Is it time to start rooting against the O's?
by joet on Jun 13, 2010 12:08 PM EDT
Email
PrintThis concept is blasphemy of course. And realistically, I'll never sit in the stands or in front of my TV and hope that the O's lose a particular game. However, perhaps this season can be rescued from "complete and utter disaster" and pushed into "good god, that sure sucked" territory.
The way that happens, of course, is 1) if we get the number one pick in next year's draft and 2) if he turns out to be a star. It's funny, tanking at the end of a season is almost universally scorned in sports. However, trading all your veteran talent in a fire sale at the trade deadline is often looked at as smart baseball. I'd never suggest that the players should try to lose. But there is a way for the organization to not try to win and get something out of it.
I think we should trade every marketable veteran chip, right now. I know there aren't many of them. But get something for Millwood while we still can. Get something for Luke Scott. Let Josh Bell or Brandon Snyder come up and hit for a few months instead of the typical September cup of coffee. Give them a taste of the big leagues. (If you think they won't be hurt by being pushed too fast of course.)
Look, I don't know that much about the 2011 draft. Keith Law and some other people out there seem to think that Anthony Rendon, a third baseman from Rice, is the probable top pick. So we may as well put ourselves in a position to get him. Draft history is filled with tales of teams who won that last series and ended up missing out on a premier talent the following June. I happened with the O's and Teixeira. It happened with the Mariners and Strasburg. For a little bit of honor and integrity, you win two or three more games and end up screwing yourself for the long term. You think the Seattle fans wouldn't trade two wins in September for Stephen Strasburg?
Again, I'm not suggesting that we throw games or anything. But start selling off the pieces now. The fans are already pissed off. It's not like we're selling out every night. The crowds aren't going to come back until we win and losing now puts us in the best position to win later.
FanPosts are user-created content and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors of Camden Chat or SB Nation. They might, though.
30 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
can we just trade trade with the nats and act like nothing’s happened? they now have both strasburg and harper. good time to be bad with #1s like that. we’re the big dog on masn, so let’s just slap O’s on the nats and nats on the O’s and call it a deal.
The Expo's would still suck in the AL East
"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law
by Reddrummer9187 on Jun 13, 2010 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
every team other than the rays and the yankees would suck in the AL east
I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck
by twistedlogic on Jun 14, 2010 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions
We won't need to
They will lose just fine without our encouragement
When you watch the Orioles every night, a beer after dinner turns into a six pack WAY too many times. Stacey
agreed.
I don’t root for them to lose, but I’m willing to accept the silver lining of the #1 pick. And it has to be Rendon if he stays healthy. He’s doing what Longoria and Zimmerman did at the same age.
In fact, I’ve stopped referring to them as losses. I call them Rendons.
by Dingbat Charlie on Jun 13, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I like that
So we’ll keep track of the O’s Win-Rendon record.
When you watch the Orioles every night, a beer after dinner turns into a six pack WAY too many times. Stacey
It doesn't have to be Rendon
It could be Cole, or Purke, or Gray, or Jungmann.
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
fair enough
It’s early, and you are the draft guru. But he’s just the type I want for the O’s – big power, incredible plate discipline and above average defense from the reports I’ve seen.
by Dingbat Charlie on Jun 13, 2010 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Isn't Purke currently a freshman? He won't be eligible next year, will he?
Rub some $100 bills on it, you sell-out. -duck
He'll be a draft-eligibile sophomore
If you turn 21 within 45 days of the draft, you’re eligible.
To be understood is to be a prostitute. ~ Fernando Pessoa
I'll never root for them to lose
but I don’t mind so much if we do knowing that next year looks to be a pretty strong class so far.
"things like locig and prrofreading are actually valued here" - zknower
Root against them?
I thought we were Orioles fans, not haters…. don’t hate, never hate.
"If I was being paid thirty-thousand dollars a year, the very least I could do was hit .400." - Ted Williams
FREE THE BIRDS
Who really cares anymore. ANGLOS MUST GO!! Do yourself and the proud fans of the Orioles and sell the team to someone who cares about winning.
Since the last post season appearance in 1997 (yes 13 years ago O’s fans) the Orioles record is 872 – 1133. They finishes over the last 13 years in the AL East are: Last 3 times (including this year), next to last 9 times (thank you Tampa Bay) and 3rd once.
In 2006, Nestor Aparicio led a walk out to FREE THE BIRDS. During the fourth inning of the game, at exactly 5:08 p.m., Aparicio led a “walkout”, with the protest fans leaving the game in unison. The precise time of departure, 5:08, was significant in that “5” stood for Brooks Robinson’s number and “8” for the number worn by Cal Ripken Jr. Many of the protesters wore black T-shirts that read “Free the Birds”, a phrase that was chanted loudly through the walkout.
“We have a chance to make a memorable civic statement about how we, as fans, are fed up with the embarrassment that the Orioles have become,” Aparicio said after the walkout. Peter Angelos had a different take on the rally. “Whoever joins that protest has no comprehension of what it costs to run a baseball team,” Angelos said. Referring to Aparicio, Angelos added, “he is a very unimportant person who has delusions of grandeur.”
Clearly Mr Angelos has no perception of a fans or cities pride. He is only worried about making a profit. Basic business for you Mr Angelos: If you put a good product out it will sell.
by vabeachvagrant on Jun 14, 2010 10:11 AM EDT reply actions
Referring to Aparicio, Angelos added, "he is a very unimportant person who has delusions of grandeur."
And the majority of people on this site agree.
by kba26 on Jun 14, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I can see this about Aparicio. But I also think that PJA maintains this attitude about the fans in general.
by vabeachvagrant on Jun 14, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
As much as I'm not a fan of Angelos
I think this debate is just a waste of time and energy. He’s made no signs that he’s going to sell the team any time soon. We just have to hope that MacPhail can find a way to work with him in a manner that will improve the team.
I'm not a fan either...
but at least he’s finally getting out the team’s way, or so it appears. He’s willing to spend money, as we’ve seen in the past, but it’s just been mis-placed. I’m not sure what exactly he’s supposed to do to help the team win anymore – he’s hired a great GM and seems to be letting him run things.
All of that said, I’m still not a fan of him, but I don’t hate him either.
Oh, and at least he hasn’t sold the naming rights to Camden Yards. I don’t want to go a baseball game at ‘Consolidated Mutual of Omaha Samsung Bazooka Joe Home Run Park’.
"Real Orioles don't pout. Real Orioles don't gloat. Real Orioles just win."
by NewYorkOriole on Jun 14, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't find myslef rooting for a loss
I find that too difficult. I increasingly just don’t pay attention. I have not watched or listened to any part of any game since last Thursday. I see the score and shrug away another loss, and I scan some blogs. Lately, I don’t even look at the box score. I feel this is about as much attention as the Orioles deserve.
In the meanwhile I watch the World Cup and watch/listen to the Reds.
121 Rendons
Why settle for mediocrity when immortality is right around the corner?
You can't fix stupid. Stupid is forever.
by sluggo 2.0 on Jun 14, 2010 2:50 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
There is a point where it becomes pretty funny
…I believe we hit that point a few weeks back. If we’re going to lose, let’s lose big and leave Andy and Pete with zero excuses or positives to fall back on. My fear is the O’s rack up a bunch of meaningless wins in September and keep us from having the #1 pick.
Scouting Department Must Go
I would like the Orioles to begin playing some of the prospects we have at the AAA level. Also Joel Guzman should get a shot as the only power hitter in our organization. He has played with the Dodgers and the Devil Rays and though his career is taken a turn for the worst he is still trying and could give us some punch in the lineup for the remainder of the season. As far as the first pick in 2011 which will be Anthony Rendon, I hope we get him. No problem trying to lose because WE ARE going to lose. Our players just don’t have the talent or heart this season to play with the best in MLB. Let’s hope for next season.
For the 2011 Amature Draft the Baltimore Orioles take Anthony Rendon, 3B, Rice Univ with the drafts first pick.
I don't doubt they are trying hard
But don’t make me quote Tommy Lasorda. Trying isn’t enough on at this level. Six of our nine lineup spots are currently held by people who shouldn’t be starting for a MLB club.
Only Markakis, Wieters and Jones really belong starting for a MLB franchise at this point, and for Jones, even that’s based on potential, not current production.
When you watch the Orioles every night, a beer after dinner turns into a six pack WAY too many times. Stacey
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Official Sponsor of Camden Chat GameThreads
