Wednesday’s Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles have an attendance problem

Morning, Birdland!

At least the Orioles had a lead last night, right? I’m grasping at straws here, people. Obviously, every loss sucks, but we have become numb to it at this point. In case you missed it, Harrison Jozwiak recapped the 9-7 defeat at the hands of the Nationals. In short: David Hess, Tanner Scott and Mike Wright Jr. were all bad and Buck Showalter’s bullpen management was questionable. However, the offense was pleasantly surprising and hit three dongs.

With two more against Washington and then a three-game set with the Braves, this week might get a lot worse before it gets better. But let’s be honest, it probably won’t get any better. Embrace the suck-age. Welcome it.

Links

O’s 26 percent attendance drop among MLB’s highest declines - Baltimore Business
This should not surprise anyone, and the Orioles know they have issues. It seems like the team has a giveaway or promotions of some kind just about every day of the week. The team is awful, and people don’t want to pay for tickets, parking and food to watch a team that is limping through the season.

Diamondbacks, Orioles Have Discussed Manny Machado Move - Bleacher Report
Nothing is imminent here, but in case you care, the Diamondbacks have two top 100 prospects. Right-handed pitcher Jon Duplantier has a cool French name is the 63rd-best prospect in baseball, and is currently tearing up Double-A. First baseman Pavin Smith is the 81st-best prospect and 3rd-best first baseman. Rounding out their top five are shortstop Jasrado Chisholm, righty Taylor Widener and outfielder Marcus Wilson.

Baltimore Orioles Gulf Coast League teams efforts to draw young fans - ABC 7 News
If you really want to see the future of Birdland get their start, you don’t go to Aberdeen, you need to head back to Florida and watch the GCL Orioles. Sounds like the organization is making that more accessible than ever before.

Orioles want to get younger, but it’s not going to happen overnight - Baltimore Sun
The only thing I really took from this post was a quote from Showalter where he basically says that “Yeah, some young guys have looked good, but we have Colby Rasmus coming back soon.” Hoo boy.

The Orioles Have Won Three Games in June, so Things Are Looking Up! - Camden Depot
It was another stellar week in Birdland, and it just demanded to be podcasted about. So, we did. On this episode: the latest trade rumors involving Orioles players, Bleier is out for the season, Dan Duquette has no idea who is being interviewed and Chris Davis rides the pine. Listen on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Podbean and TuneIn. A five-star review would be awesome too! You guys and gals are the best!

Orioles birthdays and history

Is it your birthday? Happy Birthday! It’s a jam-packed day of Birdland birthdays.

The second-most famous number eight in Orioles history, Andy Etchebarren, is 75 today. Etchebarren was in Baltimore from 1962 through 1975 and accumulated a .232/.302/.350 batting line to go along with two All-Star appearances and 9.4 WAR during his time.

Tony Chavez appeared in four games as a reliever on the 1977 team and racked up a 12.38 ERA in his only MLB experience. He is 65 today. Phil Huffman had a 15.43 ERA in just 4.2 innings for the 1985 O’s. This is the righty’s 60th birthday. Paul Bako got into 60 games and hit .205/.277/.256 as the backup catcher to Ramon Hernandez in 2007. Bako is 46. And Juan Castro celebrates his 46th big day. The utility infielder played in 54 games for the 2008 Birds and hit .205/.256/.285.

The final Orioles birthday belongs to club legend Kevin Gregg, who turns 40 today. Ah, who could forget Gregg. The 6-foot-6 right-handed pitcher was bad. Across two seasons, he had a 4.62 ERA, 22 saves, a 92 ERA+ and a -0.3 WAR. But he also yelled at David Ortiz for being overly sensitive regarding the inside of the plate, and that was kind of fun.

Other notable birthdays: singer/songwriter Lionel Richie (1949), actress Nicole Kidman (1967) and actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse (1989).

1631 - The village of Baltimore in West Cork, Ireland is sacked by Algerian pirates.

1840 - Samuel Morse receives the patent for the telegraph.

1877 - The world’s first commercial telephone service is installed by Alexander Graham Bell in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

1970 - Brooks Robinson records his 2000th career MLB hit, a three-run home run to clinch a 5-4 Orioles win over the Washington Senators.

1975 - The movie Jaws is released in the United States, starting the trend of “summer blockbusters”.