Saturday Open Thread

by zknower on Aug 22, 2009 5:45 AM EDT in Open Threads Comment 81 comments

More photos » by Charles Rex Arbogast - AP

Johnson shows he's solid, but not made of stone -- baltimoresun.com
Since taking over as closer when George Sherrill was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Johnson is 3-for-3 in save opportunities, with two of them being of the one-run variety. Dave Trembley senses that Johnson is growing into the job.

MASN Online: The Official Website of the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network
Dennis Sarfate threw a scoreless inning tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, striking out two and hitting a batter. He threw 10 of his 16 pitches for strikes. That's the last scheduled game in his extended rehab assignment. The Orioles will re-evaluate him and decide the next step.

The Official Website of Frederick Keys Baseball: Class A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles
Brett Jacobson, the reliever acquired from Detroit in the Aubrey Huff trade, made his Orioles debut for Frederick Thursday night. His line: 2IP, 1ER, 0H, 1BB, 2K). Yes, he gave up a run on a walk and not hits. How? The guy he walked was sacrificed to second, sacrificed again to third, and scored on a wild pitch.

Major League and Minor League Teams Pair Up in a Dance to Improve Business - NYTimes.com
Major league teams aim to keep prospects closer to home and minor league clubs hope to boost marketing possibilities by redrawing the map of franchise affiliations....The Baltimore Orioles were one of the first teams to recognize the value of clustering their affiliates. They have moved four of their affiliates to Maryland, and a fifth, their Class AAA club, is in Norfolk, Va.

Texas Rangers vs. Baltimore Orioles - Box Score - August 22, 2007 - ESPN
Two years ago today, the Texas Rangers became the first team in 110 years to score 30 runs in a game, in a 30-3 rout of the Baltimore Orioles.

Orioles promote Merced's Eddie Gamboa - Sports - Merced Sun-Star
Just a feel good story—down in the minor leagues, making the jump from A to AA can be pretty exciting to the kids who've been trying to break through. ... "He told me he had good news and bad news. We had a golf tournament the next day. "He said, 'The bad news is you don't be able to play in the golf tournament tomorrow. The good news is you're going to Double-A.' "

Wolf devours Cubs in win - SGVTribune.com
Sherrill had yet another scoreless outing in a Dodgers uniform. He has not given up a run in his 10 appearances (10 2/3 innings) for the Dodgers and has allowed just one inherited runner to score.

Bowie Baysox STAR WARS Night
Fans are encouraged to show their support for the series by dressing up for the event and arriving in their x-wings and star destroyers, but fans won't be the only ones in costume. The Old Line Garrison of the 501st Legion and the Terrapin Base of the Rebel Legion will be at the game in movie-quality replica costumes. The groups will keep fans on the edge of their seats when they battle with lightsabers in-between innings. Woo-hoo!

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you like money. he likes money.

by thewaywardO on Aug 22, 2009 8:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

anyone see the pirates unis last night? yellow, with a yellow pillbox and black pants
U-G-L-Y

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 22, 2009 8:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

picture

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 22, 2009 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it would have been better

if any of the players went the extra mile and worse the striped stirrups. This is not the same uniform, but see what I mean?

The stock market will never recover, our armies will never again be #1, and our children will drink filthy water for the rest of their lives - HST

by the fix is in on Aug 22, 2009 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the hats dont help either

whatcha chewin on bud?

"you know what the orioles could use right now? a day off." - joe angel

by swilhelmross on Aug 22, 2009 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least they're not the Blue Jays

wearing powder-blue jerseys AT HOME. Can’t baseball get one of those road teams to wear white just once?

The stock market will never recover, our armies will never again be #1, and our children will drink filthy water for the rest of their lives - HST

by the fix is in on Aug 22, 2009 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also, that stirrup pattern is known as the "Red Sox" and was worn by the Orioles for most of their hoisery history.

The stock market will never recover, our armies will never again be #1, and our children will drink filthy water for the rest of their lives - HST

by the fix is in on Aug 22, 2009 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Those are awesome.

"He's a gazelle." -Adam Jones on Nolan Reimold.

by LenaO on Aug 22, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My dad can't even

listen to the “We are Family” song…f#@k Willie Stargell!

by sickuvitall on Aug 22, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like those uni's

Come to think of it there are very few throwbacks i dont like

"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law

by Reddrummer9187 on Aug 22, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cincy also sporting some truly awful throwbackery

just an ugly night at PNC last night

by PhilR8 on Aug 22, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yo bsf, those were hottt

by Timmy L. on Aug 22, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Funny Yahoo! typo

Most days Yahoo! posts a team report for the Orioles. Today’s contained this paragraph:

In their annual late-summer tailspins, Roberts has been one of a handful of Orioles veterans who sours as the season winds on. Perhaps this summer, Roberts has grown to accept the losing at the price of improving the club’s young talent with on-the-job training.

