It has been made known over the past couple of days that the Texas Rangers are shopping All-Star first baseman Mark Teixeira, and the Orioles should jump on this opportunity. With the Rangers free-falling in the AL West, it would make sense for them to shop Teixeira for a young pitching prospect or young power-hitting outfielder. Also, don't be surprised if they clean house next year, considering they have Sammy Sosa and some other older players with one year left on their contract.
The Orioles are in dire need of a clean-up hitter because Tejada and Hernandez just don't fit that role. Tejada would be better used in the 3 or 5 spot, and Hernandez would probably be hitting 6th on any other team. Not to mention, a few years down the road, Brian Roberts leading off and Markakis and Teixeira hitting 3 and 4 would make the Orioles line up a powerful force.
And bringing Mark Teixeira here just makes sense. He's a Mt. St. Joe's graduate, he grew up watching and loving the Orioles, and has made it known that it would be his "dream job" to suit up in orange and black. The only problem is, because of Teixeira's numbers and talent, the Rangers would be looking for Nick Markakis or Erik Bedard, probably with a few minor leaguers on the side. But the Orioles cannot afford to trade away Markakis or Bedard. They came up through our system (two of the very few on our roster) and have had a lot of success at the major league level. I'd hate to see them go from a baseball fan standpoint, and from a marketing standpoint, Markakis is especially crucial for the future success of the Orioles franchise.
If I were Mike Flanagan, I'd offer Hayden Penn, Adam Loewen and JR House for Teixeira. I'd hate to get rid of Loewen, but if we have to give up a young starting pitcher who came up through our farm system, we would be much better off letting Loewen and Penn go versus trading Erik Bedard. Trading Bedard would desimate an already shaky starting rotation. Catcher JR House, who is the heir-apparent to Ramon Hernandez, is our best AAA player. But Teixeira's power numbers would make up for House's absence in the line-up a few years down the road. Not to mention, JR House would give the Rangers the run production they would need in Teixeira's absence, which is what they will be looking for when they let Teixeira go. Most importantly, Teixeira's presence on the team would help the Orioles RIGHT NOW, who are still in the wild card hunt (hard to believe, I know). But we'll see how long that lasts...and hopefully Angelos doesn't handcuff our GMs from making this deal
We've gone on a pretty solid winning streak here, and that's good to see. But we've done it against the injury-depleted A's and the lowly Royals. Not to take anything away from the team...they've played well recently and you've got to play the teams on the schedule, but these teams just aren't that good right now. I'd like to see them take 3 of 4 from the surging Angels during the next series...then I'll REALLY be optimistic going into the summer months.
Speaking of optimism, there has been a whisper about the Baltimore sports world of the beloved Davey Johnson interested in the Orioles managing position if, I mean when, Sam Perlozzo gets his pink slip. When I heard that on WNST a few days ago, I almost swerved off the road for two reasons. First, I can't believe he would want to return after how he was treated by Angelos and our front office. Second, I am a very nostalgic Orioles fan, because frankly that's all us O's fans have left. I remember driving home from little league games with my dad listening to Jon Miller on the radio and Davey Johnson managing the team. Those were great times...everything was much simpler then...
But the fact of the matter is Davey Johnson has not been involved in baseball in quite some time. Jim Leyland, the Detroit Tigers manager, took a lot of time off of coaching before arriving in Detroit and turning that team around. But he did stay involved in the game...he kept his finger on the pulse of baseball by being a scout. Sure, he wasn't coaching, but he had a feel for the change of the game...the progression from the ignorance era (mid to late 90s) to the full realization of the steroid era...he saw the subtle changes in the game, the changes in the players attitudes, the way other people coached, and the how teams dealt with adversity and turned their organizations around (or in the Orioles case, got worse). It was the best move Leyland ever made, because he had a chance to take a step back and take it all in. Now, he's one of the best managers in the American League.
Unfortunately, Davey Johnson has been so far away from the game for so many years that it wouldn't be practical for him to come back. But if he did, I would certainly hope for the best for him, and it would be one of the best stories in Baltimore sports history if he took the job and succeeded.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Sunday, May 20, 2007
The Preakness and The Battle of the Beltways...
