Friday Bird Droppings

by Camden Chat on Oct 23, 2009 6:49 AM EDT in Open Threads Comment 54 comments

Your Off-Season O of the Day: Jeremy Guthrie (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

Angels cut Yankees' ALCS lead to 3-2
The Rally Monkey is back, people. The Rally Monkey is back. -duck

O's on Deck: Arizona Fall League recap -- Oct. 22
Stephen Strasburg is human after all. He gave up 8 runs in 2 2/3 innings as the Desert Dogs lost. Wasted draft pick, I tell ya. -duck

Attorney: Jamie McCourt is out as Dodgers CEO
Oh, it's gettin' ugly in L.A. Los Angeles Dodgers CEO Jamie McCourt is out. Team owner Frank McCourt, her soon-to-be ex-husband, fired her from the position. She was the highest-ranking woman in Major League Baseball. I'm guessing marriage counseling won't solve this one. -duck

Report: Mattingly, Melvin, Valentine on managerial list
Don Mattingly, Bobby Valentine and Bob Melvin are all on the Washington Nationals list of potential manages. I'll go out on a limb and say none of the three would agree to manage the Nationals. -duck

Sugar Bear changes jobs
Roch says: "(F)ormer Orioles catcher/third baseman Floyd Rayford has joined the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings' coaching staff after serving as hitting coach last season at Double-A New Britain." -duck

Brandon Snyder wants the job, thank you very much.
Brandon Snyder wants to win the job as everyday 1B for the O's in 2010. I'd like it, too, kid. Just hit like you are in the AFL instead of the way you did at AAA. -Stacey

Fox Sports adds Ozzie Guillen to broadcast booth for World Series
That's certainly one way to spice up a World Series matchup a lot of people aren't really looking forward to. -Stacey

Orioles Pumpkin Carving | orioles.com:
Ha! -Stacey

You're right, I did lose a million dollars last year. I expect to lose a million dollars this year. I expect to lose a million dollars *next* year. You know, Mr. Thatcher, at the rate of a million dollars a year, I'll have to close this Open Thread in... 60 years.

0 recs | Comment 54 comments | Add comment | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I now have a blog: http://justanotherbaltimoresportsblog.blogspot.com/

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Oct 23, 2009 7:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why you don't put in the stories I clip, duck?

You’re giving me a complex!

Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts

by Stacey on Oct 23, 2009 7:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm ADD

I thought we used them yesterday

"I would approve signing a pitcher that ate kitten tacos if he won 20 games a year." -BPinOK

by duck on Oct 23, 2009 7:49 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

s'ok

I’m over it. :-)

Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts

by Stacey on Oct 23, 2009 7:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If only all my problems were so easily solved...

"I would approve signing a pitcher that ate kitten tacos if he won 20 games a year." -BPinOK

by duck on Oct 23, 2009 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Okay, I've got to plead ignorance.

It’s great to see Bell & Snyder tearing it up in the AFL, but what caliber of pitching are they facing? I really don’t know anything about the AFL, so I think any insight into that league could make for a good discussion, as I’m sure I’m not the only one who is unfamiliar with it. Is it comparable to AAA or AA as a barometer for a player’s success in the show?

by VB O's Guy on Oct 23, 2009 9:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not expert

But from what I’ve read, technically the pitching and hitting prospects should be comparable since they’re from the same levels of the minors. However it’s said that the AFL is a hitters league so I’m not sure how the fields are. It’s all AZ spring training locations.

Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts

by Stacey on Oct 23, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ozzie Guillen in the broadcast booth????

The man can hardly go three sentences without an obscenity. Not to mention that his English is none to good…

by O'sFan21 on Oct 23, 2009 9:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd love to hear

Ozzie belt out a few cuss words when Guth gives up a three run dinger!!!!

When you're born into the human race you're given a ticket to the freak show. When you're born in America, you're given a front row seat. And some of us have notepads.-George Carlin

by Afghanistan Steve on Oct 23, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know it's going to be a hoot

Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts

by Stacey on Oct 23, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Count me

as tired of Ozzie Guillen already.

Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt

by BPinOK on Oct 23, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd hire him in a minute

"I would approve signing a pitcher that ate kitten tacos if he won 20 games a year." -BPinOK

by duck on Oct 23, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

really?

Not me.

Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts

by Stacey on Oct 23, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's all about winning

not hurt feelings, not veteran presence, just winning. Who’s gonna help the team win plays. Period.

"I would approve signing a pitcher that ate kitten tacos if he won 20 games a year." -BPinOK

by duck on Oct 23, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and making rookie pitchers cry

b/c they won’t hit someone. Don’t forget that!