Quite a difference between “sours” and “soars,” isn’t it? Maybe both are appropriate this year.

by mathalot on Aug 22, 2009 8:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

haha...

i was watching a japanese movie last night and it had some pretty choice typos in the subtitles.

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on Aug 22, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

they meant to say "slows"

"The single best thing any rebuilding manager can do, ever, is trade a relief pitcher in late July for a couple of solid prospects."
— Rob Neyer, July 30, 2009

by zknower on Aug 22, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

so guts is our opening day starter still

right?

"you know what the orioles could use right now? a day off." - joe angel

by swilhelmross on Aug 22, 2009 9:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey, do you still think Roberts sucks?

by PhilR8 on Aug 22, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hey now

never said anything about him sucking, but yeah i stick to my story, defensively he isn’t what he used to be, case and point last night. and this whole year. might just be wear and tear.

not that he’s not making up for it or anything, im loving the power surge.

"you know what the orioles could use right now? a day off." - joe angel

by swilhelmross on Aug 22, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We should trade him.

by Johnny_S on Aug 22, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

who wants him?

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 22, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Prob no one. He doesn’t produce runs or play defense well. He is a terrible lead off guy and rarely ever doubles. Maybe we could get a minor prospect for such a bad 2b.

by Johnny_S on Aug 22, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well we can package him with markakis

although roberts has rubbed off on him, so its not likely we’d get anything for them

by twistedlogic on Aug 22, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i was referring to guts

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 22, 2009 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lots of "Phews" and "That was close"

and “Sherrill likes to walk the line” over at the TrueBlueLa gamethread last night. Makes me a little nostalgic :/

by PhilR8 on Aug 22, 2009 10:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I love how well he's pitching for them

Totally validates claims that the orioles would be in the wild card race in the national league.

by kba26 on Aug 22, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I sure miss the Brim.

I am proud of him for tearing it up over there. Can we petition to be moved to the NL?

by Johnny_S on Aug 22, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'll sign it

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 22, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Highlights from last night are posted.

That is all.

Heading back to Baltimore August 10th-12th! I will sign your flat item (no personalization)

by IHeartMASN on Aug 22, 2009 10:47 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Time to get my rec'n stick out!

by PhilR8 on Aug 22, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks!!

I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry

by Stacey on Aug 22, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I want

Brian Roberts tested! He hasn’t had a power surge like this since…uh, never mind.

by sickuvitall on Aug 22, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would kill to be 58-66 right now like the 2007 orioles

despite the 30 run game :-)

by Timmy L. on Aug 22, 2009 11:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and you know you are not having a good night

when their 8th and 9th hitters both have 7 RBI

by Timmy L. on Aug 22, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Markakis is 2 RBI away from tying last season's RBI total.

playing in 122 games so far this year (85)
Last year, 157 games (87)

How about he gets that shit taken care of tonight?

by Timmy L. on Aug 22, 2009 11:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sounds good to me.

"He's a gazelle." -Adam Jones on Nolan Reimold.

by LenaO on Aug 22, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is certainly unexpected

Matt Wieters: .313 OBP
Felix Pie: .320 OBP

by kba26 on Aug 22, 2009 11:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Whoa.

"He's a gazelle." -Adam Jones on Nolan Reimold.

by LenaO on Aug 22, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is Felix Pie

going to start in LF next year? It appears this could happen, with Reimold at DH and Scott at 1B. I suppose I can deal with it, Felix has improved drastically this season.

by sickuvitall on Aug 22, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not in love with the idea

I think Pie could still greatly benefit from another season of regularly coming off the bench. However, if Luke can prove he can handle 1st and we dont discover a better option, this could certainly be a possibility.

by kba26 on Aug 22, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

not a bad idea

but felix has to play like august pie and not april pie

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 22, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Luke can't handle

first, then I am interested in putting him back at DH and trying the semi-athletic Nolan Reimold at 1B. There was very brief talk of trying him there a few months back that died off for whatever reason…but it is a thought.

by sickuvitall on Aug 22, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreeeeeed

I am for this experiment, as much as I love him in the outfield with Nick and AJ. I wanna see what he does at 1b. I’m not very confident in Luke at 1b… Wiggy’s okay at 1b too but we’ll probably need him at 3b.

by O Nina on Aug 22, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

are there any specific qualms...

w/ how luke has handled first the last few days? i haven’t heard any and i haven’t seen the games.

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on Aug 22, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There hasnt really been much to challenge him

here’s only been one ground ball hit to him in his first two starts, and it was a slow roller anyone could have fielded. There an throwing error on Mora last night that a more experienced first baseman probably could have saved, but its hard to fault Scott too much for not making the play.

by kba26 on Aug 22, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is vague, but

I was in the other room and I heard Palmer say something like “Now that’s just Luke not being familiar with first base… Huff would have made that play, Millar would have made that play.” But I’m not sure what happened exactly… oh wait, as I type this kba has explained it.

Basically I just don’t see him having the agility or the athleticism to be a 1B.

by O Nina on Aug 22, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i guess i just have to see it for myself...

not discounting your opinions, but i think playing in an outfield w/ jones and markakis, scott’s athleticism was maybe a bit underrated. personally, i think he’s probably a better athlete than huff or wigginton.

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on Aug 22, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

1B athleticism

I will never forget seeing Eddie Murray do a full-on split to field a ball at first. I was like, “damn, I had no idea he could do that”.

"The single best thing any rebuilding manager can do, ever, is trade a relief pitcher in late July for a couple of solid prospects."
— Rob Neyer, July 30, 2009

by zknower on Aug 22, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

especially in those super-tight old school unis!

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on Aug 22, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really!

well, we disagree on that last point… agree to disagree!

by O Nina on Aug 22, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i don't agree to that!

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on Aug 22, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

when he said millar i had a flash back, it was weird

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 22, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lay off the acid

13 is much too young

by kba26 on Aug 22, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Players don’t typically benefit from playing off the bench. Pie could be a huge coup for us, as his defensive ability makes up for a whole lot of hitting struggles. If he becomes league average offensively, he’s going to be an extremely valuable player.

by math_geek on Aug 22, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, who remembers this?

http://www.camdenchat.com/2009/2/24/769473/prop-projections-for-the-2

I bet big on Pie’s OBP being over .315. Look who’s laughing now!!!!

by PhilR8 on Aug 22, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

you are?

please, tell me…i can’t see!

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on Aug 22, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ha I almost forgot about those

Looks like I’m about 50/50 so far. I didn’t make one big bet, but Felix’s OBP was my biggest at $5K. I also said over.

I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry

by Stacey on Aug 22, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I told y'all

the Wieters/Zaun bet was the easiest on the board.

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Aug 22, 2009 4:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Dannnngggg.

Practically no one thought Nolan would start 12 games for us.
Hehehehehe.

"He's a gazelle." -Adam Jones on Nolan Reimold.

by LenaO on Aug 22, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I took the under at $1k

Just wait until DD puts Pie in the 2 hole on a regular basis. It’s going to happen.

My big bet: I took the over on 12.5 starters this year at $6200. We’re at 11 right now.

"I hate seeing Bedard go, but I think the O's may have gotten the better end of the deal" -- me, 2/8/08

by CoachOfEarl on Aug 22, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's scary

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 22, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thorne's doing LLWS for espn

hope that takes him off our hands for a while

"you know what the orioles could use right now? a day off." - joe angel

by swilhelmross on Aug 22, 2009 12:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

he's a hockey announcer

he should stick to hockey

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 22, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

just posted greatest moments in o's history!

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 22, 2009 1:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

In honor of Star Wars night in Bowie, a youtube link

You may have already seen this, because it’s a classic, but it’s always worth another watch:

Star Wars Gangsta Rap

WE GOT DEF STAR!

Cry havoc and unleash the Esskay hot dogs of war! - The Wayward Oriole, Opening Day 2008

by Eat More Esskay on Aug 22, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Disturbing news.

Jeremy Guthrie would pay to watch Avril Lavigne perform, according to the latest issue of Orioles Magazine. Bleck.

"He's a gazelle." -Adam Jones on Nolan Reimold.

by LenaO on Aug 22, 2009 2:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I also learned that AJ has a girlfriend.

Excuse me while I go into a corner and cry.

"He's a gazelle." -Adam Jones on Nolan Reimold.

by LenaO on Aug 22, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, me too

Just give me a front row seat and some earplugs and I’m there.

by PhilR8 on Aug 22, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lineups, per Roch.

Sent from my BlackBerry, so forgive the odd look.