Walking through the inner harbor this past week, you would have had no idea that the Preakness and the first installment of the Battle of the Beltways were happening this weekend. A critical marketing blunder as far as Baltimore sports fans are concerned...
Anyone notice the attendance at RFK Stadium this weekend? Probably the best numbers they've seen all season (I believe Saturday nights game brought about 30,000 fans to the ball park). Good for them...the Nationals, although struggling now, are at least doing it the right way. What I mean by that is that the Nats front office has acknowledged that this was a building year for the young team, instead of snowballing the fans (Jim Duquette) by rationalizing losing as "bad luck." Where's the accountability in the Orioles franchise? It's never anyone's fault, is it?
As far as the Preakness goes, this once wonderful and prestigious event is now known more for being a rowdy party in the infield. When asking one of my friends why he was going he replied "Dude...CHICKS AND BEER." Not for the thrill of the race, not because it was tradition, and not because it could be the last one EVER at Pimlico. I guess the MJC wants to continue to attract the party crowd and continue to steer away sports fans. Hell, they don't care...as long as 110,000 people show up every year and they see dollar signs. But attracting that demographic is destroying the race. The Preakness has fallen from grace, and it may not even return to Baltimore next year! It's hard to account for what EXACTLY is the reason for this possibilty, personally I think it's that we don't have slots at the racetrack. It's probably a combination of many things, but if this truly was the last year for the Preakness, that would be a travesty of EPIC proportions considering what The Preakness used to represent in this city.
I'm not saying I don't like going to the Preakness, but I've only been ONCE. It was the year that Afleet Alex won the race. I got hit in the head with a full can of beer and got peed on by a drunk guy who proceeded to try to fight me. It wasn't my favorite thing in the world, but aside from those two incidents it was pretty fun. It's great when your in high school and college and can go and party and pretty much get away with anything. It's a right of passage for Baltimore youths. But I'm getting to the point in my life where I don't want to stand in urine and vomit for 9 hours. If I wanted to do that, I'd hang out in Lindsay Lohan's hotel room.
Side note about the O's recent series "victory":
When is Danys Baez going to get his act together and when is Sam Perlozzo going to STOP PUTTING HIM IN THE GAME? He ALWAYS blows it, and he royally screwed Bedard's effort today, who pitched a gem and even got an RBI! But Bedard did let me down...after the game, it became known that he asked to come out of the game in the 7th, instead of giving our bullpen a break. He said he was "tired from hitting and running the bases." Excuse me? You're a professional athlete, champ...sprinting 90 feet shouldn't exhaust you to the point where you ask to come out of the game.
In Saturday's game, Chris Ray got bailed out from blowing ANOTHER save because the smoking line drive that was hit off of a middle-of-the-plate, belt-high fast ball was luckily hit right at Freddie Bynum. Considering the closeness of these games, we COULD have walked out of DC this weekend being swept by the lowly Nationals. Thank god we didn't.
Other than the bullpen, it was nice to see some fight in this team again, and overall, they played well during the series in DC after their lackluster efforts in Boston and Toronto. Where was that fire and passion then? In Toronto, the players were SITTING DOWN in the dug out during the 9th inning of a 2-1 game instead of supporting their teammates at the plate. Today and yesterday, they were up in the dugout during the close contests...glad to see that they care again. It was also nice to sneak in a series win at the end of a road trip. Let's see if they can keep it going against Toronto on Tuesday, a game which I will be attending with my dad. Look for us when a right-handed batter is at the plate (we'll be in the background). We're going against Burnett, who has been dominant against us this year, but I'm optimistic...he's due for a loss.
Anyone notice the attendance at RFK Stadium this weekend? Probably the best numbers they've seen all season (I believe Saturday nights game brought about 30,000 fans to the ball park). Good for them...the Nationals, although struggling now, are at least doing it the right way. What I mean by that is that the Nats front office has acknowledged that this was a building year for the young team, instead of snowballing the fans (Jim Duquette) by rationalizing losing as "bad luck." Where's the accountability in the Orioles franchise? It's never anyone's fault, is it?
As far as the Preakness goes, this once wonderful and prestigious event is now known more for being a rowdy party in the infield. When asking one of my friends why he was going he replied "Dude...CHICKS AND BEER." Not for the thrill of the race, not because it was tradition, and not because it could be the last one EVER at Pimlico. I guess the MJC wants to continue to attract the party crowd and continue to steer away sports fans. Hell, they don't care...as long as 110,000 people show up every year and they see dollar signs. But attracting that demographic is destroying the race. The Preakness has fallen from grace, and it may not even return to Baltimore next year! It's hard to account for what EXACTLY is the reason for this possibilty, personally I think it's that we don't have slots at the racetrack. It's probably a combination of many things, but if this truly was the last year for the Preakness, that would be a travesty of EPIC proportions considering what The Preakness used to represent in this city.
I'm not saying I don't like going to the Preakness, but I've only been ONCE. It was the year that Afleet Alex won the race. I got hit in the head with a full can of beer and got peed on by a drunk guy who proceeded to try to fight me. It wasn't my favorite thing in the world, but aside from those two incidents it was pretty fun. It's great when your in high school and college and can go and party and pretty much get away with anything. It's a right of passage for Baltimore youths. But I'm getting to the point in my life where I don't want to stand in urine and vomit for 9 hours. If I wanted to do that, I'd hang out in Lindsay Lohan's hotel room.
Side note about the O's recent series "victory":
When is Danys Baez going to get his act together and when is Sam Perlozzo going to STOP PUTTING HIM IN THE GAME? He ALWAYS blows it, and he royally screwed Bedard's effort today, who pitched a gem and even got an RBI! But Bedard did let me down...after the game, it became known that he asked to come out of the game in the 7th, instead of giving our bullpen a break. He said he was "tired from hitting and running the bases." Excuse me? You're a professional athlete, champ...sprinting 90 feet shouldn't exhaust you to the point where you ask to come out of the game.
In Saturday's game, Chris Ray got bailed out from blowing ANOTHER save because the smoking line drive that was hit off of a middle-of-the-plate, belt-high fast ball was luckily hit right at Freddie Bynum. Considering the closeness of these games, we COULD have walked out of DC this weekend being swept by the lowly Nationals. Thank god we didn't.
Other than the bullpen, it was nice to see some fight in this team again, and overall, they played well during the series in DC after their lackluster efforts in Boston and Toronto. Where was that fire and passion then? In Toronto, the players were SITTING DOWN in the dug out during the 9th inning of a 2-1 game instead of supporting their teammates at the plate. Today and yesterday, they were up in the dugout during the close contests...glad to see that they care again. It was also nice to sneak in a series win at the end of a road trip. Let's see if they can keep it going against Toronto on Tuesday, a game which I will be attending with my dad. Look for us when a right-handed batter is at the plate (we'll be in the background). We're going against Burnett, who has been dominant against us this year, but I'm optimistic...he's due for a loss.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Baltimore: A city full of fair-weather fans? I think not...
As I do most days at this time of year (between final exams and summer jobs starting), I spend a lot of time listening to 1570 WNST-AM, which is bar none my favorite radio station...and that says a lot considering my father works for the Baltimore Sun! But, of course, the Sun is the major newspaper in the area, and they provide OUTSTANDING coverage on local sports. Schmuck, Preston, Maese, and Steele are my personal favorites. As far as radio stations go, I feel that WNST is the only local sports station that takes the gloves off and tells it like it is, so if you get a minute during your commute to work or when you're bored at home, take a listen.
I had been listening to the Rob Long Show this afternoon, and heard a Yankee fan call in who began claiming that Baltimore sports fans are fair-weather fans. To tell you the truth, I hear this A LOT from out-of-towners, and never really took it to heart because I know that is not the case. They look at how most of us feel about the Orioles nowadays, but I don't think that they fully grasp the situation that is happening down there at the Warehouse.
If you look back at the history of the Baltimore Orioles, we have been BLESSED to be graced with such a wonderful history that goes along with this franchise. Earl, Brooks, Frank, Boog, Cal, and all the great feelings and memories that go along with the mention of those names. But Peter Angelos has single-handily stripped this franchise of that nostalgia in many different ways, not to mention we haven't had a Baltimore baseball icon since Cal retired.
In my past blogs, I have made references to the lack of leadership on the field. Don't get me wrong; I watch every game, root my heart out, and probably care too much about the O's. I love Roberts, Markakis, Bedard, Patterson, Hernandez, Millar...basically the players who give a crap, and that seems to be the majority. In fact, I feel that one day Markakis or Roberts may move into that icon role, but with the situation at hand, you have to blame the owner for the depleting fan base. Peter Angelos is the raison d'être for this fair-weather fan notion.
Angelos fired the voice of the Orioles, John Miller, who will probably be in the Hall of Fame someday. He's so good that ESPN picked him up to do some broadcasting, which speaks volumes about his talent. And Angelos made it personal with Miller, but that's a different story. He fired Davey Johnson, who, in my opinion, was the best manager we had since Earl Weaver. And why did he get fired? Because of "personal matters" between he and Angelos. But when Davey was here, the ORIOLES WERE WINNING! Wow, what a concept. And they were winning with a team that was being paid less money than the team we have now who just embarrassed themselves north of the border earlier this week.
He has refused, and from what the Orioles office is telling the media is still going to refuse, to put "Baltimore" on the away jerseys. The city and the fans deserve to be represented on the away jerseys. And, frankly, he has been nothing less than a jerk to the media and to the fans of the birds. Most importantly, he has refused to shell out the money that he certainly has and hire the proper personnel to field a competitive team in the AL East. When he decides to not pinch pennies, he spends money unwisely (see Sammy Sosa, Danys Baez, etc.).
That is the cliff notes version of what Angelos has done to this franchise. For those who are in the know, this sounds like a broken record. We've all heard this before, but it all relates to the reason why Camden Yards, which is one of the most beautiful ballparks in the majors, is struggling to put people in the seats. But so do the Nationals, who were begging for a team for about 20 years, and STILL struggle to put 10,000 people in the stadium each night. And even for the Yankees or the Red Sox fans, their attendance numbers declined when they were losing. For the Yankees, their big attendance boom came in Derek Jeter's rookie year. The Chicago Cubs consistently sell out Wrigley Field, and unless you've been living under a rock, you know about their current situation.
Basically what I'm getting at is that every situation is unique. Baltimore sports fans are very knowledgeable about what's going on down there off of I-395. It's not that Baltimore fans are fair-weather fans, it's that, for some fans, not going to the games is the only way to show the owner that we do not approve of his actions, and that he is ruining a franchise that we all hold close to our hearts. Say what you will about the current team and the owner, but I think we all get a little giddy when the Orioles go on a winning streak (see Spring/Early Summer 2005). That attests to the fact that we DO care, we still LOVE the Orioles, but there needs to be a change. People that call us fair-weather fans simply do not fully understand or fully appreciate what is going on down there at the Warehouse.
I had been listening to the Rob Long Show this afternoon, and heard a Yankee fan call in who began claiming that Baltimore sports fans are fair-weather fans. To tell you the truth, I hear this A LOT from out-of-towners, and never really took it to heart because I know that is not the case. They look at how most of us feel about the Orioles nowadays, but I don't think that they fully grasp the situation that is happening down there at the Warehouse.
If you look back at the history of the Baltimore Orioles, we have been BLESSED to be graced with such a wonderful history that goes along with this franchise. Earl, Brooks, Frank, Boog, Cal, and all the great feelings and memories that go along with the mention of those names. But Peter Angelos has single-handily stripped this franchise of that nostalgia in many different ways, not to mention we haven't had a Baltimore baseball icon since Cal retired.
In my past blogs, I have made references to the lack of leadership on the field. Don't get me wrong; I watch every game, root my heart out, and probably care too much about the O's. I love Roberts, Markakis, Bedard, Patterson, Hernandez, Millar...basically the players who give a crap, and that seems to be the majority. In fact, I feel that one day Markakis or Roberts may move into that icon role, but with the situation at hand, you have to blame the owner for the depleting fan base. Peter Angelos is the raison d'être for this fair-weather fan notion.
Angelos fired the voice of the Orioles, John Miller, who will probably be in the Hall of Fame someday. He's so good that ESPN picked him up to do some broadcasting, which speaks volumes about his talent. And Angelos made it personal with Miller, but that's a different story. He fired Davey Johnson, who, in my opinion, was the best manager we had since Earl Weaver. And why did he get fired? Because of "personal matters" between he and Angelos. But when Davey was here, the ORIOLES WERE WINNING! Wow, what a concept. And they were winning with a team that was being paid less money than the team we have now who just embarrassed themselves north of the border earlier this week.
