Saturday’s Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles are Mike Elias’s team

Morning, Birdland!

Orioles ownership has been a punching bag for years. Media personalities arranged stadium walk outs as a protest, and radio callers have routinely blamed the Angelos boogieman anytime things went wrong.

Some of that ire was deserved. After all, the major league team was really bad during the first decade of the 21st century. They were AL East cellar dwellers, and there were almost no signs that the organization had any intention to change its ways.

Even the club’s recent resurgence and return to relevancy wasn’t enough for many fans to let the warehouse off the hook. “Why give Chris Davis so much money?” “Manny Machado should have been signed to an extension.” You get the idea.

Whatever your opinion of Angelos and company may be, you have to admit that the appointment of Mike Elias shows that the Orioles are serious about doing things the right way this time. This is not a band aid. This is not a re-tooling. This is a move meant to build an internal structure that will set the franchise up for success for years to come.

John and Louis Angelos have passed the first test. They gave the organization’s top baseball job to an exciting up-and-comer that is ready to take the reigns of a team and have his vision put on display. Even better, the press release that came with Friday’s announcement indicates that they are aware more work still needs to be done and Elias should be the one calling the shots.

Rejoice, Birdland! Things are looking up, and brighter days are ahead.

Links

It’s official: Orioles name Mike Elias as Executive Vice President and GM - Camden Chat
I can’t stop smiling. Smiling’s my favorite.

Orioles, Nats finish arguments in TV dispute rehearing - The Republic
The MASN dispute will never end. It will just be a part of our baseball lives forever, and will be the only aspect of the “Battle of the Beltway” that reflects an actual rivalry.

Bleier on changes, low expectations and missing ex-teammates - MASN Sports
Every team gets to have one player on every season’s All-Star roster. The Orioles are unlikely to have much star power in 2019, and if Richard Bleier bounces back from his injury he could be the club’s odds-on favorite to make the Mid-summer Classic.

Who could new Orioles general manager Mike Elias bring along with him to Baltimore? - Baltimore Sun
Elias has a big job in front of him, but there are plenty of indications that he may bring a substantial number of Astros alumni with him to the Charm City. Given the club’s recent success that seems like a solid strategy on paper.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is it your birthday? Happy Birthday!

Everth Cabera is 32 years old. The shortstop appeared in 29 games for the 2015 Orioles, but struggled with a .208/.250/.229 batting line.

Scott Moore played in 62 games in Baltimore between 2007 and 2010. He turns 35 today and has not seen MLB action since 2012.

Future Orioles Hall of Famer Nick Markakis is celebrating his 35th birthday as well. The noodle-armed outfielder spent nine impressive seasons with Birds during which he hit .290/.358/.435 and won two Gold Gloves.

It is the 40th trip around the sun for Darnell McDonald, The former first round pick played in just 17 games for the Orioles before spending parts of six other seasons around the league.

Eli Marrero (22 games in ‘05) turns 45. Left-handed pitcher Brad Havens (54 games between ‘85 and ‘86) is 59. And Orland Pena (16 games between ‘71 and ‘73) is 85 years old.

1953 - The St. Louis Browns officially become the Baltimore Baseball Club Inc. and change their name to Orioles.

1999 - Mike Trombley signs a three-year contract with the O’s. He would pitch in 125 games for the team and accumulate a 3.84 ERA and 119 ERA+ between the 2000 and 2001 seasons before being traded to the Dodgers in exchange for Geronimo Gil and Kris Foster on July 31, 2001.