O's Win

After losing to the Mets 9-3 in the first spring training game, the Orioles defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 11-3. Justin Christian, Nolan Reimold and Scott Moore each had home runs as the Orioles hammered out 14 hits. The O's used 6 pitchers, which included the return of Chris Ray. Ray's position still needs to be determined. Alberto Castillo got the win allowing 1 hit in 2 innings. Matt Albers pitched two perfect innings and had a strikeout. Koji Uehara will make his debut Friday against the Marlins.

MASN’s Spring Training TV Schedule

MASN will air six spring training games, including four Orioles contests, starting with the Orioles-Nationals game on March 6.

March 6, 1 p.m. - Nationals at Orioles

March 10, 1 p.m. - Orioles at Red Sox

March 18, 7 p.m. - Marlins at Nationals

March 25, 7 p.m. - Braves at Nationals

April 1, 1 p.m. - Marlins at Orioles (HD)

April 4, 6 p.m. - Orioles at Nationals (HD)

B-Rob To Stay

Photo courtesy the AP
Brian Roberts has signed a $40 million contract extension with the O’s. This will keep him is Charm City until 2013. After years of speculation about a trade, the Orioles will to hold on to one of ht top lead-off men in baseball. Roberts has been with the team his entire career. Its great to see a top player wants to stay on a team that hasn’t had a winning season since 1997. “My family has taught me from Day 1 — my parents, my dad certainly — the value of loyalty. The Oriole have shown that to me. I wanted to show it back.” (AP) Oriole fans appreciate loyalty and Roberts is a fan favorite. The team is heading in a great direction. The pieces for the future are in the organization.

On a side note, Why is Baltimore called Charm City? I have family from B-more, but I live closer to DC. It is a great city, but it isn’t charming.

More Koji Please

Photo courtesy Orioles.com
The more I hear about Koji Uehara, the more excited I get. The reporters down in Ft. Lauderdale seem to be in awe with him. He doesn't speak a word of english, but he can place a baseball anywhere. He adds a buzz and some excitement that can get the team more coverage. For a team that seems to be rebuilding every year, they are finally on to a path that fans can believe in. I know I keep talking about this, but the starting rotation became more clear Monday when Dave Trembley said that Rich Hill is expected to be a starter. Now we know that the Ace of the staff is Jeremy Guthrie, who was added to Team USA for the WBC. He will be followed by Koji Uehara and Rich Hill. The last 2 spots are still up for grabs.

It's Here

Today, pitchers and catchers reported to Ft. Lauderdale and opened the 2009 spring training. We will have to look closely at the pitchers to get an idea of what the bullpen and starting rotation will look like. Matt Weiters will also be fun to watch. The rest of the team reports Thursday.

Roberto Alomar In Trouble

Photo courtesy of H-NET.org
I don’t like to get into specifics about this. This story is depressing and kinda sad. He was an Oriole, so read it if you want.

It's Right Around The Corner

Spring is in the air...kinda. With this quick preview of spring like weather, I've been thinking more about baseball. Pitchers and catchers report Saturday. A few days later, the rest of the players will show up and baseball will be ready to go. Unfortunately, it is supposed to snow on Saturday. I am most excited about seeing Matt Wieters and Koji Uehara. Can Uehara adapt to the American style of the game? The ball is different and the hitters are better. Is Matt Wieters the real thing? He is the top prospect in baseball. There will be a lot of pressure on this guys shoulder. The weight of 11 years of losing, leading the team out of the steroid era. It is time to forget Miguel Tejada, Sidney Ponson, Raphael Palmeiro, Daniel Cabrera, Jay Gibbons, and all the other issues that this team has faced. The youth movement is strong and the future is bright. This is my preseason optimism that usually is gone by June. Hopefully this year, it will turn into an ordinary feeling. Hopefully losing will be a thing of the past. Lets Go O's!

Oh Boy A-Rod

SI.com reports that Alex Rodriguez tested positive for an anabolic steroid and testosterone in 2003. Read Article Here. If anything, this provides more material for opening day when the Yankees come to Baltimore. Even though I don't like A-Rod, I don't think any punishment should be issued. If this report is true, there were 104 other players tested positive. It was also legal to use steroids when this happened. If he is clean now, lets just move on and be happy that baseball is clean now (maybe because of this test). Unfortunately, there is this company named ESPN, who can't help themselves and kill a story. This is a nice filler until Brett Favre decides on retirement or when TO starts talking again. Unless something big comes out of this, I won't talk about it again.

I Hate Comcast

This isn't Orioles related, but I hate Comcast. They need to boost their HD programing NOW! I pay extra for the sports package so I can get The NFL Network and Speed. I get NFL Network HD, but not Speed HD, Why? Speed HD is offered less than 20 miles away in Fairfax County, Virginia and Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Now as the NASCAR season starts, I want my HD. I called Comcast to find out and my answer was that, "I deal with Montgomery County, Prince Georges County, Howard County, and Washington DC. They don't offer this HD channel." He goes on to tell me what HDTV is, "There are two channels, they are the same [programing], the HD channel is just better picture." No really! I had no clue. I inform him that Speed is an HD channel carried in other Comcast markets. He got real quiet and shoved me off the phone. Wow! I would switch, but Verizon Fios hasn't been installed in my area yet and it is expensive to switch to Dish Network or Direct TV.

Quietly Busy

Photo courtesy FOXSPORTS.com
Today the Orioles made another move by agreeing to a 2 year contract with Ty Wigginton. Wigginton adds depth to the bench and a strong bat. Though Luke Scott is the DH, Ty will probably get some time at the position. This move also gives security behind Felix Pie. If Pie is having issues, Scott and Wigginton are both strong back-ups.

Yesterday, the O’s traded for Rich Hill. The starting rotation is taking shape. I think the rotation will look like this:

1) Guthrie
2) Uehara
3) Hendrickson
4) Hill
5) Waters/ Penn/ Liz or maybe someone else

For the first time in a while, I am optimistic about the starters. The O’s big problem has been pitching and Andy MacPhail seems to have addressed it. Quietly, the Orioles are having a busy offseason. No big names, but the moves have addressed issues.

O’s Make A Trade With The Cubs... Again

Photo courtesy MLB.com
The Orioles and the Cubs have made another trade. This time the Cubs will send lefty Rich Hill to the Birds in exchange for a player to be named later. Hill should fill a space in the back of the starting rotation.