Monday Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles finally have an off day at home

Hello, friends.

Another day has dawned with the Orioles in last place in the American League East. They are now 15.5 games back of the first place Red Sox and Yankees, and after taking three out of four from the Rays this weekend, 4.5 games back of the fourth place Rays. Their winning percentage is finally over .300. Maybe they can eventually take aim at .400.

For now, it seems that we can retire the 1988 Orioles record watch. That team was just 7-34 after 41 games - a full six games worse than the current O’s team. The ‘88 O’s did not win their 13th game until they were 13-42. Let’s hope we don’t have to spend any more time thinking about them.

If you were busy celebrating Mother’s Day yesterday and you missed the game, you missed quite a game! The Orioles thrashed the Rays, 17-1, in what was basically the exact opposite of the Mother’s Day Meltdown. Check out Tyler Young’s recap for the lovely totals, and don’t forget to vote in the Most Birdland Player poll.

The week to come will see the Orioles play two games against the Phillies, who have been good, and four games against the Red Sox, who have been great. If we’re lucky, this week will not bring any sort of progress from the last week screeching to a halt.

Around the blogO’sphere

Dylan Bundy feels he’s found the fix to get out of the roughest run of his career (Baltimore Sun)
This article was published before Sunday’s game. I was skeptical. At least for Sunday, he looked like he had really found the fix. May it stick through his next start and beyond.

Bundy on returning to form and other clubhouse quotes (Steve Melewski)
In which “clubhouse quotes” consist of Joey Rickard and Danny Valencia.

Santander, Yacabonis optioned, Hart and Rickard recalled (School of Roch)
If you didn’t see the roster moves from Sunday, the Orioles did a little shuffling. J. Mark Rickard is back, baby!

Orioles claim Renato Nunez from Rangers (MLBTR)
The Dan Duquette roster roulette is spinning at full speed. Except if you believe some of the stories that are being written about the front office, it’s not even Duquette at the wheel any more.

With a day’s notice before David Hess’ Orioles debut, wrangling the ‘Hess clan’ creates a special moment (Baltimore Sun)
This was from Saturday’s doubleheader and it’s still adorable.

Birthdays and anniversaries

There are two former Orioles with birthdays today. They are: 1976-86 pitcher Dennis Martinez, and the late Les Moss of the 1954-55 Orioles.

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Your birthday buddies for today include: Star Wars creator George Lucas (1944), Talking Heads founder David Byrne (1952), sportscaster Suzy Kolber (1964), actress Cate Blanchett (1969), and iCarly star Miranda Cosgrove (1993).

On this day in history...

In 1787, the delegates convened in Philadelphia for a Constitutional Convention that ultimately produced a new (and still operative) Constitution for the United States.

In 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition left Camp Dubois to begin their journey up the Missouri River.

In 1878, there was another trial for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts, when Daniel H. Spofford was accused of using mental powers on Lucretia Brown. The case was dismissed by a judge.

In 1961, the Freedom Riders bus - riding in protest of segregation laws - had its tires slashed was fire-bombed in Alabama. A Ku Klux Klan-led mob attempted to trap the riders on the burning bus and eventually those who got off the bus were beaten, with local hospitals refusing treatment.

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And that’s the way it is in Birdland on May 14 - or at least, unless something happens later on the O’s day off. Have a safe Monday.