Wednesday Bird Droppings

Slugger Chris Davis powers a Baltimore Orioles rebound - SweetSpot - ESPN
"If the Baltimore Orioles are selling this year, Chris Davis would no doubt be prominently featured in the window display. But after a 7-3 victory over the Braves at Camden Yards, the O’s are looking more and more like buyers. Or at the very least, non-sellers."

Orioles' Steve Pearce Uncertain About Return
"Baltimore Orioles utility man Steve Pearce, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left oblique strain July 22 retroactive to July 19, is uncertain if he will be able to return to the club when eligible."

The Trade Deadline

Orioles trade rumors: Baltimore should be a buyer and a seller | MLB | Sporting News
"The Orioles’ mediocre performance over the first half and change of the season would indicate a team that should be thinking about selling. Being only three games out of the second wild-card spot in the American League indicates a team that should be thinking about buying." It's now two games out of the wild-card as of this morning.

Orioles GM Dan Duquette Talks Upcoming MLB Trade " CBS Baltimore
Dan Duquette talked to some morning show guys. Here's the audio.

Orioles not worried about other AL East rivals at deadline - SweetSpot - ESPN
"It doesn’t upset me," said the Baltimore Orioles skipper when asked about the deal that brought slugging shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and reliever LaTroy Hawkins to division rival Toronto earlier on Tuesday. "There’s not a 26 or 27-man roster. If you take somebody in, then somebody goes away. And that’s the last thing I want players to be thinking about."

News From The Minors

First-Place Bowie Baysox Focus On Continued Improvement For Orioles Prospects - Pressbox Online
"Tools play," Gary Kendall said July 27 on Glenn Clark Radio. "If a kid possesses the tools to play the game at the highest level, which is the major leagues, all they need is repetition and they need a good environment to come to."

Lesson learned: Orioles' minor leaguer hits homer but misses plate - York Dispatch
"Buck Showalter said the on-deck hitter should receive a part of the blame for Elier Levya's blunder. "My first thought when I saw it was, you as an on-deck hitter are supposed to coach the runner at the plate," Showalter said. "Touching the plate should be part of that."

Birthdays & History

No former Orioles have a birthday today, but if it's yours, you share it with Alexis de Tocqueville, France, statesman/writer;Benito Mussolini, [Il Duce];Ralph A. Bard, U.S. Navy Undersecretary;Clara Bow, atrcess; Lou Albano, American pro wrestling manager;Peter Jennings, Toronto Canada, news anchor Geddy Lee, Toronto Canada, lead vocalist/bassist of Rush;Ken Burns, documentary filmmaker;"Country" Jem Finer, English banjo player of Pogues;Teddy Atlas, American boxing trainer and commentator;Martina McBride, country singer;Stephen Dorff, actor.

This Date in Orioles History

On this date in Orioles' history...

1988: The Orioles trade pitcher Mike Boddicker to the Red Sox in return for Brady Anderson and Curt Schilling. Boddicker will have two successful years with Boston while Anderson will become a productive lead-off man for Baltimore and Schilling will became one of baseball's most dominant pitchers of his era.

1997: The Orioles purchase veteran Harold Baines from the White Sox. Baines is hitting .305 for Chicago.

2010: The Orioles announce that they have hired Buck Showalter as their new manager. He will take over for interim skipper Juan Samuel on August 3rd.

And Finally...

Orioles outfielder John Lowenstein was in his own world - Baltimore Sun

"Struck on the back of the neck by an errant throw while running the bases, "Brother Lo" collapsed in a heap. Carried off on a stretcher, he abruptly sat bolt upright and raised both fists, Rocky-style. Memorial Stadium went nuts. "I had it all planned halfway to the dugout," Lowenstein said. "I mean, the game was on cable TV and everything." Cable TV, I tell ya!