Sunday Bird Droppings

February roster additions becoming Orioles' signature for success - Baltimore Sun
"While many other clubs are only making their final preparations for spring training, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette is one swoop away from making the February free-agent coup his team's signature advantage."

Orioles must weigh competitive future in decision to pursue Yovani Gallardo, Dexter Fowler - Baltimore Sun
"The decision to forfeit their top two selections to sign players who rejected qualifying offers would inhibit the Orioles' attempt to repopulate a minor league system that isn't getting a whole lot of respect these days. The Orioles would again be mortgaging the future to compete more effectively in the present, much as they did on the way to the American League Championship Series two years ago."

Hyun-soo Kim could have big impact in debut, per Orioles brass and statistical projections - Baltimore Sun
"Earlier this week, FanGraphs posted its projection for three high-profile international free agents signed this offseason, including Kim. According to the site’s Steamer system, which is adjusted to normalize his Korean Baseball Organization stats to the majors, Hyun-soo Kim is projected to provide 1.7 wins above replacement this year, with a .273/.338/.420 batting line and 18 home runs in nearly a full season’s worth of at-bats for the Orioles."

Steve Melewski: O's fans take to Twitter to analyze every aspect of Yovani Gallardo's pitching
"Heck, I was surprised his choice for lunch was not scrutinized. Or his choice of car or pitch selection or glove." Steve, this really isn't a good look for you. It's really not.

School of Roch: Digging a little deeper into the Orioles' pursuit of an arm and bat
The O's seem to be interested in just about any MLB pitcher coming off an injury,

There are no current or former Orioles with a Valentine's Day birthday, but plenty of famous people do like 1818 Frederick Douglass, African-American abolitionist/lecturer/editor; 1819 Christopher Sholes, inventor of the typewriter; 1859 George Washington Gale Ferris, inventor of the Ferris Wheel;1913 Woody Hayes, Ohio State University football coach; 1913 Jimmy Hoffa, Teamsters leader and world champion at hide and seek; 1934 Florence Henderson, actress/singer and Carol Brady on The Brady Bunch; 1944 Carl Bernstein, Washington Post investigative reporter for Watergate; 1945 Gregory Hines, actor/dancer; 1970 Simon Pegg, British comedian and actor; 1971 Jim Ireton, former Mayor of Salisbury and 1st District of Maryland Congressional candidate; and 1972 Rob Thomas, lead singer of Matchbox Twenty.

In Baltimore baseball history today...

1887 - The National Colored Base Ball League, the first attempt at a professional Negro League, is organized at a meeting in Baltimore, MD. Eight clubs are represented: Lord Baltimores (Baltimore), Resolutes (Boston, MA), Browns (Cincinnati, OH), Falls City (Louisville, KY), Gorhams (New York, NY), Pythians (Philadelphia, PA), Keystones (Pittsburgh, PA) and Capital City Club (Washington, DC). Two weeks after being launched, the league will fail from lack of attendance.
1959 - The Baltimore Orioles purchase veteran 1B Whitey Lockman from the San Francisco Giants, but will trade him to the Cincinnati Redlegs in June for 1B Walt Dropo.

In world history today...

1014 Pope Benedict VIII crowns Henry II Roman German Emperor
1076 Pope Gregory VII excommunicates Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV (for the 1st time)
1797 The Battle of Cape St Vincent: British fleet under Admiral Sir John Jervis defeats larger Spanish fleet under Admiral Don José de Córdoba y Ramos near Cape St. Vincent, Portugal. Captain Horatio Nelson distinguishes himself.
1876 A G Bell & Elisha Gray apply separately for telephone patents Supreme Court eventually rules Bell rightful inventor
1929 St Valentine's Day Massacre in Chicago, 7 gangsters killed, allegedly on Al Capone's orders

Consider this your discussion space for NCAA Women's Tennis: Maryland at LSU.