Saturday Bird Droppings

Schmuck: Royals back in ALCS with Orioles at home because they tried harder to improve - Baltimore Sun
While the Orioles front office was busy failing to sign Nelson Cruz last winter, the Royals picked up this year's version, who now looks like the free-agent bargain of the season. They signed Kendrys Morales to a two-year contract with a mutual third-year option that will cost them an average of less than $8 million for the first two years.

Should Pearce be back with Orioles in 2016? | CSN Mid-Atlantic
Orioles fans are far too busy worrying about Chris Davis to be concerned with Steve Pearce. If the Orioles lose Davis, which is likely, and retain Pearce, there won’t be many cheers in Baltimore. But if they lose Davis and Pearce, that would be something to worry about.

School of Roch: John Russell signed for two seasons (Coolbaugh, Dickerson, Chiti sign)
The contracts of all seven coaches, including assistant hitting coach Einar Diaz, were set to expire this season. Duquette confirmed on Wednesday that he extended offers to everyone on the staff and hoped to get their statuses resolved later in the week.

School of Roch: Hardy on Janish: "He fits right in"
J.J. Hardy said he sees the similarities that others have noticed. "He's steady," Hardy said. "He's going to make the plays. He's got great hands. I played against him a little bit when he was in Cincinnati. He's an awesome teammate. He's funny, he's cool. We all like him here. He fits right in."

Steve Melewski: The scoop on Schoop: He had a breakout 2015 season
Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop turned 24 yesterday. Is his future so bright that you need sunglasses to look at it?

Minor League Spotlight: Three Baltimore Orioles Minor Leaguers to Play in Australia | Orioles 101 | Sports Media 101
Seeing players head to Australia for winter ball is nothing new, and this year it will be no different as three 2015 Orioles' minor leaguers will be playing for the Perth Heat this year. The three players set to play in Australia will be 2B Anthony Caronia, OF Tad Gold and UTL Derek Peterson. Their season will begin Friday, October 23.

Orioles beat Vikings 39-0 | Sports - Home
As it is the editorial policy of this blog to celebrate the accomplishments of all teams named Orioles, we spotlight the Augusta Orioles of Kansas for their 39-0 win over the Winfield Vikings in football.

Happy Birthday to former Orioles Ken Dixon, Kelly Paris, and Jim Hutto. They share it with famous people like  1563 - Jodocus Hondius, Flemish mathematician/cartographer; 1711 - Jupiter Hammon, Lloyd Harbor NY, slave and poet, 1st African American to publish poetry; 1848 - William "Candy" Cummings, created curve ball; 1912 - John Paul I, 263rd Roman Catholic pope and one of the shortest tenures ever at just 33 days; 1915 - Arthur Miller, playwright, inlcuding The Crucible, which a certain 10th grader I know is currently reading; 1938 - Robert "Evel" Knievel, motorcycle daredevil and hero to many a 10 year old in 1978;1947 - Michael McKean, actor, who still refuses to do Stonehenge; 1948 - George Wendt, actor; 1956 - Dr. Mae Jemison, astronaut and 1st African American woman in space; 1958 - Alan Jackson, country singer;1963 - Norm MacDonald, Canadian comedian; 1972 - Eminem, rapper; 1972 - Wyclef Jean, singer; and 1979 - Kimi Räikkönen, Finnish race car driver.

On this day in Orioles history...Something happened in 1971, but we don't talk about it.

Also on this date in history...

539 BC - King Cyrus The Great of Persia marches into the city of Babylon, releasing the Jews from almost 70 years of exile and making the first Human Rights Declaration.

733 - Battle at Tours (Poitiers): Charles Martel's Frankish and Burgundian forces beat those of al-Andalus under Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi halting influence of Islam.

1907 - Guglielmo Marconi's company begins the first commercial transatlantic wireless service between Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada and Clifden, Ireland..

1931 - Al Capone convicted of tax evasion, sentenced to 11 years in prison.

2012 - The exoplanet Alpha Centauri Bb is discovered orbiting Alpha Centauri.

Consider this your discussion space for University of Maryland Club Softball, which has their first game of the fall today. Good luck, kiddo.