It's time

by ColbertNation on Sep 15, 2011 9:31 AM EDT

This is my first post on this website after looking at this website daily for almost 2 years. It's the first time I've really felt compelled to say something about the Orioles. First off, I'm only 16 years old. In my memory, the Orioles have never had a winning season. I follow them religiously. To give you an idea, I cancelled a date (it was a Friday) with a girl to watch Matt Wieters' major league debut. I was at his second major league, saw his first major league hit, that triple of Justin Verlander. Anyways, to the point:

In terms of what the Orioles do in the front office, I don't really care. I don't care who we sign or who we don't sign or who we trade, I'll learn to love the players we get.

But as a fan, I really have only one request.

Build this team about Matt Wieters. It's time. He is a rising star and he's going to be the best catcher in baseball. For the next 5 to 7 years, we're going to have one of the best defensive catchers hitting around 25 home runs a year. The guy has the demeanor and the work ethic. I wonder if people realize that hitting has not been his priority. I really do believe he has put hitting on the back burner. Why is Wieters the best defensive catcher in baseball? Because that's what his offseason focus has been for the last 2 offseasons. That's what catching is. All offense is a bonus. I assume he'll work more on hitting in the offseason, refining his swing.

I even think Wieters was a success in his second year. I'm a high school catcher, I play a high level of summer ball. As a catcher, there really is only one thing that matters. If your pitchers respect you, because if they do that means you are solid defensively and you call a good game. Wieters gained that respect during his second season.

Wieters was obviously a huge prospect out the minors, and does anyone remember his two biggest flaws that scouts found? Defense and power from the right side of the plate. He's worked on both those things and the results are amazing. 10 home runs from each side of the plate,and considering the majority of his ABs are left-handed, I'm impressed.

I have always stood by Wieters. Most of my peers (high school kids) are Nationals fans. They were part of the exodus of fans to the Nationals. They said Wieters was a bust, etc. Lots of people have said that. I, along with a lot of people, have had faith in him and it's great to see it pay off.

Hopefully we'll be competitive in the coming years and if we are, a lot of the credit will be due to Wieters. And if we aren't, I'm still going to love watching this guy play day in and day out.

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I cancelled a date... WITH A GIRL!

Ah, to be sixteen again…

jk, welcome. I think you’ll find many people here that will agree that it’s time to sell everyone on the team for prospects except for Wieters and Britton and start over again.

Also if you are in HS anywhere near Baltimore, it is very troubling for me to hear that most of your peers are leaning towards the Nationals. Not that I blame them.

Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.

by Astronaut Mike Dexter on Sep 15, 2011 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

I grew up, live and work at a school in the Gaithersburg/Rockville area

I would argue that the loyalty of the MD DC suburbs is still very much in play between the Nats and the Orioles. More than anything, people have tuned out the bad baseball around them. My brother has turned into a Nats fan, I stick with the Orioles. My father will follow whichever of the two teams which gets on a little win streak.

by ultimate_magruder on Sep 15, 2011 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, with the username ultimate_magruder, I assume you teach at Magruder High School. I used to attend a Montgomery County high school until I transferred to private school.

by ColbertNation on Sep 15, 2011 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Great diary.

Thanks for making yourself known!

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

by zknower on Sep 15, 2011 10:34 AM EDT reply actions

Welcome!

I was at Wieters debut game too. I even saved my ticket.

I agree that we basically need to blow the whole thing up and start over with a handful of players….

"Real Orioles don't pout. Real Orioles don't gloat. Real Orioles just win."

by NewYorkOriole on Sep 15, 2011 10:52 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks for getting into the conversation!

I myself was not at Wieters’ introduction, though I remember it fondly. I was at the game where Wieters first homered though (AJ bobblehead night). And you’re absolutely right, if there is anybody to build around, it’s Matt.

Jim: Why?
Gary: I don't know why.

by Andrew_G on Sep 15, 2011 4:39 PM EDT reply actions

the hitting catcher conundrum

While you’re absolutely correct in praising Wieters’ defense, I do not believe that you can build your lineup around the catcher. As soon as the catcher occupies a lineup spot in the heart of the lineup, they should be moved from catcher as the risk for injury is too great. For example, look at what happened to Buster Posey and Joe Mauer. That said, I believe Wieters should stay at catcher as his defense is irreplaceable. Therefore, the Orioles need to build the lineup around other players, and treat Wieters’ lineup contribution as an ‘added bonus.’ There is nothing wrong with having a great hitting catcher—as long as they aren’t relied upon as one of your very best hitters.

by Go U Birds! on Sep 15, 2011 5:58 PM EDT reply actions

What happened to them?

I mean, the Giants won a World Series in large part because of Posey, while the Twins made the playoffs multiple times significantly because of Mauer. Sure, this season, that didn’t work so well for them. But on the whole, it seems to have worked out fine for both teams.

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

by James F on Sep 15, 2011 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions

in response

my point was just that it’s very, very risky to plan your offense around the catcher what with the propensity for injury.

by Go U Birds! on Sep 15, 2011 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I attended Wieters 2nd (was it 3rd?) game. Edwin Jackson tore the Orioles up.

I doubt he’s going anywhere. I don’t think he has enough trade value to outweigh the value of keeping him. I mean if somebody wants to massively overpay for him, let them, but I don’t see that happening.

Kevin Gregg-"You obviously haven't acquired my taste for pitching yet"

by birdman on Sep 15, 2011 9:15 PM EDT reply actions

build your team around your best player, not bad.

was anybody here not at the Wieters debut? seriously, the whole freakin city turned out for that thing and it was awesome.

Contribootin': Music City Miracles.

by danielreese05 on Sep 15, 2011 10:10 PM EDT reply actions

Your date is now part of the Justin Bieber entourage, so it looks like you were right

The most-of-my-peers-are-Gnats-fans thing makes a certain sense, but is still really distressing to hear. Hang in there, dude, and if you have a grandfather (or can borrow somebody else’s) who remembers the later St. Louis Browns and the 1954-57 O’s, that could help put the 1998-2011 Orioles in a less apocalyptic context.

Anyway, welcome aboard— and go easy on the hors d’oeuvres by the door, OK, they have to last into October. I mean, somebody else could show up. Hey, you did.

If you've been away, we still suck. And yes, we willl step outside and say that.

by Titov on Sep 17, 2011 8:47 AM EDT reply actions