Thursday Bird Droppings

by duck on Apr 15, 2010 6:59 AM EDT

Game recaps can be found here (Connolly), here (Ricig), here (TSN), here (AP), here (MLB), and here (Orioles.com).

Orioles-Athletics Preview - Sporting News
The A's were supposed to be bad this year. Yet look at the standings. Ugh. -duck

Orioles Insider: MacPhail not looking for scapegoats
"That’s just not the way I operate. We are going to do everything we can to try and make personnel decisions to try and help the team, and that is what we are going to focus on, making things better and not looking for scapegoats." So Dave's safe, for now. -duck

Cowherd - O’s hope trip halts free fall - baltimoresun.com
"This is how bad it has gotten: We had our first sighting of fans with bags over their heads Wednesday." -duck

The dropped popup and Bergy quotes -MASNsports.com
"I left a pitch over the plate for Pena to hit the home run. Something has just felt a little off these last two outings. I'm not worried about it. I'm just going to continue to work hard and never quit." -duck

Orioles Insider: Sarfate injured for Triple-A Norfolk
If you thought Maybe Dennis Sarfate might be getting called up, forget it. He hurt himself warming up yesterday. -duck

A closer look - MASNsports.com
"Manager Dave Trembley confirmed that Jim Johnson would "get that consideration" as Mike Gonzalez's replacement in the ninth inning." -duck

Brian Matusz’ Year to Date | FanGraphs Baseball
"Obviously, it’s only two starts. But it’s two good starts from a supposedly good prospect against a supposedly good division foe. He’s going to take some knocks eventually. Until then, though, Baltimore fans may continue to gaze upon Matusz with a sense of anticipation and excitement. " -duck

Huff puffs way to inside-the-park homer | SFGiants.com: News
The video of Aubrey Huff's first HR as a Giant is hysterical. He's not a graceful man. -Stacey

The Hurt Locker Room: O's aren't Oscar-worthy | delmarvanow.com
"I think everyone's probably had this experience once: You go into a movie jazzed to see it and, in the first 20 minutes, it's not living up to expectations." But then it turns into "The Gods Must Be Crazy," and you want to leave the theater out of boredom and disappointment. Maybe it's just me. 'Cause I hated that movie. Almost as much as I hate this season. -duck

Hate crowds? Go to Camden Yards - USA Today
"For those who enjoy having a little elbow room when they watch baseball, Camden Yards is the place to go. Once jammed pack during the prime of Cal Ripken Jr., the Baltimore Orioles' stadium is now a great place to get some privacy." -duck

Disturbed by strip club antics after Orioles game - baltimoresun.com
"As we walked towards the souvenir stands, our nine-year-old son said, "What is that?" My 12-year-old son couldn't believe his eyes. Neither could my wife or me. "That" happened to be a delivery truck advertising a local "gentlemen's club" driving slowly down the street, obviously trolling for customers post-game." Welcome to Baltimore, hon. -duck

AND IN THE MINORS: Tides won, Baysox won in 12, Keys won, and the Shorebirds won, although you wouldn't know it from their home page. Thanks for nuthin', Shorebirds PR staff.

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Comments

Long time reader's first comment

I think you all do a great job with the site. I’ve been an O’s fan for a long time now and it’s refreshing to come here and hear (read) other fan’s perspectives. So thanks for the hard work.

That said, this team is not 1-8 bad, just like they’re not 8-1 good. However, something has to change and that something is Trembley. I haven’t really looked into possible replacements (though, historically they’re in-house during mid-season), but any new spark at this point will help. Sure it’s early and there’s a lot of baseball ahead, but consider the Rockies a couple years ago and the turnaround they experienced once they switched managers mid-season. I’m not saying we’d likely do the same, but we’ll never know if we don’t try.

by Illformula on Apr 15, 2010 7:42 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks and welcome

My issue with the Fire Trembley talk is that I can’t think of much he could have done so far this season to change what’s happening. It’s been a rough nine games, but what did he do wrong? We can point to about the timing of Matusz being pulled (although I still have no problem with that. Sometimes things just don’t work out) or bringing in Albers in the 10th inning (that I hated), but overall, I don’t think he’s been awful.

I don’t agree with some of the things he does fundamentally, particularly his love affair with the hit and run, but he doesn’t seem terribly different from a lot of managers in that respect. I could live without all of the IBBs so far. And I think that he hates Felix Pie, which gets on my nerves. But honestly, at this point, I don’t know if any other manager could have made this team play better so far.