For the record, that’s one of his qualities that i DO like.

Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt

by BPinOK on Oct 23, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What does that even mean? Who isn't "all about winning"???

He’s a clown.

by O'sFan21 on Oct 23, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Take a look at Joe Torre's lineups for the last week

and give me ONE good reason Orlando Hudson wasn’t starting every game.

Take a look at any O’s game where DD batted Melvin Mora 5th.

Take a look at Lou Pineiella and his absolute hatred of playing rookies.

Unfortunately, winning isn’t always priority #1 for managers.

"I would approve signing a pitcher that ate kitten tacos if he won 20 games a year." -BPinOK

by duck on Oct 23, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not really sure what's going on with this

I mean, I’m not trying to be snide or anything, I’m being serious.

Are you saying the above things happen because those managers don’t have winning as the #1 priority?

Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts

by Stacey on Oct 23, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

I think winning is usually the number 1 priority, but it could take a back seat to a few things:

Money – sometimes big time contracts sort of force managers to feel compelled to play those players (see: Brad Lidge, Melvin Mora, etc.)

Age – some managers feel like older players are more entitled to playing time (Torre is the worst when it comes to this, but the Giants did it, too, playing Molina over Posey down the stretch)

Long-term growth – there’s no way sending Berken and Tillman out there everyday was in an effort to win those games but instead to develop them into pitchers.

And of course, stupidity – some managers just don’t understand why Orlando Hudson is better than Ronnie Belliard.

"I like baseball, movies, good clothes, whiskey, fast cars ... and you. What else you need to know?"

by Andrew @ TLC on Oct 23, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well said

"I would approve signing a pitcher that ate kitten tacos if he won 20 games a year." -BPinOK

by duck on Oct 23, 2009 1:10 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

ok thanks

Although I’d say that just because a manager does something stupid doesn’t me that winning isn’t his priority. He just means that he’s stupid.

Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts

by Stacey on Oct 23, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah you're right...Torre wasn't playing Hudson because he didn't want to win...

by O'sFan21 on Oct 23, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't say that

Joe Torre went with what was less than his best option to win. Ozzie doesn’t do that. I’m not prez of his fan club or anything, but I don’t think Ozzie would have left Melvin as the #5 hitter.

"I would approve signing a pitcher that ate kitten tacos if he won 20 games a year." -BPinOK

by duck on Oct 23, 2009 1:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

It wasn't less than his best option to win in his opinion.

Belliard was absolutely on fire the last few weeks of the season, so I’m sure that’s why he did it.

You might be right about the Melvin Mora thing, but who knows.

by O'sFan21 on Oct 23, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

John Gibbons is all about winning.

Vizzini: Let me put it this way. Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?
Man in Black: Yes.
Vizzini: Morons.

by birdman on Oct 23, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

say that again and

I’LL PUNCH YOU IN THE FACE

"I think my motivation is to see the other guys in the clubhouse. They’re contending for the playoffs, and when I see that it gets into my body. I play like it’s the playoffs too" —Memlo

by zknower on Oct 23, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

JG jokes never get old.

Vizzini: Let me put it this way. Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?
Man in Black: Yes.
Vizzini: Morons.

by birdman on Oct 23, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

sounds like a certain former Oriole manager

"I think my motivation is to see the other guys in the clubhouse. They’re contending for the playoffs, and when I see that it gets into my body. I play like it’s the playoffs too" —Memlo

by zknower on Oct 23, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't get me wrong

a couple of times a year he’s funny and it’s refreshing to hear him call someone out but it also seems like he tries to go out of his way to be “refreshing.”

Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt

by BPinOK on Oct 23, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Turned

off the game at 6-4 MFY last night. I’m shocked! I fully expected to hear that John Lackey either A. shanked Mike Scioscia (sp?) or B. proclaimed that he would be playing for the Os next year where he knew he could pitch as many innings as he wanted.

Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt

by BPinOK on Oct 23, 2009 10:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They're lucky

a) they won, and b) Girardi is somehow even stupider than Scoscia…otherwise I think every Yankee hater in America would have been in line to shank Scoscia.

"I like baseball, movies, good clothes, whiskey, fast cars ... and you. What else you need to know?"

by Andrew @ TLC on Oct 23, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Mattingly and/or Melvin interview with the Nats

Managing jobs don’t come around often. And it’s always easier to hire a guy who’s done it once. The Nats are a stepping stone to greener pastures. The Rays were terrible when Girardi went there. He spent, what one year? and then suddenly he was the “it” guy.

