Archive for June 2008
Day Game at Wrigley
27. June 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
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?
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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Roberts Milestone 1000 Hits
25. June 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
The Orioles played the Cubs tonight at Wrigley Field. One cold November evening many years ago, I touched the outside of that park. It was the best I could do since it was the off-season. It was after a dinner date with a handsome stranger I met while on a business trip. I can’t tell you the exact sequence of events since there was wine at dinner, apparently a little too much of it, but I must have mentioned how much I longed to see a game there, or at the very least, the park itself. The restaurant was close to Wrigley Field and somehow me and the handsome man ended up outside of the stadium with me feeling up the exterior wall wishing that I wasn’t seeing it in the dark. I won’t say what else I did or didn’t see in the dark that night, but it was a fun time. (Just kidding!!)
Tonight was fun too, but in a very different way. Mostly fun. Here are the brief highlights. Roberts had his 1000th hit as a Oriole. For a brief time the Os were up 7-1. Guthrie pitched six and a half innings before things started to fall apart for real. Sherrill provided the characteristic finale, making us sweat it, loading the bases in the bottom of the ninth and then striking out three consecutive batters. When he struck out the last batter, I wanted to crawl through the television and give him a great big hug.
I’ll leave you with this thought. Though the Orioles are in fourth, by this time next week, we’ll have a better win percentage than most of the rest of the AL and NL. And if that’s not true, I’ll push a hockey puck from one end of the rink to the other at the next Skipjacks game. Or something to that effect.
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Bad News Tides
24. June 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
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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I’m sorry
23. June 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
I went away this weekend to meet my treacherous cousin who was passing through Asheville. Treacherous because of the conversation we had about the Orioles in which she spat, without warning, something awful like, “The Orioles suck and they always lose.”
Dear Reader, do not hold it against her. She is unconvertible and unteachable. I pitied and forgave her ignorance and you must too. She is from my mother’s side of the family and they are verily lacking in the valuable genetic material that creates an Orioles fan. It is just one of the many tragic genetic disorders that plague the human race and we must live with the hope that stem cell research will advance quickly enough to save these unfortunate misfits.
Of course, never did I imagine that while I was enjoying a weekend away, the Orioles were doing just the thing my cousin prophesied, in all her spite and venom. I suppose I am to blame. I shouldn’t have assumed that I could leave the Orioles unsupervised for a weekend. And, I have new appreciation for the fast forward button on the DVR to speed me through the awful bits. At least Milwaukee ended their losing streak, if they had one.
One note on Saturday’s game. Funny how Cabrera’s HBP count didn’t advance in a game in which he was also batting. Hmm…
Nevermind, every day is a fresh start.
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Triple Shot and Stuff
21. June 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
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 Orioles Fanatic.
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 Orioles Fanatic.
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.
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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Insert Bad Word Here
16. June 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
I don’t even want to talk about it.
I had resigned myself that we were going to lose until Roberts hit the most impossible homer in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, to tie the game. And then there was triple shot Sherrill. You know how I said that I was on board? I was wrong. Turns out, I’m really not. Why can’t we keep Jimmy Johnson in? What’s wrong with him?
Again, maybe my expectations are far too high, but I expect a closer that everyone is wild about to be one who doesn’t walk batters, doesn’t load the bases, doesn’t put us in a position in the ninth inning where there’s a runner on third. Am I wrong that a starter could pitch with the same quality in the ninth that we’re getting from our closers? Why not just keep in Cabrera? What, because you’re worried that he’ll hit a couple of batters? Okay, okay, I’ll grant you that. Still, a closer should be fresh, should be throwing his best stuff. In short, the closer should be unhittable.
Yesterday was like ‘79 in so many ways. Except that I didn’t retreat to my bedroom to cry into my pillow.
Sherrill owes us for that one.
Cabrera HPB: 11
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Recap: 8-7 Orioles
15. June 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
I really like how the Orioles are toying with the Pirates. It’s both fun and twenty-nine years overdue. In the top of the 9th, the Pirates, that is Adam LaRoche, or “The Roach,” as I have come to call him, and trust me, I don’t mean that affectionately, hit a two-run homer taking back the lead at 7-6. Thinking that the Os had everything in the bag, I was multi-tasking, trying to finish up my Bryson book that is three days late to the library. I couldn’t believe it. My heart sank, “Stinking pirates!” I daren’t have hoped for a comeback, could I? Could I? Ugh! What a bummer!
Indeed, I could. Salazar, a big question mark for me until this point, reignited my hope on a ball that landed on the right side, in every sense of the word, of the foul pole in the stands behind the left field fence, tying the game 7-7. Now all we needed was one more run. Bynum was waiting expectantly on second. Again, I tried to set my hopes cautiously, trying less often to be my own worst enemy. Ramon Hernandez at bat. Two outs, two strikes. “Don’t take us into extra innings, Ramon. Please, let’s dispatch with them now, let’s not drag this out.” Ramon smashed the ball toward center field, and we waited to see what would happen while the camera panned to the center field, watching as the Pittsburgh outfield ran and ran towards the ball. “Is it going to drop in? Is it?” It seemed to hang in the air an interminably long time, just like when you’re watching an accident and your brain stalls time in order to interpret it in digestible bits.
Center fielder Nate McLouth couldn’t get to it. The ball dropped behind him! It was so bloody fabulous, I can’t put it into words.
Final score: 8-7 Baltimore.
Also of note, another question mark until today, Cintron produced a hit at a crucial point in the game and the game and there were a variety of game delays mostly due to injuries. Mora left the game in the first inning after foul tipping a ball that somehow freakishly landed on his knee. He writhed in pain for a long while and only managed to get off the field by taking a little break on his way back to the dugout. Remember that he was only walking the distance from home plate. Knee injuries are the worst. I tore my meniscus once skiing. It was by far the worst injury I’ve ever had and why you won’t see me on the slopes again. (Well, that and the one time I tried to give skiing another chance, only two years later, I promptly sprained my elbow.)
Then the game was delayed while the home plate umpire attended to his contacts. So many jokes came to mind and it looked like Millar, who was batting at the time, might have ribbed him with a few. “Maybe now you’ll finally be able to see!”
Finally, in between strikes and Ramon Hernandez’s game winning hit, the Pirate right fielder overly ambitiously tried to catch Hernandez’s foul. He gave it everything he had, smashing into the right field fence, which one imagines must be padded, no? Apparently not enough because the guy was wretched and left the game after making many faces betraying his agony. That oughta teach him.
What?? You expect me to have sympathy for a Pirate? Okay, really, I wish them no personal ill-will, unlike the Red Sox and Yankees. Though, there was a story that came out after the World Series that they were all coke-heads. On second thought, those dirty cheaters deserve suffering, even if it was nearly thirty years ago!
It was an absolutely, positively fantastic game!
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Tribute to the ‘79 Os
14. June 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
They almost tricked me. They did. I got scared early on like it was 2007. Then I realized, “Oh, I get it. This is a whole tribute to the ‘79 Orioles!” See, the strategy was to play like the old team, to come from behind and get a grand victory, where at the end of the game you’re left feeling like, “I love this team! Love them!”
It worked! What a game! Loved it, loved it, loved it, loved it! Love this team (keep Roberts).
The interview with Weaver and DeCinces: also loved it! It brought back so many wonderful memories. Those were really magical times and I realized, as usual, that sometimes I’m too hard on people. I was surprised because I thought I was just too hard on myself.
I guess I can understand, if one hasn’t grown up with a team like the Orioles of the seventies and early eighties, it’s not surprising that Baltimore isn’t overrun with die-hard, loyal fans. Maybe you have to be lucky enough to experience that Orioles magic to get hooked and to know how much fun baseball is. Maybe that’s what it takes to show up on Opening Day. (I’ve also had my eyes opened to the many other problems attributed to Angelos and why there is so much animosity towards him. On the other hand, it wasn’t all sun and roses before Angelos. Let me tell you, we weren’t big fans of Edward Bennett Williams either. He didn’t generate a lot of good will by threatening in every other sentence to move the team to D.C. Still, we were always there on Opening Day.)
Yes, having lived through that time is just one more thing to add to my gratitude list, even if it does mean that I’m old. A fact brought home to me today when I saw on the Orioles home page, “Pirates play Orioles for first time in nearly 30 years!” I chuckled at their silliness, “No! It’s not 30 years!” Then I thought some more, and then I thought, “Oh, shucks! How did that happen!” Except “shucks” isn’t the word that came to mind.
I’m also feeling grateful that I didn’t have to cry tonight, cause for a while there, it was really looking like I might have to. Burres also pulled it together and Sherrill delivered his most outstanding inning with the Orioles to date. I’m on board! Four things for the gratitude journal. That’s quite a night!
What a wonderful start to the weekend!
If you’re wondering about the tag “Boston Sucks,” it’s just cause they do and I can’t miss an opportunity to say it.
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