Speaking of Erik...

Man, I was psyched that Bedard didn't come back out.  I think teams (and players) buy into the complete game, tough-it-out mentality too much and end up doing themselves long-term harm.  How often have you seen a guy throw 100 pitches through eight innings, come in for the ninth with a solid lead, and end up giving up a couple of runs and throwing 25 more pitches in the process.  They and the team still get the win, but 125 pitches is way, way worse for you than 100 pitches, particularly when those extra 25 come when you're already tired and, if you've put runners on, in a more stressful situation.

I know that the rap on Bedard is that he's not tough, and this might play into it... but come on.  Players need to be allowed to say that they're too tired or that their arm doesn't feel good enough to go back out without getting crapped on for having a bad attitude.

In the game against the Marlins on June 21st, when Erik pitched eight shutout innings and struck out 12 batters.

Which was, by the way, the best Orioles pitching performance I've ever seen in person.

never want to be taken out of a game. Pedro Martinez or Roger Clemens could have their arm dangling by a badly frayed tendon, and they would tell their manager "I can get this guy out, I know it!" What is more, they would believe they could.

Bedard does not have the drive--the inner fire--to be a real winner. He has a lot of talent, but talent will only take you so far. This is why Bedard will never be a good pitcher. He may have a few good stretches in him like he is having now, but he does not have the mental make-up to be a really good pitcher for an extended period of time.

We should trade him now while his stock is high.