Saturday Bird Droppings

Orioles no closer to deal with Chris Davis, maintain interest in Yovani Gallardo - Baltimore Sun
"With the outfielder market starting to move – free agents Alex Gordon and Denard Span both signed multiyear deals this week – ESPN reported Friday that teams are saying that Scott Boras is selling Chris Davis hard as an outfielder in an attempt to create more interest."

"So it seems with each player signing with a team that is not their team, Orioles fans' collective pulses beat a little faster. The tension rises. The concern grows. Coming off last offseason where good players got away and were replaced by lesser ones, fans are worried that it could happen again." You know, it's not an unfounded concern.

School of Roch: Notes on Justin Upton and Miguel Gonzalez
"Agent Larry Reynolds told MLB Network's Jon Heyman that he continues to seek a multi-year deal for Justin Upton, one of the few high-profile outfielders who remains unemployed. "We are not considering shorter-term deals at this time," Reynolds said. "The goal has been and will continue to be a long-term contract for Justin Upton."

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Averi Munro’s 22 points leads Orioles past Eagles - The Argus-Press: Local Sports
As it is the editorial policy of this blog to celebrate all teams Orioles, we salute the Morrice High Girls' Basketball team for their win over Byron on Friday.

‘Lucky’ the oriole loses toe, but survives wintry brush with death | Ottawa Citizen
"Lucky the wandering Bullock’s oriole lost one toe and nearly froze to death, but she is gaining strength in a warm shelter where she will spend the winter." Maybe she can tell us where our 5th starter is. Thank folks, I'll be here all week, tip your waitresses and bartenders...

There are no former or current Orioles with birthdays today, but if it's yours, you share it with 1554 - Gregory XV, [Alessandro Ludovisi], pope; 1913 - Richard Nixon, 37th President (R) of the United States and part-time NFL offensive coordinator; 1914 - Gypsy Rose Lee, [Rose Hovick], burlesque actress; 1928 - Judith Krantz, author; 1935 - Bob Denver, actor; 1935 - Dick Enberg, sportscaster; 1942 - Lee Kun-hee, chairman of Samsung; 1944 - Jimmy Page, rock guitarist, and almost the inspiration for my son's name; 1951 - Crystal Gayle, country singer; 1955 - J. K. Simmons, American actor; 1967 - Dave Matthews, singer/musician; 1982 - Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, better known to you and me as Kate Middleton.

In Orioles' (and Baltimore baseball) history today...

1890 - Brooklyn is selected by the American Association as a new franchise. Syracuse, Rochester, and Toledo were selected earlier. However, the Brooklyn team will be transferred to Baltimore before the end of the season.
1903 - The defunct Baltimore franchise is purchased by Frank Farrell and Bill Devery for $18,000 and moved to Manhattan where they will become the New York Highlanders, who are the ancestors of today's New York Yankees.
1990 - Pitcher Jim Palmer, a three-time American League Cy Young Award winner, and second baseman Joe Morgan, a two-time National League MVP, are elected to the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility.
1991 - Former Padres and Orioles infielder Alan Wiggins dies in a Los Angeles, CA hospital at age 32, reportedly from complications due to AIDS.

In other world history today...

1431 - Judges' investigations for the trial of Joan of Arc begin in Rouen, France, the seat of the English occupation government.
1760 - Afghans defeat Marathas in battle of Barari Ghat
1839 - Daguerrotype photo process announced at French Academy of Science
1909 - Ernest Shackleton as part of the British Nimrod Expedition reaches a record farthest South latitude (88°23' south)
1941 - 6,000 Jews exterminated in pogrom in Bucharest, Romania

Consider this your discussion space for NCAA Track & Field: Maryland (et.al.) at Penn State.

And to celebrate Jimmy Page's birthday, go listen to this live version of The Immigrant Song.