"I think my motivation is to see the other guys in the clubhouse. They’re contending for the playoffs, and when I see that it gets into my body. I play like it’s the playoffs too" —Memlo

by zknower on Oct 23, 2009 1:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I read earlier

where Mattingly was the front runner for the Cleveland job.

Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt

by BPinOK on Oct 23, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i saw valentine mentioned as a front-runner

"I think my motivation is to see the other guys in the clubhouse. They’re contending for the playoffs, and when I see that it gets into my body. I play like it’s the playoffs too" —Memlo

by zknower on Oct 23, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Buster Olney via MLBTraderumors...

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/cleveland_indians/index.html

Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt

by BPinOK on Oct 23, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I saw

most red sox and yankees fans mentioned as front runners.

by daveh873 on Oct 23, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

zing!

"I think my motivation is to see the other guys in the clubhouse. They’re contending for the playoffs, and when I see that it gets into my body. I play like it’s the playoffs too" —Memlo

by zknower on Oct 23, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well played sir

Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt

by BPinOK on Oct 23, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Donnie will wait out Joe in L.A.

"I would approve signing a pitcher that ate kitten tacos if he won 20 games a year." -BPinOK

by duck on Oct 23, 2009 1:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

you think?

you’d turn down a managing opportunity because of what that “might come”? I don’t think so. Joe could be in LA for another two years, even if he says next year is his last. Mattingly’s no spring chicken.

"I think my motivation is to see the other guys in the clubhouse. They’re contending for the playoffs, and when I see that it gets into my body. I play like it’s the playoffs too" —Memlo

by zknower on Oct 23, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Worked for Girardi

"I would approve signing a pitcher that ate kitten tacos if he won 20 games a year." -BPinOK

by duck on Oct 23, 2009 3:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Girardi knew the Yankees job was going to go to him

Mattingly has no such assurances from LA. Not after quitting the hitting coach job last year.

"I think my motivation is to see the other guys in the clubhouse. They’re contending for the playoffs, and when I see that it gets into my body. I play like it’s the playoffs too" —Memlo

by zknower on Oct 23, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

*this is just speculation, of course

"I think my motivation is to see the other guys in the clubhouse. They’re contending for the playoffs, and when I see that it gets into my body. I play like it’s the playoffs too" —Memlo

by zknower on Oct 23, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't see the impending

divorce helping things much in LA either.

Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt

by BPinOK on Oct 23, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

also,

Girardi had already been to the top dog for the Marlins. SO he knew more opportunities would come.

"I think my motivation is to see the other guys in the clubhouse. They’re contending for the playoffs, and when I see that it gets into my body. I play like it’s the playoffs too" —Memlo

by zknower on Oct 23, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's pretty young as far as managers go, no?

by O'sFan21 on Oct 23, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, but every time there's a vacancy, he'll have to compete against internal guys

but he won’t right now for the Nats.

if the Dodgers have a crappy season next year, he may not be the obvious choice to replace Torre any more. And the ownership of that team is looking more dysfunctional every day.

If someone said to you, “I’m offering you the top spot today”, would you pass it up?

"I think my motivation is to see the other guys in the clubhouse. They’re contending for the playoffs, and when I see that it gets into my body. I play like it’s the playoffs too" —Memlo

by zknower on Oct 23, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not Don Mattingly.

He’s got a little bit of credibility and sticking with Joe Torre doesn’t hurt either…

by O'sFan21 on Oct 23, 2009 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cal Ripken says that Mattingly would be a great fit for the Nats.

At least according to Kristen Hudak’s Twitter.

Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts

by Stacey on Oct 23, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK, I am TOTALLY carving an Orioles pumpkin this year

That said, someone in the O’s front office should learn the difference between a raster PDF and a vector PDF

"I think my motivation is to see the other guys in the clubhouse. They’re contending for the playoffs, and when I see that it gets into my body. I play like it’s the playoffs too" —Memlo

by zknower on Oct 23, 2009 1:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't know what the difference is in those things

But I so want to carve the cartoon oriole head. When I lived near Pickles we always went to a pumpkin carving contest around Halloween time. That cartoon bird would win first place for sure.

Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts

by Stacey on Oct 23, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

raster=pixels, vector=math

on vector art, when you zoom in, the edges stay sharp. for line art (logos and the like) as opposed to images, vector is better. it’s scaleable the same way fonts are on your printer.

"I think my motivation is to see the other guys in the clubhouse. They’re contending for the playoffs, and when I see that it gets into my body. I play like it’s the playoffs too" —Memlo

by zknower on Oct 23, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs