Archive for the Live Orioles Category
Tides Pictures
3. July 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
Here finally are some pictures from the Tides vs. Knights game last Monday. Pictures
Enjoy!
Posted in Live Orioles | Print | No Comments »
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.
Posted in Live Orioles | Print | No Comments »
Fan Fest
30. March 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
Saturday, March 29, 2008. Fan Fest at Camden Yards.
Q: What’s great about Fan Fest?
A: Meeting other Orioles fans who love the team as much as you do and getting a great picture of Boog Powell.
There were a lot of giveaways and I missed those, but it was worth the wait in line to get Boog’s autograph.
Posted in 2008 Season, Live Orioles, Orioles/BB | Print | No Comments »
First Name Basis with Ken
2. February 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
Seeing a few of the ‘83 Orioles, in a word, “ROCKED!” I was beaming from ear to ear. They reminisced about the World Series and answered questions from the audience. Before the Q&A, I was wondering what people would ask. I mean the audience was full of geezers. We were all there back then. What’s to ask. As it turned out, it was quite interesting.
One question posed to the former Orioles was “Do you think the ‘83 Orioles could compete against the modern day Yankees and Red Sox.” Orioles.com quotes Ken Singleton’s answer,
There’s no doubt in my mind we could,” he said. “We had some pitchers. We could get people out. … In the tightest situations, you had all the confidence in the world.”
During the “…” Singleton said the most important thing, and one that I keep harping on, is that the outfielders on the ‘83 Orioles knew who to throw the ball to and how to get it there. Bumbry added that he didn’t have as much arm strength so he compensated by always planning ahead, deciding with each batter where he would throw the ball if it came his way. Both Bumbry and Singleton joked that they did their job because if they didn’t there was a guy in the dugout “about this tall,” and here Ken held out his hand at about the height of the stool, “wearing a number 4, who would call you out in front of everyone and I didn’t want to hear it.” Bumbry echoed the sentiment. I wish the current Orioles would take this hint!
One of the best questions was, “What was your favorite game that wasn’t a World Series game.” The crowd applauded Stefero’s answer: his first game with the Orioles, stating how happy he was just to be in the big leagues surrounded by Orioles.
The same article mentions this woman, the first one to make a statement to the Orioles attendees:
“I just want to thank you guys for being the last ones to bring us a championship,” said an unidentified woman in the back row. “Hopefully, one day we’ll do it again.”
Unfortunately, the quote fails to capture her thick Dundalk accent, which added a special indescribable note to her sentiments. You just knew she was friends with Wild Bill and was at those games in Section 34. At the end of the Q&A, she started an Orioles cheer that, sadly, fell flat, most likely because we weren’t expecting it. We all did a mercy chime in at the end with a weak “Orioles.” I made a mental note to self that the most important part of the cheer is the lead up, getting the fans “buy-in,” in corporate speak. Or to only do the cheer drunk so I can’t remember the unenthusiastic crowd the next day.
During the autograph signing I couldn’t help but emote to Tippy, “I grew up behind Memorial Stadium so I watched you a lot” or something to that effect. John Stefero, sitting next to him, looked up at me and said, “That must have been fun!” How cool is that!!!
Later, I was watching the filming of Tom Davis with each of the Orioles (for ESPN). Ken Singleton who was up next, came and stood beside me. Some bozo was blathering on about something to him, completely monopolizing Ken’s time with me. He looked arrogant and was really getting on my nerves. I wanted to knee him in the misters and say, “Time to move along now.” I didn’t though. He finally left and here’s how my conversation with Ken went:
Me: Looking really nervous and stupid, “Hi!”
Ken: “Hi!”
Me: “Hi!”
Ken: Raising an eyebrow, looking a bit nervous, backing away, “Um…”
Me: “Hi!”
That’s how I imagine it happened, Ken feeling trapped and regretting being stuck there with me. In reality, I’m not sure how stupid I sounded, but if history is any guide, I’d wager pretty stupid. I was too nervous to remember everything we said. I know I asked him to confirm the rumor that he was working for the Ys. “Yes, I’m the announcer.” When I looked like :-O, he replied, “I was born in New York” as if that would somehow excuse his behavior. Oh well. I also asked him about the Bedard trade with a leading question, “Wouldn’t you agree that we should keep Bedard?” to which Ken responded that Sherrill was a really good reliever. I trust Ken’s judgment, so for the first time, I’m optimistic that trading Bedard won’t be the worst mistake we’ve ever made. The important thing is that we exchanged actual sentences and I was on my best behavior, and I didn’t pull out either boob for him to sign.
Within a couple of minutes, my mom came over, along with some service man freshly home from Afghanistan or Kuwait, or somewhere. I didn’t really talk to him, my mom did. I was too engrossed in standing next to Ken Singleton. My mom started talking to Ken and that immediately made me nervous. As we’ve established, she derives great pleasure from embarassing people, most particularly, me. I could feel my stomach winding into a knot. She told Ken how I drove all this way from Charlotte for the event and then Ken turned to me and said, “Thank you Crystal.” Aww shucks. No, thank you, Ken!
I needn’t have worried about my mom (this time anyway). Plus, the service man did the most embarassing thing. First of all he was flirting with me, proving that the poor man, bless his heart, must not have seen a single woman during his entire deployment. I wonder how many years he was gone. Then he shook Ken’s hand saying, “What’s your name, sir?” :-O
Since he’s just back from serving our country, I cut him a break.
In summary, the event rocked!!! Here’s my advice, when you’re feeling down and life is getting to you, to improve your outlook, attitude, and mental health, go see the ‘83 Orioles!!
Posted in Live Orioles | Print | 1 Comment »
ES’s Mom’s Head Famous
1. February 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
On Orioles.com, you can see the back of my mother’s head on the left of the picture. She’s sporting her orange “1983 World Champions” tee. I was so proud of her, especially since I gave her about an hour’s notice that I was in town.
See Enchanting Sunshine’s mother’s head here.
P.S. By the way, when I talk in the third person, it’s meant to be funny. I’m really not a psychopath or anything, despite my recent fascination with murder. Thought I ought to clear that up once and for all.
Posted in Live Orioles | Print | No Comments »
No Words Needed
1. February 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
The pictures speak for themselves.
I’m almost jealous of myself.
Posted in Live Orioles | Print | 1 Comment »
Cough!
31. January 2008 by Orioles Fanatic.
Cough! Cough! Sniffle. Hack. Hairball. Cough!
Enchanting Sunshine throws back of hand against forehead in dramatic gesture. Oh dear. A terrible illness has come over me, preventing me from working today.
Cough.
(Does it sound convincing or too much? A little over the top?)
If you’re not good at reading between the lines, I’ll explain later in a future post. There, some new drama that doesn’t surround Bedard.
Speaking of, my friend Chris and I rehashed the pros and cons of trading Bedard for about an hour last night. I’ve lost count, but it may be the fifth time we’ve had that same conversation, neither one persuading the other. Perhaps it points to my inherent pessimism that we’ll get any decent trades, because, do we ever?? and I’d rather hold onto the sure thing, especially if we’re not going to be great anyway. I appreciate his optimism and faith even though it’s completely antithetical to my past life experience. Bless his naive little heart.
That’s enough about that. I got a big day ahead of me so I have to wrap this up. In summary, I think it’s clear we’ve established Bedard should stay. Hope your day is sunshiney and bright, but I bet it won’t be as sunshiney and bright as mine. Sometimes, when life is getting you down and every time you turn around it’s moth invasions or Bedard being traded or some nonsense, you just have to make something good happen.
Posted in Live Orioles | Print | No Comments »