Archive for June 2008

Day Game at Wrigley

27. June 2008 by Crys.

If you missed today’s game, I’m really sorry for you. If only we could have eliminated the Grrrres part of the game, it would have been perfect. (See if you can figure out which part of the game that was. A couple of the runs count against Liz, but I blame Grrrrres.)

Remember the chatter before the first game about how hard the Cubs would be to beat?

oscubs.png

There’s nothing else I can add except that if we weren’t in the toughest division we’d be in first place already.

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Bad News Tides

24. June 2008 by Crys.

Because I am vying for Amber Theoharis’s job one day and because I like to be one positive voice among a sea of doubters, this post isn’t easy for me to write. I just returned from watching the Norfolk Tides lose 8-1 to the Charlotte Knights and, as an Orioles fan, it wasn’t inspiring.

As much as I want to believe in the Orioles future, quality pitching is going to have to come from a trade. It’s not there on the Farm. The game started with Anderson, who inexplicably was allowed to pitch four and a half innings even after surrendering eight runs. His average pitch speed was about 78 mph. Do I need to say anything more? Aquino (remember him?) and Cabrera (the other one) pitched one inning each. They both had pretty good pitch speed, but Aquino struggled with control. Cabrera struck out two and doesn’t seem to have a private HBP goal, unlike the other Cabrera, so there’s hope there. Plus, it would be fun to have two Cabreras on the team. Like when we had the Martinezes. Maybe that’s the magic trick we’ve been overlooking. (On the other hand, the double Hernandez didn’t seem to be the ticket.)

The best measure of our pitching was in its contrast to the Knights pitchers, who one after another threw 90 mph pitches. I was rather envious.

Not even the fielding was inspiring. Insufficient hustle from the outfield and Dempsey’s Army will love this, Luiz Hernandez made an error. It made me sad for him. He signed an autograph for me before the game and he seemed so nice. Scott Moore too.

My favorite moment of the whole night was when Mike Constanzo, who warmed up the pitchers while Santos geared up, tossed me a ball. (I know what you’re thinking, but I promise neither of the Girls had anything to do with it.) With that kind of treatment, he may edge out Sherrill as my favorite, though it’s true I didn’t see him without his cap.

I’ll post pictures later in the week when I have time to grab them from the camera.

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Triple Shot and Stuff

21. June 2008 by Crys.

Let’s start with last night’s game. I had dinner plans away from the 500 foot radius of my sofa, so I recorded the game. Since every day I go to work and there’s only one other Orioles fan who I seldom see, I had no concerns that anyone would reveal the outcome. Yet today, three different people approached me to say, “How about your Orioles sweeping the Astros!” It’s the first time anyone besides me knew the score of the previous night’s game. So typical. Oh well, the Os won, so how can I complain about that.

Things got off to an exciting start tonight against Milwaukee, as the Orioles scored four runs in the top of the first inning. I felt really confident that the outcome had been decided until Radhames Liz promptly surrendered two. The next inning was mostly a repeat of the first. By the top of the third, Liz left the game. The rest of the game didn’t represent the most stellar performance of the Orioles bullpen, but was good enough, along with two solos by Huff, to hold onto the lead. I swear I heard Jim Thorne say that the Orioles had the third best bullpen in the American League. Did I hear that? We don’t have our Beckett yet, but we’re on our way. I noticed both Liz and Sarfate sighing on the mound. They just need a little more experience to convince themselves of their ability.

Triple Shot Sherrill pitched a typical ninth, loading the bases before retiring everyone to win the game. I’ve decided that it’s part of a brilliant strategy. He disarms the opposing team, giving them a false sense of confidence and hope. Imagine you come up to bat with no outs and the bases are loaded. You’re thinking, “Oh! Well! This is going to be easy.” Over-enthusiastic, you swing too eagerly at a pitch and ground out. You have to admit it’s genius!

For our viewing pleasure, Amber brought the finale, adding whip cream to the sundae with an interview of hatless Triple Hot who seemed unaware of his own winning strategy, apparently a product completely of his subconscious.

The Orioles were the only winners in the American League East. We’re six games back. But not for long. Not for long.

Final Score: 8-5
Cabrera HPB: 23

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Congratulations Trembley

19. June 2008 by Crys.

Today, June 18 marks the one year anniversary of Dave Trembley serving as the Orioles manager. Earlier this season, I started a post of the “how we love you, let us count the ways” genre, but I realized I needed more time to create a proper list honoring him. He has done so much to create a team, a roster of players who have chemistry, work well together and can depend on each other. Each member of this team contributes. Trembley has worked to bring back the “Oriole Way,” making sure that the players have the right attitude. And, it’s worked. You can see it on the field. I could go on, but there’s so much to say about Trembley and I want to say it properly.

It was appropriate that to mark Trembley’s anniversary, the Orioles won. When? In the bottom of the 10th, of course, because that’s how fabulous this team is. Today also marks another anniversary that we’ve all agreed to never mention again. Isn’t it wonderful how far this team has come in a year!

How far it’s come indeed. Guthrie pitched an outstanding game. Eight full innings, striking out eight batters and surrendering only one run. Bradford pitched beautifully for the ninth and tenth, giving triple hot Sherrill the night off.

Some other highlights of the game were when the camera happened to be pointed on Astros’ first baseman Erstrad just as he was adjusting his misters. I’m sorry, but that was funny. In the bottom of the ninth, something fascinating had the fans watching an unseen events in the stands instead of the game. We didn’t get to see the action, but I’m sure a Red Sox fan was involved.

Finally, in case anyone was counting, the camera panned to the dugout, showing a hatless Sherrill five times. It was a great game all the way around!

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Sherrill, WB Tribute, and 2008 Magic

18. June 2008 by Crys.

Tonight was Wild Bill Hagy night at Camden Yards. There was only one appropriate way to honor him besides giving away t-shirts and that was by finishing the game with a come from behind win. If Jones had surrendered his number 10 jersey to Terry Crowley, and Crowley had driven in several RBIs, it couldn’t have been more reminiscent of those days of magic with Wild Bill leading us. What’s even better than the magic of the seventies is that this team, this year, is just as much fun to watch as they have ever been on the heels of one of their worst years ever (their worst year, surely?).

Each game offers something new too. Tonight I saw something that I swear is completely brand new. The Astros pitcher wasn’t happy with home plate ump Ed Hickox’s call and responded by making an aggressive gesture of sorts. It wasn’t “the Bird” or anything, but I can’t tell you exactly what it was since the viewing audience never had the pleasure to see it. I’d love to know actually because it so riled Hickox that he started for the mound! He had to be held back by the Astros catcher. It raises the question, can an ump be ejected for starting a fight and if so, who gets to eject him? Another ump? Trembley? If an umpire is ejected from the game are there backups?

Of course, there are other details about the game that are more exciting than a little umpire misconduct. The Orioles did great, Mora is a hero, I couldn’t love Luke Scott more, this team is definitely going to the World Series, yada, yada. Let’s skip ahead to talk about Sherrill. After Sunday’s game, I read that he admitted to having a tired arm. I was glad that there was an explanation. Let’s give the guy a break. After all, did you know that he has the second highest number of saves in the American League? He pitches every day, he’s going to have an off one, right?

Before tonight, I might have been wont to say something irrational and unforgiving like, “I don’t understand the game today. Savers pitch one inning. I don’t understand it.” Tonight however, I saw Sherrill in the dugout without his cap. Let’s just say it put everything in a whole new light. Earlier tonight, my husband and I had a little laugh when he nudged me with a wink about an upcoming event, “Sherrill giveaway day…” He’s heard me complain many a night and knows that I’d be more likely to set fire to a Sherrill t-shirt as an outlet for my torment than wear one.

But that was before. I’m a reasonable person and open to re-evaluating my position. I decided to give it a little more thought and you know, it turns out, I just might like to have that t-shirt. And maybe a poster. They still sell milk in Baltimore, right? Oh yeah. I’m on board.

Sherrill ended the game with a beautiful strikeout, the kind where, for all three strikes the batter whips the bat with an assured swing that only makes contact with air.

George!
I’ll hug and squeeze him and call him George.

Cabrera HBP: 14. He didn’t pitch tonight, but he has the ability to increase his HBP count on his night off.

Note: Don’t worry, my husband lives what for him is the wretched experience of watching the Orioles every single night. He’s not troubled to read my endless blog entries about it. This will be our little secret.

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Grrrrrrres

14. June 2008 by Crys.

It is the second inning and I’m digging the uniforms, but not digging Burres. Does he understand that we have to beat the Pirates? Does he understand how important this is?

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been looking forward to this Series since I saw it on the schedule. I really wanted to be there this weekend, and am really kicking myself for not following through. I’m stuck though because my husband is not all about planning our vacations around baseball so I have to play my baseball vacation cards, if you will, wisely. How I curse myself right now for moving so far away.

Anyway, the point is, we have to win. I don’t have a grudge about the ‘71 series, but I for sure do about the ‘79 series. If someone could urgently communicate to Burres that we have to win, I would greatly appreciate it. He doesn’t seem to know. If we lose, I will cry again. I will. Don’t think I won’t.

Also, just to throw this in…Sunday is the golf umbrella giveaway at Camden Yards. It’s a lovely Orioles umbrella and it’s not available for sale. The only golf umbrella that is for sale is $80 and not as nice, and even for me, that’s way too much money for an umbrella. Are they crazy? If my family loved me, they would get me the specific umbrella they’re giving away on Sunday. And the Wild Bill Hagy t-shirt on Tuesday. (Did you get the hint, Mom?)

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10-6

11. June 2008 by Crys.

Yesterday was almost as good as it gets. Cabrera added one to his HBP count, always a bonus when we’re playing the Red Sox. If Payton had hit a grand slam, well, that would have been decoration on the cake. As it was, the cake was iced and it was delicious. Shut up the Red Sox fans in their own stadium delicious. The only thing that could have made it better is if it had been a shutout and Fenway had been full of loud Orioles fans for the entire nine innings. Oh, and for the seventh inning stretch, “Thank God, I’m a Country Boy” blaring over the loudspeakers. Now that! That would be heaven.

Don’t think I don’t have plans to organize such an event one day.

Then again, I’m the same person who still, depressingly, has a very unhappening Orioles Meetup group, that let me add, I’m still paying for, and for which I even ran a three-week ad in Creative Loafing to generate interest. All the time I meet people who say, “I know such-and-such and he’s a rabid Orioles fan,” but where these people hide, I don’t know. Shouldn’t MASN be my partner, run a free pity ad for me or something? It would generate viewership for them. As a loyal Orioles fan, you know that I’m not the sort of person who gives up on things easily, but I may be about to throw in the towel on this one.

Who am I kidding? I could have skipped that whole last paragraph. No full disclosure needed. You know by now not to take anything I say seriously. But, just because I’m a failure at things doesn’t mean I can’t find a new way to disappoint myself. I’m not beyond throwing money at hopeless ventures like trying to organize a bus trip to Fenway from Baltimore. I can see it now. I’d be the only person on the bus, shivering from the over air-conditioning, my head leaning despondently on the tinted window, bus flying up I-95 and then probably driving off into a ditch.

On a brighter note, I’m sure you’ve seen that Trachsel is leaving us. On the one hand, I’m like “woohoo” and on the other I feel like a mean, bad person for speaking so disparagingly of him. It’s just that we really need another great starter. Cabrera seems to have lost some of his early oomph and is worrying me that he won’t be our dependable ace, the one who strikes fear in batters. Well, he may do that now, but not for the reasons I want. Batters shouldn’t come to the plate with a realistic fear of being issued a contusion or a concussion. That’s really not how the game is supposed to be played, despite my sinister delight when it happens with certain teams. I’m counting on Cabrera to find himself again so that this season can turn out as predicted.

Along those lines in case anyone thinks we need to trade Roberts, that answer is, “No!” Yes, I admit I was wrong about Bedard, but I’m not about this. Roberts is a veteran and we need a veteran on the team. He is the modern Al Bumbry, who sported the same number and has the same stature, same discipline at the plate, and the same great base stealing ability. Only the position he plays is different. And maybe the color of his skin. We need our Bumbry. We must not trade him.

Aren’t you glad that I don’t own the Orioles? But if I did, I can tell you certain songs that would never be played and certain merchandise that would never be sold in our stadium.

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Danny Boy

5. June 2008 by Crys.

So that was an interesting game. It all started out so lovely with two back to back Oriole homeruns. Things were progressing so well that I felt a little pity for Minnesota. Mora made such an outstanding play at third that I renamed this blog, “Mora” with the intent to honor him for 24 hours. Two innings later, he failed to get an out at first, so I changed the name back. Probably not his fault. I looked up from the computer to see Mora standing on the infield grass, looking hopelessly toward first holding a ball that was essentially useless to helping the Orioles in any way.

I think I’m beginning to understand what happened while I was on vacation…

When I saw that Danny was pitching tonight, I was happy. I think my exact words were, “Oh, goody!” He is such an enormous, imposing figure, ten feet of him towering over the mound. From the batter’s perspective, I like to imagine that facing Danny when he’s on his game is like staring down a black bear.

Tonight just wasn’t one of those nights. Tonight was more of a “face a kitten” sort of night. Danny played with the prey okay, he rolled over and purred a little, let them rub his belly, got in a few scratches, but he never got around to the ‘killing the prey” part. When he hits a batter and we’re playing the Red Sox or the Ys, I really don’t mind too much, and if I’m being honest, I even relish it a little. When we’re playing any other team, though, it’s just not helpful. Before tonight’s game, Cabrera was third in the league for hitting batters. Now, he is unsurpassed, he leads both leagues in HBP, at eight. Justin Verlander of Detroit and Tim Wakefield of Boston both have seven. Pretty soon, if he keeps it up, someone is going to model an XBOX game after him. You get points if you can get to base without being hit. In fact, I think baseball ought to invent a new stat, “Batters who got on base without 1) being walked or 2) being hit by Cabrera.

Oh well, hopefully he’ll be back on his game soon. As to the rest of the game, in the immortal words of Forrest Gump, “That’s all I have to say about that.”

This is a perfect segue for a post I was preparing earlier in the week. My friend R at work who has been a fan even longer than I, in my decrepit old age, is a veritable treasure trove of interesting baseball stories that he regales me with when we meet by chance in the breakroom. Sometimes, bumping into him is the best thing that happens to me at work all week. The other day he said, “You remember Don Baylor?” “Oh! Yes,” I replied somewhat hesitantly, by which I meant, yes I know him, I know I saw him play, but I can’t say I remember a lot else about him. R continued, “Of course you would, he’s an Oriole,” to which we both nodded and had a little chuckle, the unstated ending being, “You Orioles nut, you!”

R went on to tell me about one of Baylor’s most notable stats. These days, as you know, batters don’t particularly like being hit by pitches. In the best of circumstances, it’s the stuff that can make for bench clearing brawls. That wasn’t always so. Batters of a previous era sometimes used it as a strategy to get on base. Don Baylor, for example, would deliberately lean into the pitch and has one of the highest HBP numbers of anyone. Look at this (scroll down to the bottom of the page to see his numbers). I looked up other batters and couldn’t even find the stat for most.

Next R and I had a good discussion about the merits of the DH, which according to him are “none,” most especially because if you’re a pitcher and you know you’re coming up to bat soon, you won’t likely be inclined to intentionally throw at the opposing team. To wit, he gave this example that I found described on Askmen.com as one of the top 10 best sports brawls:

San Diego Padres vs. Atlanta Braves
August 12, 1984

This one started out ugly and just got worse. It began when Pascual Perez, pitcher for the Braves, threw at the Padres’ lead-off man, Alan Wiggins, on the opening pitch. San Diego responded by throwing at Perez every time he came to bat. The benches were destined to cleared, and they were — twice. When the dust settled, 19 players were ejected and five spectators were arrested for their unruly behavior. Tensions spread to the post-game interviews when the Braves’ manager, Joe Torre, likened the San Diego bench boss, Dick Williams, to a man named Hitler.

Aftermath: Five players and Perez were suspended for three games, while Dick Williams was suspended for 10 days and fined $10, 000.

Somehow, I see a moment like that in our future. It’s okay, tonight is a new night and we will start fresh.

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