He has refused, and from what the Orioles office is telling the media is still going to refuse, to put "Baltimore" on the away jerseys. The city and the fans deserve to be represented on the away jerseys. And, frankly, he has been nothing less than a jerk to the media and to the fans of the birds. Most importantly, he has refused to shell out the money that he certainly has and hire the proper personnel to field a competitive team in the AL East. When he decides to not pinch pennies, he spends money unwisely (see Sammy Sosa, Danys Baez, etc.).
That is the cliff notes version of what Angelos has done to this franchise. For those who are in the know, this sounds like a broken record. We've all heard this before, but it all relates to the reason why Camden Yards, which is one of the most beautiful ballparks in the majors, is struggling to put people in the seats. But so do the Nationals, who were begging for a team for about 20 years, and STILL struggle to put 10,000 people in the stadium each night. And even for the Yankees or the Red Sox fans, their attendance numbers declined when they were losing. For the Yankees, their big attendance boom came in Derek Jeter's rookie year. The Chicago Cubs consistently sell out Wrigley Field, and unless you've been living under a rock, you know about their current situation.
Basically what I'm getting at is that every situation is unique. Baltimore sports fans are very knowledgeable about what's going on down there off of I-395. It's not that Baltimore fans are fair-weather fans, it's that, for some fans, not going to the games is the only way to show the owner that we do not approve of his actions, and that he is ruining a franchise that we all hold close to our hearts. Say what you will about the current team and the owner, but I think we all get a little giddy when the Orioles go on a winning streak (see Spring/Early Summer 2005). That attests to the fact that we DO care, we still LOVE the Orioles, but there needs to be a change. People that call us fair-weather fans simply do not fully understand or fully appreciate what is going on down there at the Warehouse.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Cabrera puts forth a solid effort, but Toronto clinches series win
Twenty-two year old Jesse Litsch, pulled up from Toronto's AA affiliate because of Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay's appendicitis, gets the win in his first major league start tonight...and you can't help but feel good for the kid, especially with his old man watching and cheering him on like it was a little league game.
I counted 21 ground ball outs coming off of Orioles bats...that statistic attests more to Litsch's great outing than the Orioles abysmal hitting approach...besides Roberts, who was consistently working the count out there tonight? But there really wasn't much we could do offensively...our best chance for a big inning came in the first, but Tejada's GIDP (the first of two) took the wind out of our sails, on the first pitch no less! That first inning was our only real shot at getting to this kid...he looked rattled and nervous that inning, and instead of capitalizing on that situation, Tejada swings at the first sinking fastball he sees. Aaron Hill also displayed some stellar defense to aid the young hurler's first win.
Jim Hunter called Daniel Cabrera's stuff "dominant" tonight during the post game, but really how dominant was he? Sure, he only gave up two earned runs and pitched an eight inning game, but, once again, the walks caused the loss. The difference in this game was that one of his walks scored the winning run...that doesn't seem so dominant to me. He pitched well enough to win, but I wouldn't call it dominant, Jimmy. If he pitches like that 9 out of 10 games he gets the W, but I feel like the bad karma of the past two games carried over into this one tonight. Who would have thought that a 22 year old Irish kid would come in and dominate an Orioles line up littered with players who have some serious power, especially when playing at the Rogers Centre where my sister could crank one out over the right field wall...and its not like he had overpowering stuff! His fast ball was hovering around 89-92 mph all night long. It was just perfect location, changing speeds, and some great defense behind him.
It's just plain bad luck...that seems to be the story of the year for the Orioles' deflated pitching staff. It's the little things that kill this team...situational stuff like walking the lead off batter and not throwing first pitch strikes when runners are in scoring position; although, first pitch strikes should be a common occurrence no matter the base running situation if this pitching staff wants to be successful. Our staff has recently not been throwing first pitch strikes, from Bedard to Ray, and that is something you won't find in the box score that is really hurting this team and directly correlates to all of the free passes and the last four losses.
I counted 21 ground ball outs coming off of Orioles bats...that statistic attests more to Litsch's great outing than the Orioles abysmal hitting approach...besides Roberts, who was consistently working the count out there tonight? But there really wasn't much we could do offensively...our best chance for a big inning came in the first, but Tejada's GIDP (the first of two) took the wind out of our sails, on the first pitch no less! That first inning was our only real shot at getting to this kid...he looked rattled and nervous that inning, and instead of capitalizing on that situation, Tejada swings at the first sinking fastball he sees. Aaron Hill also displayed some stellar defense to aid the young hurler's first win.
Jim Hunter called Daniel Cabrera's stuff "dominant" tonight during the post game, but really how dominant was he? Sure, he only gave up two earned runs and pitched an eight inning game, but, once again, the walks caused the loss. The difference in this game was that one of his walks scored the winning run...that doesn't seem so dominant to me. He pitched well enough to win, but I wouldn't call it dominant, Jimmy. If he pitches like that 9 out of 10 games he gets the W, but I feel like the bad karma of the past two games carried over into this one tonight. Who would have thought that a 22 year old Irish kid would come in and dominate an Orioles line up littered with players who have some serious power, especially when playing at the Rogers Centre where my sister could crank one out over the right field wall...and its not like he had overpowering stuff! His fast ball was hovering around 89-92 mph all night long. It was just perfect location, changing speeds, and some great defense behind him.
It's just plain bad luck...that seems to be the story of the year for the Orioles' deflated pitching staff. It's the little things that kill this team...situational stuff like walking the lead off batter and not throwing first pitch strikes when runners are in scoring position; although, first pitch strikes should be a common occurrence no matter the base running situation if this pitching staff wants to be successful. Our staff has recently not been throwing first pitch strikes, from Bedard to Ray, and that is something you won't find in the box score that is really hurting this team and directly correlates to all of the free passes and the last four losses.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse...
This just in...the Orioles are a franchise in disarray
All kidding aside, tonight's game could very well have been the turning point in another dismal season for a plummeting franchise. The day after one of the most devastating regular season losses in franchise history, Melvin Mora and Jay Payton had to be restrained from fighting each other tonight in Toronto.
They should be downright ashamed of themselves! That childish display after yet another bullpen blunder was the most atrocious incident that I have witnessed. What were they thinking? There is absolutely no reason for two teammates to nearly come to blows, and in front of the cameras no less! I can honestly say that was the first time I have ever been embarrassed to be an Orioles fan. Hard to believe, isn't it? Especially considering the O-birds track record over the past decade. But tonight, Mora and Payton embarrassed themselves, the franchise, the city, and the fans.
And kudos to Buck Martinez and Gary Thorne for dragging out this awful scenario after the game. They put Sam Perlozzo in the worst position possible...I'm sure Mr. Angelos was real happy with that occurrence. Bash the manager during the post game show! That'll put fans back in the seats! Now that's good marketing. But that incident epitomized MASN's horrendous display of broadcasting that has been occurring all season.
Sure, the O's are in third place, hovering around .500, and only a half game behind the hated Yankees. Mathematically, they are by no means eliminated from playoff contention. Then again, so is every other team in the league. But if you follow this team, you know that these guys have no shot at contending for a playoff spot...and the reason goes much deeper than the bullpen or the inconsistent hitting.
Where is the leadership on this team? I'm not talking about Perlozzo...his shortcomings are blatantly obvious, and it would be redundant to highlight all the mistakes he has made over the course of this short season, most notably pulling Guthrie last night. He put some inspirational pitching on display! But I digress...
I am pointing the finger at THE PLAYERS...that's right, not Angelos, nor Duquette, nor Flanagan. It's time for the players to become accountable for their actions. Everyone knows Perlozzo should not be managing this club and Peter Angelos' miscues are well documented.
But forget the coaching blunders and the front office for a moment. It's simple...you cannot be a successful team without proper on field leadership. So who is the leader? It's certainly not Miguel Tejada, the one-time MVP who no longer cares enough or respects the Hall of Famers who once donned the Orioles jersey to run out a freakin' ground ball. Could it be Kevin Millar? Maybe...he's personable, knowledgeable, respectable, works hard, and it's obvious that he loves the game of baseball. But he isn't in the line up everyday, so how much can the guy really do? Not to mention, most people will remember him for his role in the Red Sox 2004 World Series run, not as an Oriole.
Markakis or Roberts? These two are the future of our franchise. They are the young, homegrown, five-tool players with tons of potential that give O's fans hope for the future, but they are too young and too passive.
Can you imagine an incident like this happening when Cal was playing? Could you see Brooks Robinson and Paul Blair needing separation after a bad loss in '66? Certainly not...that is because those teams had something the current Orioles do not have: solid unwavering leadership ON THE FIELD. They had the character, the poise, and enough respect for the game not to turn it into an intrasquad WWE match. Leadership from the coaches and the owners box only go so far when it comes to altercations, especially when Peter Angelos is running the roost...thankfully, I'm pretty sure people aren't looking to him for leadership.
Of course I will continue to root for the Orioles for the remainder of the baseball season...or until they fall so far out of the race that the Ravens minicamps begin to garner most of my attention.
All kidding aside, tonight's game could very well have been the turning point in another dismal season for a plummeting franchise. The day after one of the most devastating regular season losses in franchise history, Melvin Mora and Jay Payton had to be restrained from fighting each other tonight in Toronto.
They should be downright ashamed of themselves! That childish display after yet another bullpen blunder was the most atrocious incident that I have witnessed. What were they thinking? There is absolutely no reason for two teammates to nearly come to blows, and in front of the cameras no less! I can honestly say that was the first time I have ever been embarrassed to be an Orioles fan. Hard to believe, isn't it? Especially considering the O-birds track record over the past decade. But tonight, Mora and Payton embarrassed themselves, the franchise, the city, and the fans.
And kudos to Buck Martinez and Gary Thorne for dragging out this awful scenario after the game. They put Sam Perlozzo in the worst position possible...I'm sure Mr. Angelos was real happy with that occurrence. Bash the manager during the post game show! That'll put fans back in the seats! Now that's good marketing. But that incident epitomized MASN's horrendous display of broadcasting that has been occurring all season.
Sure, the O's are in third place, hovering around .500, and only a half game behind the hated Yankees. Mathematically, they are by no means eliminated from playoff contention. Then again, so is every other team in the league. But if you follow this team, you know that these guys have no shot at contending for a playoff spot...and the reason goes much deeper than the bullpen or the inconsistent hitting.
Where is the leadership on this team? I'm not talking about Perlozzo...his shortcomings are blatantly obvious, and it would be redundant to highlight all the mistakes he has made over the course of this short season, most notably pulling Guthrie last night. He put some inspirational pitching on display! But I digress...
I am pointing the finger at THE PLAYERS...that's right, not Angelos, nor Duquette, nor Flanagan. It's time for the players to become accountable for their actions. Everyone knows Perlozzo should not be managing this club and Peter Angelos' miscues are well documented.
But forget the coaching blunders and the front office for a moment. It's simple...you cannot be a successful team without proper on field leadership. So who is the leader? It's certainly not Miguel Tejada, the one-time MVP who no longer cares enough or respects the Hall of Famers who once donned the Orioles jersey to run out a freakin' ground ball. Could it be Kevin Millar? Maybe...he's personable, knowledgeable, respectable, works hard, and it's obvious that he loves the game of baseball. But he isn't in the line up everyday, so how much can the guy really do? Not to mention, most people will remember him for his role in the Red Sox 2004 World Series run, not as an Oriole.
Markakis or Roberts? These two are the future of our franchise. They are the young, homegrown, five-tool players with tons of potential that give O's fans hope for the future, but they are too young and too passive.
Can you imagine an incident like this happening when Cal was playing? Could you see Brooks Robinson and Paul Blair needing separation after a bad loss in '66? Certainly not...that is because those teams had something the current Orioles do not have: solid unwavering leadership ON THE FIELD. They had the character, the poise, and enough respect for the game not to turn it into an intrasquad WWE match. Leadership from the coaches and the owners box only go so far when it comes to altercations, especially when Peter Angelos is running the roost...thankfully, I'm pretty sure people aren't looking to him for leadership.
Of course I will continue to root for the Orioles for the remainder of the baseball season...or until they fall so far out of the race that the Ravens minicamps begin to garner most of my attention.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