For the Orioles:

2b brian roberts
ss cesar izturis
cf adam jones
rf nick markakis
lf nolan reimold
3b melvin mora
dh luke scott
c matt wieters
1b ty wigginton

p david hernandez

For the White Sox:

cf scott podsednik
3b gordon beckham
rf jermaine dye
dh jim thome
lf carlos quentin
c aj pierzynski
ss alexei ramirez
1b mark kotsay
2b jayson nix

p john danks

"He's a gazelle." -Adam Jones on Nolan Reimold.

by LenaO on Aug 22, 2009 4:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

okay...

i’m definitely part of the “lineup order doesn’t make THAT much of a difference” crowd, but really…you want your best hitters to get the most ups. i’m very fond of izturis, but he should never be higher than 7. end of story.

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on Aug 22, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

See I'm the other way around

One day I’ll not be lazy and pull up some splits for “top tier” batters and their difference between when they hve protection and when they don’t.

To throw a name off the top of my head— the Donks before aroid came back

by GeoffreyA on Aug 22, 2009 6:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Inglorious Basterds is awesome, go see it.

Huff has gone back to being Huff. Deal with it.

by birdman on Aug 22, 2009 4:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

sweet...

definitely catching it in the theater. death proof is the only qt flick i haven’t seen on the big screen. this looks like it could be really good. if he could’ve exercised a little restraint w/ the kill bills, that could’ve been ONE really good movie.

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on Aug 22, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

qt said this movie may be his masterpiece. I think Pulp Fiction is just a hair better but it’s very close. Jackie Brown is the only QT film that I don’t like. So for me it goes:

Pulp Fiction
Basterds
Kill Bill 1 and 2 (although I like 2 just slightly better)
Reservoir Dogs

Death Proof

Jackie Brown.

Huff has gone back to being Huff. Deal with it.

by birdman on Aug 22, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

awesome...

i was amazed. i was watching reservoir dogs the other day and while a decent bit doesn’t hold up THAT well, it’s still a damn good movie. i’d probably put it at 2 on my list, though, dependent on mood, might flip it w/ KB1.

(and, i mean i’m amazed by how much i thought didn’t hold up so well)

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on Aug 22, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I went to see it last night

AWESOME just awesome!!!!
birdman I totally agree to a point with you, for me its:

Reservoir Dogs
Pulp Fiction
Inglorious Basterds
Kill Bill (the second is slightly better)

Deathproof

Jack Brown (the only QT movie that just did nothing for me)

"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow." ~ Earl Weaver

by Graham71681 on Aug 22, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah it was great

My girlfriend is a QT fanatic and I’m just a movie buff, and for some reason she didn’t really like it but I loved it. She thought that this film borrowed too much dialog wholesale from Kill Bill, but I didn’t notice. I loved everything except Eli Roth and his stupid Boston accent – otherwise, all of the actors were engrossing. I was transfixed during most of the long talky scenes. Just great.

by PhilR8 on Aug 22, 2009 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Adam Sandler was originally was suppose to Roth’s role. But he bailed so he could star in Funny People. Epic fail.

Huff has gone back to being Huff. Deal with it.

by birdman on Aug 23, 2009 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

seeing it tomorrow

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 22, 2009 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

MFY@ PHN Attrition

Pitches-strikes – A Pettitte 104-64; B Bruney 37-14; D Marte 6-5; S Mitre 33-17; B Penny 90-57; M Bowden 65-32; M Delcarmen 8-5; T Saito 11-7; R Ramirez 24-16.

Johnny Damon bruiseded his knee fouling one off.

Today, let there be extra innings so the bullpens are even more cooked. Maybe a clutch RBI double in the 17th by Rocco Baldelli to confuse the PHN fans into thinking he is a good player.

"I hate seeing Bedard go, but I think the O's may have gotten the better end of the deal" -- me, 2/8/08

by CoachOfEarl on Aug 22, 2009 4:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

New Orleans Zephyrs

They were originally an Astros affiliate, which made sense since it’s like 5 hours away, but it sucked because I kinda hate the Astros. They were a Natinals team for a couple years, also suck, then Mets, which really sucked because they have no friggin minor league talent nor do they care. Also, it made no sense…who the hell down here is going to become fans of those far off, crappy organizations?

Now that they’re Marlins, I’m happier about going to see games since they have a good farm system. It’s cool to be able to see guys like de Aza and Maybin. I’d rather go see Britton and Erbe and Snyder, but yanno.

"I hate seeing Bedard go, but I think the O's may have gotten the better end of the deal" -- me, 2/8/08

by CoachOfEarl on Aug 22, 2009 4:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs