Monday Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles are off to Seattle

The Orioles failed to dispense with the lowly A's in a manner befitting a playoff team. I'm not suggesting you abandon all hope, but at this moment, the writing on the wall is not encouraging, to say the least. Of course, the Orioles have had enough disastrous road trips this season that maybe they should count their blessings to be 3-4. I don't know.

The O's now head to Seattle, scene of a dramatic, late season series in 2012, except this year, both teams are fighting for their playoff lives. The O's will reunite with old friends like Danny Valencia, Nelson Cruz and Yovani Gallardo and should count their blessings that they'll be missing James Paxton.

Orioles must get serious in Seattle - School of Roch
I'd this series was do or die, but...y'know.

Orioles notes: Rule 5 outfielder Anthony Santander likely to join club Thursday - Baltimore Sun Tough times for Craig Gentry fan.

Don Baylor honored as fierce competitor, cherished friends
Frank Robinson, Bobby Grich and other former teammates celebrated the life of Don Baylor this weekend.

Young Players Are Leading the Rise in Three True Outcomes | FanGraphs Baseball
In many respects the Buckette O's are TTO champs, though not a single one is cited here. Not even Trey Mancini.

On this day in 1976, Reggie Jackson and Lee May hit grand slams as the O's swept a doubleheader with the White Sox. In 2009, Felix Pie hit for the cycyle, enraging fun cop Mike Scioscia. The Orioles set team bests for doubles and extra base hits in that 16-6 defeat of the Angels.

Hall of Fame manager, Earl Weaver would have turned 87 today. Weaver managed the O's to four pennants, one World Series victory and five 100 win seasons, was known for his legendary salty demeanor and is rightly considered one of the architects of the modern game. While not an Oriole, I cite the birthday of Mark "the Bird" Fidrych for obvious reasons. Farmhands Jeremy "T-bone Junior" Shelby and Alex LIddi also celebrate birthdays today.