Marlins 10, Orioles 4: Let's talk about Nick Markakis

by Stacey on Jun 22, 2010 11:21 PM EDT in Post-Game

The Orioles lost their 51st game tonight in their 70th game, and their winning percentage sits at .271. If they play at this rate over the rest of the season, they'll end at 44-118. By a quick count, I have written recaps for 39 of the 69 games played (tonight will make 40). 11 of the 40 have been wins, which is a .275 winning %. So I'm pretty much even with their record. I don't want to write about a loss tonight. I'm on pace to write 92 recaps, only 25 of which will be wins. We have plenty of time for losses. Tonight I want to talk about Nick Markakis, because he is really the only player on this team who is keeping me from going completely insane.

Nick entered the game hitting .302/.391/.430. That OBP is 9th best in the AL (16th in the majors). 22 doubles? 4th in the AL, 6th in the ML. And his 39 walks are 7th in the AL, 17th in the ML.

In a season that is miserable to watch, miserable to talk about, and which is making us all question the future even more than ever, Nick Markakis doesn't let us down. The players are miserable and pressing, being led by a lame duck manager that refuses to even try to lead. But Nick doesn't let that affect his performance, not at all.

Tonight, in a game marked with inconsistent starting pitching, horrible pitching from the bullpen (except you, Jason Berken!), defensive miscues, and squandered offensive opportunities, Nick Markakis just went out and did his job. He hit his 23rd double of the year in the 6th inning, moved to third on Ty Wigginton's fly ball, and was stranded.

After watching Miguel Tejada botch at play at third (he didn't get an error on the play, but he didn't make the play when he could have) and Scott Moore allow a run score by throwing away a double play ball, Nick made a very good catch up against the wall to end the 8th and stop the damage. And he came up to bat in the bottom of the inning with Miguel Tejada on first and promptly singled him to third. Then, for good measure, he stole second. Tejada would score on a sacrifice fly, but Nick was again stranded.

It's easy to understand why the players on this team aren't motivated. It has to be miserable for them to go out there every day. But it hasn't affected Nick, even though we all know he's just as frustrated as everyone else, maybe even more. It's possible that Nick is re-thinking or regretting signing that extension, but I'm sure glad he did.

I'm sorry I didn't talk about tonight's game. If you want to read about the game, I suggest going to Roar From 34 and reading along with the live blogging he did from Camden Yards. It's much more interesting than the actual game was.

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I love the guy

Great post, that’s how I feel about this team right now. He’s the lone bright spot, and he usually only gets better in the second half of the season.

I have seen a few signs that Jones and Wieters might start to get going, and I’m still optimistic that by the end of the season we will see a more competitive team that will offer hope for next year. Even if its only a very small amount of hope.

by Pack Man on Jun 22, 2010 11:46 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks for the Roar from 34 mentions, Stacey

I look forward to following your efforts on Friday and hearing how everything goes. This post on Markakis is perfect, by the way. I’ve always liked him as a player, but this season really shows what the guy is made of. The team is absolutely miserable and yet he’s playing consistent baseball. I love the OBP, the doubles, and the play in the field. Being at tonight’s game allowed me to appreciate even more how well he tracks balls in the outfield. Markakis deserves to be an All-Star. I’d love to see him get the call and earn MVP honors. It would be ironic if a guy from the worst team in baseball took home the award. Then he could sit it in his locker, point to it, and say over and over again to the guys playing out the string, “That’s what I’m talking about.”

by Roarfrom34 on Jun 23, 2010 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Correction

Markakis would say, “You know, that’s what I’m, you know, talking about.”

by Roarfrom34 on Jun 23, 2010 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

ahaha

parks and rec’d

"I put a pepper rub on the scallops so you have a little contrast. You have sweetness from the coconut oil and little acidity from the splash of lemon." – Luke Scott

by zknower on Jun 23, 2010 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions

30 rec'd

….. nah

Bring back Andino.

by WestcoastO'sFan on Jun 23, 2010 3:15 AM EDT up reply actions

He's becoming revered here though..

Anywhere else he would just be a piece in the puzzle. Maybe we could pull him from teh OF every 5th day to pitch? He was, after all, regarded higher as a pitching prospect when he came out.

It’s sorta disgraceful on our part we haven’t voted him into the AS game though…

by GeoffreyA on Jun 23, 2010 12:01 AM EDT reply actions

I personally only voted about 3 or 4 times this year

and if i’m largely appathetic, I know the majority of the fan base probably didn’t even vote once. It’s a shame. Just shows how BS the asg is though.

"things like locig and prrofreading are actually valued here" - zknower

by daveh873 on Jun 23, 2010 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions

I wish Nicky played for an actual baseball team

"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." Churchill,1942-- a rebuilding year.

by Titov on Jun 23, 2010 12:06 AM EDT reply actions

Careful what you wish for...

He could end up in pinstripes or a pink hat.

"things like locig and prrofreading are actually valued here" - zknower

by daveh873 on Jun 23, 2010 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions

think a lot of ppl would abandon Os if they traded him there

by GeoffreyA on Jun 23, 2010 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Yikes! The wish in question was that the Orioles might become an actual baseball team!

"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." Churchill,1942-- a rebuilding year.

by Titov on Jun 24, 2010 6:36 AM EDT up reply actions

I think we have the same number of road wins as Ubaldo Jimenez

We need to get Nick some help, and he would be so awesome.

by Dodge that Bird! on Jun 23, 2010 1:04 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks

Stacey, thanks for the post. As miserable as the season has been, at least we have your intelligent commentary to enjoy.

To me, the bad decision AM made was to tell the fans that the team would turn the corner this year and become competitive by 2011 0r 2012. He took over an organization in shambles. The major league team was devoid of young talent save for Markakis, Roberts, and Bedard. The minor league affiliates were among the 2-3 worst in baseball. Our drafting and player development record was beyond pathetic. Were he completely straight with the fans, AM would have told us that it would take 8-10 years to clean up the mess by rebuilding the foundations of the organization: scouting, player development, the formerly pitiful minor league complex, international scouting, etc. He is making progress, but it is going to take a lot more time.

A bad team can progress over time by taking advantage of high draft picks. The Rays benefitted from years of having the number 1 overall pick. Washington is now reaping the benefits of being at the front of the line. Unfortunately, almost all of the Orioles high draft picks over their long losing record were busts.

by BaltoBen on Jun 23, 2010 4:50 AM EDT reply actions

To me, the bad decision AM made was to tell the fans that the team would turn the corner this year and become competitive by 2011 0r 2012.

I don’t think telling the fans we would take step forward was a bad decision at all. Baseball projection systems had us taking a step forward. I think one system (BP?) had us as .500 team. I thought these systems were overly optimistic but I thought we would improve. Anyone who had on track as the worst team in baseball history before the season is lying. I was hoping we could be like the Tigers who went from the worst team in baseball to the playoffs in a few seasons.

I came to camdenchat and all I got was this lousy avatar.

by birdman on Jun 23, 2010 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions