Sunday Bird Droppings: Where it’s time for the winter meetings

Happy Sunday, Camden Chatters! I trust you’re all having a relaxing, enjoyable weekend as we draw closer to the end of the year.

Still nothing much going on with the Orioles, but maybe that’ll change this week with the winter meetings starting tomorrow in Las Vegas. Who knows what is on Mike Elias’s agenda?

The Orioles will go into the winter meetings without a manager, but I don’t really think that matters. At this point, what’s the rush?

Here is a paltry list of links. Don’t blame me! There isn’t much to say about the Orioles on a Sunday in December.

What to watch as Orioles head to first winter meetings led by Mike Elias - Baltimore Sun
Jon Meoli looks at what might be on the O’s agenda this week.

Bundy on importance of veteran catcher, Mancini on role and rebuild - School of Roch
Trey Mancini has a lot to say. He's working very hard and taking nothing for granted!

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have four Orioles birthday buddies:

• Tony Batista played for the Orioles from 2001-03. He managed 99 RBI in 2003 despite having just a .270 OBP. He turns 45 today.
• Tony Tarasco is of course best known for the catch he didn’t make in the 1996 postseason against the Yankees. He played for the Orioles from 1996-97 and turns 48 years old today.
• Darold Knowles is not, to my knowledge, related to Beyonce. His 16-season career started in Baltimore where he pitched in five games for the O’s. He turns 77 today.
• Billy Klaus played in a utility role for the Orioles from 1959-60. Today would have been Mr. Klaus’s 90th birthday but he passed away in 2006.

On this day in 1965, the Cincinnati Reds traded Frank Robinson to the Orioles for Milt Pappas, Jack Baldschun, and Dick Simpson. That was a good day.

In 2008 the Orioles traded Ramon Hernandez to the Reds to make room for Matt Wieters.

In 2010, the Orioles traded two guys you’ve probably never heard of for J.J. Hardy. Another good day.