This just in: adorableness on the rise, family copes with child getting schooled. Film at 11. -daveh873

by Stacey on Apr 15, 2010 7:51 AM EDT up reply actions

it's not about 1-8 this year

it’s about his poor performance last year. he’s a bad manager. all of the hit and run attempts, the bullpen mismanagement, the stupid lineups, etc.

you’re right, it probably wouldn’t show up in the numbers so far this year. a good manager might be 2-7 or hell, maybe even have the same record. but over the long haul, dave trembley is a loser.

by joet on Apr 15, 2010 7:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Except for a lot of people, it's not about last year

If you came into the season thinking Trembley shouldn’t be the manager, fine. But this fire dave stuff that people can’t stop talking about seems to have mostly stemmed from the team’s poor start.

This just in: adorableness on the rise, family copes with child getting schooled. Film at 11. -daveh873

by Stacey on Apr 15, 2010 7:59 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah, fair enough

i thought he should have been fired last season. i can’t stand trembley.

by joet on Apr 15, 2010 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't think you need a concrete reason

to fire Dave right now. Regardless of whether or not he’s been given a fair chance to succeed, he’s hasn’t shown any positive signs. Like I said before, if nothing else, fire him to create some kind of spark in the club house.

by Illformula on Apr 15, 2010 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't think you can do that

Imagine this – they fire Trembley by the end of the month, and instead of the team getting better under the new guy, they get worse. Then what do you do?

I doubt he’s back for another season, but I don’t think you can fire him just to shake things up this early.

To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa

by James F on Apr 15, 2010 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions

It won't exactly be a new guy

It would likely be an in-house promotion. And honestly, can it really get worse?

by Illformula on Apr 15, 2010 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

From watching the Royals for the past decade...

…yes, it can totally get worse.

To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa

by James F on Apr 15, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

My count on Dave Trembley's record thus far is 0-1

The first column is for displays of competence and the second column is losses attributable to managerial bumblefuckedness. He will be gone by the time he gets to a weighted difference of 25. a replacement may be Bradley Komminsk at Bowie.

by b_duardo on Apr 15, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Devil's Advocate:

Who, in-house, is a better option?

"Believe it or not, I read the paper." - Nick Markakis

by 2632 on Apr 15, 2010 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

That's my standpoint on it.

In one game as a freshman at Miami, Wieters hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth to put the Yellow Jackets ahead, then pitched the bottom of the ninth for the save. On that day, the God nickname was bestowed. - Sports Illustrated

Unofficial Leader of the Brain Matusz For ROY Campaign

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Apr 15, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s kind of how I feel. If Dave has to go to “shake things up”, I won’t argue it. You can’t fire all the players.

But, by firing the manager in-season, it seems like it’s more likely that Trembley’s replacement keeps the rest of the coaching staff (Crow) and then gets a chance in 2011.

If Trembley’s to get fired, I’d rather they clean house at the end of the year.

by BrianS on Apr 15, 2010 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions

All of his managerial miscues

probably account for 2-3 losses over his tenure – the rest is due to personnel and performance. And I’m not sure there are many managers available who don’t do stupid shit like that to drive us crazy.

Rub some $100 bills on it, you sell-out. -duck

by O'sFan21 on Apr 15, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Hmmm

Sure you can look at the Rockies, but how about looking at the O’s over the last 12 years and all of their managerial changes – how has that worked out? Awful is the answer. DT might not be great, but he’s damn sure not the reason this team sucks shitballs right now and bringing in a new manager, while generating some nice “turn the page” press, isn’t going to do anything.

Rub some $100 bills on it, you sell-out. -duck

by O'sFan21 on Apr 15, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

DT might not be great, but he’s damn sure not the reason

I’d hedge this and say he’s certainly not the ONLY reason. Changing managers wont come close to fixing all thats wrong with this team

by kba26 on Apr 15, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah that's fair.

Rub some $100 bills on it, you sell-out. -duck

by O'sFan21 on Apr 15, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

So Arrieta has had two nice starts in Norfolk

Well, other than the four walks in the first one. Wonder when we’ll see him this year?

This just in: adorableness on the rise, family copes with child getting schooled. Film at 11. -daveh873

by Stacey on Apr 15, 2010 7:47 AM EDT reply actions

i'm not that pumped up about 7Ks and 6BB

i really wonder if he’s ever going to be anything for us. hasn’t control always been the knock against him? i’m pretty sure guys like keith law have had arrieta rated as a number 4 starter, and a 3 at best. he’s the one pitcher in our system that i think we might overrate.

britton on the other hand looks phenomenal.

by joet on Apr 15, 2010 7:53 AM EDT up reply actions

That's why I said something about the 4 BBs in the first game

He had 2 BB and 5 K yesterday in 6 innings yesterday which is perfectly respectable. Or maybe I’m just trying to figure out what to do when it becomes evident that Bergy isn’t going to get it together.

This just in: adorableness on the rise, family copes with child getting schooled. Film at 11. -daveh873

by Stacey on Apr 15, 2010 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions

what scares me about bergy

is the lack of ground balls. only 1 GB out yesterday. he can’t pitch like that. and, of course, the errors don’t help. along with the intentional walks early in the game.

by joet on Apr 15, 2010 8:17 AM EDT up reply actions

That's exactly what I thought too.

But I looked at his Opening Day start, and it looked a lot more like what we’re used to seeing. He got a couple double plays, and more than one ground out.

His problem is the home runs he is allowing.

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 Apr 15, 2010 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions

I am not so worried about Bergesen

I think (like roberts) he wasn’t ready for the regular season. Somebody should have realized.

by b_duardo on Apr 15, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Hope you're right

I think it’s going to turn out that he’s just not that effective – like his stuff would indicate.

Rub some $100 bills on it, you sell-out. -duck

by O'sFan21 on Apr 15, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

well, you know i never thought that he projected to more than a 4 or 5

but work fast, throw sinkers is a recipe that i believe works.

by b_duardo on Apr 15, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I kind of just have faith in him too.

I guess all pitchers do have lumps to take, and he didn’t take much of anything last year.

He himself said that he wasn’t too bothered by it. He’s really self-motivated, sometimes it seems excessive.

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 Apr 15, 2010 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

+1 on britton

I’m starting to like the idea of Arrieta in the pen more and more as our pen proves that its just a shit show.

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

by Reddrummer9187 on Apr 15, 2010 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Probably not until midseason at the earliest

Arrieta isn’t on the 40-man roster, so it will take someone not merely earning a demotion but getting dumped from the roster for the O’s to promote him.

To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa

by James F on Apr 15, 2010 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Shorebirds WON

All off the farm teams found a way to win yesterday. unlike those stupid city folk teams.

by Philly O's on Apr 15, 2010 8:48 AM EDT reply actions

^of

by Philly O's on Apr 15, 2010 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Um...

So they did. Stupid Shorebirds didn’t update their home page.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t548&t=g_box&gid=2010_04_14_delafx_gboafx_1

"How's that s---house of an Eastern Shore?" - William Donald Schaefer

by duck on Apr 15, 2010 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions

it was a 10:30 am game

I listened to it right before the O’s game started. I went from happy to sad in a matter of 10 minutes.

by Philly O's on Apr 15, 2010 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Which means there's even LESS of a reason for it not to be on the home page

They coulda updated the home page before leaving the stadium early evening.

"How's that s---house of an Eastern Shore?" - William Donald Schaefer

by duck on Apr 15, 2010 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe

they went to watch the O’s game. But you have to figure after 10 minutes they would just go back to work like I did.

by Philly O's on Apr 15, 2010 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions

we need a rain out

Bull Durham style.

"Daddy, is Hevan like BIRDLAND?"
"No son, Hevan is BIRDLAND."

by BENNY BIRDMAN on Apr 15, 2010 8:54 AM EDT reply actions

A glorified popemobile full of strippers?

Only in Baltimore, heh.

(for what it’s worth, I live in the area and have yet to see it)

by zsiv on Apr 15, 2010 8:56 AM EDT reply actions

Before I clicked in, I figured it was just one of those rolling billboards. I have to say, the Bmore strip clubs are getting quite innovated, although I’m not sure how much business sense it makes considering the crowd that Camden Yards gets.

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on Apr 15, 2010 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions

citizens bank park - yes.

who hasn’t gone to show and tell after a phils game?

by Philly O's on Apr 15, 2010 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

daydreams

by Wieters Wieners on Apr 15, 2010 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions

guilty

by Philly O's on Apr 15, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Ugh...

I was in that hole once.

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on Apr 15, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions

WOW

^ think about that for a second.

by Philly O's on Apr 15, 2010 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions

LOL

This just in: adorableness on the rise, family copes with child getting schooled. Film at 11. -daveh873

by Stacey on Apr 15, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Unintentional

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on Apr 15, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

gotcha - you must of just "slipped and fell"

I hear ya – that place is dirty.

by Philly O's on Apr 15, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Do they still allow you to bring your own keg in?

I’ve never seen that anywhere else

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on Apr 15, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't know about the actual crowd at Camden Yards

But Pickles brings in strippers all the time. I think theirs are from Scores.

This just in: adorableness on the rise, family copes with child getting schooled. Film at 11. -daveh873

by Stacey on Apr 15, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Correct.

by Wieters Wieners on Apr 15, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

You would know

When we went to watch Opening Day at Jimmy’s they were giving away t-shirts from some Bail Bonds company. Esskay said we should get one for you to go with your Scores shirt.

This just in: adorableness on the rise, family copes with child getting schooled. Film at 11. -daveh873

by Stacey on Apr 15, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Chico's Bail bonds?

Unofficial Leader of the Brain Matusz For ROY Campaign

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Apr 15, 2010 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I saw a fly-over banner advertising for an "Adults club" during Opening Day.

Unofficial Leader of the Brain Matusz For ROY Campaign

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Apr 15, 2010 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I would like to see

someone take the stripper popemobile to the drive-thru strip club outside of pittsburgh (which i believe is unfortunately now closed). I think we’d have an immovable object / unstoppable force type situation.

by kba26 on Apr 15, 2010 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Please explain to me

the drive thru strip club.

This just in: adorableness on the rise, family copes with child getting schooled. Film at 11. -daveh873

by Stacey on Apr 15, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

just like it sounds

drive up, order, see, drive away happy.

by Philly O's on Apr 15, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Essentially, yes.

Its like 40 minutes outside pittsburgh in the middle of nowhere.

You drive up first to the payment window where they take your money, and then drive up into the booth where theres a stripper behind the window. then you drive away. Its every bit as bizarre as it sounds.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/15326

by kba26 on Apr 15, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Wow

That is amazing. I mean, wow.

This just in: adorableness on the rise, family copes with child getting schooled. Film at 11. -daveh873

by Stacey on Apr 15, 2010 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm in general not really a fan of strip clubs

I find the whole concept a little creepy. But this place was so far off the creep scale i had to go once just to say i had been there.

by kba26 on Apr 15, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

“yeah, can I get a #4, uh, yeah, go ahead and supersize that. thanks.”

by Philly O's on Apr 15, 2010 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

ahahahaha

"I doubt he could reach [second base]...mostly cuz his fucking arm was in Aybar's nuts." – twistedlogic

by zknower on Apr 15, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Looks like fine establishment from the pictures

….but too much privacy at a strip club is not a good thing.

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on Apr 15, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions

how the hell do you have a drive thru strip club?

by twistedlogic on Apr 15, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Pie back in the leadoff spot tonight?

At least that’s what I’m hoping for

by tjk on Apr 15, 2010 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

as long as roberts is out, how about we rank the lead off replacements

because I think Jones or Izturis or Lugo is just stupid.

I like Reimold. He seems cold and hurt but he was a walk machine last year. And Nicky with his new found OBP has to be in the conversation. As it stands now I would go:
Pie
Reimold
Markakis
Twigginton (love the fat boy lead off)

by b_duardo on Apr 15, 2010 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions

hows this for a new look lineup

Markakis
Jones
Weiters
Scott
Tejada
Reimold
Atkins
Wigginton
Izturis

by b_duardo on Apr 15, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd rather

Pie (LF)
MIggi (3B)
Markakis (LF)
Wieters (C )
Jones (CF)
Scott (1B)
Reimold (DH)
Lugo (2B)
Izturis (SS)

with Atkins and Wigginton on the bench

"How's that s---house of an Eastern Shore?" - William Donald Schaefer

by duck on Apr 15, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I like it...

I’d just switch Wiggy with Lugo. At least when Wiggy hits it, it can sometimes be an instant run.

by Wieters Wieners on Apr 15, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, I'm going to see Hobgood tonight

The Shorebirds are down here playing the Greensboro Grasshoppers and Hobgood is listed as the starter. I’m actually more excited about seeing Mike Deveraux, but it should still be fun.

Check out more of my highlights at dailymotion.com/gatecitycanes

by IHeartMASN on Apr 15, 2010 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

right on, deveraux is with the shorebirds?

My favorite catch of all time. I swear he hit his rib cage on the top of the wall. Maybe you have the footage but then again maybe the footage does not serve my memory justice.

by b_duardo on Apr 15, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions