Sunday Bird Droppings: Where there is a lot of baseball today

Happy Sunday, Camden Chatters! Another weekend is almost in the books, bringing us even closer to Opening Day. If you were up bright and early looking for Bird Droppings, my apologies. I have several baby-related items to take care of before doing Sunday Bird Droppings, and because of Daylight Saving Time it all took place one hour later than usual.

If you’re looking for some spring training action today, you are in luck. The Orioles are playing two split squad games today, and both are being televised. If you have MLB.tv you can watch the 1 p.m. game against the Red Sox via the NESN feed. And if you have MLB.tv or MASN as part of your cable package you can watch the 6 p.m. game vs the Phillies. That is a whole lot of fake baseball.

We are now just 18 days from real baseball. Some of my favorite Orioles have worn number 18, including Felix Pie and Javy Lopez. It was worn last season by rookie Austin Hays and he continues to wear it in camp this season.

The big news of yesterday was Lance Lynn signing a one-year, $12 million contract with the Twins, causing Orioles fans near and far to wonder why the Orioles couldn’t beat that to add a solid pitcher to their starting rotation. It’s a worthy question, for sure. Maybe they’re holding out for Jake Arrieta.

Around the blogO’sphere

A Q&A with Dan Duquette: Discussing the 2018 Orioles, the pitching staff and his future - BaltimoreBaseball.com
Somehow Dan Duquette managed to give an entire interview without saying anything.

Wrapping up a 13-5 win - School of Roch
Lots of dingers in this one.

Twins’ new pitcher Tyler Wilson expecting twins of his own- Korea JoongAng Daily
Congrats to Tyler Wilson!

Catcher Joseph's long journey to big leagues - Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Caleb Joseph's feel good story of the spring.

Baltimore Orioles outfield battle full of intrigue at spring training - The Baltimore Wire
There is a competition for outfield but I think it boils down to Colby Rasmus vs Austin Hays, with maybe a dash of Anthony Santander thrown in. This writer thinks there are more in the mix.

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! It seems today is the official birthday of pitchers who were bad for the Orioles. Although with their history, that could probably be a lot of days. Rich Hill, who somehow is a good pitcher nine years after he was terrible for the Orioles in 2009, turns 38 today. Frank Mata’s only big league action was in 16 games in relief in 2010 where he put up a 7.79 ERA.

And then there is Steve Reed, who is celebrating birthday number 53. Reed had very good career right up until he joined the Orioles in 2005. In fairness to him, he was 40 years old at the time so who knows what the Orioles were thinking. And in case you’re thinking, “That Steve Reed, what a jerk!” You’re actually thinking of Steve Kline. 2005 wasn’t a good year for #TeamSteve

It’s also the birthday of Phil Bradley, who wasn’t a pitcher and was was pretty good for the Orioles in 1990, until they traded him to the White Sox for Mark Brown’s nemesis, Ron Kittle.

On this day in 1991, Jim Palmer’s comeback bid came to an end as the 45 year old had a bad outing in spring training, hurt his hamstring, and officially retired again the next day.