A Look Back at the First Half

I dont think I could have said it any better (courtesy of orioles.mlb.com)

The Orioles' streak of losing seasons -- which stands at nine and counting -- appears to be in no danger of ending this season. The Orioles slogged through an injury-riddled first half of the season that saw three starting pitchers and indestructible shortstop Miguel Tejada hit the disabled list for extended periods of time.

Manager Sam Perlozzo lost his job as a direct result of the team's ailments and its inabilty to play consistent baseball, and the Orioles will make finding a new field boss a priority in the second half. Interim manager Dave Trembley has shaken things up as far as Baltimore's pregame preparation and will likely lead the team through July.

The team's real problem -- beyond injuries to Adam Loewen, Kris Benson and Jaret Wright -- has been an inability to hit for power. Tejada's power stroke seems to be fading, and offseason acquisition Aubrey Huff has struggled to find his power stroke. Baltimore ranks near the bottom of the league's home run chart and plays in an unforgiving division.

If the Orioles are able to turn things around, they'll need more consistent work from their bullpen and continued excellence from their starting rotation. Tejada will have to return from his fractured left radius and play like he did last season. Huff, Jay Gibbons, Kevin Millar and company will need to hit better to keep Baltimore from making it 10 straight seasons with a losing record.

Club MVP: Brian Roberts has been the team's most consistent offensive threat this season, unseating usual suspect Tejada. Roberts ranks first among American League second baseman in on-base percentage and second in both slugging and batting average. As if that's not enough, he's leading all AL players with 25 stolen bases.

Call him 'Ace': With all due respect to Jeremy Guthrie -- one of the biggest surprises in the league -- Erik Bedard remains Baltimore's staff ace. The southpaw has rebounded from a shaky April and currently leads the Major Leagues in strikeouts. Bedard turned in one of the best outings in club history last Saturday, tying an O's record with 15 strikeouts while facing the minimum 27 batters in a 3-0 victory over the Rangers. Bedard allowed just two singles and walked none.

Greatest strength: Baltimore's rotation has been solid, despite injuries to Benson, Wright and Loewen. Guthrie and Brian Burres are the biggest reasons, but Bedard has pitched up to expectations. If Daniel Cabrera can make some strides in the second half, the Orioles will go into the offseason with one of the most intriguing rotations in the league.

Biggest problem: The Orioles haven't hit for much power, which can be an absolute death sentence in the AL East. With Tejada injured, Huff and Melvin Mora are forced to shoulder more of the slugging load. Gibbons struggled to find his stroke for most of the first half and has played his way into a vastly reduced role.

Biggest surprise: Guthrie came out of nowhere to establish himself as a surprise candidate for the All-Star Game. He may not have received a berth on the team, but he's more than pitched well enough to remain in Baltimore's future plans. Guthrie, who arrived as a waiver claim from Cleveland, will be under contractual control for the next five seasons.

Team needs: Baltimore needs a big bat at either first base or an outfield corner, and it also needs more production from its designated hitter. The bullpen has performed as good as expected, but closer Chris Ray has been a disappointment.

He said it: "You just want to see the energy level as high as it possibly can be. You want to see guys have enthusiasm and effort. You'd like to see us get better." -- Andy MacPhail, Orioles' president of baseball operations, on what he'd like to see in the second half

They think the Orioles will have a winning 2nd half record - I think we will finish dead last. How pathetic is that...to finish worse than the DevilRays. Oh how I wish for days of old...Cal us old-time fans really miss you!

J-Dawg

Thoroughly Disgusted

After listening to ESPN Radio on the way home, I came to hear that my Orioles had blown a 5 run lead in the 9th to lose for the 2nd day in a row to the Boston Red Sox (I know Dawn is just LOVING that one!). How do you play 8 great innings of baseball and forget to show up in the 9th inning. I still dont understand this!

FUNDAMENTALS!!!

That is what is wrong with baseball today! Players have lost the art of fundamentals. They make their millions, and just expect that they will be ok on the field without focusing on their fundamentals. It is sickening to the core. Chris Ray has blown his 3rd save of the season. This included an error on Ray which allowed the winning run to score. FUNDAMENTALS!

I guess there is still a ray of light even with 2 back-2-back losses to Boston...we are still ahead of the Spank-me's, I mean, Yankees! As long as we keep finishing ahead of them, I am a happy camper.

Perlozzo needs to corral this team, and bring them back to the baseball they were playing in the first couple weeks of April...hard nosed, tough, fundamental baseball.

We have 3 at Toronto, an off day, then 3 at Washington. Hopefully we can come out of this with 4 wins (can I hope for 6?) before we start our 7 game homestand against Toronto and Oakland.

J-Dawg

MLB Opening Day and NCAA Final Game

Well, today was Opening Day for the 2007 Major League Baseball season. I have high hopes for the Baltimore Orioles this year. I am hoping for at least 86-76 this year (if not better -- better is always good!) Today, they lost 7-4 in Minneapolis to the Twins...so we are starting 0-1. But...the O's are traditionally a 2nd half team...so I dont worry too much in the early weeks - just as long as we dont start 0-21 :)

Tonight, the final game of the NCAA Tournament happened. To collect on my Super Bowl bet win, I got treated to beer and wings....so...just before the game, we made ANOTHER bet...he had OSU, and I had Florida...I bet Florida would win 82-76, and he bet OSU would win 75-68....well Florida won tonight 85-74 (DAMN I was close!)I was 46-17 in the brackets this year, beating out Rick (AKA The Commish)...HOWEVER, to Rick's defense, I was on the phone with him during the last 42 seconds...Rick had "9" as the number on his board, meaning if the final digits for each team (IE 85-74 --- 5+4 = 9)then he would win -- well - HE WON!!! And proceeded to scream at the top of his lungs that he won! I kept telling him OSU 3 plus Florida 2 free-throws and he would win -- and sure enough!! :) It was a great night. Had a great time out with my friend Mark from work...

It was a good night -- I needed a night like tonight - no worries :) Just release....

J

New additions -- and some baseball

Hello everyone!

You might notice there are some additions to the CHOICE READINGS section...these are fellow bloggers. Stop by and say HI to Haley-O, Mr & Mrs Duck (Philly Transplant and Mrs Philly Transplant), Southern Girl, and Dawn (from along the Broken Road).

Also, not to rub it in Dawn, but as I sit here typing this little message, I am watching the








take on your












I know you love the BoSox...I will have a hot-dog and a beer while I watch the game and hope that you are getting to watch the game in person :)

J-Dawg

Spring Training is in FULL Swing

Hey
Just a quick post about my beloved

Baltimore Orioles...Spring training is in full swing, and we are already down a starting pitcher this year. Kris Benson's arm didnt last two weeks. At least Jaret Wright and Steve Trachsel are pitching in the spring. There was talk about their arms not being ready, but I think given the right amount of time to get ready, they will be. Opening day is just 27 days away! We open with 3 on the road at Minnesota, then an off day, then 3 more against the Yankees. First home game is a mid-day game Monday April 9th against the Detroit Tigers.

Is it April yet?? :)

J-Dawg

Cal and the Honor he is Due

Today, January 9, 2007, on his first day of eligibility into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, Calvin Edwin Ripken, Jr (AKA Cal) was inducted. Making his MLB debut on 08/24/81 against the Kansas City Royals at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore Maryland. He became known as the "Iron Man" for his consecutive games played streak. He played in a record 2632 straight games, spanning 16 seasons, from May 30, 1982 (Toronto @ Baltimore L6-0) until September 20, 1998 (NY Yankees @ Baltimore L5-4). What's funny is the day he took a day off, 9/21/98, was against the Toronto Blue Jays, the very team he STARTED his streak with. He broke the record at 2131 on September 6, 1995 at home against the California Angels (Baltimore won 4-2). I will never forget the lap around Camden Yards when he broke the record. What a magical night.

Today, Cal, you have earned the highest honor - entry into Cooperstown.

Oh, how I wish I could be there to see that - Baltimore's favorite son! Born and raised in Baltimore - playing for the hometown team for 21 years in the big leagues....
Some of his honors through the years:

• All-Star 1983-99, 2001
• All-Star Game MVP 1991, 2001
• American League Rookie of the Year 1982
• American League MVP 1983, 1991
• Gold Glove 1991, 1992
• Most consecutive games played at 2,632

Congradulations Cal -- you have more than earned your spot in glory...and you did it CLEAN!

Sports -- The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The Good

THE Houston Astros are in the NLDS! As I made my way home from my miserable day at work, I called Bill to see how the Astros were doing (roughly 3:20pm) -- at that point, Houston had just tied it up 6-6 (middle of the 10th I believe)....I told him to give me a call once it was final. I thought I had just missed his call....all the sudden at 6:15, here he is calling me --- 18 INNINGS LATER!! THEY WIN!!! Chris Burke with a walk-off homer in the bottom of the 18th inning!!!

The Yankees also won last night....3-2 over the Angels -- so series in tied 2-2.

The Red Sox are out.....sorry Dave!
The Padres are out .... Rick, you needed alot more than a hope and a prayer.


THE BAD

Well, I dont know what I was doing when I made my picks for this weeks NFL games, but in the early games, I only won 2, and lost 6!!! Let's just say it didnt get any better in the afternoon. I will write this week off to just being sick (or actually more like trying NOT to be sick).

I did actually get to watch most of the Indy/SF game, and some of the Philly/Dallas game, both of which I won, so that wasnt SO bad.....


THE UGLY

Boy am I glad I didnt go to the Saints/Packers game yesterday.....I had tickets, but chose to work instead.....and yes, one of the games I lost yesterday in the morning games was the Saints/Packers game -- I picked the Saints, and they lost 52-3!!!! Embarrassing to say the least.

And people wonder why I still like the Saints........sometimes it makes me wonder myself.

That's all I have for this edition....maybe I will write some more later.....make it a great day!

Friendships and the life we sometimes lead -- Part II

I guess I am writing a reprieve for the first post.....and chalking up the last few weeks of non-communication to her (friend #1) dealing with alot of personal issues oh her own, which I can totally respect. I know she is dealing with alot right now, and the only thing I can do is be a friend for her, and be there if she wants and/or needs to talk.....she knows my number -- she knows she can call anytime anyday. Today we talked at work all day -- alot of it was venting about the day we were BOTH having -- a day I like to refer to as fan-crap-u-lous. It started off bad, and it got worse as the day went on -- I was never so glad to see 3 o'clock as I was today....we both walked out and looked at each other and pretty much was like "What the FRIG!" She said she was contemplating buying a punching bag, breaking it in, then taking a nap. :)

I am just glad everything is cool with her and I ... that to me makes it worth the effort I have been putting into our friendship.

In the same breathe though, I know that I cant keep over-extending myself to her...if I get the feeling I am putting everything in, then I might have to start pulling back. Melissa has already said that if you have to work that hard at a friendship, could you spend that energy somewhere else more positive?

I am getting my sore throat back (again!) so I am gonna stop here and pick up tomorrow. By then I will know what happened with the Angels/Yankees Game (I know Melissa is watching!) Good night for now :)