Saturday’s Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles are, in fact, interviewing potential GM’s

Morning, Birdland!

It’s taking a long time for the Orioles to construct their new hierarchy. The argument can be made that it’s taking too long. But it will all be worth it if they make the right decision on who to name president and who to make the general manager.

Most of the signs are pointing to the Angelos brothers making an intelligent choice. The word is that they want new-age thinkers rather than old school baseball types. And the list of names in contention is, mostly, inspired.

But there is that tiny voice in the back of Orioles fans collective brains that says they are going to screw this up. Maybe they will. Maybe they won’t. I just hope they name a replacement for the departed Dan Duquette sometime soon. The anticipation is a killer.

Links

O’s have interviewed seven candidates in search to replace Duquette - Baltimore Sun
This story does not confirm who are the candidates, but does say that Ben Cherington, Ned Colletti, Dan Kantrovitz and Mike Elias are the most likely options. Also, Kim Ng is not in the team’s plans right now, but there is a possibility that she could get an interview.

Toolshed: O’s McKenna making most of AFL - MiLB.com
Somehow I missed that Ryan McKenna was working on playing second base this offseason? But going to the Arizona Fall League put a pause to that. Transitioning to the infield would be a game changer for McKenna, who is one of the fast risers in the entire O’s system.

Inbox: When will O’s begin making offseason moves? - MLB.com
I mean, who says that they HAVE to make moves? Just wing it. Let the chips fall where they may. Or have Brady close his eyes and pick names off of a list of available players.

Orioles’ Sean Gilmartin: Re-signs with former club - CBS Sports
Gilmartin is a fine pitcher. He’s left-handed. He has a bit of major league experience. And now he’s not taking up a 40-man roster spot. He might see some time in Baltimore in 2019, but if not he’s a nice depth piece in the organization regardless.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is it your birthday? Happy Birthday!

Armando Benítez is 46 years old today. The right-handed reliever spent 1994 through 1998 with the Orioles and tossed 213.2 innings while accumulating a 3.62 ERA before being traded to the Mets for catcher Charles Johnson in December of ‘98.

Outfielder Mark Corey is 63. He played in 59 games for the O’s from 1979 through 1981. Ken Holtzman pitched in 13 games for the’76 Birds. Holtzman turns 73 today. And finally, Earl Robinson would have been celebrating his 82nd birthday. The late hitter played in 162 total games spread between the 1961, 1962 and 1964 season with the O’s.

There’s apparently no significant historical events in O’s history on this day, according to Baseball Reference. So, here are some important happenings from elsewhere in the world on October 20.

1982 - 37-year-old Jim Palmer finishes second in the Cy Young voting behind Brewers hurler Pete Vuckovich.