be made b/c he feared the Yankees would scoop him up is still gun-shy on big deals b/c of the potential fallout. Maybe had he let the baseball people make the decisions that baseball people make, but again, I digress. Overall though, there is a ton of great talent on this team, but whether our young pitchers actually start making an impact is obviously yet to be seen. And, are they number 1 starters, #5’s, or middle relievers. That’s what I think is most difficult to gauge at this point, and only time will tell.
- Finally, my biggest concern is Brian Roberts. As I’ve said for years now, as the O’s go so goes BR, and his back issue is a huge concern. It’s also not one that will ever likely go away. A back issue for a guy who plays second base, uses his leagues as a weapon, and leads off games is a very scary issue. There is simply no replacing him for this team, and few teams in MLB would have a replacement for such a player, so it’s critical that he plays well for 130+ games. We shall see.
- For this season to be a success, it’s good and bad that it doesn’t necessarily have to show up in the wins columns. There are a ton of variables, but I want to see improvement for many different players, and while of course it would be great if those improvements translated into wins, but I just can’t get my arms around that at this point. Trembley will be evaluated on it, and I’m hopeful we will win more games than last year, 10 more at least, but that too will take time to resolve. If Roberts stays healthy, we play solid defense and the BP shows up, I think we can.
- I’m hoping the Mariners can score enough runs and find three more starts to hang in there in the AL West. Lee obviously must get healthy too, but the M’s would do very well to sign Washburn and get him into camp ASAP. He wants to play here so stop low-balling him and ring him in. Some other team could come calling any second, so get it down Jack Z. I’m really looking forward to seeing Chone Figgins and Ichiro at the top of the order, but the pop in the middle of the order right now looks minimal. Even if Milton Bradley keeps his mouth shut, stays healthy and plays well, he’s only played more than 125 games once in his career, so someone is going to have to develop some pop in the middle of the order. Gutierrez can probably hit 25 HR’s, though perhaps not in Safeco, but overall I see his production increasing, but losing Branyan may be a bigger loss than Jack thinks. I still believe the M’s will compete, but the Angels overall rotation seems considerably stronger than the M’s. The rangers will have the same pitching issues as they always do, but that’s just a hunch.
- Kudos to the Butler Bulldogs for making it to the NCAA Hoops Championship game! What a season and what an accomplishment. How they are going to beat Duke I don't know (perhaps get a few calls?!?!?!), but there are going to be 100 million Butler fans cheering them on tonight. Go Bulldogs and Good luck!!!!
I’m glad the baseball season is finally here, and I’m looking forward to seeing my Orioles in Seattle on 4/21 – 4/23, bundled up with Shelby and drinking Red Hook’s. Here's to the start of what I hope to see a view into the O's future successes! Go O’s!
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