Friday Bird Droppings: Where it’s Brooks Robinson’s birthday

Good morning, Camden Chatters.

As you go about your day this fine Friday, spread some birthday cheer in honor of Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson, who is turning 81 today. The Human Vacuum Cleaner, perhaps the most celebrated Oriole of all time, spent his entire 23-year major league career in Baltimore, racking up 16 consecutive Gold Gloves at the hot corner, 15 All-Star selections, two World Series rings, and the 1964 AL MVP award. He was inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1983. But then, you probably knew all that.

You also might know that Brooks is considered one of the most humble, gracious people ever to walk this Earth, according to pretty much everyone who has ever come in contact with him, be it former teammates, fans, or people who have met him on the street or at an autograph signing. The Orioles and their fans have been truly lucky to call Brooks one of their own.

This is a good day to reminisce about great Orioles of the past, because the Orioles of the present sure aren’t doing anything for us. They lost their 13th consecutive road game last night, getting trounced in Boston by a 6-2 score. Stacey’s recap has all the ugly details. The Orioles have 10 more games ahead of them on this road trip, including three more in Boston, so things are only going to get worse before they get better. If they get better.

Links

6-2 loss to Red Sox extends Orioles’ club-record-tying road losing streak to 13 games (Baltimore Sun)
The Orioles made some history with their loss on Thursday. And not the good kind.

Dan Duquette addresses future of Manny Machado (MLB.com)
Dan Duquette addressed Manny Machado's future on MLB Network Radio, asking hypothetically, "What if Manny Machado is having an MVP season and he's on his way to the Triple Crown? Is that a player that a club wants to trade?" Uh, do you really need me to answer that for you?

Susac talks about his return to the majors - School of Roch
New Oriole catcher Andrew Susac talked about how excited he was to be joining the team. Then he allowed five stolen bases in his first game.

Camden Depot: Is It Already Time To Sit Chris Davis More?
I know which way I'd vote. But don't take it from me -- just look at the numbers Matt Kremnitzer crunches.

Rosenthal: Don’t read anything into Adam Jones’ purchase of Cal Ripken Jr.’s home – The Athletic
Cal Ripken's home in Reisterstown was on the market for a long while before it found a buyer: none other than a fellow Orioles star.

Orioles birthdays and history

Brooksie isn’t the only Hall of Famer with Orioles ties who is celebrating a birthday today. It’s also the 72nd birthday of Reggie Jackson, who was inducted into the Hall in 1993. Jackson is best known for his “Mr. October” heroics for the Yankees in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, and he also strung together a slew of All-Star seasons for the A’s.

Jackson’s one year with the Orioles in 1976 is widely derided in Baltimore. He missed the first month of the season while holding out over a contract dispute, incurring the wrath of his O’s teammates. When he joined the team, Jackson got off to a slow start before turning it on in the second half, only to bolt the Orioles after the season to sign with the Yankees.

Two other former Orioles have birthdays today: 2006 outfielder Luis Terrero (38), and outfielder Gil Coan, who was a member of the inaugural 1954 O’s club. Coan is one of just four surviving members of the ‘54 Birds, and, now 96, the oldest of the quartet. A very special happy birthday to him. May we all be lucky enough to turn 96 someday.

On this day in 1957, the Orioles and White Sox set a 10:20 PM curfew to end their game so the Sox could catch their train. Literally seconds before the curfew, with the White Sox leading by a run, the Orioles’ Dick Williams hit a game-tying homer. Why did the White Sox pitcher even throw the ball, you ask? Why didn’t he just wander around the mound, tie his shoes, or otherwise stall to run down the clock? These are questions that I cannot answer. Because of the homer, the game was later replayed from the beginning, and the O’s won.

2018 Orioles vs. 1988 Orioles

With the present-day Orioles still on pace to become the worst team in franchise history, I’ll continue to track their progress compared to the previous worst team, the ‘88 Orioles.

In their 43rd game, the ‘88 Orioles picked up their third consecutive victory, the first time all year they’d accomplished that feat. The O’s surprisingly roughed up A’s ace Dave Stewart, who was on his way to his second of four straight 20-win seasons. Cal Ripken and Fred Lynn both homered in a 7-3 final in Oakland. That put the Orioles’ record at 9-34, four games worse than the 2018 club.