Archive for April 2008
Os In First
30. April 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
Just because it’s so fun and delights me so much…
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Orioles Clairvoyant
30. April 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
Because I’ve been flooded with emails from my fans inquiring as to how I became so utterly brilliant and know so much about the Orioles, I’ve decided to put together a little summary of some of the questions and answers to help the rest of you who aren’t as gifted, but are too shy to ask for guidance.
Hope it helps.
ES Fan: Enchanting Sunshine, how did you know that the Orioles would do so well this year?
ES: I keep telling you, the Orioles are in my DNA and I bleed orange. We have a spiritual connection that normal people can’t understand. Plus, it was a simple question of statistics.
ES Fan: But, how do you know that this isn’t just a fluke and that they won’t fall apart later in the season?
ES: Three reasons. One, we got rid of that cry-baby Tejada. Two, we have a manager who demands respect and is passionate about the game. Trembley doesn’t tolerate this “what can you do for me” arrogance. It’s about team
and “what can you do for the team.” Third, we finally have some pitchers that allow us to be competitive.
ES Fan: To what do you attribute the Orioles success? Do you think it was one of the players we acquired during the off-season?
ES: Pay attention this time. It’s not one player, it’s the amazing teamwork this team is showing. Though I admit a couple of times I have wanted to propose to Jones and Trembley. And Millar. And Hernandez. And Mora.
ES Fan: But the Ys paid A-Rod $275 million dollars. The Orioles don’t have that kind of payroll?
ES: Money can’t buy love. It also doesn’t buy teamwork. Most importantly, money is no longer buying HGH for the cheater Ys since the Mitchell Report. The playing field has been leveled.
ES Fan: That’s not really fair, is it? There were plenty of Orioles accused of doping too.
ES: Do you want to have this interview or don’t you?
ES Fan: How about our relievers. They really need some work. What about Aquino for example?
ES: I concede that point, but they’ll get better with each game. It’s true though that we might have to have Aquino put down if he has another outing like the other night. I may volunteer for the job myself.
ES Fan: Do you think Wild Bill lifted his curse this season?
ES: You don’t get it do you? Wild Bill, though he may have been mad at the Orioles offices, loved this team as much as I do. He wouldn’t have been capable of cursing them. If anything, it was his positive energy that brought this team good luck. Judging by my own experience for example with how many years it takes for prayers to be answered and the untimeliness with which simple wishes are granted when I’ve long ago made new requests, I’ve ascertained it takes a long time for anyone on the other side to hear you. Similarly, it’s clear that it’s taken a few months for Wild Bill to get situated and get things back in order up there.
ES Fan: I know you’re not really superstitious, but do you think your attendance at Opening Day had anything to do with the team’s success?
ES: Duh!
ES Fan: Do you secretly blame Mindpinball for the Orioles not sweeping the Ys?
ES: A little bit. Yes. No, really I’m kidding. He like Wild Bill, Dempsey’s Army, Wayward Oriole, Weaver’s Tantrum and the rest of us in the diaspora are nothing but goodness for the team. Again, me especially.
ES Fan: So what are your predictions for the rest of the season? When will the winning streak end?
ES: In October, after we win the World Series.
ES Fan: Thanks for your time.
ES: My pleasure.
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Our Os
25. April 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
Unfortunately, I missed the incredible game last night, but you heard it here first. ‘79 Orioles, baby. ‘79 Orioles!
Doesn’t it just plaster a smile on your face!
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Os Lose but No Worries
23. April 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
How much longer can I stall and avoid talking about Sunday’s game? Okay, so I’m not omniscient and we didn’t get the sweep. Mindpinball is blaming himself, but it’s not his fault. It was the rain. Remember what happened last summer in that July game against the Ys that the umps called too late? It’s just a Ys/rain thing. The evil Ys and some hoodoo dance with rain. I bet when A-Rod left the game, he made some burnt offering to the underworld. (Is that mean of me to say?)
Even though we didn’t get the sweep, we still played outstanding. The next time we meet, our closers will have more experience and we won’t see a repeat of those last innings. I sure didn’t see $275 million worth of playing from the Ys.
As the person who brings you a regular feature of “We’re All Going to Die,” I want to reassure all Orioles fans that the fall is not going to happen. Really. Barring injuries, we have a solid team. Look at Mora at third, who is reminding me of Brooks!, Jones, who runs for every ball (I LOVE HIM!), Millar at first, also outstanding. Markakis getting the ball all the way to home plate. The joy that alone gives me!! Our hitting is good, maybe not steroidal, but sufficient. Our pitching will mature and as it does, if we don’t clinch the East, we’re going to be in the running. We’ve had a couple of fielding errors, but so has everyone else. We’ll work that out.
Even Guthrie is doing better. He delivered a fine performance tonight, pitching eight innings. Eight. I’m so thrilled about that, a modern day Oriole lasting eight innings. The future is so full of possibilities. (Things are going to start happening for us now…(Enter sniper.))
Really, I’m not in denial. I don’t think. Am I? (Or, maybe the gym is working for me.) At any rate, all of us Orioles fans, we’re nothing but good luck for the team. Most especially me, and you should all make sure that I’m at Opening Day every year from now on! I’m more than happy to attend more games this year to sprinkle happy win dust on the team. Any seat in any park the Orioles are playing in will do just fine.
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The Shutout
19. April 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
Again tonight the box score speaks for itself. I can’t help adding how impressed I am with Mora at third. He made so many outstanding plays that it looks like the position he was always meant to play. Of course, it wasn’t just Mora, it was the collective work of a team playing great together, a lot of hustle, good pitching, and smart Trembley knowing what he’s doing. It reminds me that I need to finish my post in dedication to Trembley and I foresee one coming for Mora too. What a pleasure the Orioles have been to watch!
For our collective enjoyment, here is tonight’s box score.
I was hoping in the eighth for one more run to continue Wayward O’s theme of seven signs, but you know, no complaints about tonight’s game! A giddy, happy Saturday to all of you.
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Our Os
18. April 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
It speaks for itself.
Oh, the happiness.
Posted in 2008 Season, Orioles/BB | Print | 4 Comments »
Charlotte Not Baseball Town
18. April 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
I’m so silly. What was I thinking that I would go to a sports bar and it would be packed with baseball fans? Sometimes, I’m really not with it. No, there were barely any other people there and definitely no worries about Ys fans or any fans.
I’ll get the hang of living here eventually.
At least the dearth of members in my meetup group can’t be blamed on the Orioles.
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Orioles Meetup
18. April 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
It’s an absolutely gorgeous day here, one of those days that you can’t help being in a cheerful and sunny mood. Let’s hope it stays that way…
Tonight the Os play the Ys, and wanting a little extra moral support, I’ve arranged for my meetup “group” to gather at a local bar. It’s a little risky to watch my Os in public where I’m supposed to remember, not to mention use my polite words, and we’re playing against most hated team. I fear three things:
1) The bar will be full of nasty Ys fans.
2) No other Os fans will show up.
3) The Os will lose and I will have to listen to a bunch of obnoxious Ys fans cheering all around me.
On the last count, I have another fear, that I may have to tell someone “BYA.” (My friend Jeff and I coined the term from this scene (2:33 minutes in) in Harlem Nights. Warning: Strong language!) Ys fans tend to have that effect on even a peace-loving person such as myself. Just seeing that cap makes you want to kick ‘em.
I’ve already predicted the sweep, so I guess I shouldn’t worry, and if someone has to get his ass kicked, so be it.
I’m just kidding, of course! Kinda.
Wish me luck that I don’t have to channel my inner Carrie Heffernen, and no restraining orders are issued against me. I have to go now to think of a mantra to repeat in case it’s a worst case scenario.
Happy Friday and Weekend!!
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The Joy!
17. April 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
The mirth here is overflowing. It is a veritable waterfall of joy.
There are so many stars that I don’t have the time to recount them, but briefly, Jones who drove in the final run in the 10th, Guillermo Quiroz, who made it onto base in the ninth, Roberts who drove him in, and Mora who drove in Roberts. I didn’t watch the whole game (stupid gym), but Mora also made some outstanding plays at third. This, my friend, is reminding me of the Come From Behind ‘79 Orioles.
And here is such delectable sweetness, it needs no further comment:
I will never tire of this. Ah, the lovely giddiness. Now, get your brooms ready…
Edit: I couldn’t understand why we were all tied for first in the standings, but thought that maybe in my giddiness, I had made a math error. The standings are now updated on the MLB website and we’re in second. But I’m keeping the graphic as is anyway.
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Os Hold Lead
12. April 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
Ask me if I felt sorry for Tampa tonight. Did you guess that the answer is NO? I’m cheering for them to do well this year, but certainly not better than us. I’ve included some images that capture the most important part of today’s game. Thank you Ramon Hernandez!
And this…
Isn’t that delightful!
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